Beware (2 Peter 2:1–16)
Lesson 2
Beware
(2 PETER 2:1–16)
Before you begin …
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal truth and wisdom as you go through this lesson.
• Read 2 Peter 2:1–16. This lesson references chapters 3 and 4 in Be Alert. It will be helpful for you to have your Bible and a copy of the commentary available as you work through this lesson.
Getting Started
From the Commentary
The picture painted in 2:1–3 is not pretty! When you read the epistle of Jude, you will find him using similar language, and vivid language it is. Peter knew that the truth of God’s Word and the false doctrines of the heretics simply could not coexist. There could be no compromise on his part, any more than a surgeon could compromise with a cancerous tumor in a patient’s body.
The theme of “deception” runs throughout the entire chapter. To begin with, these teachers’ message is false; Peter called what they taught “destructive heresies” (NIV). The word heresy originally meant simply “to make a choice,” but then it came to mean “a sect, a party.” Promoting a party spirit in a church is one of the works of the flesh (Gal. 5:20). Whenever a church member says to another member, “Are you on my side or the pastor’s side?” he is promoting a party spirit and causing division. A false teacher forces you to make a choice between his doctrines and the doctrines of the true Christian faith.
—Be Alert, page 50
1. What are some examples of division in the church today? How does this usually play out? How do we differentiate between false doctrine/methods and simply issues of preference or taste? What are today’s greatest heresies?
More to Consider: In 2 Peter 2:3, Peter pointed out that the false teachers used “feigned words.” The Greek word is plastos, from which we get our English word plastic. Plastic words! Read Genesis 3:1–6. How did false teachers follow the same pattern as Satan in this passage?
2. Choose one verse or phrase from 2 Peter 2:1–16 that stands out to you. This could be something you’re intrigued by, something that makes you uncomfortable, something that puzzles you, something that resonates with you, or just something you want to examine further. Write that here.
Going Deeper
From the Commentary
False teachers are better known for what they deny than what they affirm. They deny the inspiration of the Bible, the sinfulness of man, the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross, salvation by faith alone, and even the reality of eternal judgment. They especially deny the deity of Jesus Christ, for they know that if they can do away with His deity, they can destroy the entire body of Christian truth. Christianity is Christ, and if He is not what He claims to be, there is no Christian faith.
It must be made clear that these false teachers are unsaved. They are compared to dogs and pigs, not to sheep (2 Peter 2:22). Jude described these same people, and in Jude 19 he clearly stated, “having not the Spirit.” If a person does not have the Spirit of God within, he is not a child of God (Rom. 8:9). He may pretend to be saved and even become a member or an officer in a fundamental church, but eventually he will deny the Lord.
In what sense were these people “bought” by the Lord? While it is true that Jesus Christ died for the church (Eph. 5:25), it is also true that He died for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2). He is the merchant who purchased the whole field (the world) that He might acquire the treasure in it (Matt. 13:44). When it comes to application, our Lord’s atonement is limited to those who believe. But when it comes to efficacy, His death is sufficient for the whole world. He purchased even those who reject Him and deny Him! This makes their condemnation even greater.
—Be Alert, pages 51–52
3. What are the nonnegotiable tenets of Christian faith? What are some of the finer points of doctrine that leave room for disagreement? Why do churches divide over these finer points, even when they agree on the basic truths?
From the Commentary
False teachers are interested in one thing: making money. They exploit (“make merchandise of”) ignorant people and use their religion as “a cloak of covetousness” (1 Thess. 2:5). Our Lord was a poor man, and so were the apostles, yet they gave of themselves to minister to others. These false prophets are rich men who cleverly get others to minister to them! Micah described these false prophets in his day: “Her leaders pronounce judgment for a bribe, her priests instruct for a price, and her prophets divine for money” (Mic. 3:11 NASB). Certainly the laborer is worthy of his hire (Luke 10:7), but his motives for ministry had better go beyond money. It has often been said that immorality, love of money, and pride have been the ruin of many people. These false teachers were guilty of all three!
They use their “plastic words” as well as “great swelling words” (2 Peter 2:18) to fascinate and influence their victims. They flatter sinners and tell them the kind of ego-building words that they want to hear (see the contrast in 1 Thess. 2:5). They will scratch the itching ears of people who reject the truth of the Bible and turn to fables (2 Tim. 4:1–4).
—Be Alert, page 53
4. How can religion become a tool for exploiting weak people? In what ways are false teachers merchandisers rather than ministers? What are some ways even good churches become tempted by greed? What are some practical ways to avoid falling for that temptation?
From the Commentary
Peter saw no hope for these apostates; their doom was sealed. His attitude was different from that of “tolerant” religious people today who say, “Well, they may not agree with us, but there are many roads to heaven.” Peter made it clear that these false teachers had “forsaken the right way” (2 Peter 2:15), which simply means they were going the wrong way! Their judgment was sure, even though it had not yet come. The trial was over, but the sentence had not yet been executed. It would not linger or slumber, Peter affirmed; it would come in due time.
In this section, Peter proved that judgment finally does come, no matter how secure the sinner might feel.
—Be Alert, page 54
5. What three examples did Peter use to verify that judgment is certain? (See vv. 4–6, 9b.) Why did Peter feel the need to state the certainty of judgment? What attitude might he have been combatting with this statement?
From the Commentary
Peter’s purpose was not just to denounce the apostates; he also wanted to encourage the true believers. He once again reached back into the Old Testament and cited two examples of deliverance.
Noah experienced a twofold deliverance. First, God delivered him from the pollutions of the world around him. For 120 years, Noah faithfully proclaimed the Word of God to people who would not believe it. He and his family were surrounded by moral and spiritual darkness, yet they kept their lights shining. God did not protect Noah and his family by isolating them from the world, but by enabling them to remain pure in the midst of corruption. Through Jesus Christ, we too have “escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Peter 1:4).
Abraham took his nephew, Lot, with him when he left Ur and went to the land of Canaan, but Lot proved to be more of a problem than a blessing. When Abraham, in a lapse of faith, went down to Egypt, Lot went with him and got a taste of the world (Gen. 12:10—13:1). As Lot became richer, he had to separate from Abraham, and this removed him from his uncle’s godly influence. What a privilege Lot had to walk with Abraham, who walked with God! And yet, how Lot wasted his privileges.
When Lot had to choose a new area for his home, he measured it by what he had seen in Egypt (Gen. 13:10). Abraham took Lot out of Egypt, but he could not take Egypt out of Lot. Lot “pitched his tent toward Sodom” (Gen. 13:12) and then finally moved into Sodom (14:12). God even used a local war to try to get Lot out of Sodom, but he went right back (14:1–16). That is where his heart was.
—Be Alert, pages 57–58
6. How did God choose to deliver Noah from the judgment of the world? Why Noah? How does his story point toward our salvation in Jesus Christ? How is Lot a difficult character to understand? What did Peter reveal about God through Lot’s story?
From the Commentary
The picture in 2 Peter 2:10–12 is of proud people who try to build themselves up while they try to tear down everybody else. They show no respect for authority and are not afraid to attack and defame people in high positions.
God has established authority in this world, and when we resist authority, we are resisting God (Rom. 13:1ff.). Parents are to have authority over their children (Eph. 6:1–4) and employers over their employees (Eph. 6:5–8). As citizens, we Christians should pray for those in authority (1 Tim. 2:1–4), show respect to them (1 Peter 2:11–17), and seek to glorify God in our behavior. As members of a local assembly, we should honor those who have the spiritual rule over us and seek to encourage them in their ministries (Heb. 13:7, 17; 1 Peter 5:1–6).
Human government is, in one sense, God’s gift to help maintain order in the world, so that the church may minister the Word and win the lost to Christ (1 Tim. 2:1–8). We should pray daily for those in authority so that they might exercise that authority in the will of God. It is a serious thing for a Christian to oppose the law, and he must be sure he is in the will of God when he does it. He should also do it in a manner that glorifies Christ, so that innocent people (including unsaved government employees) might not be made to suffer.
—Be Alert, page 64
7. What are some practical ways that our human government is a gift from God? Why is the role of government such a combustible topic of discussion in churches today? What is the godly way to discuss differences of opinion about government’s role? How can trusting God’s ultimate lordship answer most of those disagreements?
From the Commentary
The angels are reviled by the apostates, but the apostates are not reviled by the angels! Even the angels, though greater in strength and power, will not intrude into a sphere that is not their own. The angels remember the rebellion of Lucifer and know how serious it is to revolt against God’s authority. If God judged the rebellious angels, how much more will He judge rebellious men!
The suggestion in 2 Peter 2:11 is that the godly angels do not even speak against the fallen angels. They have left all judgment to the Lord. We will learn more about this when we study Jude, for he mentions this matter of the angels in Jude 8—9.
—Be Alert, pages 65
8. Why is speaking evil of others a sin? Why is it often so hard to leave the judgment of others to God? What then should be our response when we disagree with leaders or authorities?
More to Consider: Read Daniel 1. How did Daniel deal with an authority figure he disagreed with? What wisdom do Proverbs 16:13 and 22:11 offer us as we consider how to respond to authority?
From the Commentary
The words translated “riot” and “sporting” carry the meaning of “sensual reveling.” They also contain the idea of luxury, softness, and extravagance. At the expense of those who support them (2 Peter 2:3), the apostates enjoy luxurious living. In our own society, there are those who plead for funds for their “ministries,” yet live in expensive houses, drive luxury cars, and wear costly clothes. When we remember that Jesus became poor in order to make us rich, their garish lifestyle seems out of step with New Testament Christianity.
Not only do they deceive others, but they even deceive themselves! They can “prove” from the Bible that their lifestyle is right. In ancient times, it was expected that people would revel at night, but these people dared to revel in the daytime, so convinced were they of their practices.
—Be Alert, page 67
9. Review 2 Peter 2:13–14. How does this statement relate to what Peter was saying: “A person can become so accustomed to his vices that he sees them as virtues.” How is this true even today? How should we welcome those in our churches who act in ways we disagree with (or should we not welcome them)?
From the Commentary
The apostates know the right road, the straight path that God has established, but they deliberately abandon God’s way for their own.
No wonder Peter called them “natural brute beasts” (2 Peter 2:12) and compared them to animals (v. 22). “Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule!” warned the psalmist (Ps. 32:9). The horse likes to rush ahead and the mule likes to lag behind; both can get you off the right path. Believers are sheep, and sheep need to stay close to the shepherd or they will stray.
We have already learned one reason for the apostates’ godless conduct: They want to satisfy the cravings of their flesh. But there is a second reason: They are covetous and want to exploit people for personal gain. Peter mentioned this in 2 Peter 2:3 and now develops the thought. Not only is the false teacher’s outlook controlled by his passions (2 Peter 2:14a), but his heart is controlled by covetousness. He is in bondage to lust for pleasure and money!
In fact, he has perfected the skill of getting what he wants. “They are experts in greed,” says the New International Version, and the Phillips translation is even more graphic: “Their technique of getting what they want is, through long practice, highly developed.” They know exactly how to motivate people to give.
—Be Alert, pages 70–71
10. What are some ways the apostates of today’s church exploit others? Are the exploitations always obvious? Why or why not? What are some practical ways to avoid being taken advantage of by false teachers or even well-meaning believers who are simply wrong about what faith asks?
Looking Inward
Take a moment to reflect on all that you’ve explored thus far in this study of 2 Peter 2:1–16. Review your notes and answers and think about how each of these things matters in your life today.
Tips for Small Groups: To get the most out of this section, form pairs or trios and have group members take turns answering these questions. Be honest and as open as you can in this discussion, but most of all, be encouraging and supportive of others. Be sensitive to those who are going through particularly difficult times and don’t press for people to speak if they’re uncomfortable doing so.
11. Have you ever felt exploited by religious leaders? Without naming names, describe that situation. How did you respond to the circumstance? What guidance would Peter have given to you for that situation? How can you discern the difference between being used by God or exploited by man?
12. What are some ways you bristle when confronted with authority? How do you know when it’s appropriate to submit and when it’s right to resist? What role can prayer play in those situations?
13. When have you spoken evil of others? What prompted this reaction? What would Peter say to you about this behavior? What is a more Christ-like way to respond to those with whom you distrust or disagree?
Going Forward
14. Think of one or two things that you have learned that you’d like to work on in the coming week. Remember that this is all about quality, not quantity. It’s better to work on one specific area of life and do it well than to work on many and do poorly (or to be so overwhelmed that you simply don’t try).
Do you want to learn how to better respond to authority you disagree with? Be specific. Go back through 2 Peter 2:1–16 and put a star next to the phrase or verse that is most encouraging to you. Consider memorizing this verse.
Real-Life Application Idea: Take a personal inventory of the authorities in your life—everyone from your supervisor at work to your small-group leader to the politicians who lead your community. How do you relate to each of them? What role does your faith play in your relationship with each of them? Think about how you can demonstrate a godly attitude in each of those relationships, then spend time in prayer, asking for wisdom as you encounter authority.
Seeking Help
15. Write a prayer below (or simply pray one in silence) inviting God to work on your mind and heart in those areas you’ve noted in the Going Forward section. Be honest about your desires and fears.
Notes for Small Groups:
• Look for ways to put into practice the things you wrote in the Going Forward section. Talk with other group members about your ideas and commit to being accountable to one another.
• During the coming week, ask the Holy Spirit to continue to reveal truth to you from what you’ve read and studied.
• Before you start the next lesson, read 2 Peter 2:17–22. For more in-depth lesson preparation, read chapter 5, “False Freedom,” in Be Alert.