Second Epistle of Peter
EVIL WAYS OF FALSE TEACHERS
Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 2:13 (KJV)
After again telling of the judgment awaiting these unrighteous men, our verse goes on to tell more of their shameful actions. They cared not who saw and knew of their debased behavior and openly carried on their riotous ways in the daytime. This naturally brought disgrace upon the Christian company; they were like spots and blemishes to the pure in the assembly. They seemed to take delight in the knowledge that they were able to deceive other Christians. All the while they were taking all the privileges of the Christian assembly and even took a place at the sacred feast, the Lord's Supper.
"the reward of unrighteousness"
This second chapter of Peter's Second Epistle has many unusual Greek words. Consequently there are a variety of thoughts brought out by various translators. This first phrase of our verse would perhaps be best translated, "Shall carry off as their due the reward of unrighteousness." The Revised Version has "Suffering wrong as the hire of wrong doing." The implication is certain – these men would receive judgment from the hand of God according to their guilt.
Someone might say, "It is no longer the sin question, but the Son question." However, this will not stand the test of Scripture. It is indeed the Son question, but it is also the sin question. Our verse plainly says that judgment will be according to their sin. It is like a disease and its remedy. Suppose a man has a serious disease and there is a remedy for it. However, he does not take the remedy and dies. Why did he die? Well, one might say, "He died because of his sickness." True enough, but another might say, "He died because he did not take the remedy." Again this is true. In the same way a man's sin will bring judgment and Holy Scripture testifies that the worse the sin, the worse the punishment. At the same time a man's rejection of Christ as the remedy for his sin is also the cause of his condemnation. So one must conclude it is both the sin question and the Son question.
When Christ saves a sinner, He does more than save him from the penalty of sin. He also saves him from the power of sin. Not that a saved person will never fall into sin, but he is given power so that sin need not rule over him. A true Christian may fall into sin, but he will not live in it. If we find one who seems to have no power over sin, then we immediately wonder whether he is saved, even though he may profess to be. "Thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins" (Matt. 1:21).
"pleasure to riot in the day time"
A lot of sin is done in the dark or under cover so it cannot be seen. Thieves usually break into homes at night. Drinking and carousing is also usually done at night. "They that be drunken are drunken in the night" (1 Thess. 5:7). These men who professed to be Christian teachers were worse than the sinner. They were so wicked and shameless in it that they delighted to riot in the daytime. What did they care who saw it, or what they thought of it. They are like those of whom Paul speaks, "Whose glory is in their shame" (Phil. 3:19). These sinners so loved this rioting that they could not get enough of it at night, but must practice it even in the daytime. Such shameless sinners certainly deserve judgments in this life and also in the next. Sin is always bad, but when it is so open and shameless it is terrible.
"count it pleasure"
These wicked men thought they were having a wonderful time. No doubt they had some pleasure in their rioting. In Hebrews 11:25 we read that Moses chose "rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season." Sin may bring temporary pleasure, but brings no lasting joy. It does not follow that pleasure is always sinful. There are many things in the world which are clean and which a Christian may delight in, providing he does not abuse them by excess.
Sometimes young Christians ask, "Is it all right to go there or do this or that?" Ask yourself these questions. Is it clean? Does it have an unsavory reputation? Does it rob me of a chance to serve the Lord? Will it put a damper on my spirituality? Can I afford the time spent on it? "Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness" (Rom. 13:13). "But let us, who are of the day, be sober" (1 Thess. 5:8).
"spots they are"
These false teachers not only had spots and blemishes on them, but their very persons were spots and blemishes on the company of Christians. They were a scandal and a disgrace to Christ and Christianity. Out in the world they probably would not look so bad, but in the company of the pure Christian their sin looked serious, even filthy. Like a filthy dog let into the house will defile the house, so these filthy men would have a defiling effect on the whole assembly of Christians.
How unlike Christ these sinners who professed Christianity were. They not only had, but were spots and blemishes. We read of our Lord Jesus, that He was "a lamb without blemish and without spot" (1 Pet. 1:19). They were more like the devil than like Christ. If Christ is in the heart, certainly this will in some measure produce Christ-likeness. If not, then we may well question whether Christ is within.
All men are by nature spotted by sin. Whey they trust and obey Christ as Savior they are cleansed, not from the penalty of sin only but from sin itself. "The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). Are we cleansed by His blood? If our lives are still filthy we may well question whether we are saved. "Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works" (Tit. 2:14). If one is living in iniquity and impurity what right has he to say he is redeemed? The result of redemption is not apparent.
The grace of God and the type of faith in Christ that leads to obedience of His Word has cleansed many a sinner. Faith in and obedience to Christ does not give license to sin, or to live in filth, but cleanses from these things.
In judgment, Christ will present every true Christian spotless and clean. "That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish" (Eph. 5:27). This is the ultimate aim and purpose of redemption. If we do not see the beginning of this now, we have no right to suppose that the end will be so. These false teachers were teaching that Christianity gave liberty to every form of licentiousness. How far they were from the truth.
"sporting themselves with their own deceivings"
These men were deceivers, deceiving not only those they taught, but themselves as well –they were "sporting themselves." They probably were boasting of their fine clothes, ease, and luxury. They may have boasted about their evil ways. The Revised Version has "revelling in their deceivings." They may have revelled in the fact that they were able to lead unstable souls into their way of believing and living. It is to be noted that error in belief is sure to lead to error in life. Uncleanness in thought is sure to lead to uncleanness in the body. He who thinks lightly of sin is surely on slippery ground. "Fools make a mock at sin" (Prov. 14:9). "It is sport to a fool to do mischief" (Prov. 10:23).
"deceivings"
What an awful thing it is to be a deceiver, especially when it comes to things of the Lord. These men were deceiving people into believing that Christianity gave license to lust. No doubt this led some to profess Christianity without being born again and may have led some true Christians into sinful ways. To deceive is to be like the devil. He deceived Eve in the Garden of Eden and has been busy deceiving men ever since.
There are many deceivers in the world today. Any who deny the deity of Christ or the atoning value of His precious blood are deceivers. Many today belittle the Word of God. Such are deceivers; as are those who teach salvation by simply observing man-made rituals, avoiding obeying the commands of Christ as pointed out in His Word. Some either teach outright or imply that law keeping or moral living assures a place in heaven. They make the cross of Christ of none affect and are deceivers. Those who make light of sin are also deceivers, because they do away with the necessity of the cross. When one makes light of sin in a Christian, he is also a deceiver, because Christ died to put away sin and to liberate from it. So deception takes on an infinite variety of forms. Let us ever be on guard against deceiving, as well as those who deceive.
"while they feast with you"
"While they feast with you" would indicate that these sinful men were in close fellowship with Christians. There has been some question as to just what this verse was. It is natural to suppose it refers to the Lord's Supper, which is called a feast in 1 Corinthians 5:8. Some have thought that this feast was a meal which the Christians had between meetings. Some came from long distances and without suitable transportation it would be easier to bring their meals with them, than to try to go home and then come back again. Some have thought that they had a regular meal in connection with their remembrance feast.
Certainly at some of these early church gatherings there was flagrant disorder, as we cannot help but know from 1 Corinthians 11:20-22, "When ye come together into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper. For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. What? have ye not houses to eat and drink in?" Evidently at these meals some poor, who had but little, went hungry, while some were gluttons and drunk. Perhaps Peter is referring to similar things. These false leaders were actually changing these gatherings of Christians into riotous, lewd times. By so doing, they were bringing reproach and disgrace to the name of Christ and to His precious holy feast.
Today some sit with the Lord's people at the Lord's Supper while living in open sin. Some congregations of the Lord's people are seemingly lax in this respect. It’s been said by a few that there is special blessing for a sinner who partakes of this supper, and that it helps in the forgiveness of sin. The Scripture teaches the reverse; that it will add to the judgment of such who partake of the Lord's Supper (1 Cor. 11). It is a remembrance feast for those who are saved and who are not living in open sin. Based on this, wicked people should never partake of this holy feast.
Of course, this does not mean that one should be excommunicated for minor sin or failure, but when by his life, one brings disgrace upon the name of Christ and the company of Christians, he should be withdrawn from by the people of God, especially at the Lord's Supper. "Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person" (1 Cor. 5:13). Those early companies of Christians would have been better off without those wicked deceivers in their midst.
Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 2:14 (KJV)
In this verse and following ones, Peter goes into the very depths of the sin of these wicked teachers. They are guilty of awful iniquity and entice weak souls into similar practices. Sinful pleasure and obtaining of wealth seems to be their sole ambition and Peter calls them children of the curse.
"eyes"
The eyes are often the start of sin. Eve "saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes" (Gen. 3:6). That was the start of sin in the world. Achan says, "When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them" (Josh. 7:21). His seeing caused him to covet and to take, and so he brought great trouble to Israel, and death to himself. The eye is ever on the alert to see things and Satan will use it to lead one into sin if he possibly can. Therefore, we need to give heed as to what we see. What can be seen in movies, on television, or the Internet too often lacks moral character.
"full of adultery"
The first part of this verse is literally, "Having eyes full as an adulteress." Their adulterous passions showed in the eyes of these wicked men, as their gaze shamelessly wandered from one female to another. The word "full" would suggest that they had eyes for almost nothing else. Their eyes were on the lookout for someone who would be easy prey for their enticements. "But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart" (Matt. 5:28). Beautiful young women who are special targets for these lustful sinners need our prayers.
"adultery"
Adultery has caused many a great one to fall. Amnon's sin against Tamar was a shameful thing (2 Sam. 13). Many a great man has likewise been overcome by this sin. If not soon forsaken, adultery often leads to other sin. In an attempt to conceal it, there surely will be deceit. Everything up to murder has followed in its trail. Adultery often brings its own punishment in the form of various diseases. The Lord is strong in His condemnation of adultery, even as He is in condemning murder. He hates sin in connection with that which produces new life, even as He hates sin in connection with taking life that already exists. A Christian should be on guard lest Satan trip him up by this snare. "Whoremongers and adulterers God will judge" (Heb. 13:4).
"cannot cease from sin"
These men had become so debased and so ingrained in their sin that they had become powerless to stop it. Bad habits have a way of fixing themselves upon a person. They get to a point where only the Spirit of God can break them. These men were not saved and so devoid of the Spirit, and since they were teaching false doctrine they were in almost a hopeless condition. "Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil" (Jer. 13:23). Beware lest some evil habit engulf us.
"beguiling unstable souls"
There are always unstable souls who can be led astray. This is evident from the fact that almost any kind of crazy sect can start up and gain followers. Sometimes these unstable souls are merely unsaved professors of Christianity; sometimes they are saved ones but weak in knowledge and unstable by nature. There are some today who "by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple" (Rom. 16:18). How important it is to be firmly established in the truth of God's Word.
The word "beguiling" is literally "laying baits for." It is like a hunter setting a trap with some choice bait to catch a wild animal. That these men were able to ensnare some weak females into their traps is strongly suggested by the apostle. No doubt they were able to convince some that since they were not under law and had Christian liberty, it was legitimate to indulge in sexual immorality.
These men had hearts "exercised with covetous practices." Instead of a desire to please the Lord, they had hearts that desired only sinful pleasure and wealth. Their heart is trained in greed. The heart is the source of lust. "From within, out of the heart of men proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders," etc. (Mark 7:21-23). Perhaps they had ways of not only enticing these simple women into sin, but also causing them to willingly part with their money or property.
These false teachers may have also excused covetousness by saying, "We are not under the law so it is not wrong to covet." It is interesting to note that the sins brought to our attention in this verse, i.e., adultery and covetousness, are both strongly condemned in the Ten Commandments. The law demands punishment for infraction and so we thank God we are not under the law, but this in no way gives a Christian the right to be lawless. When we trust and obey Christ, we are freed from sin but not free to sin.
One of the main purposes of these false teachers was to obtain wealth. It is not unusual today to find the same conditions. Some methods used to get money from folks today indicates that obtaining money is the principal aim. It is well to give to a known good cause, but watch out for the religious beggar. A real servant of the Lord will say with the apostle Paul, "I seek not yours, but you" (2 Cor. 12:14).
"covetous practices"
Watch out for covetousness. It is a snare which has robbed many of their reward in glory. They are so busy chasing wealth, they have no time to serve the Lord. Money brings no satisfaction; the more you have the more you want. In the end it will mock you; at death you must leave it all behind. How much better to be rich in Christ and to have great reward laid up in glory.
"cursed children"
"Cursed children" is literally, "children of the curse." In the third chapter of Genesis the serpent (Satan) is cursed because he deceived Eve. Eve is not cursed, but she is told, "I will greatly multiply thy sorrow," and the ground is cursed because of Adam's sin. In Genesis 4:11, we have Cain cursed because of the slaying of Abel. It is always sin which brings the curse and these men of our chapter were certainly sinners, so Peter rightly calls them "children of the curse." Their sin brought a curse not only on themselves, but on those who listened to their words and fell into their trap. Their ways probably caused outsiders to curse the assembly of Christians and Christianity generally. They deserved only the wrath of a sin-hating God. "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire" (Matt. 25:41).
True Christians desire to be blessed and to be a blessing. When children are asked, "What do you want to be in this world, a curse or a blessing," usually they say they want to be a blessing. Well, the only way any of us can truly be a blessing is to trust and obey Christ, and then live for Him – try to be like Him. Beloved child of God, are you a blessing in this world?
