ANALYSIS. When prophecies were made to the world, even in those times there were false prophets. So in your time false teachers will come among you, slyly bringing to and urging upon your attention hurtful heresies heresies that will condemn; going so far as to deny Jesus Christ as Lord, who bought... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 1. BUT THERE WERE FALSE PROPHETS AMONG THE PEOPLE. In paying heed to prophets, I meant, of course, true prophets prophets of God. I now to you say that there were among the people of Israel false prophets. While that was true in the past as to prophets, I say to you that there shall be also f... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 2. AND MANY SHALL FOLLOW THEIR PERNICIOUS WAYS. As a result of the teaching of the false teachers, however much to be regretted it may be, many will follow them. They will make converts to their false views. Many will follow their lead, and, by these many so following, the truth as it is in J... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 3. AND THROUGH COVETOUSNESS. The false teachers, and those who follow their false teaching, will attempt by feigned words that is, by fictitious tales, stories, by falsehoods and fables which they will tell you, having nothing in view but gain to make merchandise of your labor and possessions... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 4. FOR IF GOD SPARED NOT THE ANGELS THAT SINNED. You know that God spared not the angels who rebelled. He subjected them to punishment. They were cast out of heaven and into darkness. They are bound with chains, or "pits of darkness," as the Revised Version has it, and are kept or reserved fo... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 5. BUT SPARED NOT THE OLD WORLD, BUT SAVED NOAH. Swift destruction came upon the old world. The flood slew all the wicked, only Noah and his family, who were righteous, being saved therefrom.... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 6. AND TURNING THE CITIES OF SODOM AND GOMORRAH. These cities were destroyed for the wickedness of the people who lived therein, God giving thereby an example or a warning to all who should subsequently live on the earth, including the false teachers, of the certainty of punishment that await... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 7. AND DELIVERED JUST LOT. In the destruction of the cities God saved Lot. Keep before your minds that it is the wicked only that are punished. The righteous are always preserved. This is God's way punish the wicked and save the righteous.... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 8. FOR THAT RIGHTEOUS MAN. Lot was vexed. He was distressed every day he lived with the people of those cities by what he saw and heard of their evil deeds. He was righteous, and hence saved. "And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and se... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 9. THE LORD KNOWETH HOW TO DELIVER THE GODLY. The examples given show that the Lord knows how to deliver those that love and obey him under every trial. AND TO RESERVE THE UNJUST. Also that the Lord knows how to punish the unjust, or to hold them in reserve, to be punished at a later period... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 10. BUT CHIEFLY TO THEM THAT WALK AFTER THE FLESH. A class of persons are here described minutely, false teachers heretofore mentioned included, and of the punishment that awaits them, the inspired penman asserts the certainty. The word "chiefly," indicating a greater punishment than others, i... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 11. WHEREAS ANGELS, WHICH ARE GREATER IN POWER. While the wicked here being described do all the things named without any hesitancy, heavenly messengers, superior in power and might, do not exhibit any such disregard or disrespect for authorities; do not bring a railing accusation against the... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 12. BUT THESE, AS NATURAL BRUTE BEASTS. These wicked ones, here being described, act as if they were irrational like the beasts that are destined to be slaughtered as food for men. So great, indeed, are their irrational and senseless actions that they speak evil of, and in opposition to, thin... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 13. AND SHALL RECEIVE THE REWARD. Their debauchery, riot and evil conduct in the day-time is considered by them as pleasure. Their destruction is the necessary and legitimate reward for such evil doings. SPOTS THEY ARE AND BLEMISHES. The apostle presents many figures as applied to the wicke... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 14. HAVING EYES FULL OF ADULTERY. Their vision is lascivious to such an extreme that it is unceasing, and every effort is made by them to lead astray, by temptations to the sensual appetite, those not fully grounded in the faith. A HEART THEY HAVE EXERCISED WITH COVETOUS PRACTICES. Beside b... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 15. WHICH HAVE FORSAKEN THE RIGHT WAY. These false teachers have wandered from the strait and narrow way which leads to life. FOLLOWING THE WAY OF BALAAM. Balaam loved the wages given for wrong-doing. He suffered himself purchased to engage in an evil cause. He placed himself for gain again... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 16. BUT WAS REBUKED FOR HIS INIQUITY. God put words in the mouth of the brute he was riding, and he, was thereby forced to attend to the angel that blocked his 'passage.... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 17. THESE ARE WELLS WITHOUT WATER. These teachers, although they profess to teach much of profit, in fact have no instruction to impart; they promise much, but the disappointment is great. CLOUDS THAT ARE CARRIED WITH A TEMPEST. Clouds are supposed to contain rain, and, when such appear, des... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 18. FOR WHEN THEY SPEAK GREAT SWELLING WORDS. The sense is that these wicked ones used words utterly devoid of any knowledge of divine things. Their speech was in great flowing, high-sounding words, claiming an illumination they did not possess; words of falsehood calculated to allure those b... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 19. WHILE THEY PROMISE THEM LIBERTY. The promise held out to those sought to be apostatized and drawn from the faith was liberty. This was the promise. Liberty in this, that men possessing appetites are, and of right ought to be, free to indulge them without restraint. These teachers claimed... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 20. FOR IF, AFTER THEY HAVE ESCAPED. By being taught of God, and learning thereby what we must do to become his children, which includes a knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ; in short, have put on Christ, become his subjects, and, by the means so graciously provided for us by a loving Father,... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 21. FOR IT HAD BEEN BETTER. Such as apostatize would have been better off had they never heard the gospel of Christ, for by their apostasy their sin is made the greater and the chains with which they bind themselves are stronger than they were before. A man once knowing the way of life, and t... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 22. BUT IT IS HAPPENED UNTO THEM. Of the ones who apostasize, the apostle says it happened according to a true proverb of Solomon. (Proverbs 26:1-28 : II.) The dog has returned to his vomit again. The comparison is a striking one. The apostle, not satisfied in giving one comparison to enforce... [ Continue Reading ]