2 Peter 2:14

having eyes full of adultery The Greek gives literally the somewhat strange figure, having eyes full of an adulteress. The phrase is probably connected with a recollection of our Lord's words as to the sin of looking on a woman, to lust after her, being equivalent to adultery (Matthew 5:28). St John's mention of the "woman Jezebel" in the Church of Thyatira (Revelation 2:20-22) suggests the thought that there may have been some conspicuous woman of that type of character present to St Peter's thoughts, who at once encouraged her followers to bring their dainties even though they were things that had been sacrificed to idols, to the Agapaeof the Christian Church, and when they were there held them fascinated by her wanton beauty. The spell thus exercised is further described as causing a restlessness in evil. The eyes that were thus attracted could not "cease from sin."

beguiling unstable souls The Greek word for "beguiling" may be noted as one of those which St Peter had in common with St James. It means primarily to "take with a bait, or in a snare," and in James 1:14 is rightly rendered "enticed." The idea suggested is that the false teachers attended the Agapaeas seducers of the innocence of others.

a heart they have exercised with covetous practices Better, trained in covetousness. The words have an adequate meaning if we take "covetousness" in its ordinary sense. Greed of gain as well as wantonness characterised the false teachers. (See note on 2 Peter 2:3.) In not a few instances, however, there is so close a connexion between the Greek word and sins of impurity (comp. 1Th 4:6; 1 Corinthians 5:11; Ephesians 5:3; Ephesians 5:5) that it is not unreasonable to see that meaning here also. The idiomatic use of the English phrase "taking advantage" of a woman's weakness, presents a like association of thought.

cursed children Better, children of a curse. The Apostle falls back on the old Hebrew idiom of expressing character by the idea of sonship. So we have "children of obedience in 1 Peter 1:14. "Children of disobedience" (Ephesians 2:2). The "son of perdition" (John 17:12).