But the word of the true proverb has happened to them: "The dog returning to its vomit," and, "the sow that is washed goes back to wallowing in the mud." Truth to Learn Without the God-given new birth, we will all return to our former ways. Meaning Explained For...
2 Peter 2:21 – Knowledge or Faith?
For it was better for them not to have recognized the way of righteousness, than having recognized it to turn away from the sacred commandment that was delivered to them. Truth to Learn Great works done in the name of God are not an indication of salvation. Real salvation comes...
2 Peter 2:20 – Knowing Entanglement
For if they having escaped the corruption of the world by acknowledging our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled and overcome by it, they are worse off in the end than they were at the beginning. Truth to Learn True salvation can’t be lost, but mere intellectual...
2 Peter 2:19 – Corrupt Slaves
Promising to them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of corruption—for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him. Truth to Learn That which you are committed to and controlled by is your master and you are its slave. Behind the Words This word “freedom” is translated...
2 Peter 2:18 – Symphonic Messages
For speaking empty, boastful words, by lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. Truth to Learn Well written messages that are delivered by a skilled public speaker are not always messages from God. Behind the Words The word...
2 Peter 2:17 – Refreshing, Cleansing Water
These men are dry wells and clouds driven by a storm, for whom the blackest darkness is reserved. Truth to Learn The Bible is like refreshing, cleansing water to the soul. Behind the Words The word “clouds” is translated from omichlē, meaning “a mist, a fog, or a cloud.”...
2 Peter 2:16 – Donkey Speak
But had a rebuke of his own iniquity from a donkey—a beast without speech—speaking with a man's voice he restrained the prophet's madness. Truth to Learn Following God’s leading may be hard, but it is the best way. Behind the Words The word translated “iniquity” is paranomia. This is...
2 Peter 2:15 – The Straight Path
having forsaken the true way, they went astray following the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness. Truth to Learn Follow the path God leads you on no matter how much fame and fortune are promised you. Behind the Words The words “having forsaken”...
2 Peter 2:14 – Greedy Practice
Having eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning, seducing unstable souls, having a heart trained in greed, they are accursed children; Truth to Learn False teachers serve themselves, not those whom they teach. Behind the Words The word translated “seducing” is deleadzō, which means “to entrap with bait.”...
2 Peter 2:13 – Life of the Party
Suffering wrong as the payback for their unrighteousness. They consider it pleasure to carouse in the daytime; they are stains and blemishes, self-indulgent in their delusions while they indulge in luxury with you. Truth to Learn When harsh criticism is given of others, we need to ensure that we are...
2 Peter 2:12 – God’s Precious Word
But these men, as irrational beasts, having been natural born for capture and corruption, blaspheme in matters of which they are ignorant. In their own corruption they shall utterly perish. Truth to Learn Those who do not respect God’s word will perish. Behind the Words The expression “irrational beasts”...
2 Peter 2:11 – Lord, or Just Savior
whereas angels, being greater in strength and power, do not bring slanderous accusations against them in the presence of the Lord. Truth to Learn We all need to recognize what spiritual authority we are under. Behind the Words “Angels” is a transliteration of the Greek word angelos, meaning “a...
2 Peter 2:10 – Selfish or Submitted?
And most of all those going after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, despising authority, presumptuous, self-willed, not afraid to slander glorious beings. Truth to Learn Some false teachers only care about their own desires. Behind the Words The words “lust of uncleanness” are translated from the Greek...
2 Peter 2:9 – Lord and Master?
the Lord knows to rescue devout ones from trials and to keep the unrighteous for the day of judgment, being punished. Truth to Learn If you’re a Christian, God is your master and you are his servant. Behind the Words The word translated “Lord” in the first verse of...
2 Peter 2:8 – Tortured By Sinfulness
for the righteous one dwelling among them day by day, in seeing and hearing their lawless deeds his righteous soul was tormented. Truth to Learn Living in the midst of sin is torture for a committed Christian. Behind the Words “Righteous” is translated from dikaios, which is derived from...
2 Peter 2:7 – Righteous Lot?
And rescued righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the wicked behavior of lawless men. Truth to Learn Living like the people of this world will corrupt your behavior. Behind the Words The word translated “oppressed” is kataponeō, made up of kata, an intensifier, and poneō, meaning “to labor.” It...
2 Peter 2:6 – Lulled Into Sin
And if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, incinerating them as an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; Truth to Learn It’s easy to ignore sin when everyone around is doing it. Behind the Words The word translated “condemned” is katakrinō, which is...
2 Peter 2:5 – Pre-Flood Stubbornness
And if he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah and seven others, a preacher of righteousness, bringing a flood on the ungodly world; Truth to Learn The people of Noah’s day refused to listen to the truth and they paid the ultimate price for their sinfulness. ...
2 Peter 2:4 – Held For Judgment
For if God did not spare sinning angels, but delivered them to chains of darkness sending them down to Tartarus, holding them for judgment; Truth to Learn False teachers, like the angels who sinned, will be judged! Behind the Words The word “if” indicates a conditional clause. In New...
2 Peter 2:3 – Snake Oil Preaching
And by covetousness, with deceitful words they will use you for gain, whose judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction does not sleep Truth to Learn Not every message delivered from the pulpit comes from God. Behind the Words The word translated “covetousness” is the Greek...
2 Peter 2:2 – Ungodly Witnesses
And many will follow their licentious ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. Truth to Learn Professing Christians who live un-Christ-like lives bring the whole body of Christ into disrepute. Behind the Words All of the writings from which the New Testament was translated were written...
2 Peter 2:1 – False Teachers
But false prophets were also among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction on themselves. Truth to Learn Beware! There are false teachers in the church today. Behind the...