2 Peter 2:3-9

They Will Exploit Others

vv. 2-3 indicate that they are often greedy and sexually immoral (two vices that appear with great consistency among false teachers)

They are driven by their own greed (covetousness, which is idolatry) -> this sin is comparable to worshipping a false God

It is the comfort of this life that they pursue at the cost of people seeking the God they so desperately need

They are expending the most valuable resource in this world (the human soul) for the most worthless prize (Ps. 12:8 - “vile” archaic definition is worthless)

Making merchandise (exploiting) of you -> they are salesmen, but not the kind selling anything valuable -> in fact, it’s poison!

The fact that they are selling it indicates that they are profiting themselves while hurting others, doing so deliberately

There is no more evil thing that could be done, and this is a vividly wicked picture of false teachers

They do this “with feigned words” -> that is they are making up stories (the exact thing they accuse true teachers of doing)

They are making up their own stories and forging God’s signature of approval to trick others for their own personal gain

This is why the knowledge of God’s word is presented with such importance in 2 Peter!!!

They Will Be Judged Apart from the Righteous

Their judgement was pronounced long ago, and it is not sleeping/lacking attention -> every misstep is being accounted for

While this judgement is sure to come, the righteous need not fear that they will be included in with it!

We are given 3 examples of this judgement that God is sure to give out while sparing the righteous

The destruction of the rebellious angels and preservation of those who remained faithful (Jude 6)

Either sin in Gen. 6 or the original sin, but either way all will answer

These angels are both punished today by a limited sphere of operation and in the future by eternal condemnation

The destruction of the world by the flood and the preservation of Noah and his family

This destruction was a complete destruction (in quality and quantity) on God’s targets (Gen. 7:16-24) -> escaping is a hopeless endeavor (teachers and students alike)

Likewise, we notice the protection of Noah and the animals in the ark (seemingly not one bug killed) -> the picture of salvation in Christ

God’s preservation was as complete as His judgement, and it was directed towards those who listened to the true teachings of Noah

The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and the preservation of Lot

The vivid and total destruction of the city is again on display, and God spared no wrath on them (Gen 19:23–29)

The righteousness of Lot is a point of contention with many, but Peter, other writers, and most importantly God decreed him as a righteous man

This was why he was spared destruction, and he was in psychological and spiritual turmoil from living where he was, surrounded by the people he was surrounded by

“We are prone, from the safe offices and homes in which we write and read, to criticize Lot, but most of us have never been even close to death in a conflict with others. Nor have any of us ever lived in a city like Sodom with no comrades to strengthen us in the faith. Lot wavered and doubted, but Peter addressed readers who also were wavering because of the appearance of false teachers. Just as Peter was confident that the believers he addressed would resist the opponents, so too Lot was different from the rest of Sodom.” -Thomas R. Schreiner

We are quick to forget that righteousness is found in Christ, and many flawed people are righteous in Christ

That’s what makes the grace of God so wonderful!

God knows how to preserve the righteous and judge the wicked -> We can leave vengeance up to Him and be on guard to follow the truth!