2 Peter 2:3

ἐν is causal. πλεονεξίᾳ = “covetousness”. Cf. Luke 12:15. πλαστοῖς : here only in N.T., “manufactured,” “feigned,” “artificial”. ἐμπορεύσονται Originally used in intrans. sense = “go a-trading”. Cf. James 4:13. Then = “import,” in trans. sense. Here = “make gain of,” “exploit”. Cf. 2 Corinthians 2:17; 1 Timothy 6:5.

οἶς τὸ κρίμα ἔκπαλαι οὐκ ἀργεῖ : ‘whose judgment has for long not been nactive,” although there is an appearance of delay. This delay is the argument used by the false teachers. ἔκπαλαι occurs in O.G.I.S., 584 5 (ii. A.D.) διʼ ὧν ἔκπαλαι αὐτὴν (sc. τὴν πατρίδα) εὐεργέτ [ησεν]. (Cf. 2 Peter 3:4 and 2 Peter 2:1, ἐπάγοντες ἑαυτοῖς ταχινὴν ἀπώλειαν.) For ἀργεῖ see note on 2 Peter 1:8. The judgment has long been gathering, and is impending. νυστάζει. The word used of the slumbering virgins in Matthew 25:5. In Isaiah 5:27 it is used of the instruments of God's anger employed against those guilty of social abuses.