2 Peter - Verse-by-Verse Biblical Exegesis

deceit. The mataiotes opens the soul to demon doctrines that obscure the truth. Just as
fornication stimulates the body, so the satanic doctrines of profligate teachers titillate the
intellect. Those who are tempted by these depraved, deceptive renegades are said to “barely
escape” from their first exposure to fallacious concepts. Subsequent rejection of doctrine
pulls the rug out from under them, and their resultant volatile lifestyle is consistent with their
rejection. The groundwork has been laid for their enslavement. (R.B. Thieme, Jr.)
The false teachers can be characterized as spiritually empty of promise, lacking freedom, and
headed for nether gloom because they speak haughty futility and entice new converts with
promises of moral freedom, although they themselves are really only slaves of corruption.
(D. Watson) Their words are meaningless because they lack every semblance of truth and
integrity. Yet the false teachers use the words for their own purpose … They arouse the
sexual desires in man that induce him to lust and sensual gratification, which signifies the
indecent conduct and sexual excess that prevailed in Sodom and Gomorrah ... Like
carnivorous animals that prey on the weakest members of a herd, so the false teachers focus
their attention on recent converts. Believers who have not had sufficient time to grow in
grace and understanding of the Christian faith now have to endure the enticements of
apostates ... Who are “those who live in error?” They can hardly be the false teachers, for if
this were true we would expect Peter to be more explicit. The wording is insufficiently clear
to hold that these teachers are trying to recapture the new converts who had just escaped
from their influence and power. (S. Kistemaker)
They gather followers round them by means of their specious eloquence, and then entice
them to destruction by wicked example ... Those who have that blessed knowledge escape
from the pollutions of the world. Sensual pleasures have no hold upon those who realize the
holy joy of communion with the Lord. But they must watch and pray, and keep themselves
in the love of God ... Satan is ever on the watch with his insidious temptations, and
sometimes, when all seems safe, the danger comes. (B. Caffin) They are those 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. (K. Wuest) False teachers frequently make for the newly converted, who
are not yet rooted in orthodox Christian doctrine. (D. Wheaton) They are like modern
“motivational” speakers parading themselves as experts who confidently offer quick and
easy solutions to life’s problems or how-to-get-rich schemes ridden with flaws when it
comes to reality. (W. Baker) Grandiose sophistry is the hook, filthy lust is the bait. (C. Bigg)
This reminds me of “spiritual warfare” writers with their new theories on how to deal with
sin and live the spiritual life. Their way of dealing with sin may be built around the theory
that all sin is caused by demons, and that exorcising the demon of sexual lust will rid you of
sexual addiction. Or take some “faith healers” who for a price will promise deliverance from
some disease, and when you fail to be healed, tell you that your faith was not strong enough.
The people who are targets for these false teachers are interestingly described as “those who
barely escape from the ones who live in error,” a reference to new converts who have
escaped from a godless, immoral lifestyle and are naively susceptible to impressive people
whom they believe are true representatives of the Christian faith. (W. Baker) All through the
epistle, the main body of stable Christians is in view, and now a smaller unstable group