2 Peter

2 Peter 2:20

Charlie Garrett 2 Peter, 2 Peter (written), Daily Writing, Epistles, Epistles (written), Writings 0 Comment

Wednesday, 12 February 2020

For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. 2 Peter 2:20

It is debated if Peter now speaks of the state of the false teachers or of those who were enticed by them. Scholars present logical cases for both. He just said that, “for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage.” Therefore, it could simply be referring to the state of any who are so overcome – be it false teachers or those who are ensnared by them.

Now, beginning with, “For if,” he presents his case for the state of such a person. “If he has been brought into bondage, then…” Understanding this, he continues with, “after they have escaped the pollutions of the world.” Here Peter uses a word found only this once in Scripture, miasma, or pollutions. It is the root of our modern term of the same spelling. At this point, there is no reason to assume that the person actually believed the gospel and received Christ.

Drunks can escape the pollutions of a drunken lifestyle through the 12 Step program. Drug addicts can escape their addictions through various treatment centers. These people apply the principles of the program to their lives and they are cleaned up. However, this does not mean that they have been converted into a new being. Similarly, a person can apply the biblical principles to his life and still not have come to Christ for salvation.

This is more evident by the words, “through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” The translation is misleading. The Greek has no article, and the preposition “in” is used. It reads, “in knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” The escape from the pollution of the word is in knowledge of Christ Jesus. How many people go to churches for a lifetime, having knowledge of Christ and yet are not converted by Christ!

For example, those who attend Roman Catholic churches have an abundance of knowledge concerning Christ – His deity, His atonement, and etc. And yet, their hearts (Romans 10:9, 10) have never believed the gospel. They have never made the profession concerning Christ. What they need is the “14-inch conversion.” The head knowledge needs to be transferred to the heart.

Even if this is referring to saved believers, it does not have to mean that they have lost their salvation. Peter is speaking of the state of the person in this physical life. He did this in verses 1:5-9. There he first spoke of exactly the same premise in verse 1:4 –

“…that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

He then gave a logical order of things to do in order to not be swept back into the old ways of life. He finished that with –

“For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.” (1:9)

Whether saved or unsaved, a person can fall back into his old ways and be so ensnared in them that he is bound by this world of corruption. As Peter says, “they are again entangled in them and overcome.” The word translated as “entangled” is the Greek word emplekó. It is used concerning the braiding of hair. The evil is simply woven into every facet of the person’s life and it becomes increasingly difficult for such to discern good from evil.

They become caught up in the very pollutions that they had escaped from. A drug user returns to his drugs, an alcoholic returns to the bottle, and so forth. Now, having forsaken the very method of changing his life, the person finds himself back where he was, and in even worse shape than before.

In such a dramatic shift back to their old ways, Peter says that “the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.” This takes the reader back to the words of the Lord from Matthew 12:43-45 (and repeated in Luke 11:24-26) –

“When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. 44 Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. 45 Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.” Matthew 12:45

The lesson Christ made for His audience is that of works, not grace. The person Jesus refers to has cleaned up his own house. He has swept it and put it in order. This would be comparable to the person who went through the 12-Step program. However, with a clean and tidy house, he still left room for the demon (and more demons) to return. He failed to fill it with Christ. This is what Peter is referring to. He is not necessarily speaking of someone who has been filled with the Spirit of God through faith in Christ.

Peter is using that same principle for those who hear the word – saved or unsaved makes less difference than the principle which he is using – and who have not applied it to their lives. For the saved, they will not lose their salvation, but they will have an incredibly rough time in this life. For the unsaved, they will live an existence which is devoid of any hope at all.

Life application: When a person cleans up and gets things right, his house is ready for a good purpose. If it is not filled with what is good, then it becomes more susceptible to evil than it was at the beginning.

Remember this – bad doctrine doesn’t keep a person from being saved, but it may keep the next person from being saved because there is no foundation to help discern what is true and from what is false. Secondly, bad doctrine leads to “drinking the Kool-Aid” syndrome. The words of a false teacher are so seductive that people will simply follow them to their own destruction.

The Rev. Jim Jones, David Koresh, and others all led their congregants down the path to earthly destruction. One should never assume that he is above such brainwashing. Unless you personally study Scripture, you cannot determine what is right from what isn’t from a biblical perspective. Watch your lives carefully, lest you be led astray – to your own peril.

Lord, you allow us to follow our own path – even after the salvation of our souls. We can pursue You and a right knowledge of Your word, or we can trust our pastors and priests to properly explain it to us… at our own peril. Give us minds that are willing to seek out Your truth, but also give us teachers who properly handle, and can rightfully explain, proper doctrine. Amen.

 

 

2 Peter 2:19

Charlie Garrett 2 Peter, 2 Peter (written), Daily Writing, Epistles, Epistles (written), Writings 0 Comment

Tuesday, 11 February 2020

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. 2 Peter 2:19

Peter, still speaking of the false teachers, builds upon what he just said in the previous verse concerning those who are allured by them and those who narrowly escape from them. He now shows how this is possible by saying, “While they promise them liberty.”

One example here is that those who are in Christ are free from the law, but they are not free from what is morally sound. However, false teachers might appeal to the flesh stating that because Christ died for sin, and God is glorified through forgiving sin, then there is much more glory for God when we do evil so that good may come. This is what Paul speaks of in Romans 3:5-8.

Using this (or a comparable type of thinking), false teachers will promise liberty. They may say, “You are free to do anything that you wish in regard to sex. We have complete liberty, so live it up!” In such perverse teaching, they show that “they themselves are slaves of corruption.” They are wholly under the power and influence of corruption. Such ideas are perverse, and they are completely at odds with what God would have for those who have been redeemed by Christ.

With this understanding, Peter completes the thought with a point of logic. He says, “for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage.” If the false teacher is a slave of corruption, and a person follows in the teaching of such a false teacher, then he is not brought into liberty at all. He may think he has liberty because he freely does every perverse thing his heart desires, but he is now – in fact – also a slave of corruption.

The very thing which was promised to bring freedom is what brings bondage and slavery. The thought Peter presents here is beautifully expanded on by Paul in Romans 6 –

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What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! 16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? 17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 19 I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.

20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:15-23

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Life application: There is a truth in Peter’s words today which has echoed throughout the history of humanity. The 2nd Psalm begins with these three verses –

“Why do the nations rage,
And the people plot a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves,
And the rulers take counsel together,
Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,
3 ‘Let us break Their bonds in pieces
And cast away Their cords from us.’” Psalm 2:1-3

One who fights against the Lord and His purposes is already a slave of corruption. However, such a person will rally the people against the Lord saying, “Let us break their bonds…” and thus promise liberty to those he is trying to influence. And yet, the very people who are being promised liberty find themselves brought into the same bondage they were told they would avoid.

Nazi Germany is a perfect example. In the world of today, we see the same anger and railing in nations as they fight in the streets – promising revolution and a new direction, when in fact the end is already determined. Likewise, false teachers of the gospel act in just the same way.

They promise “freedom from poverty,” “freedom from ailments,” “freedom from fear,” etc. All of this is promised by sending them money. Take time to objectively watch various Christian TV shows for a few hours. For every decent hour of broadcasting, there will be two which teach nothing doctrinally. Instead, there will only be promised blessings of heaven – all at the low cost of sending them an offering. The very bondage one expects to be freed from will be what actually brings that person into bondage. Be attentive to Jesus and His word – the only true source of freedom.

Lord, may we be overcome only by You, because in You there is true freedom. May the chains we wear from a life of sin be exchanged for the glorious promise of being Your slaves – who are the freest of all. May we never be enticed by promises of power, riches, or glory in this world, but rather may we long for a place in the heavenly home that You have prepared for those who love You. Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 Peter 2:18

Charlie Garrett 2 Peter, 2 Peter (written), Daily Writing, Epistles, Epistles (written), Writings 0 Comment

Monday, 10 February 2020

For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. 2 Peter 2:18

Peter just used a couple of metaphors to describe what false teachers are like. Now, he explains why he chose those metaphors by explaining what their words are like. He begins with, “For when they speak.” Peter is tying their speaking in with what he just said about them. They are wells without water, and they are clouds carried by a tempest. It is their words which makes them so. Understanding this, he says of their speech, their words are “great swelling words of emptiness.”

The oratory skills of these people may be exceptional. Their presentation may be flawless. And their delivery may be without a stutter or a slur. However, the words they speak are empty. The word Peter uses is found only elsewhere in Romans 8:20 and Ephesians 4:17. It signifies “vanity” or “futility.” It is an aimless set of words strung together which lacks any sound purpose because they are transitory.

Peter then says that “they allure through the lusts of the flesh.” Rather than “through,” the Greek reads “in.” It is the sphere in which they exist, and they draw others into their realm. They are bent on presenting a message which suits their own personal lusts – be it sexual, for power, for control of others, or maybe even for attaining a perverse political agenda – whatever. Their words are directed to bring those they address into their own warped sphere of influence. Peter then says that this is done “through lewdness.”

The Greek here is much more direct. There is no preposition before “lewdness.” It is a stand-alone noun. It describes the state of the matter as it exists. Their conduct is outrageous and is a stain on public decency. And yet it is the makeup of who they are.

Peter then ties the next words in with the state of those who stalk them by saying, “the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error.” In these words, there is a variation between manuscripts based on very similar words. Note the difference between the two based on this variation –

“those who are barely escaping from those who live in error.” (ESV)
“the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error.” (NKJV)

Verse 2:14 speaks of those these people are enticing. Therefore, the likely reading is that of the ESV and others. There are some who hear their message and barely escape, and there are those who continue on in the error of the false teachers. The difference between these two seems to come down to whether they were ever truly saved or not. Those who were saved may be enticed and deluded by the false teachers, but their escape is assured, but there are those who never came to saving faith, and they continue on in error.

Life application: In presenting a false message, false teachers set up a conflict in those who have heard the gospel, encouraging them back into the exact same lifestyle that they were previously held captive in. This can be done in any way which promotes the value systems of the world.

Some speak of the gospel in terms of financial profit; some of sexual freedom; some of the blessings of promotion and power – “Yes! You too can have this desire of your heart because God wills your happiness; God wants prosperity for His children; God has forgiven you in Christ, and so you are free from condemnation, even while living in sexual sin.” There becomes no difference in the carnal desires played out in members of the church from those in the world around it.

Accountability is reduced to catchphrases, and the cross is left alone on the Place of the Skull (Golgotha) as a mere symbol to be admired from a distance – devoid of its true meaning and significance. May we never treat the work of Jesus Christ on that instrument of torture and death with anything less than our complete and undying devotion.

Lord God, our terrible plight and condition is revealed in the words of the Bible. We are, from time to time, pulled away from holy living by the temptations of power, wealth, and impurity. Renew our minds, purge our unhealthy desires, and turn our souls to wholehearted devotion to You. May we look to You and Your glorious work, and in looking, may we never forget what You accomplished for us. Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 Peter 2:17

Charlie Garrett 2 Peter, 2 Peter (written), Daily Writing, Epistles (written), Writings 0 Comment

Sunday, 9 February 2020

These are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. 2 Peter 2:17

The words of Peter now describe the state of the false teacher in words that would be especially understood by someone living in a dry land, or in a land suffering from extended drought. First, he says that “These are wells without water.”

The word can signify a well or a spring. It signifies something that flows as a source of water, blood, or even enjoyment. A well flows underground, but it is expected that there will be water there when one comes to it. A spring flows out of the ground, and it is expected that when one goes to it, there will be the needed water. However, the false teachers are a source which has no water, signifying no life. Their teaching cannot provide what it claims it has any more than a dry well or a spring can help a weary soul who comes to it to be nourished.

He then says that these false teachers are “clouds carried by a tempest.” The word translated as clouds is not the same in some manuscripts. Some say “clouds” while others say “mists.” Either way, Peter is speaking of a vaporous mass which supposedly will give water, but which fails to provide it. As it approaches, it appears that relief from a state of heat and dry will be replaced with covering and precipitation, and yet… it just blows past without providing anything of value.

This is the state of false teachers who appear to provide something needed, but then who fail to deliver. The hope of spiritual relief passes by, and there is nothing of value which remains. Where salvation is expected, the condemned soul continues in its condemnation.

Peter says of these false teachers that for them “is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.” The Greek word translated as “blackness” gives a sense of gloom. It is a murkiness which hangs as a pall for those who are caught in it. Further, the Greek includes an article before “darkness” which should not be ignored by translators. It more properly reads, “the gloom of the darkness forever.”

In this then, it speaks of a darkness which was an understood condition of the regions of hell. There is no light, and the gloom of the place will leave the soul yearning for any hint of relief, but it will never come. Jesus spoke of this darkness three separate times in Matthew, such as in Matthew 8:12 –

“But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

The darkness, then, is a place of separation. As God is the source of light, and the light is called good – even at the very beginning of the Bible – one can see that it is a place where no good exists. The source of all that is good, of light, and of that which provides joy and abundance will be lacking. Such is the place where these false teachers have a forever-home reserved. And, sadly, those who follow after them will be there as well.

Life application: Peter’s words would be clearly understandable to the people who had traveled to Jerusalem for the annual religious feasts of the Jewish society.

The land of Israel has many desert areas; dry and formidable. Like much of the earth, the land is wholly dependent on the rains provided by the Lord for its very survival, but particularly in these more arid areas. Should one be thirsty, the only source of water would be the local well – dug perhaps thousands of years earlier.

Towns were built around these sources of water and they could not exist without them. When the wells dried up, there was nothing to sustain the people. The point of this analogy is that a false teacher is just as useless and just as deadly to the spirit as an empty well is to the body.

Likewise, a cloud carried along by a slow-moving wind has some sense of order, and its purpose can be easily determined – shade, a bit of rain, enjoyment to the eye, etc.

But a cloud carried by a tempest is completely lost amid the chaos around it. It is ever-changing and unreliable as a source of any enjoyment or benefit to those who are near it. In the same manner, false teachers are lost in the chaos of confused theology.

As God is a God of order, doctrine concerning Him can be determined and clearly understood. But the instruction of false prophets is ever-changing and never stable. As a contradiction in theology arises, diversionary tactics are used to hide the error. Teachers who are represented by Peter’s analogies have something in store for them from God… “the blackness of darkness forever.” The chaos and lack of nourishment they provided in life will be returned to them for eternity.

O God, thank You for the well of instruction You have provided in the pages of the Bible. Likewise, thank You for those who properly handle and clarify Your word to us. You haven’t left us without a sure word. Instead, we have one which we can turn to time and again for the filling of our souls. For this we praise You; for this we thank You. Amen.

 

 

 

2 Peter 2:16

Charlie Garrett 2 Peter, 2 Peter (written), Daily Writing, Epistles, Epistles (written), Writings 0 Comment

Saturday, 8 February 2020

… but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man’s voice restrained the madness of the prophet. 2 Peter 2:16

Peter now finishes the thought of Balaam which he began in the previous verse. But his words are a continuation of the whole thought so far presented concerning false teachers. In the case of Balaam “who loved the wages of unrighteousness,” Peter now says that “he was rebuked for his iniquity.”

The Greek reads, “he had a rebuke for his transgression.” The word signifies a violation of a law. The Lord gave Balaam a directive, but Balaam went through with his actions intending to violate that directive. Thus, it was a violation of what the Lord had spoken, and the Lord rebuked him as such. In this, the rebuke came through “a dumb donkey.”

Here the idea of a donkey would only be known if one had read the story. The Greek simply says, “a beast of burden.” The Lord took a mute beast and used it to overthrow the supposed wisdom of this soothsayer. In doing so, it was considered a significant rebuke. This is especially so because it was “speaking with a man’s voice.”

There are times that animals make sounds that we may perceive as a known word or set of words. One can teach a dog to say, “aww wuv you.” From there, we think the dog is saying, “I love you,” but it is with the voice of a dog. Even donkeys may bray in a way which shows some hint of supposed intelligence, but the voice, or sound, is always that of a donkey. But this animal spoke with the voice of a man. In this, it “restrained the madness of the prophet.”

The Greek noun, translated as “madness,” is only found here in the New Testament. It comes from two words signifying “beside” and “the mind.” It has a kindred verb, also found only once when used by Paul in 2 Corinthians 11:23. There Paul says –

“Are they servants of Christ? (I speak as one beside himself)” … (WEB)

The prophet had lost his senses as he pushed on towards the hope of profit. It consumed him and he had left proper thinking behind. The Lord had spoken to him, and yet he didn’t consider that if the Lord had spoken to him in his own country, that the Lord was not just an isolated “God of the Hebrews,” but the God who knows all and is everywhere. In such a state, disaster loomed. But a brute beast spoke to him in order to bring him back to a state of reason.

Life application: The story of Balaam is not that long and is full of intrigue and special insights into the spiritual realm. If you have never read it, take a few minutes today to look it over. It is found in Numbers 22-24 and is actually a very fun read. From it, countless generations of songs and stories have come about, but it also contains deep truths concerning the sovereign workings of God in the affairs of man. It also reveals God’s eternal love for the people of Israel and how He deals with them and through them. In addition, how God views the nations which come against Israel is also dealt with.

It is important to understand that God’s covenants with Israel are binding and are in effect to this day. When analyzing the different aspects of God’s relationship with Israel, we make a fundamental error when we view the church as having replaced Israel.

Balaam, a diviner, was asked to curse the people of Israel by one of the surrounding nations. At first, he refused, but was eventually given authorization to proceed under certain conditions. On his way, the Angel of the Lord took His stand in the way as an adversary against him. Three times his donkey attempted to avoid the Angel of the Lord who was unseen to Balaam. Each time he beat his donkey for being an obstinate mode of transportation.

Eventually, the Angel of the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey to speak to him. The donkey questioned why he had beaten him. In turn, Balaam stated, “Because you have abused me. I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would kill you!” (Numbers 22:29).

In time, the Angel of the Lord appeared to Balaam’s eyes as well and stated, “The donkey saw Me and turned aside from Me these three times. If she had not turned aside from Me, surely I would also have killed you by now, and let her live” (Numbers 22:33).

Even conservative scholars will attempt to weasel out of belief that the donkey actually spoke. Rather they claim it brayed in a manner which made Balaam understand something was going on. However, the Bible is clear that the Lord opened the donkey’s mouth in order to speak. God created man; God created donkeys; and God made a way that the two were able to communicate. In real speech, the donkey’s intentions and purposes for its actions were made known to Balaam.

Lord, if You can open the mouth of a donkey in order to speak, then surely You can open our mouths to speak to others about Jesus. Give us that ability, and also give us the strong desire to do so. May we never shy away from those around us who need to hear the good news. With You as the inspiration for our words, we know that we can effectively communicate what they need to hear. Amen.