II Peter 2:2
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Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
follow--out: so the Greek. pernicious ways--The oldest manuscripts and Vulgate read, "licentiousness" (Jde 1:4). False doctrine and immoral practice generally go together (Pe2 2:18-19). by reason of whom--"on account of whom," namely, the followers of the false teachers. the way of truth shall be evil spoken of--"blasphemed" by those without, who shall lay on Christianity itself the blame of its professors' evil practice. Contrast Pe1 2:12.
Open source ↗The apostle, having in the foregoing chapter exhorted them to proceed and advance in the Christian race, now comes to remove, as much as in him lay, what he could not but apprehend would hinder their complying with his exhortation. He therefore gives them fair warning of false teachers, by whom they might be in danger of being seduced. To prevent this, I. He describes these seducers as impious in themselves, and very pernicious to others (Pe2 2:1-3). II. He assures them of the punishment that shall be inflicted on them (Pe2 2:3-6). III. He tells us how contrary the method is which God takes with those who fear him (Pe2 2:7-9). IV. He fills up the rest of the chapter with a further description of those seducers of whom he would have them beware.
Open source ↗2:2 One of the saddest effects of false teaching is that the way of truth will be slandered by a watching world. By their immoral and greedy conduct, false teachers bring shame on Christ.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”
These men, however, slander what they do not understand, and like irrational animals, they will be destroyed by the things they do instinctively.
This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation!”
Conduct yourselves with such honor among the Gentiles that, though they slander you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.
They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness.
Because of the signs it was given to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived those who dwell on the earth, telling them to make an image to the beast that had been wounded by the sword and yet had lived.
to execute judgment on everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of every ungodly act of wickedness and every harsh word spoken against Him by ungodly sinners.”
For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders that would deceive even the elect, if that were possible.
I do confess to you, however, that I worship the God of our fathers according to the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets,
and wholesome speech that is above reproach, so that anyone who opposes us will be ashamed, having nothing bad to say about us.