2 Peter 2:18

2 Peter 2:18 ‘For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error,'

‘For' -The reason why they are called ‘springs without water' and ‘mists driven by. storm'.

‘arrogant words' -‘excessive size, puffed up, swollen, also haughty, bombastic' (Arndt p. 841). ‘a kind of speech full of high-sounding verbosity without substance' (Vincent p. 702). ‘Overblown, with exaggerated claims dressed in fancy words, these people were like spiritual puffer fish, inflating themselves to impress and intimidate.' (Lucas/Green p. 116)

‘of vanity' -‘using fine phrases that have no meaning' (Knox). Big words strung together, but only words, words that don't meaning anything.

Points to Note:

I have always liked the following illustration: ‘The following was found among the graffiti on. wall at St. John's University. “And Jesus said unto them, ‘Who do you say that. am?' And they replied, ‘You are the eschatological manifestation of the ground of our being, the kerygma in which we find the ultimate meaning of our interpersonal relationship'. And Jesus said: “What?”' (Plain Talk 17/5/1) 2. The words are empty because they are void of truth. Be impressed that just any message won't save or lead one to salvation (Romans 1:16).

‘they entice' -‘allure, entice, deceive' (Thayer p. 128). The following, they use as “bait” to entrap possible followers and disciples.

‘by fleshly desires' -‘by'-through. ‘fleshly desires'-‘and use physical cravings to lure into immorality' (Gspd). ‘This means of trapping the young Christians is enticing, for they speak on those areas of life which the new disciple will find hardest to change. They say that if their way is followed, new Christians need not change at all, and can have the best of both worlds.' (Lucas/Green p. 117)

‘by sensuality' -(1 Peter 4:3; 2 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 2:7). ‘No doubt these teachers maintained that the salvation of the immortal soul was all that mattered…they may have suggested that the deeply spiritual should expressed their religion sexually, as some second-century heretics did.' (Green p. 116) 1. To this day we hear people trying to argue just like these first century false teachers. 2. It seems like certain people are always trying to find an angle where they don't have to “toe the line” that Peter and the other apostles taught.. way that we can be selfish and yet spiritual at the same time.

‘those who barely escape from the ones who live in error' -‘those who have barely begun to escape from their heathen environment' (NEB); ‘those who have had but. short respite from false teaching' (Knox).

Points to Note:

Here we see the importance of getting involved with strong and sound people immediately after your conversion. For false teachers (who can be nothing more than what appears to be. well-meaning family member who is giving you advice) prey on new converts (Romans 16:18). 2. Get yourself grounded in the faith, take good care of your new relationship with God (Colossians 1:23).