Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

2 Peter 2:18

ὑπέρογκα. Cf. Jude 1:16. No doubt the reference is to the use of Gnostic terms. ματαιότης, used specially of moral insincerity. Cf. ματαίας ἀναστροφῆς, “heartless conduct,” 1 Peter 1:18. There is no corresponding reality behind their words. σαρκὸς, to be taken with ἀσελγείαις, which is in apposition to ἐπιθυμίαις. τοὺς ὀλίγως ἀποφεύγοντας : “those who are just escaping”; who have been impressed with Christian truth, and have had strength to separate themselves from their old surroundings and customs; but are led to return through the compromises suggested by the false teachers. The phenomenon is not uncommon in all missionary work, of men who have escaped from “Gentile vices, but are not yet established in Christian virtues” (Bigg). τοὺς ἐν πλάνῃ ἀναστρεφομένους = governed by ἀποφεύγοντας : “(escaping from) those who live in error”; i.e. from their old heathen companionships. “There is great passion in the words. Grandiose sophistry is the hook, filthy lust is the bait, with which these men catch those whom the Lord had delivered, or was delivering” (Bigg).

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Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

2 Peter 2:18

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