The Strand Study Bible

II PETER 2:7 - 3:4

2107

Written From Babylon (Rome)

7 1 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: 8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) The promise of a JUDGMENT DAY to come (Fulfilled - Rev 20:11-15) 9 2 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the 3 DAYOF JUDGMENT to be punished: P The signs of a false teacher (See - Ezekiel 13) 10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. 4 Presumptuous are they , self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of 5 dignities. 11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, 6 bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. 12 But these, 7 as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; 13 8 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the daytime. 9 Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; 14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: 15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of 10 Balaam the son of Bosor, who 11 loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: 12 the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet.

17 13 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of 14 darkness is reserved for ever. 18 For when they speak great swelling 15 words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the 16 servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again 17 entangled therein, and overcome, 18 the latter end is worse with 19 them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for 19 them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it , to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto 19 them according to the true proverb, 20 The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. II Peter 3 JESUS CHRIST is coming again Date Written - c. AD 67 1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: 2 That ye may be 21 mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: 3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4 And saying, 22 Where is the promise of 23 his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the 24 beginning of the creation. P

1. Gen 19:15-16,29 2. Psa 34:15-18 & I Cor 10:13 3. Fulfilled - Rev 20:11-15 (Christ’s White Throne Judgment) 4. Deut 17:12-13 & Jude 8 5. or, “angels” 6. Jude 9 7. Jude 10 8. Phil 3:18-19 9. Jude 12 10. Num 22:16-17 & Deut 23:4 & Neh 13:2 & Jude 11 & Rev 2:14 11. II Tim 4:10 12. Num 22:28-30 13. Prov 25:14 & Jude 12-13 14. Psa 49:19 15. or, “words empty of meaning” - Jude 16 16. Rom 6:16 17. Heb 6:4-6 18. Mt 12:45 & Lk 11:26 19. that is, “unsaved false teachers who studied the Word of God enough to know the truth, but not follow the truth“ 20. Quoted from the OT - Prov 26:11 21. Jude 17 22. Amos 5:18 & Isa 5:19 23. Fulfilled - Rev 19:11-21 (Christ’s Second Coming) 24. Gen 1:1

2:7 It would be hard to conclude from Genesis 13-19 that Lot was anything but just (righteous - vs 8). His selfish decision to live amongst the men of Sodom grieved God, as well as his own conscience. Lot’s righteousness was not based on “his” righteousness ( for there are none righteous - Rom 3:10), but rather on Jesus’ righteousness (Rom 3:20-26). Lot was deemed just because of his “position” in Jesus, not his “practice” as a Christian (Eph 2:8-9). Our salvation is based on what Jesus did for us (grace), not what we do for Jesus (works). NOTE - Lot is held up before us as a solemn example of the dreadful consequences of being unequally yoked with the world and unbelievers, and of having fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. 2:9 The term “ godly ” here refer to Lot’s “position” in Jesus, not his “practice” as a believer. 2:10 Peter likened false teachers here to animals ( them that walk after the flesh ), which have little or no conscience (vss 12,14). 2:15 When God would not allow Balaam to carry out Balak’s order (Num 22-25), the prophet showed Balak how to defeat the Israelites by leading them into idolatry and sexual uncleanness (vs 14). Henry Jacobsen in The War We Can’t Lose notes: False doctrine seems, as often as not, to be accompanied by immorality. 1