2 Peter 2:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: whereas angels, though greater in might and power, do not pronounce a blasphemous judgment against them before the Lord.

NIV: yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not heap abuse on such beings when bringing judgment on them from the Lord.

NASB: whereas angels who are greater in might and power do not bring a demeaning judgment against them before the Lord.

CSB: however, angels, who are greater in might and power, do not bring a slanderous charge against them before the Lord.

NLT: But the angels, who are far greater in power and strength, do not dare to bring from the Lord a charge of blasphemy against those supernatural beings.

KJV: Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.

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

In the previous verse, Peter revealed evidence of the conceit of the false teachers. For starters, they were not afraid to speak arrogantly about angelic beings. This might have meant insulting them, ignoring the influence of spiritual beings, or even telling lies about what such beings could or would do. In other words, they were speaking of these beings with great disrespect. Contempt leads to carelessness; speaking rudely of spiritual beings not only makes a person less cautious, it can invite unwanted attention.

We do not know what, specifically, these false teachers were saying, but we get a clue in this verse that they may have been saying it about fallen angels. Peter tells us that even angels—apparently non-fallen angels speaking for God—would never speak so disrespectfully of fallen angels. Even when pronouncing God's judgment, they would not "heap abuse" on these rebellious angels.

Peter says that, clearly, the angels are far more powerful than these false teachers. If anyone had the moral authority to speak disrespectfully about the fallen celestial beings, the angels that remain loyal to God would. And yet, they don't. They won't. The fact that the false teachers do such a thing demonstrates both their arrogance and ignorance.

2 Peter 2:10–22 further describes the sins of the false teachers spreading deception in the early church. Prior verses explained how God judged evil in the past, while saving those who were faithful. This passage describes those who reject Christ in favor of the world as ''enslaved'' by their own sins. No matter what they may claim, such persons prove their spiritual condition by constantly returning to their moral filth.

False teachers had entered the early community of Christians. These deceivers lied to the believers, challenging the authority of Jesus. They also invited others to indulge in their sexual sin. Sadly, there are still versions of these false teachers plaguing the modern Christian community. Peter harshly describes the sins of these ''cursed children,'' the eternal judgment waiting for them, and the tragic impact their deception is having on those enticed by them.

In chapter 1, Peter urged his Christian readers not to be unproductive in their knowledge of Jesus. Peter now describes the false teachers in the church who were leading people away from a true understanding of Christ. These deceivers were lying to the believers and encouraging them to indulge in sexual sin. Peter promises that God’s judgment is coming on these ''cursed children'' and details the tragic impact their lies have on anyone who believes them.

Apparently written shortly before his death in the AD 60s, 2 Peter may have been written to the same audience as 1 Peter, which was Christians scattered by persecution. Peter writes this letter to encourage Christians to live out the purpose of their lives in Christ. He warns readers to beware of teachers who claim to be believers, but present a false version of Christianity. And, Peter calls on all Christians to eagerly watch and wait for the return of the Lord.