II Peter 2
A plain-spoken deep dive on the whole chapter. Read the chapter →
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
But there were false prophets - There were not only holy men of God among the Jews, who prophesied by Divine inspiration, but there were also false prophets, whose prophecies were from their own imagination, and perverted many. As there shall be false teachers among you - At a very early period of the Christian Church many heresies sprung up; but the chief were those of the Ebionites, Cerinthians, Nicolaitans, Menandrians, and Gnostics, of whom many strange things have been spoken by the primitive fathers, and of whose opinions it is difficult to form any satisfactory view. They were, no doubt, bad enough, and their opponents in general have doubtless made them worse. By what name those were called of whom the apostle here speaks, we cannot tell. They were probably some sort of apostate Jews, or those called the Nicolaitans. See the preface. Damnable heresies - Αἱρεσεις απωλειας· Heresies of destruction; such as, if followed, would lead a man to perdition. And these παρεισαξουσιν, they will bring in privately - cunningly, without making much noise, and as covertly as possible. It would be better to translate destructive heresies than damnable. Denying the Lord that bought them - It is not certain whether God the Father be intended here, or our Lord Jesus Christ; for God is said to have purchased the Israelites, Exo 15:16, and to be the Father that had bought them, Deu 32:6, and the words may refer to these or such like passages; or they may point out Jesus Christ, who had bought them with his blood; and the heresies, or dangerous opinions, may mean such as opposed the Divinity of our Lord, or his meritorious and sacrificial death, or such opinions as bring upon those who hold them swift destruction. It seems, however, more natural to understand the Lord that bought the…
Open source ↗FALSE TEACHERS TO ARISE: THEM BAD PRACTICES AND SURE DESTRUCTION, FROM WHICH THE GODLY SHALL BE DELIVERED, AS LOT WAS. (2Pe. 2:1-22) But--in contrast to the prophets "moved by the Holy Ghost" (Pe2 1:21). also--as well as the true prophets (Pe2 1:19-21). Paul had already testified the entrance of false prophets into the same churches. among the people--Israel: he is writing to believing Israelites primarily (see on Pe1 1:1). Such a "false prophet" was Balaam (Pe2 2:15). there shall be--Already symptoms of the evil were appearing (Pe2 2:9-22; Jde 1:4-13). false teachers--teachers of falsehood. In contrast to the true teachers, whom he exhorts his readers to give heed to (Pe2 3:2). who--such as (literally, "the which") shall. privily--not at first openly and directly, but by the way, bringing in error by the side of the true doctrine (so the Greek): Rome objects, Protestants cannot point out the exact date of the beginnings of the false doctrines superadded to the original truth; we answer, Peter foretells us it would be so, that the first introduction of them would be stealthy and unobserved (Jde 1:4). damnable--literally, "of destruction"; entailing destruction (Phi 3:19) on all who follow them. heresies--self-chosen doctrines, not emanating from God (compare "will-worship," Col 2:23). even--going even to such a length as to deny both in teaching and practice. Peter knew, by bitter repentance, what a fearful thing it is to deny the Lord (Luk 22:61-62). denying--Him whom, above all others, they ought to confess. Lord--"Master and Owner" (Greek), compare Jde 1:4, Greek. Whom the true doctrine teaches to be their OWNER by right of purchase. Literally, "denying Him who bought them (that He should be thereby), their Master." bought them--Even the ungodly were bought by His "p…
Open source ↗But there were false prophets also among the people,.... As well as holy men of God, who gave out prophecies, by the inspiration and impulse of the Holy Spirit; that is, among the people of the Jews, God's professing people, whose God was the Lord, and who had chosen them to be a special and peculiar people, above all people of the earth; and had distinguished them by his favours from all others: among these, though the Syriac version reads "in the world", there were false prophets, who ran, and were not sent; and who prophesied, and the Lord spake not to them: of these there were many in Jeremiah's time, and in the times of Ezekiel; and in Ahab's time, besides the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, slain by Elijah, there were four hundred that called themselves the prophets of the Lord; among whom went forth a lying spirit, encouraging Ahab to go up to Ramoth Gilead, promising him prosperity and success; Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah, with whom Micaiah, the true prophet, had much contention, was at the head of them; and such there were among that people in all ages, until the times of Christ, and in his likewise; see Mat 7:15 now from these, by an easy transition, the apostle proceeds to another part of his design in this epistle, to describe the characters of false teachers under the present dispensation, that saints may beware, and avoid their pernicious principles and practices: even as there shall be false teachers among you; which need not to be wondered at, or stumble any, it being no new or strange thing, but what was always more or less the case of the people of God. This is a prophecy of what should be, and agrees with the prediction of our Lord, Mat 24:11 and which regards not only the times immediately following, in which it had a remarkable fulfilment…
Open source ↗I. In the end of the former chapter there is mention made of holy men of God, who lived in the times of the Old Testament, and were used as the amanuenses of the Holy Ghost, in writing the sacred oracles; but in the beginning of this he tells us they had, even at that time, false prophets in the church as well as true. In all ages of the church, and under all dispensations, when God sends true prophets, the devil sends some to seduce and deceive, false prophets in the Old Testament, and false Christs, false apostles, and seducing teachers, in the New. Concerning these observe, 1. Their business is to bring in destructive errors, even damnable heresies, as the business of teachers sent of God is to show the way of truth, even the true way to everlasting life. There are damnable heresies as well as damnable practices; and false teachers are industrious to spread pernicious errors. 2. Damnable heresies are commonly brought in privily, under the cloak and colour of truth. Those who introduce destructive heresies deny the Lord that bought them. They reject and refuse to hear and learn of the great teacher sent from God, though he is the only Saviour and Redeemer of men, who paid a price sufficient to redeem as many worlds of sinners as there are sinners in the world. 4. Those who bring in errors destructive to others bring swift (and therefore sure) destruction upon themselves. Self-destroyers are soon destroyed; and those who are so hardened as to propagate errors destructive to others shall surely and suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. II. He proceeds, in the second verse, to tell us the consequence with respect to others; and here we may learn, 1. Corrupt leaders seldom fail of many to follow them; though the way of error is a pernicious way, yet many are rea…
Open source ↗2:1-3 Alongside authentic prophets (1:20-21), there have always been false prophets who receive God’s judgment. 2:1 They will: Peter’s use of the future tense in 2:1-3 does not imply that false prophets had not yet come, but it alludes to Jesus’ prediction that false teachers would arise (Matt 24:11, 24; Mark 13:22; cp. Acts 20:29-31; 2 Tim 3:1-6). The false teachers who had arisen fulfilled that prediction. • deny the Master who bought them: The false teachers might have been overtly renouncing Christ, but it is more likely that their immoral conduct constituted a denial of Christ (cp. Titus 1:16).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… ψευδοπροφήτης (pseudoprophḗtēs, G5578) — a spurious prophet, i.e. pretended foreteller or religious impostor καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. λαός (laós, G2992) — a people (in general; thus differing from G1218 (δῆμος), which denotes one's own populace) ὡς (hōs, G5613) — which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows) ἔσομαι (ésomai, G2071) — will be ψευδοδιδάσκαλος (pseudodidáskalos, G5572) — a spurious teacher, i.e. propagator of erroneous Christian doctrine ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you ὅστις (hóstis, G3748) — which some, i.e. any that; also (definite) which same παρεισάγω (pareiságō, G3919) — to lead in aside, i.e. introduce surreptitiously ἀπώλεια (apṓleia, G684) — ruin or loss (physical, spiritual or eternal) αἵρεσις (haíresis, G139) — properly, a choice, i.e. (specially) a party or (abstractly) disunion
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… πολύς (polýs, G4183) — (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial,… ἐξακολουθέω (exakolouthéō, G1811) — to follow out, i.e. (figuratively) to imitate, obey, yield to αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἀπώλεια (apṓleia, G684) — ruin or loss (physical, spiritual or eternal) διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that ὁδός (hodós, G3598) — a road; by implication, a progress (the route, act or distance); figuratively, a mode or… ἀλήθεια (alḗtheia, G225) — truth βλασφημέω (blasphēméō, G987) — to vilify; specially, to speak impiously
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. πλεονεξία (pleonexía, G4124) — avarice, i.e. (by implication) fraudulency, extortion πλαστός (plastós, G4112) — moulded, i.e. (by implication) artificial or (figuratively) fictitious (false) λόγος (lógos, G3056) — something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse),… ἐμπορεύομαι (emporeúomai, G1710) — to travel in (a country as a pedlar), i.e. (by implication) to trade ὑμᾶς (hymâs, G5209) — you (as the objective of a verb or preposition) ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that κρίμα (kríma, G2917) — a decision (the function or the effect, for or against ("crime")) ἔκπαλαι (ékpalai, G1597) — long ago, for a long while ἀργέω (argéō, G691) — to be idle, i.e. (figuratively) to delay οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἀπώλεια (apṓleia, G684) — ruin or loss (physical, spiritual or eternal)
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… εἰ (ei, G1487) — if, whether, that, etc. θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very φείδομαι (pheídomai, G5339) — to be chary of, i.e. (subjectively) to abstain or (objectively) to treat leniently οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ἄγγελος (ángelos, G32) — compare G34 (ἀγέλη)) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by… ἁμαρτάνω (hamartánō, G264) — properly, to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize), i.e. (figuratively) to err,… ἀλλά (allá, G235) — properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations) ταρταρόω (tartaróō, G5020) — to incarcerate in eternal torment παραδίδωμι (paradídōmi, G3860) — to surrender, i.e yield up, intrust, transmit σειρά (seirá, G4577) — akin to G138 (αἱρέομαι)); a chain (as binding or drawing) ζόφος (zóphos, G2217) — gloom (as shrouding like a cloud) τηρέω (tēréō, G5083) — perhaps akin to G2334 (θεωρέω)); to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the… εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)…
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… φείδομαι (pheídomai, G5339) — to be chary of, i.e. (subjectively) to abstain or (objectively) to treat leniently οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ἀρχαῖος (archaîos, G744) — original or primeval κόσμος (kósmos, G2889) — orderly arrangement, i.e. decoration; by implication, the world (in a wide or narrow… ἀλλά (allá, G235) — properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations) φυλάσσω (phylássō, G5442) — to watch, i.e. be on guard (literally of figuratively); by implication, to preserve,… Νῶε (Nōe, G3575) — Noë, (i.e. Noäch), a patriarch ὄγδοος (ógdoos, G3590) — the eighth κῆρυξ (kēryx, G2783) — a herald, i.e. of divine truth (especially of the gospel) δικαιοσύνη (dikaiosýnē, G1343) — equity (of character or act); specially (Christian) justification ἐπάγω (epágō, G1863) — to superinduce, i.e. inflict (an evil), charge (a crime) κατακλυσμός (kataklysmós, G2627) — an inundation ἀσεβής (asebḗs, G765) — irreverent, i.e. (by extension) impious or wicked
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… τεφρόω (tephróō, G5077) — to incinerate, i.e. consume πόλις (pólis, G4172) — a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size) Σόδομα (Sódoma, G4670) — Sodoma (i.e. Sedom), a place in Palestine Γόμοῤῥα (Gómorrha, G1116) — Gomorrha (i.e. Amorah), a place near the Dead Sea κατακρίνω (katakrínō, G2632) — to judge against, i.e. sentence καταστροφή (katastrophḗ, G2692) — an overturn ("catastrophe"), i.e. demolition; figuratively, apostasy τίθημι (títhēmi, G5087) — to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive… ὑπόδειγμα (hypódeigma, G5262) — an exhibit for imitation or warning (figuratively, specimen, adumbration) μέλλω (méllō, G3195) — to intend, i.e. be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially… ἀσεβέω (asebéō, G764) — to be (by implied act) impious or wicked
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ῥύομαι (rhýomai, G4506) — compare G4511 (ῥύσις)); to rush or draw (for oneself), i.e. rescue δίκαιος (díkaios, G1342) — equitable (in character or act); by implication, innocent, holy (absolutely or relatively) Λώτ (Lṓt, G3091) — Lot, a patriarch καταπονέω (kataponéō, G2669) — to labor down, i.e. wear with toil (figuratively, harass) ὑπό (hypó, G5259) — under, i.e. (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or… ἀσέλγεια (asélgeia, G766) — licentiousness (sometimes including other vices) ἀναστροφή (anastrophḗ, G391) — behavior ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἄθεσμος (áthesmos, G113) — lawless, i.e. (by implication) criminal
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… δίκαιος (díkaios, G1342) — equitable (in character or act); by implication, innocent, holy (absolutely or relatively) ἐγκατοικέω (enkatoikéō, G1460) — to settle down in a place, i.e. reside ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… βλέμμα (blémma, G990) — vision (properly concrete; by implication, abstract) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἀκοή (akoḗ, G189) — hearing (the act, the sense or the thing heard) βασανίζω (basanízō, G928) — to torture ψυχή (psychḗ, G5590) — breath, i.e. (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient… ἡμέρα (hēméra, G2250) — day, i.e. (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but… ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) ἄνομος (ánomos, G459) — lawless, i.e. (negatively) not subject to (the Jewish) law; (by implication, a Gentile),… ἔργον (érgon, G2041) — toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act
Open source ↗κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… ῥύομαι (rhýomai, G4506) — compare G4511 (ῥύσις)); to rush or draw (for oneself), i.e. rescue εὐσεβής (eusebḗs, G2152) — well-reverent, i.e. pious ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) πειρασμός (peirasmós, G3986) — a putting to proof (by experiment (of good), experience (of evil), solicitation,… δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. τηρέω (tēréō, G5083) — perhaps akin to G2334 (θεωρέω)); to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the… ἄδικος (ádikos, G94) — unjust; by extension wicked; by implication, treacherous; specially, heathen εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… ἡμέρα (hēméra, G2250) — day, i.e. (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but… κρίσις (krísis, G2920) — decision (subjectively or objectively, for or against); by extension, a tribunal; by… κολάζω (kolázō, G2849) — properly, to curtail, i.e. (figuratively) to chastise (or reserve for infliction)
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. μάλιστα (málista, G3122) — (adverbially) most (in the greatest degree) or particularly πορεύομαι (poreúomai, G4198) — to traverse, i.e. travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively,… ὀπίσω (opísō, G3694) — to the back, i.e. aback (as adverb or preposition of time or place; or as noun) σάρξ (sárx, G4561) — flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἐπιθυμία (epithymía, G1939) — a longing (especially for what is forbidden) μιασμός (miasmós, G3394) — (morally) contamination (properly, the act) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… καταφρονέω (kataphronéō, G2706) — to think against, i.e. disesteem κυριότης (kyriótēs, G2963) — mastery, i.e. (concretely and collectively) rulers τολμητής (tolmētḗs, G5113) — a daring (audacious) man αὐθάδης (authádēs, G829) — self-pleasing, i.e. arrogant οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not
Open source ↗ὅπου (hópou, G3699) — what(-ever) where, i.e. at whichever spot ἄγγελος (ángelos, G32) — compare G34 (ἀγέλη)) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by… ὤν (ṓn, G5607) — being μείζων (meízōn, G3187) — larger (literally or figuratively, specially, in age) ἰσχύς (ischýs, G2479) — compare , a form of G2192 (ἔχω)); forcefulness (literally or figuratively) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… δύναμις (dýnamis, G1411) — force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a… φέρω (phérō, G5342) — to "bear" or carry (in a very wide application, literally and figuratively, as follows) οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not βλάσφημος (blásphēmos, G989) — scurrilious, i.e. calumnious (against men), or (specially) impious (against God) κρίσις (krísis, G2920) — decision (subjectively or objectively, for or against); by extension, a tribunal; by… κατά (katá, G2596) — (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… παρά (pará, G3844) — properly, near; i.e. (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. οὗτος (hoûtos, G3778) — the he (she or it), i.e. this or that (often with article repeated) ὡς (hōs, G5613) — which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows) φυσικός (physikós, G5446) — "physical", i.e. (by implication) instinctive ἄλογος (álogos, G249) — irrational ζῶον (zōon, G2226) — a live thing, i.e. an animal γεννάω (gennáō, G1080) — to procreate (properly, of the father, but by extension of the mother); figuratively, to… εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… ἅλωσις (hálōsis, G259) — capture, be taken. καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… φθορά (phthorá, G5356) — decay, i.e. ruin (spontaneous or inflicted, literally or figuratively) βλασφημέω (blasphēméō, G987) — to vilify; specially, to speak impiously ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
Open source ↗κομίζω (komízō, G2865) — properly, to provide for, i.e. (by implication) to carry off (as if from harm; genitive… μισθός (misthós, G3408) — pay for service (literally or figuratively), good or bad ἀδικία (adikía, G93) — (legal) injustice (properly, the quality, by implication, the act); morally, wrongfulness… ἡγέομαι (hēgéomai, G2233) — to lead, i.e. command (with official authority); figuratively, to deem, i.e. consider ἡδονή (hēdonḗ, G2237) — sensual delight; by implication, desire τρυφή (tryphḗ, G5172) — effeminacy, i.e. luxury or debauchery ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἡμέρα (hēméra, G2250) — day, i.e. (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but… σπίλος (spílos, G4696) — a stain or blemish, i.e. (figuratively) defect, disgrace καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… μῶμος (mōmos, G3470) — a flaw or blot, i.e. (figuratively) disgraceful person ἐντρυφάω (entrypháō, G1792) — to revel in αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… ἀπάτη (apátē, G539) — delusion
Open source ↗ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… ὀφθαλμός (ophthalmós, G3788) — the eye (literally or figuratively); by implication, vision; figuratively, envy (from the… μεστός (mestós, G3324) — replete (literally or figuratively) μοιχαλίς (moichalís, G3428) — an adulteress (literally or figuratively) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἀκατάπαυστος (akatápaustos, G180) — unrefraining ἁμαρτία (hamartía, G266) — a sin (properly abstract) δελεάζω (deleázō, G1185) — to entrap, i.e. (figuratively) delude ἀστήρικτος (astḗriktos, G793) — unfixed, i.e. (figuratively) vacillating ψυχή (psychḗ, G5590) — breath, i.e. (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient… καρδία (kardía, G2588) — the heart, i.e. (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the… γυμνάζω (gymnázō, G1128) — to practise naked (in the games), i.e. train (figuratively) πλεονεξία (pleonexía, G4124) — avarice, i.e. (by implication) fraudulency, extortion κατάρα (katára, G2671) — imprecation, execration
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
For certain men have crept in among you unnoticed—ungodly ones who were designated long ago for condemnation. They turn the grace of our God into a license for immorality, and they deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
and many false prophets will arise and mislead many.
For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires.
In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep.
This issue arose because some false brothers had come in under false pretenses to spy on our freedom in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us.
And indeed, there must be differences among you to show which of you are approved.
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.
For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders that would deceive even the elect, if that were possible.
Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things.