Section 10 – 2 Peter 2:17-22
17 These people are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. 18 For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. 19 They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.” 20 If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. 21 It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. 22 Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.” (NIV)
……………………………………………………………………………………………….
17 These [false teachers] are springs without water and mists driven by a tempest, for whom is reserved the gloom of black darkness. 18 For uttering arrogant words of vanity [pompous words disguised to sound scholarly or profound, but meaning nothing and containing no spiritual truth], they beguile and lure using lustful desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error. 19 They promise them liberty, when they themselves are the slaves of depravity—for by whatever anyone is defeated and overcome, to that [person, thing, philosophy, or concept] he is continually enslaved. 20 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world by [personal] knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, their last condition has become worse for them than the first. 21 For it would have been better for them not to have [personally] known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to have turned back from the holy commandment [verbally] handed on to them. 22 The thing spoken of in the true proverb has happened to them, “The dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “A sow is washed only to wallow [again] in the mire.” (AMP)
Questions
● (v17) How does Peter describe the false teachers? What does that say about them? What judgment is in store for these false teachers?
● (v18) How are the words of the false teachers described? How do they lure people? Who do they lure?
● (v19) What is ironic about their promises? What is the meaning of Peter’s quote?
● (vs 20-22) Read verses 20 to 22 again. Who is being described here? What have they escaped from? What are they entangled in again? What does Peter say about these individuals in verse 21? What is the meaning of the two proverbs of verse 22?
● What is discernment? How might you grow in discernment related to matters of faith?
● Do you know a fellow believer who is new or young in the faith? How might you help them grow in discernment related to matters of faith?
● What is something from our passage or study you are challenged to ponder further this week?__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Suggested Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I pray those who are false teachers would recognize their errors, repent, and truly seek a personal relationship with you. I pray that those who are enticed by false teachers can discern the lies and sin-filled bondage that false teachers are offering. I recognize that true freedom is only found in a loving relationship with you, my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I pray that I might ground myself in your Holy Word so I might quickly recognize the falsehood taught by false teachers and never be tempted by their lies and deception. Amen
Passages for reference:
Proverbs 26:11
As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.
Romans 6:1-2
What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?