SUMMARY.--False Prophets and False Teachers.
The Judgment on the Fallen Angels.
Judgment on the Antediluvians.
The Perverseness of Wicked Men.
The Example of Balaam, the Son of Bosor.
1-3. There arose false prophets among the people. In
1:19
the true prophets are referred [373]
to. Here the false prophets are spoken of in contrast. By "the people"
Israel is meant. The term "false prophet" occurs several times in the
Old Testament. For example, see
Jer. 6:13.
Christ foretells the rise of false prophets
(Matt. 24:24).
There shall be false teachers. Teachers of false doctrines. Paul
often warns against such teachers. See
Acts 20:30.
Damnable heresies. "Destructive heresies" in the Revision. Party
divisions caused by false teaching. A heresy is a schism, or that which
tends to produce schism.
Denying the Lord that bought them. This is the culmination of
false teaching in the church and has been fulfilled by those
professedly Christian teachers who reject the divinity of Christ and
the atoning power of his blood.
Swift destruction. Sudden destruction.
2. Many shall follow their pernicious ways. "Lascivious doings"
in the Revision. Immoral life is the result of false doctrine, and thus
a reproach is brought upon the truth.
3. And in covetousness. By their "feigned words," crafty
speeches, the false teachers shall use their followers as a source of
gain.
4-11. For if God spared not the angels that sinned. In order to
show that judgments on these wicked teachers are sure, Peter cites
examples. Even angels when they sinned were subjected to punishment.
But cast them down to hell. The sinning angels were cast out of
heaven. The word rendered "hell" is not Gehenna, but
Tartarus, a Greek term used for the place of future punishment.
Delivered them into chains of darkness. "Pits" in the Revision;
possibly dungeons of darkness gives the idea. Compare
Jude 6.
Both passages point to a time when angels sinned, fell, and thus became
angels of darkness.
5. And spared not the old world. The case of the antediluvians
furnishes the second example of God's swift justice.
But preserved Noah with seven others.
God did not then forget the righteous.
A preacher of righteousness. By example as well as by word. See
Gen. 7:1-7, and 1 Pet. 3:20.
6. Turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes. The
third example of judgment on sin. See
Gen. 19:29.
7. And delivered righteous Lot. The saving of the righteous is
as marked as the punishment of the wicked. See
Gen. 19:1, 7.
Vexed, etc. See
Gen. 19:5.
8. For that righteous man, etc. Lot, seeing and hearing the
wickedness around him, was sore distressed.
9. The Lord knoweth, etc. These examples show that the Lord
knows how to deliver the righteous [374]
from every species of trial, and to hold the wicked in reserve for
judgment.
10. Chiefly. Those next named will receive the greater
punishment.
Who go after the flesh. Follow its dictates and live impure
lives.
Despise government. Refuse to submit to authority.
Not afraid to speak evil of dignities. A characteristic of this
class is their presumption and a want of reverence for what is high and
holy.
11. Whereas angels. The angels, superior in might and power, do
not show such presumption, or disrespect to any lofty power. Compare
Jude 9.
There is so striking a parallel between a
part
of this chapter and a part of Jude
that it is thought that either Peter or Jude had the epistle of the
other before him.
Jude
shows us that even Michael did not rail against Satan.
12-16. But these, as natural brute beasts. As if utterly
irrational. The brute beasts were destined to the slaughter for man's
uses. So these men blindly rush to destruction.
Speak evil of the things that they understand not. How often the
scoffer fulfills this description!
13. Shall receive the reward of unrighteousness. Their
destruction is the legitimate reward of their own wrong doing.
Count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Literally "in the
day." I believe that the idea is that, like dumb brutes forgetful of
coming destruction, they take pleasure in carousal for a day,
regardless of the morrow.
Spots and blemishes. Marring the brightness and beauty of the
church.
Revelling in their love feasts (Revision). Converting even these
into scenes of revel.
14. Having eyes full of adultery. Looking around with a lustful
appetite.
15. Having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Bosor. See
Numbers, chapter 31.
Balaam sold himself out to an evil cause for the sake of gain.
16. But was rebuked. By the voice that was put into the mouth of
the brute he rode.
17-19. These are springs without water.
They promise much but disappoint.
Mists driven by a storm.
The thought is the same. These mists promise rain, but it fails to
descend.
For whom. [375]
For these apostates the "blackness of darkness is reserved."
18. For. This shows how they promise great things and
disappoint. They offer
great swelling words, and entice those who are about to be
delivered from error.
19. Promising liberty. Liberty from all restraint, complete
freedom to serve their own wills, such liberty as those who rail
against God's law are wont to offer.
Servants of corruption. Those who offer liberty are themselves
slaves, serving their own passions and lusts. He who is swayed by
appetite or habit cannot be free.
20-22. For if, after they have escaped the pollution of the
world. If one who has been converted is enticed back again into his
sins, his state is worse than before. That this is possible is taught
in many places.
21. For it had been better, etc. To other sins there is then
added the sin of rejecting the way of righteousness after an
experimental knowledge of it.
22. For it is happened. Their relapse is described in the
proverbs. See
Prov. 1:1; 26:11.
Such a repulsive course can be compared only with the most disgusting
habits of unclean animals.
