Second Epistle of Peter
ANGELS AND BRUTE BEASTS
Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 2:11 (KJV)
Here angels are placed in bold contrast to the wicked false teachers of our chapter. These wicked man dared blaspheme dignities of a much higher order than they were themselves, while these unfallen angels would not dare to do the same of creatures of a far lower order than they were themselves.
"angels...greater in power and might"
This is the second time Peter brings angels into thischapter. However, in verse 4 he speaks of fallen angels, butthese in our verse have not fallen. Peter saysthese angels are "greater in power and might." They alsoexceed all humans in morality; certainly they exceed thesefalse teachers in this respect. They have never sinned. Theydo His commandments and hearken unto His voice (Ps. 103:20).They do His will perfectly. "Greater in power and might" couldbe translated "greater in forcefulness and miraculous power."These are similar words in the Greek, but the latter usuallyhas the sense of miraculous attached to it. They "excel instrength" in their own right, but they have additional powersgiven to them by the Lord for special purposes. For instance,one angel was sent to be with Daniel in the lion's den, and heshut the mouths of these wild animals. They are often picturedas mighty creatures (Ps. 104:4; 2 Thess. 1-7). Angels alsoexceed humans in wisdom (2 Sam. 14:20, etc.).
"bring not railing accusation"
"Railing accusation" is a good translation. The wicked men of our chapter were bringing blasphemous accusations against dignities or authorities who were far greater than themselves. Angels would not dare do the same of authorities far inferior to themselves. No doubt, it is part of the angels work to make reports before the Lord and they must tell the truth, and so must at times bring accusations against dignities who sin, but they would not do it with vile or abusive language. They speak only in a calm and serious manner even when accusing the worst sinners.
Some Christians occasionally lose their tempers and rail and accuse each other in an awful way. This is to be like the devil. He is the accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:10). It is a terrible thing to curse a brother or to rail at him, or to accuse him falsely. This brings reproach and does damage to the cause of Christ. It has scattered the flock and left excuse for the unsaved to not trust and obey Christ.
The language of some sinners today is terrific. They rail and accuse not only earthly authorities, but God and Christ. Their audacity is surprising. They would not dare abuse the name of their worst enemies the way they do the name of the Lord. They are worse than Shimei who cursed David (2 Sam. 16:7, 8), or Korah, Dathan and Abiram who questioned the authority of Moses.
Using similar language, Jude brings the angel's accusation of the devil. Michael the archangel disputed with the devil about the body of Moses. Michael did not bring a railing accusation against him but said, "The Lord rebuke thee" (Jude 9). No doubt he realized that Satan was a powerful being still. The Scriptures call Satan "the strong man armed," and "the prince of the power of the air," and "the god of this world." At one time he had a very high place in heaven and perhaps the angels still recognize a measure of dignity because of this former high estate. Some Christians make a serious mistake by speaking lightly of this enemy. Let us not go beyond what angels did.
"before the Lord"
The angels stand "before the Lord" and report to Him. This dignified presence would have a sobering effect on their behavior and speech. As they stand before His majesty they speak in tones of awe and caution. They state simple facts and leave the judgment of the matter to the Lord. Let us not forget we are ever in the Lord's presence too, even though we cannot see Him with the natural eye. May this sober us as it obviously does the angels, and cause us to speak with caution. If we have accusations, let us also present them before the Lord, not before men. Again, let us never use language of the railer or blasphemer.
Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 2:12 (KJV)
In our last verse, Peter shows how unlike angels these wicked men are. Now in our verse he shows how much like animals they are. They are like dangerous wild animals fit only to be destroyed, or other animals without sense which are only good for food. They speak evil of things concerning which they are ignorant. To be ignorant of a matter is bad enough, but to speak evil of it is plain folly. For such, only trouble lies ahead.
"as natural brute beasts"
What sinners we sometimes find in the circle of Christian fellowship. Peter likens these men to brute beasts. Ever since the time of Judas, unsaved and wicked men have professed to be Christians. There are still brutes who pose as leaders and beasts who pass for teachers.
"natural"
The Revised Version has "born mere animals." There was nothing spiritual about these men; they were sensual like the animals. There was no evidence of a new life from the Lord and so their appetites were wholly natural. Like the animals, they were directed solely by their natural reasoning and lusts. These men professing to be spiritually enlightened were actually on a common level with the animals. As the animals are unashamed in their evil ways, so these men also delighted to riot in the daytime, as our next verse indicates.
"brute"
Men are likened to brutes often in the Word, especially in the Old Testament (Ps. 49:10; 92:6; Jer. 10:8, etc.). The Revised Version calls these men "creatures without reason."
While some animals show some signs of being able to think, for the most part their passions rule over their reasons, too. In recent years, men have shown great reasoning powers in their multitude of inventions, and they glory in this. However, in it all they have not risen much, if any, in morally. For most, reasoning powers have not enabled them to control their passions. "They are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge" (Jer. 4:22). How sad to see otherwise smart people ensnared by the lust of the flesh. Only Christ in the heart is able to deliver such.
"beasts"
"Animals" would be better than "beasts." The Scripture often likens sinful man to some animal. The last verse of our chapter likens him to a dog and a swine. He is also likened to a horse, mule, fox, wolf, bear and lion. Many of these terms are in use even today. Call a man a beast, a dog, a swine, and see what happens. Often the expression is heard, "stubborn as a mule" and "wise as a fox." Some today are also called "wolves". May we rise above these animals without reason and control our animal instincts by the help of the Lord.
"made to be taken and destroyed"
Some animals are born just to be taken to the slaughterhouse, made food for man. More than likely though, Peter has wild animals in mind, who, because of their destructiveness are caught and killed. Some translators have "captured" or "caught and destroyed." On occasion, lions in Africa will kill stock and sometimes become man-eaters. Hunting parties are then appointed by the officials to capture or perhaps kill the animal. This is also true of tigers and leopards in India. Peter says these false teachers are no better than wild animals, who, because of their own destructiveness should be taken and destroyed. If a man sinks to the level of the beasts he can only expect to be treated as such by the Lord.
"speak evil"
The Scripture often condemns evil speaking. Evil speaking takes on many forms, but out verse suggests the worst form, that of railing (R.V.). All evil speaking results from a desire to be of greater importance in the eyes of others. The evil speaker has the thought that in dragging down others, he pushes himself up. However, it seldom has the desired effect. It may drag others down, but it usually drags the speaker down, too, especially in the estimation of the hearers. It is a habit which does no one any good. Usually the speaker, the hearer, and the one spoken of, are all injured by it.
"things they understand not"
The Revised Version has, "railing in matters whereof they are ignorant." It is bad to be ignorant, but worst when one speaks of evil of that concerning which he is ignorant. This is plain folly and recklessness. These men had no understanding of the right ways of the Lord, but professed to be of great understanding and railed on those who tried to teach the right way. Ignorance is often behind evil speaking. If men really knew, they would never dare to speak evil of God or Christ. Because of ignorance, great men of God have been bitterly criticized. Little mean men found fault even with the great apostle Paul. Since then, many great men have had to bear similar attacks. Do not be dismayed when you find yourself the butt of some bitter attack by someone far inferior to you. This is especially hard to take from those who profess to belong to the Lord.
"shall utterly perish"
The last phrase of this verse is literally, "shall be corrupted in their own corruption." The Revised Version has, "shall in their destroying surely be destroyed." It is just another way of saying, "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap" (Gal. 6:7). If a man sows corruption, he will reap corruption; if he sows destruction, he will surely reap destruction.
The word "shall" tells of the certainty of the judgment which was to befall these wicked men. It may be delayed, but it will surely come. These men were both useless and destructive to Christianity, and they could expect that their actions would produce their own destruction. "His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate" (Ps. 7:16). This misery and destruction often comes in this life, but certainly unless there is repentance and a true turning to Christ, it will come after death.
