2 Peter - Verse-by-Verse Biblical Exegesis

people through false prophecy for money. This is another way of saying he loved to
engage in whatever his sin nature deemed interesting at the time (Latin: iniquity). The
path the false teachers followed was not a new one; it has been followed many times
throughout history.
RELEVANT OPINIONS
Bosor is an otherwise unattested form of the name of Balaam’s father Beor, and is probably a
play on the Hebrew word basar, flesh. (D. Watson) Materialism lust and power lust had
overwhelmed Balaam. Maybe there was some way he could extricate himself and still come
out ahead. He had an idea: If the Jews could be lured into fornicating with the women of
Midian, they would bring on their own cursing. Balaam’s advice was followed. As a result,
twenty-four thousand Israelites succumbed to the temptation. They came under the sin unto
death and perished. As for Balaam, in bringing about the curse in an indirect manner, he
placed himself in direct line for punishment. When God’s judgment struck the Midianites,
Balaam was slain with the sword ... Reversionism can induce neurotic, psychotic, or
psychopathic behavior. Balaam epitomizes the mental chaos produced by reversionism. The
reversionistic believers who forsake the straight road have swerved away from the Christian
life. They are no longer taking in doctrine on a daily basis or advancing toward the high
ground of the supergrace life ... With feet firmly planted in delusion they followed the
demented path of Balaam. (R.B. Thieme, Jr.) The phrase the straight way is an idiom that
points to the path the children of God must walk in accordance with His Word. By
implication, Peter indicates that the heretics at one time pursued the straight way but
subsequently left it. They now wander in darkness. (S. Kistemaker)
Who is enticed and deluded by this beguiling individual? The unstable person who rejects
Bible doctrine and functions on feelings and emotions. The heart or right lobe of the
reversionist is being “trained” for hedonism and avarice through emotional revolt. When his
soul rejects authority and establishment, he becomes insatiable in his desire for pleasure and
embarks on a frantic seach for happiness ... Monetary reversionism is well documented in
Scripture (Eccl. 5:10-6:2, Acts 5:1-10, 2 Peter 2:15 and Jude 11. The error or deceit of
Balaam in Jude 11 describes three areas of delusion regarding money: 1) that money is a
means to happiness, 2) that money brings security, and 3) that money can buy anything.
Apart from doctrine resident in the soul, there can only be superficial and fleeting happiness
in possessing money, or any other detail of life. Security is provided through logistical grace
and the supergrace or ultrasupergrace life, not through the accumulation of wealth. No
amount of money can purchase salvation, peace, stability, or love. The principle of monetary
reversionism is found in 1 Timothy 6:3-5. All forms of reversionism are characterized by the
neglect or rejection of Bible doctrine. Paul therefore begins his discourse on monetary
reversionism by stating the great fundamental issue of the spiritual life: Sound doctrine is the
lifeblood of spiritual growth; false doctrine is the poison that stunts the growing process.
(R.B. Thieme, Jr.)
In the historical setting of Balaam and the people of Moab, he observes the sexual
immorality of the Moabites, who in alliance with Balaam tried to seduce the Israelites. Next,
Peter is aware of Balaam’s interest in personal honor and material gain at the expense of