Verse by Verse

⁸ But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

⁹ The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

do not forget (v.8) = do not let it be hidden from you, do not let it escape your notice, do not shut your eyes to it. The burden is on the hearer — to forget these truths is willful (v.5).

There are two things withholding the Second Coming of Christ to judge His enemies—the Church which is His Body, and the longsuffering of God. After the Church is caught up, God will continue to be longsuffering at the beginning of the Tribulation. This is substantiated by the number of souls that will be saved during this period (Revelation 7:9-17). …

Teachers of prophecy have sought to use Peter’s words [in v.8] as a means to predict when the Lord will return, they always live to regret it. We are living in the parenthetical age of Grace; consequently, any attempt to create a timeline based upon prophetic events is sure to fail. There is simply no possible way anyone can predict the duration of the longsuffering of God in the present administration of Grace. …

The essence of the apostle’s words is this: God is eternal — time has absolutely no bearing upon Him, as it does upon man, who often finds himself enslaved to it. God does everything according to the good pleasure of His will, and none can stay His hand. He is sovereign, eternal, almighty! In fact, this is the very context of the Psalm from which Peter quotes: Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God … For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night (Psalm 90:2, 4)….

Peter reminds his readers that God’s longsuffering should never be confused with inattentiveness. God always honors His promises, according to His plans and purposes. — Sadler, pages 227-228.

slack (v.9) = tarrying, loitering

slackness (v.9) = slowness, tardiness

longsuffering (v.9) = patient in bearing the offenses and injuries of others, to be slow in avenging, slow to anger, slow to punish

willing (v.9) = intending, planning with full resolve, determining. A strong term that underlines the predetermined (and determined) intention driving the planning (as opposed to another word translated “will” that means “wishfulness”)

The particular definition of “willing” in this verse is important. The Holy Spirit inspired Peter to use blulomai (see definition above) and not thelo, which means wishing. This completely undermines the doctrine of election as normally stated. If, as the Calvinists say, God chooses particular individuals to be saved, then He also is choosing particular individuals to not be saved. But Peter states unequivocally in this verse that God is not choosing anyone to perish but rather wants all men to be saved. Those who perish do so because they choose to themselves by rejecting Christ.

repentance (v.9) = lit. “a change of mind,” specifically here the change of mind that results in saving faith.

³ knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts,

⁴ and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.”

⁵ For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water,

⁶ by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water.

⁷ But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

scoffers (v.3) = lit. “scoffing scoffers,” mockers, false teachers

Led by the Spirit of God, Peter prophesies that in the last days scoffers will arise questioning the validity of Christ’s Second Coming to the earth. They will brazenly ask, “Where is the promise of His coming?” First, the “last days” here are the last days of Israel according to the Prophetic Scriptures (Joel 2:28-32 cf. Acts 2:14-18). Unlike the “last days” in Paul’s epistles, these days will be closely identified with signs (Matthew 24:30 cf. Acts 2:19-20), times (Matthew 24:15), and seasons (Matthew 24:20-21).

This is the time of Jacob’s Trouble that will cover a period of seven  years and be brought to a close by the Second Coming of Christ to execute judgment upon His enemies. In the early part of the Tribulation, scoffers will declare that they don’t see any of these things taking place, “for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” That, of course, is a blatant lie, which Peter was not about to allow to pass without a challenge. — Sadler, pages 222-223.

fathers (v.4) — Likely the patriarchs and prophets of Israel who predicted the Lord’s coming appearance and judgment—the “promise” that the scoffers said wasn’t coming.

Like many today, these scoffers are going to hold to the doctrine of Uniform-itarianism. According to this interpretation of earth history, existing physical processes, acting essentially at the present rates, are sufficient to account for all geological formations. In other words, every thing has remained the same or uniform since the beginning. …

[But] … the Word of God … says that there was a catastrophic event in Noah’s day known as the universal flood, which destroyed the earth (vs. 5-6). Clearly Peter believed and taught the universal judgment of the flood in the days  of Noah.

But what does Peter mean by “the earth standing out of the water and in the water”? On the second day of creation God separated the waters from the waters, which formed a protective vapor canopy around the earth (Genesis 1:6-8). Hence, we have “the earth standing out of the water.” … Second, the earth standing “in the water” is a reference to the subterranean waters just beneath the earth’s surface, which were apparently used to cool the earth’s crust after creation. …

After the fall of man, these two great bodies of water above and beneath the earth’s surface, once intended to be a blessing, were reserved as an instrument of judgment upon the ungodly deeds of men. At God’s appointed time, He broke up the fountains of the deep, which probably resulted in tidal waves sweeping across the face of the earth. Simultaneously, God opened the windows of heaven, allowing the vapor canopy to condense and gradually fall to the earth in the form of torrential rain that spanned forty days and forty nights (Genesis 7:11-12). … Every living thing that walked the earth, with the exception of the inhabitants of the ark, perished in a watery grave. Peter substantiates this when he says “Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished” (v.6). So we are to understand that the present heavens and earth are vastly different than the old world that perished. …

Although the scoffers claim “all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation,” according to the Word of God, this is just not the case. So the present is not the key to the past, as many have been led to believe. Rather, the present heavens and earth differ immensely from the old world that perished. — Sadler, pages 224-226.

I found this online:

More accurately, “and the earth formed out of water and by means of water.” The words carry us back to the cosmogony of Genesis 1. The earth was brought out of chaos into its present kosmos, by the water being gathered into one place and the dry land appearing (Genesis 1:9). It was kept together by the separation of the waters above the firmament from those that were below the firmament (Genesis 1:6).

And this:

The narrative in Genesis represents water as originally overspreading all things. “The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” We may therefore understand Peter as meaning that the earth was formed or compacted out of water, or out of those substances which the water at first held in solution; and that it is kept together in coherence and solidity by means of water.

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Why is it that these scoffers were so insistent that nothing had changed since the beginning of creation? So much so that they were willingly ignorant, as Peter says, regarding the global deluge in the days of Noah. You see, if they acknowledged that God judged the world as a result of evil in time past, then the probability that He will judge the wicked deeds of men in the future day of the Lord is even greater! While God has set a boundary that the waters will never again cover the earth, He will one day purge the present heavens and earth with fire (Psalm 104:5-9 cf. Matthew 3:7-12). — Sadler, page 226.

perdition (v.6) = destruction, ruin

Romans 1:20 says “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.” I’ve always thought of that exclusively in terms of God’s original creation on the six days, and that is certainly true. But the evidence of God’s judgment via the Flood is also unmistakable in creation. The very evidence that proves the earth was flooded—the layers, the fossil record, the appearance of sea creatures in fossils on mountain tops—is used by secular evolutionists to “prove” their ungodly theory. This is just another way they willfully refuse to glorify God and be thankful to Him (Romans 1:21 cf. 2 Peter 3:5 on “willfully forgetting”) As a result, although they think the sound wise, they become fools (Romans 1:22). I haven’t thought of the evidence of creation in quite this way before. The universal Flood is certainly evidence of God’s power.

So Peter is warning his readers to beware of the idiots who claim that God won’t judge the world when all around them is clear evidence that God has indeed judged the world and so can be trusted to keep His promise to do it again.

1 Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder),

² that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior,

This letter was written to the same audience as the first letter—”the pilgrims of the Dispersion” (1 Peter 1:1) = Jews. This letter was not written to the Body of Christ, and while it contains a wealth of doctrine for all dispensations, we need to keep in mind that we are not the primary audience and that there many be things that do not directly apply to us.

stir up (v.1) = wake out of sleep, arouse

pure (v.1) = uncontaminated, sincere. Perhaps referring to those who hadn’t been corrupted by the false teachers of chapter 2.

Peter is about to speak to his countrymen in “word pictures” with the hope of jogging their memory concerning “the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Savior.” The image the apostle puts before them is the end times. But before he begins, Peter wants his readers to be well aware that what he is about to reveal to them is based upon the teachings of the Old Testament prophets and the earthly ministry of Christ to the twelve. — Sadler, page 222.

mindful (v2) = remember

Peter’s emphasis on the unity of the Old Testament [Jewish Scriptures] with the [Jewish] apostolic writings is reminiscent of 1 Peter 1:10-12; 2 Peter 1:19-21. — Guthrie, page 1256

commandment (v.2) — All the things that Christ, during His earthly ministry, taught to the 12 Jewish apostles (Galatians 2:7-9).

¹⁸ 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.

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.

²⁰ 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.

²¹ For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.

²² But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.”

great swelling words of emptiness (v.18) = Exaggeration, unreality, boastfulness, and emptiness. Conveys the same idea as waterless wells and driven mists—great pretensions but no results.

allure (v.18) = entice, lit. “to bait a hook or set a trap with bait”

lewdness (v.18) = outrageous conduct shocking to public decency, violent spite and indulgence in lawless insolence

the latter end is worse for them than the beginning (v.20) — At the beginning, they lived in sin but then were exposed to righteousness in Christ. After they reject that truth, there is nothing else that could possibly save them so they are infinitely worse off.

proverb (v.21) — The first is found in Proverbs 26:11, while the second appears to come from an extra-biblical source, the ancient History of Ahikar. Peter may be thinking of Matthew 7:6. — Guthrie, page 1256.

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There are those who believe the kingdom saints could lose their salvation, we are not of that number. We do, however, agree that they did not enjoy the assurance of their salvation. …

First and foremost, the kingdom saints, to whom Peter was writing, are said to be saved. You will recall the woman who washed our Savior’s feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. The Lord said to her, “They sins are forgiven,” then added, “They faith hath saved thee; go in peace” (Luke 7:36-50). … What did her faith save her from? Obviously, she was saved from her sins and the judgment to come. If she could lose her salvation, as some claim, then what would have this woman been delivered from—it surely could not be her sins, simply because she’s once again in jeopardy of the hell-fire judgment.

The Lord said to Nicodemus under this same program, “That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Those who believe in him here are said to have eternal life. We know from the record that Nicodemus responded to the Master’s words and received eternal life. But in what sense did he have eternal life if he could have lost it? It was not eternal if there was ever the possibility of losing it.

Surely this passage should settle the matter that the sheep in Israel, who believed Christ was their Messiah, were eternally secure. “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand” (John 10:28). If these saints, any one of them, lost their salvation, then would it not have to be said that they were plucked from the Savior’s hand? God forbid!

But what then does Peter mean when he says, those who have a knowledge of Christ, if they again become entangled in the pollutions of the world, it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness? Clearly the apostle is addressing the false teachers and those led astray by their cunning ways. They escaped the pollutions of the world, not by conversion, but through an outward knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Religiously speaking, there were numerous benefits to being closely aligned with the kingdom message. But to be thus re-entangled in evil, after having once escaped it through the professed knowledge of the Lord and Savior, was infinitely worse than if they had not known the way of truth at all.

Judas is a prime example. He was one of the twelve who played the part of a believer so effectively that the other disciples had absolutely no idea he was a worker of iniquity. … He saw how his close association with the things of the Lord could benefit him personally …

But the Lord unmasked this unsavory character for who he was—a devil (John 6:70-71). To which the Lord added, “Woe unto that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It had been good for that man if he had not been born” (Matthew 26:24). This is also the sense of Peter’s words concerning those who wear the cloak of deception for personal gain. …

Peter uses two animals to illustrate his point — a dog and a pig — both of which were despised by the Hebrews. … A man who professes Christ may outwardly appear to have experienced a change in his life, yet his heart is far from God. He is like the pig that has been washed, but given the opportunity, returns to the mud. You see, it’s the pig’s nature to do so. So it is with the unbeliever, inwardly he will always return to his sinful ways. — Sadler, pages 216-219

I think I agree with Sadler. The false teachers were deceiving those Jews who were part of the assembly but who hadn’t yet placed their faith in Christ. As part of the assembly, exposed to the truth, they were in a position to eventually make the right choice. But the teachers were luring them back into sin and away from the truth, which put them in a far worse position.

¹⁵ They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

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

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

astray (v.15) = led away from the truth, led off course, misled into taking the wrong path

wages (v.15) = reward

Balaam was a hireling prophet who sought to market his gift. This is the way of Balaam. When Balak, the king of the Moabites, saw how the Amorites were utterly destroyed by the children of Israel, he feared that he was going to suffer the same fate. So he sent the elders of Moab to Balaam with the rewards of divination to curse Israel. Balak reasoned that if the prophet cursed the chosen nation, he would prevail and driver her out of the land. The very fact these bearers of silver and gold were sent to Balaam strongly suggests that the reputation of the prophet preceded him. As they say, money talks, and Balaam was listening. But God would not allow the prophet to return with the elders of Moab, nor did He permit him to curse Israel.

The princes of Moab returned to offer Balaam riches untold and even greater honor throughout the realm. Rather than accept the will of God regarding he matter, he approached the face of the Lord again. Balaam reasoned that since Israel had sinned against God she deserved to be cursed; which, of course, meant he would reap a handsome sum for his effort. He had no concern whatsoever for others, even though man would perish, as long as it profited him. This time God gives Balaam the liberty to go, as a test. This shows the true intent of his heart seeing that he fully understood it was not god’s will for him to go, yet he went.

Balaam’s journey was interrupted when the ass upon which he was riding saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way with a sword drawn. Although the money-blinded prophet could not see the angel of the LORD at first, the ass did and turned aside into the field The second time she crushed his foot against the wall. The third time she saw the angel of the LORD she collapsed beneath the prophet. Each time Balaam bet the ass unmercifully. However, after the third beating, the dumb ass spoke to him. … Peter would have us understand it was according to God’s purpose that Balaam was “rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness [insanity] of the prophet” (See Numbers 22).

Then the Lord opened his eyes and Balaam saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way. It is important to note that this was a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ, the very One who would redeem Israel from the curse of the law. Balaam reasoned that a holy God must curse Israel on the basis of His righteousness. This was the error of Balaam (Jude 1:11). But what the hireling prophet failed to understand was the higher purpose of God to redeem Israel at the Cross, where Christ would be made a curse for the sins of His people (Galatians 3:13). Consequently, the Lord rebuked the wayward prophet: “Behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me” (Numbers 22:32).

After Balaam realized God would not allow him to curse Israel, he deceitfully devised a plan to corrupt Israel. He taught Balak to sway the chosen nation into eating things that had been offered to idols and to commit fornication, both of which were strictly forbidden by God. This is known as the doctrine of Balaam (Revelation 2:14). Israel was only to worship the true and living God. She was to be a separate nation unto God; therefore, she was not permitted to marry those of other nations. So when the Israelites joined themselves to the daughters of Moab, God sent a plague among His people wherein 24,000 perished (Numbers 25:1-9).

The false teachers of Peter’s day were “following the way of Balaam,” that is, they were imitating the prophet. Balaamism is a system of teaching that’s based purely upon human reasoning. It is worldliness in its worst forms; lust, greed, and personal advancement at the expense of others. — Sadler, pages 212-214.

Clouds carried by a tempest (v.17) — The idea is not very different from that of the “wells without water.” These mists [clouds] promise refreshment to the thirsty, but they are so insubstantial that they are blown away before they do any good. Imagine puffy clouds during a drought that seem to gather and promise needed rain but then dissipate on the wind without providing relief.  It seems to me that the storm here could refer to their lust for the temptation du jour, or maybe just their desire to push anything that opposes godliness.

In the dry, barren desert, wells hold out the promise of life-giving water, but if the oasis is dried up, those who approach are left destitute. The message of these false teachers was unable to quench the spiritual thirst of the their hearers because they themselves were empty wells. … Only Christ can satisfy the longing of the soul: “In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any m an thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. He that believeth on Me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water” (John 7:37-38).

There should be no question that these apostates were unsaved when Peter says, “to whom the [blackness] of darkness is reserved for ever.” Those who purposely lead men to perdition have a special place reserved for them in the lake of fire. Hell is darkness, but Peter reveals that there are degrees of darkness, which would be in keeping with degrees of punishment promised those who blatantly reject the Savior (Matthew 11:20-24 cf. Revelation 20:11-15). — Sadler, pages 215-216.

¹² But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption,

¹³ and will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes, carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you,

¹⁴ having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children.

natural (v.12) = merely animal, governed by instincts

brute (v.12) = without reason, destitute of  reason, absurd

do not understand (v.12) — Their behavior is irrational because they have chosen not to understand (Romans 1:21).

wages of unrighteousness (v.13) — the inevitable outcome of their corruption

carouse (v.13) = lit. “softness, indulgent living, effeminate luxury

in the daytime (v.13) — In other words, they play when they ought to be working.

deceptions (v.13) = delusions

We normally associate rewards with those that faithfully serve the Lord. But there is also a reward that awaits the ungodly who take pleasure in unrighteousness. These are brute beasts that have no morals whatsoever. Both Peter and Jude speak with a united voice that these beasts are filthy dreamers whose eyes are full of adultery. They cannot look upon a woman without desiring to be with her in an inappropriate way. Peter adds, they “cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls.” The adulterous ways of these false teachers had apparently influenced the unstable among the kingdom saints to think this was an acceptable lifestyle. …

The passion of Peter to expose these false teachers is unprecedented. He hurls one volley after another hoping to dislodge their influence. Peter warns those who may consider following their adulterous ways and luxurious lifestyle, at the expense of that saints, that they will on day stand before the Judge of all the earth who will render to every man according to his deeds.

We are reminded of the Psalmist who wrestled with why the ungodly prospered in the world, whereas he lived uprightly and struggled to make ends meet. It was almost too painful for him to bear, until he went into the sanctuary of the Lord, which proved to be an eye-opening experience. “Then [he says] understood I their end. Surely Thou didst set them in slippery places: Thous castedst them down into destruction. How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors” (Psalm 73:17-19). — Sadler, pages 209-210.

The false teachers aren’t content to indulge in sin themselves, they also seek to entice others to join them. It’s my opinion that they know they are wrong and feel guilty about it, but think that if they can force/persuade others to agree with them that the behavior is OK, then maybe they’ll believe it themselves. This is why the degenerate are so active in pushing their lifestyles and why they hate anyone who disagrees.

¹⁰ and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries,

¹¹ whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring a reviling accusation against them before the Lord.

the lust of uncleanness (v.10) = lit. “those who go after flesh with a desire for pollution.” Jude 1:7 makes it clear what particular lust Peter refers to.

presumptuous (v.10) = bold, with no concern for other’s, or even their own danger

self-willed (v.10) = self-pleasing, so obsessed with their own desires that they refuse to consider anything else

dignitaries (v.10) = the majesty and glory of angels (Jude 1:8). Sadler (below) has a different view of the dignitaries.

Peter warned his readers how false teachers walk after the lust of the flesh, and “despise government.” In other words, they hate all forms of authority. These unscrupulous leaders are self-willed and refuse to be accountable for their actions. …

One of the trademarks of a false teacher is that he desires absolute power. He will rarely submit himself to the authority of others, such as a board of elders, or if he does, he will make sure those around him can be easily manipulated.

So flagrant are these workers of iniquity, Peter says that “they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.” The word “dignities” here denotes magnificence, excellence, glory, praise, honor, good report, etc. These false teachers speak evil of that which is good and holy. They recklessly take the Lord’s name in vain and openly slander the true servants of the Lord. — Sadler, pages 206-207

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angels (v.11) — Angels, by contrast, have the right to complain to God of the behavior of these arrogant mortals, but refuse to do so: this may be a reference to the kind of incident recorded in Jude 1:9. — Guthrie, page 1255.

reviling (v.11) = lit. slanderous, evil-speaking

The angels that report the irreverent behavior of these false teachers perform their duty with reverence before the throne of heaven. These angels, who are far superior, decline to bring railing accusations against them, unlike the workers of iniquity who arrogantly flaunt their authority. The angels submit themselves to the authority of God, who will judge all things in due time. — Sadler, pages 207-208.

Peter was writing to Jews in the first century and in the future Tribulation. But it’s easy to see these sorts of false teachers today when you drive past churches that boldly proclaim their celebration of sin on banners and signs.

⁴ For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment;

⁵ and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly;

⁶ and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly;

⁷ and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked

⁸ (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)—

⁹ then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment,

angels (v.4) — See Genesis 6:1-4 and Jude 1:6, where the writer draws attention to pride as being the cause of their downfall. — Guthrie, page 1255.

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These [v.4] were the angels who left their first habitation and committed unspeakable atrocities in the days of Noah. God cast these angelic Beings down to tartarus, which is located in the lower parts of the earth on the sides of the bottomless pit (Isaiah 14:15 cf. Revelation 20:1-3). They are confined in the blackness of darkness until the Great White Throne Judgment. If God spared not these angels, who are a higher creation than man, what hope do these false teachers have of escaping the wrath of God? They, too, are guilty of rebelling against god and leading men to perdition. — Sadler, page 200.

hell (v.4) — Peter used the word tartarus, the Greek name for the place where they supposed the Titans, the enemies of the gods, were confined. Peter, writing in Greek, may have used it as a general term for a place where the wicked angels were held, although his idea of what that was was different from that of the Greeks. The word tartarus is not used anywhere else in the New Testament. The angels are confined in that place, whether or not they are literally in chains.

For over 100 years Noah warned those of his day about the impending judgment of the flood [1 Peter 3:20]. But they seemed as idle tales to those who listened. Consequently, “They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all” (Luke 17:27). While there isn’t anything essentially wrong with eating and giving in marriage, those in Noah’s day did so as though God did not even exist. They had “corrupted His way,” that is, His way of marriage—one man for one woman. Since both “marrying wives” and “giving in marriage” are mentioned in conjunction with one another, the former is an indication they were adulterers and also guilty of committing polygamy (Genesis 4:19 cf. 6:11). — Sadler, page 200.

Sodom and Gomorrah (v.6) — Genesis 18:16-19:28

example (v.6) — Matthew 10:15; 11:23-24; Luke 17:29

wicked (v.7) = lawless, the consequence of having no fear of God and therefore feeling completely free to live without principles, indulging the fallen nature.

Over the course of time, the filthy language and ungodly lifestyle of the Sodomites “vexed” or tormented Lot’s righteous soul. He knew the vile affections of the men at Sodom were not only contrary to nature, but reprehensible to a holy and righteous God. Yet he remained among them! — Sadler, page 202.

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But the Lord knows how to deliver the believer out of trials and temptations, as Noah and Lot illustrate. This will be an especially comforting passage to the future Tribulation saints. … The Lord will grant deliverance to His chosen people at that day (Revelation 12:3-16). He also knows how to “reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished.” — Sadler, page 203.

1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.

² And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.

³ By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.

the people (v.1) – The Old Testament Israelites (Deuteronomy 13:1-5; 1 Kings 13:18, 22:5-23; Jeremiah 5:13, 31; 6:13, etc.)

false teachers (v.1) — The falsity may refer to the content of their teaching or to their claim to be teachers. Probably both are implied — Guthrie, page 1254.

heresies (v.1) = literally, chosen beliefs. In Scripture, it refers to wrong beliefs deliberately chosen by man (as opposed to true beliefs revealed by God).

Having established that prophecy came through holy men who were moved by the Spirit in time past [2 Peter 1:20-21], Peter reminds his hearers that there were also false prophets among the people of Israel (Deuteronomy 13:1-5). Then he adds, “even as there shall be false teachers among you,” that is, their counterparts. They were not to think that they were exempt from these insidious attacks, nor should we. …

A false teacher is someone who knowingly, deceitfully, and deliberately teaches that which is untrue. We normally associate false teachers with the unregenerate; however, this is not always the case. Paul wrote to the Galatians regarding his defense of the gospel of the grace of God at Jerusalem: “and that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you” (Galatians 2:4-5). — Sadler, pages 196-197

destructive (v.2) = licentious, wanton, outrageous, shocking to public decency, lewd

The false teachers of the day [Gnostics] tended to argue that it did not matter how the Christian behaved, as grace could forgive every sin. — Guthrie, page 1254.

The false teaching led to licentiousness, but it was disguised as truth. As a result, unbelievers didn’t distinguish between the false and the true and reviled the true.

The unregenerate false teachers spoken of here are the masters of deception. Peter effectively warned his countrymen to beware of those who, after his death, would lie in wait to deceive. They are wolves in sheep’s clothing. It is important to note that these deceivers “bring in damnable [destructive] heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them.” They deliberately bring falsehood alongside the truth that they might deceive the unsuspecting. This is often accomplished by introducing something new as a fuller expression of sound doctrine. …

These false teachers denied the very One who provided redemption for them. While they probably taught their hearers that Christ was a great prophet and teacher, they rejected the truth that He was the Redeemer of Israel. These “wells without water” blatantly denied Christ’s subsitutionary death, precious shed blood, and bodily resurrection. They even called into question the inspiration of the Scriptures themselves when they defiantly declared “Where is the promise of His coming?” (2 Peter 3:4). the trademark of all false teachers is the denial of the Deity of Christ. …

How do these workers of iniquity so effectively mislead their followers? As Peter says, many shall follow” them. Since the natural man is inherently religious and would rather believe a lie, he’s easy prey for the “pernicious ways” and “feigned words” of a false teacher. Notice they are identified by their pernicious ways. In other words, they’re outrageous, shameless, and given to excess. These unscrupulous preachers have magnetic personalities that draw men to them. And with “feigned words” or persuasive speech … they lead men to destruction. …

The goal of these false teachers is to exploit their unwary followers. They are solely out for financial gain; therefore, Peter warns those that are intrigued by their notoriety accordingly, they will “make merchandise of you.” Like a thief, they will rob you blind, while promising you health, wealth, and prosperity. — Sadler, pages 198-199.

exploit (v.3) = make a gain or business of

their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber (v.3) — Not … idle means that judgment is impending (hard on their heels). Asleep is a vivid metaphor (waits for them with unsleeping eyes) Retribution is certain, though it may not be swift, for the man who leads another astray. — Guthrie, page 1254.

Verse 1 says that the false teachers bring on themselves “swift judgment.” Verse 3 (see Guthrie’s comment above) seems to be saying that it may not be immediate. I think this is a case where you have to remember the context of Peter’s letter. For those in the first century, it may have seemed that the false teachers were getting away with their heresies (although Peter made it clear that their judgment was coming. For those in the Tribulation, the false will be judge very quickly.

I’m not sure I entirely agree with Sadler that false teachers always know they’re wrong. There are prominent “Christian” pastors today who are leading masses of people astray, but I have to think some of them “believe” they’re right. And what about those Paul referred to in Galatians 2:4-5? Did they know they were wrong? In a sense, coming from James, they were right for kingdom Jews, but wrong for Gentiles. Because they acted in secret, they obviously knew Paul was teaching something different, but did they know they were wrong? I don’t know.

Maybe false teaching isn’t only deliberate falsehood, but falsehood brought about by wrong motives—a desire for wealth, concern for one’s reputation, a longing to become popular. There are many prominent speakers who have taken a stand and built huge ministries based on bad doctrine. To recant would be to lose all their standing, power, and wealth. But again, keep in mind that Peter’s audience was facing/will face specific threats.

¹⁹ And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;

²⁰ knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation,

²¹ for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

prophetic (v.19) = stated by a prophet

confirmed (v.19) = steadfast, enduring, sure, certain

The words “in your hearts” (v.19) should follow the verb “take heed.” The Bible is a lamp. The world is morally dark and squalid, and will remain so until the Lord comes and the Day dawns. The words “private interpretation” should read “human origination,” for that is the sense of the passage. The question is: where id the Holy Scriptures originate? The answer is: not in the will of man but in the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit here declares that no Scripture is of human origination, and in 2 Timothy 3:16 He adds that all Scripture is of Divine inspiration. — Williams, page 1007.

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In the midst of the night, which will grow even darker with the coming Tribulation Period, the Prophetic Scriptures were like a lamp showing the way to the glory of the Second Coming of Christ. Peter was holding out hope to his readers that in spite of what they may be called upon to endure, soon they would experience the joy of the Lord when Christ, the bright and morning star, returns to usher them into the blessings of the Golden Age (Zephaniah 1:14-16 cf. Revelation 22:16-18).

“Knowing this first that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation.” We believe the sense here is, prophecy did not originate with the human writers of the Scriptures, but rather with the Holy Spirit. Prophecy should never be thought of as merely a collection of human thoughts. Given that the Scriptures originated with God, no prediction of Holy Scripture is of any private interpretation. Peter’s hearers did not necessarily have to rely upon him to interpret the Word of God; they could search the Scriptures themselves regarding the return of the Lord. — Sadler, page 191.

I know of at least on instance in which a “theologian” used verse 20 to mean that nobody should try to figure out what the Bible means on their own but, instead, should rely on what God “told” him in dreams and visions. That view is nonsense, of course, and is easily refuted by Acts 17:11 and 2 Timothy 2:15.

The divine work of inspiration passed through the writers’ very thought process (including those who spoke it orally). It miraculously filtered through their different styles of writing, vocabulary, vocations, experiences, moods, and sufferings. Yet we can safely say that the 66 Books of the Bible are the inspired Word of God in their original writings. …

There were times God gave direct revelations to the prophets, which are usually prefaced with “Thus saith the Lord.” Frequently the writers of Holy Writ were recounting their own personal experiences in the faith, such as we have here with the Apostle Peter. The writers even documented the evil deeds of men and angels. Thus the Scriptures record “lies” and “deceitful” practices, but it always does so accurately. — Sadler, pages 193-194.