Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
2 Peter Ch.2 / 3 Ch.s
2PE:2
* Believers are cautioned against false teachers, and the
certainty of their punishment shown from examples. (1-9) An
account of these seducers, as exceedingly wicked. (10-16) But as
making high pretences to liberty and purity. (17-22)
#1-9 Though the way of error is a hurtful way, many are always
ready to walk therein. Let us take care we give no occasion to
the enemy to blaspheme the holy name whereby we are called, or
to speak evil of the way of salvation by Jesus Christ, who is
the Way, the Truth, and the Life. These seducers used feigned
words, they deceived the hearts of their followers. Such are
condemned already, and the wrath of God abides upon them. God's
usual method of proceeding is shown by examples. Angels were
cast down from all their glory and dignity, for their
disobedience. If creatures sin, even in heaven, they must suffer
in hell. Sin is the work of darkness, and darkness is the wages
of sin. See how God dealt with the old world. The number of
offenders no more procures favour, than their quality. If the
sin be universal, the punishment shall likewise extend to all.
If in a fruitful soil the people abound in sin, God can at once
turn a fruitful land into barrenness, and a well-watered country
into ashes. No plans or politics can keep off judgments from a
sinful people. He who keeps fire and water from hurting his
people, #Isa 43:2|, can make either destroy his enemies; they
are never safe. When God sends destruction on the ungodly, he
commands deliverance for the righteous. In bad company we cannot
but get either guilt or grief. Let the sins of others be
troubles to us. Yet it is possible for the children of the Lord,
living among the most profane, to retain their integrity; there
being more power in the grace of Christ, and his dwelling in
them, than in the temptations of Satan, or the example of the
wicked, with all their terrors or allurements. In our intentions
and inclinations to commit sin, we meet with strange
hinderances, if we mark them When we intend mischief, God sends
many stops to hinder us, as if to say, Take heed what you do.
His wisdom and power will surely effect the purposes of his
love, and the engagements of his truth; while wicked men often
escape suffering here, because they are kept to the day of
judgment, to be punished with the devil and his angels.
#10-16 Impure seducers and their abandoned followers, give
themselves up to their own fleshly minds. Refusing to bring
every thought to the obedience of Christ, they act against God's
righteous precepts. They walk after the flesh, they go on in
sinful courses, and increase to greater degrees of impurity and
wickedness. They also despise those whom God has set in
authority over them, and requires them to honour. Outward
temporal good things are the wages sinners expect and promise
themselves. And none have more cause to tremble, than those who
are bold to gratify their sinful lusts, by presuming on the
Divine grace and mercy. Many such there have been, and are, who
speak lightly of the restraints of God's law, and deem
themselves freed from obligations to obey it. Let Christians
stand at a distance from such.
#17-22 The word of truth is the water of life, which refreshes
the souls that receive it; but deceivers spread and promote
error, and are set forth as empty, because there is no truth in
them. As clouds hinder the light of the sun, so do these darken
counsel by words wherein there is no truth. Seeing that these
men increase darkness in this world, it is very just that the
mist ofdarkness should be their portion in the next. In the
midst of their talk of liberty, these men are the vilest slaves;
their own lusts gain a complete victory over them, and they are
actually in bondage. When men are entangled, they are easily
overcome; therefore Christians should keep close to the word of
God, and watch against all who seek to bewilder them. A state of
apostacy is worse than a state of ignorance. To bring an evil
report upon the good way of God, and a false charge against the
way of truth, must expose to the heaviest condemnation. How
dreadful is the state here described! Yet though such a case is
deplorable, it is not utterly hopeless; the leper may be made
clean, and even the dead may be raised. Is thy backsliding a
grief to thee? Believe in the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be
saved.