Lesson 4, 2 Peter 2:1-10a, God Knows the Difference

By Pastor Rich Paradis

2 Peter 2:1-10a

 As we move on to 2 Peter 2, we will carry the concluding thoughts from chapter 1 with us. These concluding thoughts spoke to the rightful role of both God and Inspired Men in the completion of our written Word. These men were neither robotic scribes that did nothing but take dictation from God, nor were they “on their own” in the process at any point. 2 Peter 1:21 tells us that these men were “carried along” or “moved” by the Holy
Spirit as they wrote down the very words of God. But there were others; and God knows the difference. We can count on that!!

 

I.                 Who are these “false teachers”?    2 Peter 2:1-3

a.      We don’t have to go beyond the first word (“But…) of chapter 2 to see that there is a contrast being made. That contrast is one between the writer / teacher who is “carried along” or “moved” by the Holy Spirit versus the false prophets of old and teachers both then and now that are secretive, self-seeking, and greedy toward those that would want to listen.

b.     The Old Testament is full of examples of false prophets that sought to derail the plans of God as they related to His people. A few examples would be 2 Kings 18:19, Isaiah 9:13-17, Jeremiah 5:31, 14:14, and 23:30-32. And as real as that example was for the days of old, there is a new reality of false teachers that have the same goal in mind. Verses 1-3 tell us something about them and their message.

                                                    i.     The teachers that are under examination in this section are:

1.     False - That is; untrue.

2.     Secretive – These teachers have a hidden agenda. Their plan is to sneak up on the listener with “cleverly devised tales” according to 2 Peter 1:16. They are “ambush killers”, like their leader (Satan) as mentioned in 1 Peter 5:8.

3.     Self-Seeking – As we see in Vs. 2, they are following their sensuality. Many think that the local situation amongst the readers was leadership that was teaching that our “freedom” was license to practice immoral acts sexually outside of marriage. That would seem to work later on in the next section where the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah is under consideration.

4.     Greedy – These teachers are in it for their own personal gain, not the maturing of those that they are leading.

5.     Under Judgment – Their fate was determined long ago, even though they may seem to “get away with it” today.

                                                  ii.     The teachings that are under examination in this section are:

1.     Heretical - Their teachings are heresy or not true when compared to the accurate teachings. These teachings taught a direct lie about Christ. They taught that somehow the atoning work of Christ was not true. The end of Vs. 1 is a very difficult verse for the person that is trying to teach a limited atonement view of Christ’s work at Calvary. There is no one in Scripture that gets a much rougher judgment than the false prophet or teacher. This verse says that in fact Christ “bought” even this group. That is not to say that the false teacher is saved. But it is to say that Christ’s atoning work at Calvary included even the false prophet / teacher. Christ’s atoning work is “sufficient” for all, but “efficient” for those that will call upon the name of Lord in faith and be saved.

2.     Destructive – These teachings have breaking down in mind as compared to biblical teaching which builds up. Anyone who would listen and attempt application of these teachings would be in direct spiritual danger. In addition to those that would listen being damaged, the goal of this teaching is that the “way of truth” would be maligned or damaged.

 

II.               Do we have precedent for God’s dealings with both the righteous and the unrighteous?    2 Peter 2:4-8

a.      As we begin the next section here, we are immediately going to see God’s “track record” under examination before making the key point of the entire passage later on. There are going to be 3 biblical accounts under consideration. They are going to move from a cosmic example to a global example to one of a local situation. We will see in these examples of God’s dealings with both the righteous and the unrighteous.

                                                    i.     God’s dealings with the unrighteous:

1.     Fallen Angels – Verse 4 offers the account of Satan and the angels falling from heaven. Some think that the fall under consideration is that described in Genesis 6. But Jude 6 would seem to move us away from that explanation. In the original economy of God, evidently the angels not only had responsibilities but also locations to work from. The result of their fall is the reassignment of these angels until the final time of judgment.

2.     The Ancient World – Verse 5 tells of the universal flood of Genesis 6 during the time of Noah and his family. An entire generation died in that cataclysmic event.

3.     Evil Cities – Verse 6 tells of the destruction of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19 because of their sins.

                                                  ii.     God’s dealings with the righteous:

1.     Noah – Verse 5 tells us that even as the judgment of God is falling on the entire earth, Noah and his wife, along with his 3 sons and their wives were spared in an act of mercy by that same God.

2.     Lot – Verses 7-8 tell us that even in the midst of exacting justice on the evil cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, God spared Lot, even referring to him as “righteous”. When we read of Lot’s adventures in the Old Testament, we are hardly impressed with his righteousness. In fact, he comes off as both unrighteous and a coward. But here we see something of the mercy of God being displayed in the life of Lot as He helps him to escape before destroying the cities. He also refers to the “righteousness” of Lot in terms of eternity instead of referring to the moments of his life that we see in Scripture. Evidently, Lot must have suffering intensely and daily within himself even as he failed and made some of the sinful decisions that he made. The God of Lot (who is also our God!) can even make differentiation between the righteousness and the unrighteousness of one man and make the right decision!

 

III.             What can God do?    2 Peter 2:9-10 and Application

a.      As we get to these verses, we will see the underlying point and thought of the entire passage that we have examined.

b.     The thought is this: God can and will judge rightly when it comes to considering the righteous and the unrighteous.

                                                    i.     The virtuous believer of 2 Peter 1:5-7 will be judged rightly and within the economy of God.

                                                  ii.     The same is true for the unrighteous false teacher of 2 Peter 2:1 and 10a. He will also be judged rightly and within the economy of God.

                                                iii.     But the judgments will be VERY DIFFERENT!!!

1.     Do you ever find yourself wondering about the seeming non-judgment of those that are doing great harm to the Kingdom of God? What does this passage offer as an answer to that wondering?

2.     Do you ever wonder if God notices your ongoing efforts to be guided by the Holy Spirit and living of the “righteous” life before others around you? What does this passage offer as an answer to that wondering?