Untitled Sermon (12)

2 Peter 2 Verses 10 to 17 All That Glitters Isn’t Gold May 31, 2026 Lesson 9 Find Us Faithful Class Presentation Notes AAAAA

Background Scriptures:

· Matthew 7:15–23 (NASB95)

     15 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

     16 “You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?

     17 “So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.

     18 “A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.

     19 “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

     20 “So then, you will know them by their fruits.

     21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.

     22 “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’

     23 “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’

· Matthew 12:34–45 (NASB95)

     34 “You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.

     35 “The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil.

     36 “But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment.

     37 “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

     38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.”

     39 But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign; and yetno sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet;

     40 for just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

     41 “The men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation at the judgment, and will condemn it because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.

     42 “The Queen of the South will rise up with this generation at the judgment and will condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.

     43 “Now when the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest and does not find it.

     44 “Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came’; and when it comes, it finds itunoccupied, swept, and put in order.

     45 “Then it goes and takes along with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. That is the way it will also be with this evil generation.”

· Ephesians 5:27 (NASB95)

27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.

· Job 23:10 (NASB95)

               10 “But He knows the way I take;

When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Main Idea:

· Our faith is more precious that gold, but fake Christians possess a false faith like fool’s gold.

Study Aim:

· True faith in Christ is infinitely more valuable than any earthly treasure; therefore, we must be vigilant against false teachings that present a counterfeit to the genuine gospel.

Create Interest:

· The apostle Peter warns against false teachers who exploit believers, highlighting the contrast between true faith and deceptive faith that can lead to destruction. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing genuine Christian teachings versus those that are mere imitations, likening them to fool’s gold.

· This lesson will help Christians discern true faith from falsehood, encouraging them to strengthen their genuine relationship with Christ and guarding against teachings that compromise their beliefs. It serves as a reminder to evaluate not only the teachings they receive but also their personal faith in the light of scripture.

Lesson in Historical Context:

· Peter’s critique of false teachers in 2 Peter 2:10–17 represents a reworked version of material from Jude, adapted to address the specific situation facing his audience.[1] Understanding this passage requires recognizing both the immediate crisis and the broader theological framework Peter employs.

· The community addressed was thus evidently one that had been tempted by ‘evil desires’, sexual desires no doubt included. They were reminded of the need for godly living which is exemplified by a catalogue of virtues (1:5–8). The author asserts that those who failed to display these virtues were blind and had forgotten that they had been cleansed from sins in the past (1:9). This gives a strong indication of ethical problems featured in the situation addressed by the author[1].[2] These opponents taught doctrinal positions at odds with Peter’s interpretation of Scripture and the times, arriving at their conclusions partly through moral compromise rather than honest theological reasoning.[3] The false teachers operated from ignorance—lacking sufficient knowledge to interpret Scripture correctly—and demonstrated instability that made them vulnerable to enticement, much like fish lured by bait.[4]

· Rather than simply condemning the teachers, Peter grounds his response in biblical precedent. He recalls accounts of deliverance and destruction from Genesis to remind his audience that God simultaneously rescues the righteous while destroying opponents, establishing confidence in divine justice.[3] Peter cites Balaam’s greed as an analogy for the false teachers surrounding his audience, noting that like Balaam they pursued unrighteous wages.[3] In another striking modification, Peter adds the dimension of salvation to the judgment and punishment motif in the examples of the flood (“Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others”) and Sodom and Gomorrah (“Lot, a righteous man”). This shift helps readers to view their own situation in these ancient stories. Second Peter even stresses the distress of a righteous man like Lot faced while living among the ungodly (vv. 7–8). Therefore, the lesson that his audience is to learn includes God’s ability to rescue the righteous who suffer trials (v. 9a; Bauckham, 257).

· Second Peter harangues the opposition (vv. 10b–22) under two heads, the depravity of persons driven by fleshly desires and their arrogant disregard for authority[2][5]

· With characteristic irony, Peter exposes that the freedom promised by the opposition is actually slavery, since adopting false moral teaching undermines Christ’s liberating power.[5] The false teachers thus represent not merely intellectual error but a comprehensive spiritual and moral crisis requiring urgent apostolic correction grounded in Scripture’s testimony to God’s faithfulness.

[1] Terrance Callan, “Second Peter,” in First and Second Peter, ed. Mikeal C. Parsons and Charles H. Talbert, Paideia Commentaries on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2012), 188. [2] Jonathan Knight, 2 Peter and Jude (Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1995), 16. [3] Todd R. Chipman, Scripture Storyline: An Invitation to Biblical Theology (Dallas, TX: Fontes, 2020), 463. [4] Douglas W. Kennard, Petrine Theology (Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock, 2022). [See here, here.] [5] Neil Elliott et al., “Introduction to Hebrews, the General Epistles, and Revelation,” in The New Testament, ed. Margaret Aymer, Cynthia Briggs Kittredge, and David A. Sánchez, Fortress Commentary on the Bible (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2014), 688–689.

Bible Study:

2 Peter 2:10–12 (NASB95) Discern False Arrogance

10     and especially those who indulge the flesh in itscorrupt desires and despise authority.

Daring, self-willed, they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties,

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

12     But these, like unreasoning animals, born as creatures of instinct to be captured and killed, reviling where they have no knowledge, will in the destruction of those creatures also be destroyed,

What is the fate of false teachers in 2 Peter 2:10-17?

· False teachers face destruction, compared to unreasoning animals born to be captured and killed—they will perish in their own corruption. Their fate represents the wages of their wrongdoing.

· Peter’s description emphasizes their moral bankruptcy. These individuals indulge corrupt desires, despise authority, and boldly revile angelic powers ---behavior that even greater angelic beings refuse to engage in before the Lord. They revel openly in depravity, counting pleasure in daytime debauchery, and have abandoned the right way by following the path of Balaam, who loved unrighteous wages.

· The passage culminates in a striking image of their ultimate end. Peter describes them as “springs without water and mists driven by a storm,” for whom “the black darkness has been reserved”. This metaphor—drawing from similar language in Jude—conveys emptiness and futility. Peter assures his readers that God will ultimately bring His wrath upon false teachers and that they have not escaped God’s control[1].

· The fate outlined here operates on a principle of correspondence: since false teachers behave as animals following their passions, destruction is their only option, and their own corruption brings about their destruction[1]. Rather than offering hope for repentance, Peter presents their condemnation as certain and deserved, grounded in the pattern of God’s historical judgments against the ungodly.

[1] Louis A. Barbieri, 1 and 2 Peter (Moody Bible Institute: Chicago, IL, 1975).

Thoughts to Soak On:

· Note the importance of discerning character and integrity in those who claim to teach God's word. These verses describe the arrogance and audacity of false teachers who act on instinct rather than spiritual wisdom, providing a sharp contrast to the humility of true servants of Christ. Highlighting the imagery of brute beasts, underscore the destruction that follows such foolishness.

· Readers should reflect on the traits of any spiritual leader they follow and be cautious about whom they trust to guide their faith journey.

2 Peter 2:13–14 (NASB95) Disarm Deceptive Attraction

13     suffering wrong as the wages of doing wrong. They count it a pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are stains and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, as they carouse with you,

14     having eyes full of adultery that never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having a heart trained in greed, accursed children;

How do false teachers operate in 2 Peter 2:10-17?

· False teachers operate through a combination of moral corruption, arrogant defiance, and deceptive manipulation that undermines Christian communities from within.

· These teachers indulge fleshly desires without restraint, making excuses for their immoral behavior while lacking any genuine power to control their conduct.[1] They reject legitimate authority and show reckless presumption by speaking disrespectfully of powerful beings—even angelic majesties—with an arrogance rooted in pride and self-centeredness.[1] The authority which the false teachers reject is not that of the apostles, but that of God Himself[3].[2]

· Their thinking operates at an instinctive level, locked in immediate experience without capacity to reason about spiritual realities or future consequences.[2] They infiltrate Christian gatherings, presenting themselves as insiders while their presence mars the fellowship of believers through self-indulgent behavior.[1] Because false doctrine lacks power to subdue sinful desires, they remain enslaved to lust—described as having “eyes full of adultery” that cannot cease from sin.[1]

· Their primary tactic involves deceiving spiritually unstable believers who lack grounding in God’s truth.[1] Following the pattern of Balaam, who abandoned righteousness for financial gain while pretending devotion to God, these teachers have forsaken the right way, driven by covetousness.[1] Their teachings appear attractive but prove destructive, promising freedom while actually enslaving people further to sin.[2]

· Peter describes them as fundamentally empty—“springs without water and mists driven by a storm”—worthless and incapable of providing genuine spiritual nourishment.[3] Their refusal of revealed truth inevitably leads to destruction, with judgment proportional to their unrighteousness.[1]

[1] H. A. Ironside, James, 1 Peter, and 2 Peter, Ironside Expository Commentary (Horizon Press, 1947), 85–87. [2] Lawrence Richards, New Testament Life and Times (Cook Communications Ministries, 1994), 596–597. [3] Tokunboh Adeyemo, Africa Bible Commentary (Nairobi, Kenya; Grand Rapids, MI: WordAlive Publishers; Zondervan, 2006), 1553.

Thoughts to Soak On:

· Delve into these verses by suggesting that listeners reflect on the destructive allure of false teachings and their impact on community. The false teachers engage in revelry and indulgence, leading believers away from true holiness.

· Note the need for vigilance, urging congregants to be aware of teachings that tempt them away from Christ's call to purity and righteousness.The unchecked appetites of these teachers serve as a warning; therefore, emphasize speaking God's truth to prevent being ensnared by similar false promises.

2 Peter 2:15–16 (NASB95)  Detect Greedy Madness

15     forsaking the right way, they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

16     but he received a rebuke for his own transgression, for a mute donkey, speaking with a voice of a man, restrained the madness of the prophet.

What false teachings are described in 2 Peter 2:10-17?

· The false teachers Peter describes indulge fleshly desires and despise authority specifically God’s authority rather than merely apostolic leadership[1]. They display arrogant presumption and self-will, even reviling angelic beings a behavior so extreme that even the more powerful angels refrain from making slanderous accusations against them before the Lord[2].

· These teachers live for sensual pleasure, indulging in drinking parties, fornication, and adultery while seducing inexperienced believers[2]. They possess “eyes full of adultery,” constantly viewing women as potential sexual conquests[3]. They operate from lust and greed, lacking rational understanding[4]— The animal mind (brute beast) is locked into present experience and must react to the present without awareness of the spiritual universe and without ability to project from the present to the future. An animal may learn from past experience, but it cannot draw on information beyond experience, nor can it reason from information to the end of a chain or probable cause-effect events.[4][1].

· Following the pattern of Balaam, who abandoned righteousness for financial gain, these teachers have forsaken the straight path for greed, sexual indulgence, and pride[2]. The false teachers are described as springs without water and mists driven by a storm. In other words they were unsatisfactory and unstable. As punishment, the gloom of darkness was reserved for them. With their empty boastful words, and despite their promises of freedom to others, these false teachers led their hearers into the same spiritual slavery and corruption to which they themselves were enslaved. Although these heretics had once claimed to know Christ and even experienced some freedom from sin, they returned to their old practices and became entangled again. They were worse off in the end with their rejection of Christ than they were at the beginning when in a state of ignorance; indeed, it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness. Just as a dog returns to its own vomit and a pig returns to wallow in the mud, so also these false teachers reverted to the immoral lifestyles they preferred by nature. The immoral behavior of the false teachers shows that they had never been genuinely converted.[5][4]. Discuss!

· Peter concludes by describing them as “springs without water and mists driven by a storm” --vivid imagery portraying them as unsatisfactory and unstable[4], ultimately destined for judgment.

[1] Lawrence Richards, New Testament Life and Times (Cook Communications Ministries, 1994), 596. [2] Tokunboh Adeyemo, Africa Bible Commentary (Nairobi, Kenya; Grand Rapids, MI: WordAlive Publishers; Zondervan, 2006), 1553. [3] Louis A. Barbieri, 1 and 2 Peter (Moody Bible Institute: Chicago, IL, 1975). [See here.] [4] Terry L. Wilder, “2 Peter,” in CSB Study Bible: Notes, ed. Edwin A. Blum and Trevin Wax (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017), 1989.

Who was Balaam in the Bible?

· Balaam was a non-Israelite prophet hired by Balak, king of Moab, to curse Israel[1]. His homeland lay in Pethor on the Upper Euphrates[2], placing him outside Israel’s borders yet within reach of its enemies.

· The biblical account reveals a figure of profound contradiction. Though wicked, Balaam was not a false prophet—God genuinely communicated with him and granted him authentic prophecies[3]. When Balak summoned him and offered payment to curse the Israelites, Balaam claimed he needed divine permission[3], suggesting at least a veneer of spiritual accountability. Yet his heart remained misaligned with God, and he eventually betrayed Israel by leading them astray[3].

· The dramatic episode with his donkey illustrates this spiritual blindness. God sent an angel to oppose Balaam on his journey, but the donkey perceived the angel while Balaam could not, and when the animal repeatedly dodged the angel, Balaam beat it in anger[3]. Only after the Lord opened the donkey’s mouth to rebuke him did God open Balaam’s eyes to see the angel standing with drawn sword[3]. Later tradition emphasized that Balaam “loved the wages of unrighteousness,” (2 Pet 2:15–16) capturing his fundamental motivation.

· Despite his attempts to curse Israel, Balaam blessed Israel in his oracles instead, with his final prophecy predicting Israel’s dominion over surrounding kingdoms[2]. However, Balaam later counseled Israel toward apostasy at Peor, causing them to commit idolatry and sexual immorality (Num 31:16), revealing his true allegiance. He was eventually killed by the Israelites during their conflict with Midian (Num 31:8).

[1] World Bible Translation Center, Holy Bible: Easy-to-Read Version (WORDsearch, 2012). [See here.] [2] Chris A. Rollston, “Balaam,” in Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible, ed. David Noel Freedman, Allen C. Myers, and Astrid B. Beck (Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans, 2000), 144. [3] Got Questions Ministries, Got Questions? Bible Questions Answered (Bellingham, WA: Faithlife, 2014–2021). [See here, here, here, here, here.]

How does greed corrupt spiritual gifts?

· Balaam’s story illustrates how financial incentive transforms genuine spiritual authority into a tool for self-interest. Though he possessed legitimate prophetic gifts and was recognized as a prophet, Balaam weaponized his abilities for personal profit.[1] This corruption wasn’t instantaneous—it emerged through a pattern of moral compromise that progressively weakened his integrity.

· The misuse of spiritual gifts occurs when they operate through the soul rather than the spirit, typically resulting from woundedness or when ambition, pride, and greed take root.[1] In Balaam’s case, he “loved the wages of unrighteousness,” falling into covetousness—which Scripture identifies as idolatry—and the adversary exploited his ambition and greed to gain advantage.[1] His divine powers were perverted by redirecting them toward self-aggrandizement and making them subservient to his own greed.

· The inspiration of Balaam was from God. In him Divine powers were perverted…………………

o 1. By turning them to purposes of self-aggrandizement. God’s true prophets make no effort to show themselves different from others. Balaam does everything to fix attention on himself. He was a self-seeker. Balak struck the keynote of his character when he said, “Am I not able to promote thee unto honor?”

o 2. By making those gifts subservient to his own greed. His very vaunts show that Balaam half suspected his failing. Brave men do not vaunt/boast their courage, nor honorable men their honesty. By Balaam spiritual powers were degraded in order to make himself a vulgar man of wealth[6].[2]

· The tragedy deepens through his internal conflict. Balaam displayed stunning inconsistency.  Explicitly forbidden to curse Israel and supernaturally affirming God’s unchanging purpose to bless Israel four times, he nonetheless stubbornly persisted in cooperating with Balak, Israel’s enemy, and plotting her destruction.[3] When spiritual gifts are used for unspiritual purposes, they lose their spiritual value. In the Book of Numbers Balaam appears as a prophet inspired by God. In the Book of Joshua he is only named as a common soothsayer. All spiritual gifts, of insight, of power, of sympathy, are worthy only so long as they are well used. As they become degraded by evil uses, they lose their Divine character and become mere talents of cleverness and ability.[7].[4]

· Ultimately, his precious prophetic gift became corrupted, and he is forever remembered as a stumbling block before God’s covenant people.[1] Balaam’s downfall warns that the boundary between building God’s kingdom and establishing one’s own name and ministry can blur dangerously easily.[1] Spiritual gifts, divorced from integrity and submitted to financial motivation, become instruments of spiritual harm rather than blessing.

[1] Paul Davis, Engaging the Revelatory Realm of Heaven (Shippensburg, PA: Destiny Image, 2011). [See here, here, here, here, here.] [2] Robert Tuck, I & II Peter, I, II & III John, Jude, Revelation, The Preacher’s Complete Homiletic Commentary (New York; London; Toronto: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1892), 196. [3] Derek Prince, Rules of Engagement: Preparing for Your Role in the Spiritual Battle (Chosen, 2012). [See here.] [4] H. D. M. Spence-Jones, ed., Joshua, The Pulpit Commentary (London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1909), 225.

Thoughts to Soak On:

· The story of Balaam is a case study that Peter uses to illustrate the greed and madness of false prophets. Pursuing personal gain over God's will leads to a misplaced faith, contrasting Balaam's journey with the path of genuine faith grounded in obedience to God.  We are encouraged to maintain our focus on God's truth and to be wary of those who use religion for personal enrichment or fame, always measuring teachings against scripture's ultimate authority.

2 Peter 2:17 (NASB95)  Discover True Fulfillment

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

Let’ look at what Peter’s thoughts conveyed about springs without water and mists driven by a storm.

· Peter’s metaphor in verse 17 operates on two levels—describing both the false teachers’ essential emptiness and their ultimate judgment.

· The imagery of dry springs and storm-driven mists captures the fundamental deception of false teaching. Water sustains life and commonly represents God’s teachings—Jesus himself speaks of “living water” that permanently satisfies spiritual thirst[1].

o First, as teachers without true knowledge, they are springs without water. The green vegetation that attracts the weary traveler turns out to be the site of a spring that has failed. There is no cool water there to refresh a thirsty throat. Unlike these false teachers, it is only one who is truly in Christ who is in a position to offer others living water, the recreative water of life-satisfaction (John 4:13–14; 7:38).

o Second, these men are mists driven by a storm, gone before any useful amount of moisture can fall to revitalize the earth, serving merely to make the sky depressingly overcast. The temporary darkness these men cause will result in their suffering themselves something far worse, which is stored up and awaiting them:

· Unlike rainfall, they lack any real substance. The example of the fallen angels who are held in “gloomy dungeons” (v. 4) is still in mind when Peter, using the same term, writes, Blackest darkness is reserved for them. They, too, will be cast into the dark regions of Tartarus along with the angels who rebelled against God.[8]

· The destiny of believers and unbelievers alike is under the controlling hand of God, and no power on earth can change that.[9][2].

· This hollowness explains why false teachers succeed—they make impressive claims while delivering nothing substantive. They promise water but cannot produce it; they make great claims, but there is in fact nothing to them[1]. Their high-sounding verbosity lacks actual substance[2], yet it deceives those spiritually vulnerable enough to follow them.

· The second part of the verse shifts from present deception to future consequence. The temporary darkness these teachers create will result in their experiencing something far worse—blackest darkness reserved for them[2]. This darkness echoes Jewish and Christian imagery where the condemned are thrown outside into darkness with weeping and gnashing of teeth[1].

· Significantly, Peter uses the same verb for reserved(tērein) as he does to describe the exactly opposite prospect in 1 Peter 1:4, when speaking of the heavenly inheritance held safely in store for faithful believers. —demonstrating that both believers’ blessing and unbelievers’ judgment rest under God’s controlling hand[2]. The false teachers’ judgment is not uncertain or temporary; it is divinely secured.

[1] Allen Black and Mark C. Black, 1 & 2 Peter, The College Press NIV Commentary (Joplin, MO: College Press Pub., 1998). [See here, here, here.] [2] Norman Hillyer, 1 and 2 Peter, Jude, Understanding the Bible Commentary Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2011), 204.

Thoughts to Soak On:

· In engaging with these verses, perhaps note the emptiness and barrenness of false promises. False teachers are likened to springs without water and mists driven by storms; they promise what they can never give. The church should seek the satisfying and life-giving promise of faith in Christ, which unlike the deception of false teachers, genuinely transforms and enriches lives. Turn to the true source of living water, Jesus Christ, and recognize the folly in seeking nourishment from anything less.

Questions to Ponder:

· In what ways does your personal relationship with Christ help you identify the difference between genuine and counterfeit faith?

· What role does scripture play in helping you discern teachings that may lead you away from true faith?

· What are some practical steps you can take to strengthen your faith against the allure of false teachings in today’s society?

· Can you think of a time when you were misled by false teachings? What did you learn from that experience?

· How does understanding the concept of false prophets change the way you evaluate spiritual leaders in your life?

· What are some specific examples of teachings or practices in current church culture that might be considered 'fool's gold'?

· How can we encourage our friends and family to be more discerning and vigilant in their spiritual walk?

[1]Jonathan Knight, 2 Peter and Jude(Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1995), 16.

[2]Neil Elliott et al., “Introduction to Hebrews, the General Epistles, and Revelation,” in The New Testament, ed. Margaret Aymer, Cynthia Briggs Kittredge, and David A. Sánchez, Fortress Commentary on the Bible (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2014), 688.

[3]Lawrence Richards, New Testament Life and Times (Cook Communications Ministries, 1994), 596.

[4]Lawrence Richards, New Testament Life and Times (Cook Communications Ministries, 1994), 596.

[5]Terry L. Wilder, “2 Peter,” in CSB Study Bible: Notes, ed. Edwin A. Blum and Trevin Wax (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017), 1989.

[6]Robert Tuck, I & II Peter, I, II & III John, Jude, Revelation, The Preacher’s Complete Homiletic Commentary (New York; London; Toronto: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1892), 196.

[7]H. D. M. Spence-Jones, ed., Joshua, The Pulpit Commentary (London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1909), 225.

[8]Robert H. Mounce, A Living Hope: A Commentary on 1 and 2 Peter (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2005), 133.

[9]Norman Hillyer, 1 and 2 Peter, Jude, Understanding the Bible Commentary Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2011), 204.