2 Peter 13-22
These ungodly false teachers are a dangerous and corrupting presence in the body of the Messiah, not only deceiving others but deceiving themselves. Their heart is set on the flesh, and their eyes on adultery, both spiritual and sexual. They prey on the unstable to join them in their ways (enticing unstable souls).
They have a heart trained in covetous practices: They are equipped, but not for ministry, only for selfish gain - they are truly accursed, skilled in the arts which covetous men adopt in order to cheat others out of their property. A leading purpose which influenced these men was to obtain money. One of the most certain ways for dishonest men to do this is to make use of the religious principle; to corrupt and control the conscience; to make others believe that they are eminently holy, or that they are the special favorites of heaven; and when they can do this, they have the purses of others at command. For the religious principle is the most powerful of all principles; and he who can control that, can control all that a man possesses. The idea here is that these persons had made this their study, and had learned the ways in which men could be induced to part with their money under religious pretences. We should always be on our guard when professedly religious teachers propose to have much to do with money matters. While we should always be ready to aid every good cause, yet we should remember that unprincipled and laid-back men often assume the mask of religion that they may practice their arts on the credulity of others, and that their real aim is to obtain their property, not to save their souls.
We all train our hearts in something, training them either in covetousness and lust, or in godliness.
Does this explain why so many ministers fall? I have personally been to places were they drum up the offering for one and a half hours, until the people were ready to give all they had. No wonder G-d has called us sheep, willing to follow an enticing pastor using religious principles on giving.
They have forsaken the right way, the straight path of honesty and integrity for religion is often represented as a straight path, and to do wrong is to go out of that path in a crooked way.
The particular point to which Peter refers in which they imitated Balaam, seems to have been the love of gain, or covetousness, in being professed religious teachers, or the servants of G-d in inducing others to sin, referring to the same kind of sins in both cases.
These are wells without water: These ungodly false teachers are empty - useless as wells without water - and like clouds that bring only darkness, and no nourishing rain. It only aggravated the trials of the thirsty and weary traveler, they would only grievously disappoint the expectations of all those who were seeking for the refreshing influences of the truths of the gospel. There are many such teachers in the world.
When they make pretensions to wisdom and learning, or seem to attach great importance to what they say, and urge it in a pompous and positive manner. Truth is simple, and delights in simple statements. It expects to make its way by its own inherent force, and is willing to pass for what it is worth. Error is noisy and theatrical, and hopes to succeed by substituting sound for sense, and by such tones and arts as shall induce men to believe that what is said is true, when it is known by the speaker to be false. They allure through the lusts of the flesh - This has been quite a common method in the world, of inducing men to embrace false doctrines. Their allure is to the lusts of the flesh in their audience - just as the crowds who wanted bread from Y’Shua, but didn't want Y’Shua Himself (John 6:25-27, 47-66).
Through much wantonness - The meaning here is, that they made use of every variety of lascivious arts to beguile others under religious pretences. This has been often done in the world; for religion has been abused to give seducers access to the confidence of the innocent, only that they might betray and ruin them.
Those that were clean escaped from them who live in error - In the case referred to here it was by professedly religious teachers--and is this never done now? Are there none, for example, who have been addicted to habits of overindulgence, who had been almost reformed, but who are led back again by the influence of religious teachers? Not directly and openly, indeed, would they lead them into habits of intemperance. But, when their reformation is begun, its success and its completion depend on total abstinence from all that intoxicates. In this condition, nothing more is necessary to secure their entire reformation and safety than mere abstinence and nothing more may be necessary to lead them into their former practices than the example of others who indulge moderately.
They are themselves the slaves of appetite, or of the rules of fashionable life, or of the laws of honor, or of vicious indulgences.
Under all the appearances of reformation, still their evil nature remained, as really as that of the dog or the swine, and that nature finally prevailed. There was no thorough internal change, any more than there is in the swine when it is washed, or in the dog, This passage, therefore, would seem to demonstrate that there never had been any real change of heart, and of course there had been no falling away from true religion. It should not, therefore, be quoted to prove that true Believers may fall from grace and perish. The dog and the swine had never been anything else than the dog and the swine, and these persons had never been anything else than sinners.
And the sow that was washed - This proverb is not found in the Old Testament, but it was common in the Rabbinical writings, and is found in the Greek classics. Its meaning is plain, and of the truth of what is affirmed no one can have any doubt. No matter how clean the swine is made by washing, thin would not prevent it, in the slightest degree, from rolling in filth again. It will act out its real nature. So it is with the sinner. No external reformation will certainly prevent his returning to his former habits; and when he does return, we can only say that he is acting according to his real nature--a nature which has never been changed, any more than the nature of the dog or the swine.
The true point of this passage is to show that the persons referred to never were changed; that whatever external reformation might have occurred, their nature remained the same; and that when they apostatized from their outward profession, they merely acted out their nature, and showed that in fact there had been no real change. It will also prove that we should rely on no mere external reformation, no outward cleansing, as certain evidence of piety. G-d looks upon the heart; and it is only the religion that has its seat there, that can secure our final salvation.
Showing posts with label 2 Peter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2 Peter. Show all posts
False Prophets and Teachers
[2 Peter 2:1] But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privacy shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the L-d that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
Peter notices some of their characteristics, or some of the doctrines which they would hold.
They would deny the L-rd that bought them.
They would be influenced by covetousness, and their object in their attempting to seduce others from the faith, and to induce them to become followers of themselves, would be to make money.
They would be corrupt, beastly, and licentious in their conduct. It would be one design of their teaching to show that the indulgence of gross passions was not inconsistent with religion. That walks after the flesh, in the lust of uncleanness; as natural brute beasts; shall perish in their own corruption; having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; the dog has returned to his own vomit again.
They would be proud, arrogant, and self-willed; men who would despise all proper government, and who would be thoroughly radical in their views; and despise government; presumptuous are they and self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities; and they speak great swelling words of vanity.
They were persons who had been formerly of corrupt lives, but who had become professing Believers. But as having turned again to their former corrupt practices and lusts; it has happened to them according to the true proverb, etc. There were various classes of persons in primitive times, coming under the general appellation of the term Gnostic, to whom this description would apply, and it is probable that they had begun to broach their doctrines in the times of the apostles. Among those persons were the Ebionites, Corinthians, Nicolaitanes, etc. We have such teaching still existing today.
They would certainly be punished. A large part of the chapter is taken up in proving this point and especially in showing from the examples of others who had erred in a similar manner, that they could not escape destruction.
1. The case of the angels that sinned, and that were cast down to hell. If G-d brought such dreadful punishment on those who were once before His throne, wicked men could have no hope of escape.
2. The case of the wicked in the time of Noah, who were cut off by the flood.
3. The case of Sodom and Gomorrah.
4. The character of the persons referred to was such that they could have no hope of escape.
a. They were corrupt, sensual, presumptuous, and self-willed, and were even worse than the rebel angels had been--men that seemed to be made to be taken and destroyed.
(b.) They were spots, blemishes, sensual, and adulterers, emulating the example of Balaam, who was rebuked by even a dumb ass for his iniquity.
(c.) They allured others to sin under the specious promise of liberty, while they were themselves the slaves of debased appetites, and gross and sensual passions. From the entire description in this chapter, it is clear that the persons referred to, though once professors of religion, had become eminently abandoned, and corrupt.
This chapter, therefore, possesses great value as containing important warnings against the arts of false teachers, and the danger of being seduced by them from the truth. The fact that false teachers would arise in the body is often adverted to in the New Testament. Matthew 24:5, 24; Acts 20:29, 30.
Beware whom you study under or listen too!
Peter notices some of their characteristics, or some of the doctrines which they would hold.
They would deny the L-rd that bought them.
They would be influenced by covetousness, and their object in their attempting to seduce others from the faith, and to induce them to become followers of themselves, would be to make money.
They would be corrupt, beastly, and licentious in their conduct. It would be one design of their teaching to show that the indulgence of gross passions was not inconsistent with religion. That walks after the flesh, in the lust of uncleanness; as natural brute beasts; shall perish in their own corruption; having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; the dog has returned to his own vomit again.
They would be proud, arrogant, and self-willed; men who would despise all proper government, and who would be thoroughly radical in their views; and despise government; presumptuous are they and self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities; and they speak great swelling words of vanity.
They were persons who had been formerly of corrupt lives, but who had become professing Believers. But as having turned again to their former corrupt practices and lusts; it has happened to them according to the true proverb, etc. There were various classes of persons in primitive times, coming under the general appellation of the term Gnostic, to whom this description would apply, and it is probable that they had begun to broach their doctrines in the times of the apostles. Among those persons were the Ebionites, Corinthians, Nicolaitanes, etc. We have such teaching still existing today.
They would certainly be punished. A large part of the chapter is taken up in proving this point and especially in showing from the examples of others who had erred in a similar manner, that they could not escape destruction.
1. The case of the angels that sinned, and that were cast down to hell. If G-d brought such dreadful punishment on those who were once before His throne, wicked men could have no hope of escape.
2. The case of the wicked in the time of Noah, who were cut off by the flood.
3. The case of Sodom and Gomorrah.
4. The character of the persons referred to was such that they could have no hope of escape.
a. They were corrupt, sensual, presumptuous, and self-willed, and were even worse than the rebel angels had been--men that seemed to be made to be taken and destroyed.
(b.) They were spots, blemishes, sensual, and adulterers, emulating the example of Balaam, who was rebuked by even a dumb ass for his iniquity.
(c.) They allured others to sin under the specious promise of liberty, while they were themselves the slaves of debased appetites, and gross and sensual passions. From the entire description in this chapter, it is clear that the persons referred to, though once professors of religion, had become eminently abandoned, and corrupt.
This chapter, therefore, possesses great value as containing important warnings against the arts of false teachers, and the danger of being seduced by them from the truth. The fact that false teachers would arise in the body is often adverted to in the New Testament. Matthew 24:5, 24; Acts 20:29, 30.
Beware whom you study under or listen too!
Private Interpretation
[2 Peter 1:20] Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
[21] For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of G-d spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
No prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation: Even in Peter's day, enemies of Y’Shua were twisting the prophecies, giving them personal and bizarre meanings so as to exclude Y’Shua from their fulfillment. But Peter says that prophecy is not of any private interpretation, but its meaning is evident and can be confirmed by others.
The same principle is true for the gift of prophecy today; there must be sober confirmation of any prophetic word, and that not through another prophetic word, but through the Scriptures. In the gift of prophecy, G-d never speaks to only one person, and always provides confirmation.
Prophecy never came by the will of man: It is wrong and invalid to twist prophecy to our own personal meaning, because prophecy does not come from man, but from G-d, though it comes through holy men of G-d - but only as they are moved by the Holy Spirit.
The ancient prophets did not even know the meaning of what themselves wrote. They were carried beyond themselves by the influence of the Divine Spirit, and after ages were alone to discover the object of the prophecy. The fulfillment was to be the absolute proof that the prediction was of G-d, and that it was of no private invention-no discovery made by human sagacity and wisdom, but by the especial revelation of the all-wise G-d. This is sufficiently evident in all the prophecies which have been already fulfilled, and will be equally so in those yet to be fulfilled: the events will point out the prophecy, and the prophecy will be seen to be fulfilled in that event.
All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all: yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed for salvation are so clearly propounded, and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of the ordinary means, may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them.
We all bring a certain amount of baggage to the text. But that does not mean that biblical interpretation is doomed to reader response bias. No interpretation of Scripture will ever exhaust the meaning of the text. But it is possible for the believer to achieve a grasp of the Bible's teaching that is sufficient to equip him to live the Believers life for the glory of G-d, 2 Tim. 3:16-17.
2 Tim. 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto G-d, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. That means to study yourself, not lesson to the preachers, but you yourself. With the aid of a good commentary, you can draw out the meaning and find the golden nuggets.
[21] For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of G-d spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
No prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation: Even in Peter's day, enemies of Y’Shua were twisting the prophecies, giving them personal and bizarre meanings so as to exclude Y’Shua from their fulfillment. But Peter says that prophecy is not of any private interpretation, but its meaning is evident and can be confirmed by others.
The same principle is true for the gift of prophecy today; there must be sober confirmation of any prophetic word, and that not through another prophetic word, but through the Scriptures. In the gift of prophecy, G-d never speaks to only one person, and always provides confirmation.
Prophecy never came by the will of man: It is wrong and invalid to twist prophecy to our own personal meaning, because prophecy does not come from man, but from G-d, though it comes through holy men of G-d - but only as they are moved by the Holy Spirit.
The ancient prophets did not even know the meaning of what themselves wrote. They were carried beyond themselves by the influence of the Divine Spirit, and after ages were alone to discover the object of the prophecy. The fulfillment was to be the absolute proof that the prediction was of G-d, and that it was of no private invention-no discovery made by human sagacity and wisdom, but by the especial revelation of the all-wise G-d. This is sufficiently evident in all the prophecies which have been already fulfilled, and will be equally so in those yet to be fulfilled: the events will point out the prophecy, and the prophecy will be seen to be fulfilled in that event.
All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all: yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed for salvation are so clearly propounded, and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of the ordinary means, may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them.
We all bring a certain amount of baggage to the text. But that does not mean that biblical interpretation is doomed to reader response bias. No interpretation of Scripture will ever exhaust the meaning of the text. But it is possible for the believer to achieve a grasp of the Bible's teaching that is sufficient to equip him to live the Believers life for the glory of G-d, 2 Tim. 3:16-17.
2 Tim. 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto G-d, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. That means to study yourself, not lesson to the preachers, but you yourself. With the aid of a good commentary, you can draw out the meaning and find the golden nuggets.
Mutiplied Unto You
[2 Peter 1:2] Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of G-d, and of Y’Shua our L-d,
[5] And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
[6] And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience
godliness;
[7] And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of G-d and of Y’Shua our L-rd, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness. Through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises. Through these, you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world.
Why are we are willing to try almost anything except the knowledge of Him. We will trust in the schemes and plans of men instead of the knowledge of Him. We will try knowing ourselves instead of the knowledge of Him.
The Greek word knowledge doesn't refer to a casual acquaintance. It means an exact, complete, and thorough knowledge. How do we come to knowledge of Him? It comes as we learn of Him through His Word, through prayer, G-d does not meet us only in our "aloneness" but also in the fellowship of people of like mind. It is knowledge, but it is not mere intellectual understanding or perception. It is the knowledge that comes by experience - the experience G-d's people have of G-d Himself, as they communicate with Him in their own words, building intimacy.
For those who acknowledge Him in all their ways, He will direct their steps, His power, which no power can resist, because it is Divine-that which properly belongs to the infinite Godhead.
G-d by His own power hath bestowed on us every thing necessary for a happy life and godliness, having called us to the knowledge of Himself, by His own infinite goodness.
We are partakers of the divine nature, but once we are made spiritual sons and daughters, growth in the Believer’s life doesn't just happen to us. We are supposed to give all diligence to our walk with the L-rd and grow daily.
Each grace being assumed becomes the stepping-stone to the succeeding grace: and the latter in turn qualifies and completes the former. Faith leads the band; love brings up the rear and the fruits of faith specified are seven, the perfect number. The scope of the list demonstrates that G-d wants us to have a well-rounded Believers life, complete in every fashion. We can't be content with an incomplete Believers life.
Temperance - A proper and limited use of all earthly enjoyments, keeping every sense under proper restraints, and never permitting the animal part to subjugate the rational.
Patience - Bearing all trials and difficulties with an even mind, enduring in all, and persevering through all.
Godliness - Piety towards G-d; a deep, reverential, religious fear; not only worshipping G-d with every becoming outward act, but adoring, loving, and magnifying Him in the heart: a disposition indispensably necessary to salvation, but exceedingly rare among professors.
[Love of the brotherhood-the strongest attachment to Messiah's flock; accepting each one during the process of their growth. Religion is neither selfish nor insulated; where the love of G-d is, bigotry cannot exist. Narrow, selfish people, and people of a party, who scarcely have any hope of the salvation of those who do not believe as they believe, and who do not follow with them, have scarcely any religion; though in their own apprehension none is so truly orthodox or religious as themselves.
So charity completes the choir of graces in Col 3:14. In a traditional order, he who has love will exercise brotherly kindness; he who has brotherly kindness will feel godliness needful; the godly will mix nothing uncomplaining with his patience; to the patient, temperance is easy; the temperate weighs things well, and so has knowledge; knowledge guards against sudden impulse carrying away its virtue.
These beautiful qualities are not things that the L-rd simply pours into us as we passively receive. Instead, we are called to give all diligence to these things, working in partnership with G-d to add them.
[10] Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
[5] And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
[6] And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience
godliness;
[7] And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of G-d and of Y’Shua our L-rd, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness. Through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises. Through these, you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world.
Why are we are willing to try almost anything except the knowledge of Him. We will trust in the schemes and plans of men instead of the knowledge of Him. We will try knowing ourselves instead of the knowledge of Him.
The Greek word knowledge doesn't refer to a casual acquaintance. It means an exact, complete, and thorough knowledge. How do we come to knowledge of Him? It comes as we learn of Him through His Word, through prayer, G-d does not meet us only in our "aloneness" but also in the fellowship of people of like mind. It is knowledge, but it is not mere intellectual understanding or perception. It is the knowledge that comes by experience - the experience G-d's people have of G-d Himself, as they communicate with Him in their own words, building intimacy.
For those who acknowledge Him in all their ways, He will direct their steps, His power, which no power can resist, because it is Divine-that which properly belongs to the infinite Godhead.
G-d by His own power hath bestowed on us every thing necessary for a happy life and godliness, having called us to the knowledge of Himself, by His own infinite goodness.
We are partakers of the divine nature, but once we are made spiritual sons and daughters, growth in the Believer’s life doesn't just happen to us. We are supposed to give all diligence to our walk with the L-rd and grow daily.
Each grace being assumed becomes the stepping-stone to the succeeding grace: and the latter in turn qualifies and completes the former. Faith leads the band; love brings up the rear and the fruits of faith specified are seven, the perfect number. The scope of the list demonstrates that G-d wants us to have a well-rounded Believers life, complete in every fashion. We can't be content with an incomplete Believers life.
Temperance - A proper and limited use of all earthly enjoyments, keeping every sense under proper restraints, and never permitting the animal part to subjugate the rational.
Patience - Bearing all trials and difficulties with an even mind, enduring in all, and persevering through all.
Godliness - Piety towards G-d; a deep, reverential, religious fear; not only worshipping G-d with every becoming outward act, but adoring, loving, and magnifying Him in the heart: a disposition indispensably necessary to salvation, but exceedingly rare among professors.
[Love of the brotherhood-the strongest attachment to Messiah's flock; accepting each one during the process of their growth. Religion is neither selfish nor insulated; where the love of G-d is, bigotry cannot exist. Narrow, selfish people, and people of a party, who scarcely have any hope of the salvation of those who do not believe as they believe, and who do not follow with them, have scarcely any religion; though in their own apprehension none is so truly orthodox or religious as themselves.
So charity completes the choir of graces in Col 3:14. In a traditional order, he who has love will exercise brotherly kindness; he who has brotherly kindness will feel godliness needful; the godly will mix nothing uncomplaining with his patience; to the patient, temperance is easy; the temperate weighs things well, and so has knowledge; knowledge guards against sudden impulse carrying away its virtue.
These beautiful qualities are not things that the L-rd simply pours into us as we passively receive. Instead, we are called to give all diligence to these things, working in partnership with G-d to add them.
[10] Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
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