2 Peter 2:1-3

Destructive Doctrines

In stark contrast to Holy Spirit inspired prophets who spoke true words that gave light, there were false prophets who led the people astray (Deuteronomy 13:1-5; Isaiah 28:16-17; Jeremiah 6:13-15; Jeremiah 14:14; Jeremiah 23:14; Jeremiah 23:32; Ezekiel 13:1-9; Micah 3:8-12). Unfortunately, Peter had to warn that there will be false teachers who try to lead the church astray (Acts 20:28-31; Romans 16:17-18; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 1 Timothy 6:3-5; 2 Timothy 4:1-5). They would quietly bring in false teachings that would divide the church (Judges 1:4). Usually false teaching is brought in subtly beside truth. They may have denied the Lord through some teaching which destroyed his Lordship (see 1 Corinthians 15:1-58), or they may have denied him through living lives as if they had not been bought with Christ's blood (1 Corinthians 6:13-20). Their end was going to be unexpected, yet brought on by their own misdeeds (2 Peter 2:1).

Peter warned that these false teachers would lead many to engage in unbridled lust. People who were not yet Christians would not be able to distinguish between true Christians and those following false teachers, so the way of truth would be spoken against, or blasphemed, as if it were evil. These false teachers lead people astray out of a desire for personal gain. They used words made up for the occasion, which indicates they knew what they were saying was not true (2 Corinthians 2:17; 2 Thessalonians 2:5; 1 Timothy 6:3-5; Titus 1:9-11; Judges 1:11; Judges 1:16). God has always held such false teachers in contempt. Their lives are headed down a path of destruction and their punishment neither loiters along the way nor nods off to sleep (2 Peter 2:2-3; 1 Peter 3:18-19).