2 Peter 2:17 - Printer Friendly

ESV: These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved.

NIV: These people are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them.

NASB: These are springs without water and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved.

CSB: These people are springs without water, mists driven by a storm. The gloom of darkness has been reserved for them.

NLT: These people are as useless as dried-up springs or as mist blown away by the wind. They are doomed to blackest darkness.

KJV: These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.

NKJV: These are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.

The false teachers in the early church were con men. Their teaching included, apparently, the ideas that Jesus was not Lord and that Christians should be free to indulge in sexual immorality (2 Peter 2:1–3). They promised greater freedom, which they claimed came from unrestrained behavior. Sadly, there are many in congregations today who encourage believers to ignore biblical warnings about sexual sins. They dismiss God's words as out of date, and inspire others to violate God's will.

Despite these false teacher's claims of better knowledge, Peter uses pictures from nature to describe their true form. Following their path will leave the thirsty unquenched. Like a dried up spring, or a lurking raincloud that provides only a bit of mist, their teaching will lead to disappointment. More than that, it will lead to destruction. These false teachers who lie about Jesus will reach the destination that is reserved for them: the blackest darkness. This is likely a description of hell, a place without even a hint of light.

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.

Accessed 5/5/2024 10:43:42 PM