The Second Epistle of Peter

1. 2 Peter 2:17 - These are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness (forever). To what does these pertain? What are wells without water? Well is pēgē, and not just a hole in the ground butan ever-upleaping living fountain; and remember this is the desert! Wuest – “The words "without water" are an oriental expression where the green verdure excites the traveler's hope of water, only to have it often disappointed.” Relates to the disappointment that arises from them seeking the truth of the word of God with no return. John 4:14 - “but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” Clouds is better translated as mists or fog. The Second Epistle of Peter 2 Peter 2:17-19 The Conduct of False Teachers - Part 3 1 November 22, 2015 Bob Eckel

2. How would you describe a tempest? Mark 4:37 - And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. One interpretation here is that the false teachers are being driven by an outside force. Remember, what falls short of God’s glory is Satan, the world system and the sin nature; and all are responsible here. But is there rain or is this just another empty hole with expectation but nothing yielding? Jude 1:12 - These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness ILG – for whom the gloom of darkness has been kept (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6, 13).God’s promise to the unrighteous, a worm that never dies. Mark 9:44 – Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. The Second Epistle of Peter 2 Peter 2:17-19 The Conduct of False Teachers - Part 3 2 November 22, 2015 Bob Eckel

3. 2 Peter 2:18 - For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who are barely escaped from those who live in error. speaking with great swelling words of emptiness ILG – inflated words of vanity speak - phtheggomai, the same type of utterance of Balaam’s donkey swelling words – immoderate, extravagant, arrogant they allure through the lusts of the flesh in lewdness allure or entice James 1:14 - But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. lusts of the flesh don’t have to be only of a sensual nature but represent the cravings of the totally depraved nature. But here in lewdness, wantonness or licentiousness sensuality is implied but not necessarily. The Second Epistle of Peter 2 Peter 2:17-19 The Conduct of False Teachers - Part 3 3 November 22, 2015 Bob Eckel

4. The meaning here is, that they made use of every variety of lascivious arts to beguile others under religious pretences. Who are the ones who are (aorist active participle) barely escaped from those who live in error? Strachan describes these as those who “have been impressed with Christian truth, and have had strength to separate themselves from their old surroundings and customs, but are led to return through the compromises suggested by the false teachers.” An alternative view could be that of Barnes “had almost escaped from the snares and influences of those who live in error and sin. They had begun to think of their ways; they had broken off many of their evil habits; and there was hope that they would be entirely reformed, and would become decided Christians, but they were allured again to the sins in which they had so long indulged.” Which do you believe is correct? those who live in error are the false teachers. Jude 1:16 - These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. The Second Epistle of Peter 2 Peter 2:17-19 The Conduct of False Teachers - Part 3 4 November 22, 2015 Bob Eckel

5. 2 Peter 2:19 - While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. Notice the contrast here; liberty vs. slaves! What is promised is not anything but slavery. for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. is overcome – perfect indicative To be put in a position where you have been overcomed is to be made inferior. But we have the alternative: Rom 8:16 - And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. But in this bondage, we are made free. John 8:36 - Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. The Second Epistle of Peter 2 Peter 2:17-19 The Conduct of False Teachers - Part 3 5 November 22, 2015 Bob Eckel

6. Gal 5:1 - Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Yet this liberty is a life not a license to serve sin Gal 5:13 - For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. Describe your liberty in Christ. And by endless grace and faith let’s always relish our new life in Christ, and keep looking down! The Second Epistle of Peter 2 Peter 2:17-19 The Conduct of False Teachers - Part 3 6 November 22, 2015 Bob Eckel