In chapter one, Peter gave us the basic premise of Christianity (or more precisely, the basis for being followers of Jesus), and he told us that God provided everything for our salvation (verses 3-4) and that our response to Jesus would be best expressed by embracing the seven ‘qualities’ listed in verses 5-7 to demonstrate to the world that we are His (verses 8-11). Peter then told us that he intends to remind us of this truth, a truth that is not a lie as he and the apostles were eyewitnesses and that these things were the direct fulfillment of God’s Word and prophecy (verses 12-21). Peter then in chapter two joins the other epistle writers in warning against false teaching.
2:1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.
As well as Peter eloquently summarized in chapter one the story of Jesus, what it means to be a witnessing Christian and the truth and power of God’s Word, he now he stops and says, “But false prophets arose among the people.” Using an old cliche, Peter sees a fly in the ointment! We need to understand that our enemy is very active in his opposition to God and His Word. We know this is nothing new as we find in the Old Testament several stories about false prophets (see 1 Kings 22; Jeremiah 5:30-31; 6:13-15; 23:14-16, 21, 25-27; 28:1-17; Ezekiel 13:1-7, 15-19). Peter is telling us that the issue of false prophets didn’t end at the conclusion of the Old Testament, if anything it got a lot worse! Jesus called our attention to the problem of false teaching during His “Sermon on the Mount” (see Matthew 7:15-20). He also indicted the Pharisees and scribes several times as being ‘spiritual phonies’ (see Matthew 23:13-36; Mark 12:38-40; Luke 11:37-12:3). Peter knew false prophets and teachers would infiltrate the church, Jesus mentioned this on a number of occasions (see Matthew 24:3-5, 11, 24-28). Even Paul knew and wrote about false teachings (See Romans 16:17-18; Galatians 1:6-10; 1 Timothy 4:1-5; 2 Timothy 4:2-4; 3:19). So how big is that fly in the ointment? It is a major reoccurring theme in the New Testament, not only did Jesus talk about it and Peter and Paul mention it, the issue of false teaching is discussed and warned about by every New Testament author. So if they take the issue seriously, so should we!
Peter says these false prophets and teachers secretly bring destructive heresies. The Greek word translated as ‘secretly’ implies that their motives were masked, in other words not only were they telling lies, they were intentionally fashioned to deceive.[1] Translated as ‘destructive’, the word literally means to bring something to ‘utter ruin’;[2] Peter will use this word several times in this chapter. It is interesting to note that the Greek word ‘haireseis’ or ‘heresy’ has additional layers of meaning beyond the English definition. The word refers to the act of taking (like invading or capturing a city) plus it can also mean ‘to choose’, but it also refers to a group that follow their own created philosophies or beliefs (the word is often translated as ‘sect’).[3] Peter is saying that false teachers are not honest and straightforward about what they teach. They are intentionally deceiving potential believers, Christians and churches. Personally, I believe there are some ‘false teachers’ that may unintentionally teach lies for whatever reason (usually due to the fact they either had poor teachers themselves or they did not correctly interpret the Word, being a cascade effect from the initial deception), however, they would still be playing into the hand of the deceiver, the father of lies (see John 8:44). Peter points out that these false teachers and prophets are leading people to utter ruin or damnation (see also Jude 3-13).
Peter continues in verse one to say that those teachers also deny the Master (Jesus), the One who bought them with a price (see 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 7:23; Galatians 3:13; 4:4-5; Revelation 5:9). As Christians, we need to understand that Jesus bought us with His blood and that we are no longer slaves to sin (even though we may have thought we were our own). When did this happen? When we confessed our sins to Him and agreed to accept His gift of salvation. Saying ‘yes’ to Jesus also made us a target, as we all are now enemies of those who oppose God. This war we are in is truly a cosmic war (see Ephesians 6:12), however, God provided everything we need (armor, defensive weapons and offensive weapons, see Ephesians 6:10-18) but we still need to learn how to use them!
So why is there a war? Peter warned about the devil in his first epistle (see 1 Peter 5:8). The devil knows where he is headed (see Revelation 20:10) and wants to hurt God every way he can before then, including trying to hurt and condemn those that God loves. One of his many tools in his arsenal to keep people from God, is deception. God takes false teaching and particularly the distortion of His Word very seriously. We read in the last chapter of the Bible about the warning regarding adding to, or subtracting from, His prophetic Word. Even though Revelation 22:18-19 undoubtedly refers to the book of Revelation, it also provides a powerful insight about God and the importance of the purity of His Word.
I am sure you have heard the expressions: “walking in a cloud,” “driving in the fog,” or “running through the smoke.” Each expression emphasizes the fact that someone cannot see clearly, plus whatever they do see is potentially deceiving. Satan is trying to create the same situation, a “smoke screen” if you will, to keep people from hearing and knowing the truth.
Truth exists, even in a time when our children are taught that there are no absolutes, there is absolute truth, absolute Biblical truth, God’s truth. Variations away from the truth can contain some parts that are true or be completely a lie (something absolutely false, remember you can’t have two varied points of view and both be true, at least one is false). Variations include pseudo-Biblical (like Judaism, due to extra-Biblical writings and lack of recognizing their Messiah); pseudo-Christian (such as Catholicism, Mormonism, Jehovah Witnesses, Christian Science, etc.); non-Biblical (cults, occult, New Age, Masons, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Sikhism, Zoroastrianism, astrology, fortune telling, witchcraft, secular humanism, atheism, etc.) and we have to admit that there are many variations to Christianity (denominationalism, synods, etc.) Even though many Christians agree to what may be called “essential doctrine” we disagree on many points that prevent us from being truly united (see John 17:1-26 with emphasis on verses 20-24). Some extreme views are easy to spot, but many alternate views are not so easy and can claim many people and possibly deceive some Christians (read Matthew 24:24; Mark 13:22; Romans 1:21; Colossians 2:6-23). We need to know the truth as Peter is claiming. Just like when Paul referred to the Bereans as being more noble than the Thessalonians because of their desire to know the truth more fully, took what Paul taught and went home to study the Scripture to see if what Paul was teaching was indeed true (see Acts 17:10-11). Just like those Bereans, we need to read and study the Word of God! Paul painted a horrific image of someone that did not know God’s truth as a young child being tossed back and forth on water being blown around by every cunning and craftily created doctrine (read Ephesians 4:11-16, 25).
2:2 And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.
Peter states that many will follow their sensuality (unbridled lust), and because of them, God’s truth and the truth about His plan for salvation will be blasphemed (see Matthew 7:13-14; 24:10-12, only the narrow path leads to life). Their greed (the desire for more power, money, etc.) will motivate them to take advantage of others with false words and teaching (deliberate lies). However, Peter quickly adds that their condemnation, even though known from the beginning, will not be delayed long, as their destruction (same Greek word meaning utter ruin) will indeed happen (God is not asleep). Let us not fall asleep ourselves, we need to be aroused (just like what Peter said he was going to do in verse 13 of chapter one). Today many believe and freely distribute clouds, fog, and smoke. Stop the Devil’s smoke screen by learning God’s Word and help others to see the truth (read 1 John 4:1-6). Just like Secret Service agents who can quickly identify counterfeit money because they have closely studied the original, we too need to know and be intimate with the real thing. After all, God chose to reveal Himself in His Word, know the Word and know Him!
⇐Previous Chapter (Introduction/Index) Next Chapter⇒
[1] Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary: New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers. Strong’s Greek No. 3919
[2] Strong, J. (2001). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software. Strong’s Greek No. 3919
[3] Strong, J. (2001). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software. Strong’s Greek No. 139