2 Peter 2:12

2 Peter 2:12 ‘But these, like unreasoning animals, born as creatures of instinct to be captured and killed, reviling where they have no knowledge, will in the destruction of those creatures also be destroyed,'

‘unreasoning animals' -‘destitute of reason, brute' (Thayer p. 29), ‘lit,, unreasoning, irrational' (Vincent p. 696); ‘like irrational animals' (Mof); ‘with no more sense than the unreasoning brute breasts' (Phi). Such men have abandoned any sort of loyalty to reason, logic, or truth. They are only interested in what strengthens their position.

‘born as creatures of instinct' -Those who live merely on the physical level. What is most important to them is the instant gratification of some desire. Carefully note that all of this is said concerning people who claimed to offer true knowledge, special insights, true enlightenment. In reality their teaching is primitive. ‘Although it promises that we will be better, fuller human beings, it actually offers lower, not higher, possibilities, even if they are dressed up in impressive language and ideas. Well-explained rationalism and modern reinterpretations of Christian ethics are an excuse for people to get away with what they want…' (Lucas/Green p. 108)

‘to be captured and killed' -‘intended by nature to be caught and killed' (TCNT).

Point to Note:

Peter wouldn't be impressed by those who claim that killing an animal is murder and eating meat is. sin. Peter compared (God compares) these false teaches to animals, whose purpose on this planet is to serve the needs of mankind (Genesis 9:3).

‘reviling where they have no knowledge' -‘a picture of loud ignoramuses posing as professional experts' (Robertson p. 166). This is often the case among false teachers. They are frequently ignorant of basic and fundamental bible principles or teaching. When. hear of someone deriding the Church for failing to fellowship someone of. Premillennial persuasion,. think to myself, ‘That person must not even understand Premillennial teaching'. (1 Timothy 1:7; 2 Timothy 3:7 ‘always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.')

‘will in the destruction of those creatures also be destroyed' -‘shall in their destroying surely be destroyed' (ASV). Like the animals, the slaughter-house is the fate that awaits him. ‘Like farm animals reared for slaughter, these teachers have ahead of them only judgment and condemnation. Once again, Peter has raised the certainly of future judgment…..There is. sickening inevitability about the destiny of the false teachers. In the long run, if they behave like animals they are treated like animals, and if they cheat they will find they have been outwitted' (Lucas/Green pp. 109-110)