2 Peter 2

Greetings...finally,

After a long absence, we are back on track with the Chapter Memory Study in 2 Peter.

The memory passage is;
2 Peter 2:1 (ESV)
¹ But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.
²⁰ For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. ²¹ For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them.

The outline theme (we are on the 'e' of pEt) is Exposing false teachers, Entangled in false teaching.

In keeping with the 'goal' of the CMS, I kept this memory passage short. I'm finding myself drifting back toward the shorter passages (3-4 verses) as I go through more chapters. The original goal was to memorize key passages that reminded me of the location and some content of the chapter. There were several verses in this chapter that I considered memorizing, but I boiled it down to 3 main verses that summarize the chapter. Really, this continues to be an experiment....even after a year and a half.

Also, several sources split 2 Peter into three main sections. I wrestled with that for a while, but found that two main ideas covered the content adequately.

The first section (1-16) deals with the details of who false teachers are and what they teach. Just as there were false prophets in Israel, Peter assures the believers that there will be false teachers among them. Their tools are destructive heresies but their punishment is secure. They blaspheme and exploit people; preying on their sensuality. But God will not spare them the judgment they are due. Peter gives some examples.

1. Angels: God did not lift judgment from the angels who followed Satan in rebellion.
2. Pre-flood world: God saved Noah, a righteous man, but destroyed the rest of the wicked world.
3. Sodom and Gomorrah: He made an example of Sodom and Gomorrah for the rest of the world to see what happens to the ungodly.
4: Lot: God rescued Lot from the wicked (like He rescued Noah) to show mercy in the face of judgment.

Here we see both God's judgment and mercy weaved throughout these stories. Peter's point is clear; following Christ and trusting God leads us to walk in righteousness and receive grace and mercy. Following false teachers and living in the flesh leads us to walk in unrighteousness and destruction.

Verses 10-16 might be considered section 2a. It deals with more details concerning the content and character of the false teachers. Look at the strong words used in this section; lust of defiling passion, despise authority, blaspheme, irrational, ignorant, blots and blemishes, deceptions, adultery, insatiable for sin, greed, accursed children. Peter spares no description for the defilement of the false teachers and their practices. He even goes on to compare them to Balaam, whose false prophecies were corrected by a donkey! But Peter also uses the word 'destroy' 3 times in this section; the fate of the false teachers will surely be condemnation and destruction.

The final section I have called 'Entangled in false teaching' and it deals with the status of the false teachers and the effect the false teaching has on individuals. First, Peter uses two metaphors to illustrate the deceptive status of the false teachers; a waterless spring and a mist in a storm. One seeking a spring for a drink would be disappointed if there was no water; just as the lack of true substance fails to truly quench one seeking spiritual fulfillment. A mist driven by a storm only lasts a moment and is at the whim of the wind; so a deceptive teaching is subject to the winds of change. But false teachers use loud boasts to entice the passions of those who might be new or young in the faith. While freedom is promised, slavery is all they can deliver.

Verses 20-21 offer an interesting debate; who are the 'they'? Are 'they' the false teachers or the ones deceived by the false teaching? Arguments have been made for both. Either way, 'they' had full access to and knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (I noticed right away that Peter included both Lord and Savior this time). In fact, Peter says that they 'escaped the defilements of the world', but somehow let themselves get entangled and overcome in the world again. Peter says that it would have been better for them if they never knew Jesus rather than knowing Him and then turning away from Him. This is consistent in Scripture; with knowledge comes responsibility (Luke 12:48). Peter then says that the proverbs about the dog returning to its vomit and the pig returning to the mud are true: if you are free, why subject yourself to slavery again? (Gal 4:9, 5:1)

How does this affect my worship?
Verse 9 is a wonderful thought; 'the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials'. While trials and testing are fully expected by the believer, we also can fully expect that God will rescue us from them. He may not always keep them away or take them away, but He will always walk with us through them with the goal of growing us into the character of Christ. Thank You, God of my refuge, for your merciful rescuing hand.

How does this affect my discipleship?
This is a great reminder to keep the focus of discipleship in the Bible. Sometimes I will use these words to describe discipleship: Biblical, Relational, Intentional, Sustainable, and Reproducible. I'm not totally against using 'other books' in discipleship, but the main foundation must be the Bible. And when tackling difficult passages, both the discipler and the disciple must fully submit to Holy Spirit and His wisdom in order not to stray from the truth.

May you walk in freedom from sin and as slaves of God alone,

Ethan