2 Peter 2
DOYLYVer. 1.—I stir up your pure minds] That is, the minds of such of you as remain yet untainted with the heresies before spoken of. Dr. Wells. Implying, that the memories of the best Christians stand in need of refreshing, and the affections of the holiest require to be continually excited. Burkitt.
2 Peter 2:2
2.—by the holy prophets,] Of the Old Testament, as Enoch, see Jude ver. 14; and Daniel, chap. xii. 2; concerning the judgment of ungodly men. Dr. Whitby.
2 Peter 2:3
3.—scoffers, walking after their own lusts,] Men of sensual spirits and licentious lives. No wonder that they, who give themselves up to all manner of sensuality, deny a judgment to come; for, as it is expedient for them that there should be none, so they endeavour to persuade themselves that there will be none, and are glad to find arguments to fortify themselves in that persuasion. Burkitt. Here the Apostle has laid open the true source of infidelity and of men’s scoffing at religion. Dr. Machnight.
2 Peter 2:4
4.—for since the fathers fell asleep, &c.] The Patriarchs and Prophets, to whom ye pretend these promises, and by whom these threats were pronounced, are
all dead and gone; and the world is just as it was from the beginning. Pyle.
2 Peter 2:5
5.—the heavens were of old,] That is, were of old made. Dr. Wells. The sense of the 5th and 6th verses may be thus expressed: Unthoughtful wretches! Have they forgotten, or can they forget, all the facts, and wink thus at all the former demonstrations of Divine justice and providence over mankind? Can they be ignorant, that the very God who created the earth, consisting of sea and land, destroyed it once by its own waters, for a punishment to its wicked inhabitants? Pyle.
The truth of the case is, God doth not interpose in a miraculous manner upon every instance of sin: as He hath made men free agents, so He doth not interrupt the use of this liberty by breaking in upon the common order of causes and effects. Hence nature goes on for the most part in one uniform course; and exemplary punishments are reserved only for extraordinary occasions. Yet still God hath not left Himself without witness: many predictions of His Prophets have been already confirmed by fact: the old world was destroyed by a miracle; and “Sodom and Gomorrah are set forth for an example, having suffered the vengeance of eternal fire.” Instances of this kind, it must be confessed, are rare: however those few which have been afforded us are enough to alarm the sinner. Men should not flatter themselves that their crimes are forgotten, because they are yet unpunished; but rather dread the delays of vengeance. Though mercy spares them for the present, yet this very mercy, if slighted, will increase their future ruin. Bp. Conybeare.
2 Peter 2:8
8.—a thousand years,] That is, though God defer His coming to this judgment a thousand years or more, we must not think this long; for in respect of Him, whose duration is eternal, and so who ever lives to make good His promises and threats, a thousand years are as one day. Dr. Whitby.
2 Peter 2:9
9.—as some men count slackness:] Namely, concluding from thence that He has changed His purpose, or will not perform it. Dr. Wells.
2 Peter 2:11
- Whereas angels, &c.] Whereas the good angels of God, who are greater in power and might than any mortal creatures, and therefore might seem privileged to take more liberty upon themselves, yet, when they have appeared before God, and have held, as it were, contest with the evil angels in His presence, have not cast railing accusations against them, but have left their judgment unto the Lord. Bp. Hall.
2 Peter 2:13
- — as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time.] In the day time taking pleasure in those villanies, which are wont to need the night to cover the shame of them. Dr. Hammond.
— sporting themselves with their own deceivings &c.] They make a jest of the worst impieties; attend upon your sacraments and love-feasts only for some riotous and lustful gratification. Pyle.
2 Peter 2:15
- — Balaam the son of Boor.] He is called by Moses the son of Beor, (Numb. xxii. 5.) Wherefore either Balaam’s father had two names, or the Apostle
2 Peter 2:17
- — wells without water, &c.] There being few wells, and but little rain in the Eastern countries, it was a grievous disappointment to a thirsty traveller to come to a well without water. The husbandman was equally disappointed to see clouds arise which gave him the prospect of rain, but which ended in a tempest, which, instead of refreshing, destroyed the fruits of the earth. By these comparisons, the ostentation, hypocrisy, levity, and perniciousness of the false teachers are set forth in the strongest colours. Dr. Macknight.
2 Peter 2:19
- While they promise them liberty,] That is, a liberty to do any thing without fear: but this is not liberty properly, but licentiousness, which is the greatest slavery. Burkitt.
2 Peter 2:22
- — according to the true proverb, &c.] The former of these sayings is taken from Prov. xxvi. 11; and the
Anno DOMINI 64. The certainty of Christ’s coming to judgment. 
### CHAP. III.