2 Peter 2:3 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Peter 2:3-6

Men are apt to think that a reprieve is the forerunner of a pardon, and that if judgment be not speedily executed it is, or will be, certainly reversed. But the apostle tells us that how successful and prosperous soever false teachers may be, and that for a time, yet their judgment lingereth not. God has determined long ago how he will deal with them. Such unbelievers, who endeavour to turn others from the faith, are condemned already, and the wrath of God abideth on them. The righteous Judge... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Peter 2:2-3

2:2-3 And many will follow the way of their blatant immoralities and through them the true way will be brought into disrepute. In their evil ambition they will exploit you with cunningly forged arguments. Their sentence was settled long ago, and now it is not inactive, and their destruction is not asleep. In this short passage we see four things about the false teachers and their teaching. (i) We see the cause of false teaching. It is evil ambition. The word is pleonexia ( Greek #4124 ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Peter 2:3

And through covetousness ;.... Which is generally a prevailing vice among false teachers, they having no other end in view than themselves; either to gain popular applause and vain glory, which they are always covetous of; or to amass riches to themselves, after which they have an insatiable desire: shall they with feigned words ; made words, words of their own devising, and not which the Holy Ghost teacheth; whereby they cover themselves, and privily introduce their pernicious... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 2:3

And through covetousness - That they might get money to spend upon their lusts, with feigned words, πλαστοις λογοις , with counterfeit tales, false narrations, of pretended facts, lying miracles, fabulous legends. "In this single sentence," says Dr. Macknight, "there is a clear prediction of the iniquitous practices of those great merchants of souls, the Romish clergy, who have rated all crimes, even the most atrocious, at a fixed price; so that if their doctrine be true, whoever pays the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 2:3

Verse 3 3.With feigned words. Peter endeavors by all means to render the faithful displeased with ungodly teachers, that they might resist them more resolutely and more constantly. It is especially an odious thing that we should be exposed to sale like vile slaves. But he testifies that this is done, when any one seduces us from the redemption of Christ. He calls those feigned words which are artfully formed for the purpose of deceiving. (166) Unless then one is so mad as to sell the salvation... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Peter 2:3

And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you; rather, in covetousness. Covetousness was their besetting sin, the sphere in which they lived. St. Paul warned Titus against false teachers who taught "things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake" ( Titus 1:11 ; see also 1 Timothy 6:6 and Jud 1 Timothy 1:16 ). Simon Magus, the first heresiarch, sought to trade in holy things; the like sin seems to have been characteristic of the false teachers of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Peter 2:3

And through covetousness - This shows what one of the things was by which they were influenced - a thing which, like licentiousness, usually exerts a powerful influence over the teachers of error. The religious principle is the strongest that is implanted in the human bosom: and men who can obtain a livelihood in no other way, or who are too unprincipled or too indolent to labor for an honest living, often turn public teachers of religion, and adopt the kind of doctrines that will be likely to... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Peter 2:2-3

2 Peter 2:2-3. And many shall follow their pernicious ways Their destructive doctrines, and sinful practices. By reason of whom the way of truth The doctrine of the gospel, and the genuine religion of Christ; shall be evil spoken of By many others, who will blend all false and true Christians together, as if the errors and vices of those members who are corrupted were to be charged on those who are not infected with their disorders; or the vices of a few were to be imputed to all. And... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Peter 2:1-10

2:1-22 WARNING AGAINST FALSE TEACHERSPunishment of the ungodly (2:1-10a)Having spoken about the purpose of prophecies, Peter now gives a warning to beware of those who will use prophecies to support their own teachings. History shows that there have always been false teachers who have tried to gain a following by the misuse of Scripture (2:1). The punishment of all such people is certain. They oppose Christ, give the church a bad name, lead people into sin and make financial profit from the... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 2 Peter 2:3

covetousness . Greek. pleonexia. First occurrence Mark 7:22 . feigned = formed, i.e. fabricated. Greek. plastos. Only here. words . App-121 . make merchandise of . Greek. emporeuomai. See James 4:13 . judgment . App-177 . now, &c . = from ( App-104 .) of old (as in 2 Peter 3:5 ). lingereth . Greek. argeo . Only here. Compare 2 Peter 1:8 . damnation . Same as "destruction", 2 Peter 2:1 . slumbereth . Greek. nustazo. Only here and Matthew 25:5 . if . App-118 . God . App-98 . ... read more