Second Epistle of Peter
WAY OF THE UNJUST
Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 2:9 (KJV)
Here we have stated what is pictured in verses 4-8. Peter has shown how the Lord delivered righteous Noah and Lot, how He punished sinning angels, antediluvians, and the sinners of Sodom and Gomorrha. He knew how to deliver Noah from the flood and Lot out of Sodom, and He can deliver His own from trial today. Sinning angels and sinful men did not escape righteous judgment, so let rebellious sinners today beware.
"The Lord knoweth"
In many places Holy Scriptures tell of the great knowledge of our Lord. He knows all about us, our ever action (Ps. 139:3), our every word (Ps. 139:4), our every thought (Ps. 139:2). He not only knows those who are His (2 Tim. 2:19), but He also knows all the trials which beset them. "For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous" (Ps. 1:6). He knows the way of the ungodly too. "Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it" (Ps. 139:6).
"knoweth how to deliver"
The Lord not only knows when one of His own is in difficulty, but He knows how and when to deliver him out of it, perhaps far more often than we realize. He keeps His own from getting into trouble. For their personal good, He knows when to let them get into trouble, how long to let them suffer, when and how to deliver them from it.
Sometimes grievous trials come a Christian's way. It is natural for him to seek a way out, but often it seems there is no way, the difficulties seem insurmountable. The situation may seem utterly hopeless with no ray of light, but the Lord knows. His knowledge far excels ours and He can find a way out. Nothing is impossible to Him, and nothing is hid from Him. He can find a way and His way will always prove the best way.
The Scriptures are full of cases wherein the Lord delivered His saints in unexpected ways. He delivered Joseph from prison in Egypt through Pharaoh's dreams. He caused Ahaserus to have a sleepless night in order to deliver Mordecai from the gallows and all the Jews from being killed by wicked Haman. He caused the Red Sea to part in order to deliver the children of Israel out of the hands of Pharaoh. He stopped the mouths of lions and stayed the burning power of fire to deliver Daniel and his three friends. He caused the raven to bring food to Elijah, and later caused the widow's pot of oil to not diminish in order to deliver His servant from starvation. These are but a few of many cases we could add to Noah and Lot, whom Peter mentions.
The New Testament relates many examples, too. He delivered Peter from prison (Acts 12) and Paul from the awful storm at sea (Acts 27). When Christ and His disciples were terribly tossed by the winds and the waves, He rebuked the wind and sea and there was a great calm. Even today storms may rage around us, but with a word He can send peace and calm. In order to accomplish this He can raise up friends, destroy enemies, change the course of events, alter men's hearts, as well as so many other things only He can know.
"The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of trial." The Lord not only delivers us from trial, but from this present evil world (Gal. 1:4) and from evil (Matt. 6:13); from the law (Rom. 7:6) and the fear of death (Heb. 2:15); from the power of darkness (Col. 1:13) and the wrath to come (1 Thess. 1:10). Therefore, we should do our utmost to keep from entanglement in sin and the allurements of the world.
"the godly"
The word here translated "godly" is a compound one literally translated "well-reverent." It could also be translated "pious" or "devout." It indicates more than merely being saved; it also suggests a consistent life for the Lord. A Christian who lives for himself and the world need not expect deliverance in time of trial. While such a one should not expect deliverance, still, if it be the will of God that such a one will be delivered then he will certainly be delivered. In fact, the Lord may purposely send trial in order to bring the careless closer to Himself. He may permit even the godly Christian to suffer certain things in order to teach a needed lesson. However, He will not permit His devout ones to suffer a needless trial. But we need to keep in mind that the Lord will never consider a man godly who has not trusted and obeyed Christ as his Savior.
"reserve the unjust"
The Revised Version translates the last part of our verse, "And to keep the unrighteous under punishment unto the day of judgment." This puts the punishment in the present tense and may indicate that although the wicked may roam in this world at will, the Lord already has His hand upon them and is punishing them for their sins even now. At any rate, the Lord has them under surveillance and they cannot escape unless they repent and trust and obey Christ. "Reserved" tells that punishment of the Christ-rejecting wicked is certain. The Judge cannot be fooled or bribed. No clever lawyer will be able to bring an evasion of the issue or bring about a compromise.
The word "reserved" also tells us that there is no such thing as annihilation. Every sinner who has ever lived is still in existence, either here on earth or in the spirit world awaiting judgment. Oh, that the unjust on earth would realize what lies ahead and flee to Christ for salvation.
"the unjust"
The Bible is plain in stating that all unsaved in the world are unjust. Romans 3:10 says, "There is none righteous, no, not one." Just and righteous are the same words in the Greek. Practically, they are not "just" because they sin every day. They are not "just" legally because they break the law. Neither are they "just" by imputation, for they have not trusted and obeyed Christ. All unjust sinners, whether still in the world or already out of it, are "reserved unto the day of judgment."
"unto the day of judgment"
There is a day coming when every sinner will appear before the judgment bar of God. None of us know how soon this day will arrive, but its coming is certain. Whether it is near at hand or some time away does not change matters, because the sinner, i.e., the one who rejects the blessed Lord, is certainly under punishment. Those who are dead are already in God's judging hand. They are already awaiting the day of trial. Their punishment will certainly be severe – only after the judgment will it be known just how terrible.
This final judgment will not only be severe, it will be everlasting. The Word speaks of "eternal damnation" in Mark 3:29, and "eternal fire" in Jude 7. John 3:36 says, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." Paul says to the unrepentant sinner in
Romans 2:5, "But after thy hardness and impenient heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God."
"to be punished"
"Under punishment" in the Revised Version seems to indicate punishment in the present tense, as though the unjust were already being punished. We know that sin brings its own punishment. A liar will suffer for his lying; a thief will eventually get caught; a drinker has his bad after effects; a sexual sinner is apt to be afflicted with various diseases, etc.
The Lord constantly puts stumbling blocks in their paths and reminders of the punishment which lies ahead. He constantly thrusts arrows of conviction which spoil a sinner's happiness.
One says that he could not be happy as long as there was a cemetery across the road. Another says, "Those gospel signs along the highways are everywhere; they spoil a man's motoring trips." Someone else says, "I used to drive a taxicab and about once a week somebody would load me down with literature about Jesus Christ. Why can't they leave me alone?" And on and on it goes. There are many who seem outwardly happy and prosperous, but the Lord only knows about the mental punishment and anguish they may be experiencing. Of course, all such things are only a prelude to the coming eternal punishment. We pray many will flee to Christ and escape that place, "Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched" (Mark 9:44).
Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 2:10 (KJV)
In this verse, Peter describes the type of false teachers he is attacking. He condemns two things in them. First, they live in the ways of the flesh, i.e., in uncleanness; and second, they set aside all authority, claiming this abuses their Christian liberty. We find in these false teachers presumption, pride, and shameless degradation.
"walk after the flesh"
The word here translated "flesh" has a variety of meanings in the Bible. Sometimes it is the body, as opposed to the spirit in man. Most often, as here, it speaks of the frailties and sinful passions of human nature. Every Christian lives in the flesh, but no Christian should walk after the flesh. "Though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after flesh" (2
Cor. 10:3). The flesh and the spirit are contrasted in Romans 8:1-13. In verse 4 Paul says, "That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit".
The false teachers of our chapter were making pleasing of the flesh their main object. They gave themselves license to do all manner of unclean things and evidently misapplied Scripture in order to justify their evil. As we read further into the chapter, the two sins of which they were especially guilty were adultery and covetousness.
"the lust of uncleanness"
The Scriptures everywhere condemn uncleanness. Some seem to think that because we are not saved by what we do, that it does not matter much whether we live clean lives or not. This is a serious mistake. Of course, we are not saved by clean living, but we are saved in order to live cleanly. We are saved from sin and uncleanness to live a pure life for the Lord. A faithful child of God is freed from the penalty and power of sin.
If this power to live a clean life is not manifest in one who professes salvation, the Scripture suggests that such a one is not saved at all – "For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness" (1 Thess. 4:7). Romans 1:24-27 tells of the uncleanness of the lost in Paul's day. For those who profess Christianity and yet live in these sins, it is the same as going back to the evil world – "For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolator, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God" (Eph. 5:5; also 1 Cor. 6:9, 10).
"despise government"
"Government" is literally "dominion" as in the Revised Version. Some translate it "authority." This can be applied to any authority, i.e., government officials, leaders of the church, or the authority of God and His Word. These false teachers despised any authority which would put any restraint on their unbridled lusts. Perhaps, to mislead their followers, they said, like some today, "Oh, we are not under the law; it does not matter much what we do. We are living in New Testament times, and this is the dispensation of grace." So they mix truth with error. It is true that we are under grace and not law, but it is untrue to therefore say we are not under authority and can live and act as we please.
They may have also talked about Christian Liberty, quoting "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ bath made us free" (Gal. 5:1). This refers especially to ceremonial law from which Christ has indeed freed us. He frees us from scores of other things, but He has not freed us to sin as we please. In fact sin is a slave master from which the Lord frees His own (John 8:34-36).
While parental authority is not in view in our verse, nevertheless it is necessary for us to stress it continually. It is the place where the foundation for respect of authority must be laid. If children are taught to obey their parents, it will not be hard for them to obey governmental authorities, or the Lord and His Word. Not only the law says, "Honour thy father and thy mother," but we read in Colossians 3:20, "Children, obey your parents in all things; for this is well-pleasing to the Lord" (also Eph. 6:1-3). The stubborn and rebellious son who would not obey his parents in Old Testament times was to be stoned to death (Deut. 21:18-21). It is sad that in our homes and schools today there seems to be a growing lack of obedience.
Also, respect for government and authority seems to be low today. Some deliberately set about to disobey the law. Every law, from traffic ordinances to income tax payments are openly flaunted today. There is good counsel in Proverbs 24:21, "My son, fear thou the Lord and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change."
Romans 13:1-7 tells how Christians should be subject to the powers that be and how they are set in their places by the authority of the Lord (also 1 Pet. 2:13,14). Christians err by resisting the government.
When the authority of God and His Word is cast aside, life is brought down to the level of animals. This is Peter's conclusion in verse 12. With God's authority gone, all other soon goes, too. This is the position into which these false teachers had sunk and into which they were leading their followers. They were virtually saying, "We will not have this man to reign over us" (Luke 19:14). They who propagate error will soon walk in sin; and they who walk in sin will soon propagate error. Men love a religion which does not bind them too strongly morally. If they can be assured that this is not necessary, they will be ready to follow anyone. Let us have a tender conscience about obeying God's Word, and the Lord will be honored.
"presumptuous are they"
Someone said, "It is presumption for you to say you know you are saved." It is never presumption to tell the truth. If you have taken your place as an unworthy sinner before the Lord, receiving Christ as your Savior and been born again, it is doubt, not faith, to question your salvation. Of course, if you have not received this new birth from the Lord, then it is presumption to expect to go to heaven. Especially is this so, if like these false teachers, you are living an unclean life. It is presumption for such to think that they will escape the judging hand of the Lord.
The word "presumptuous" is literally "darers." The Revised Version has "daring." Some translate it "audacious." And truly it is a daring thing to despise the authority of God. If sinners knew the awful judgment which lies ahead they would rather tremble.
"selfwilled"
These false teachers were self-willed. They wanted their own way about everything. No matter what the Lord or anyone else said; they intended to do as they wanted. This pampering of self is a dreadful thing. The selfish man injures himself as well as others. He is not happy and makes others unhappy, too. It is much better to live for others and the Lord. "We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let everyone of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself" (Rom. 15:1-3).
It is much better to do the will of God rather than our own. At his conversion, the great apostle Paul asked, "Lord what wilt thou have me to do?" From that day forth he sought to do the Lord's will. A self-willed man can ruin a work for God.
"are not afraid to speak evil of dignities"
The Revised Version has for this last expression, "Tremble not to rail at dignities," and is a more exact translation. "Speak evil" is literally "blaspheme," and "dignities" is "glories." This may refer to glorious or honorable things or personages. Because of the next verse, Peter may have had personages in mind. These arrogant men did not tremble when they openly blasphemed greater ones than themselves. They may have spoken in an evil way of leaders in the church, as well as government officials. Perhaps some sought to check them in their licentious ways, and this may have caused them to rise up in anger and rail at them.
What an awful thing the tongue can be. In his epistle, James speaks of the wicked little member in scathing terms. Its capacity for evil is unlimited. How we need to put a watch on it at all times. It not only can injure the speaker and the one spoken of, but can also poison the hearer’s mind. Let us not be like Korah, Dathan and Abiram who spoke against the authority of Moses and soon suffered from the chastening hand of the Lord.
Let us not speak evil of those set in authority over us in the government. Some otherwise fine Christians seem to do this without much thought. Paul quotes Exodus 22:28 when he says, "Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people" (Acts 23:5). "Curse not the king, no not in thy thought" (Eccl. 10:20). Let us remember that to speak evil of rulers is to speak evil of God, who set them over us (Rom. 13:1-4).
