2 Peter 2

1 false prophets also. Beside the “holy men of God” (i. 21).

damnable heresies. “Destructive heresies” (R.V.). The chief of these seems to have been the rejection of the lordship and authority of our Redeemer; showing itself in “pernicious,” or according to the reading of most manuscripts, “licentious practices” (2).

the Lord. The Greek word here and in Jude 4, signifies Master, as of bondmen, generally acquired by purchase.

3 make merchandise. Endeavouring to make gain out of their adherents: cp. 1 Tim. vi. 5; Titus i. 11.

damnation. Rather, “perdition.”

4 hell. Or, “Tartarus”; the Greek name for the place of future punishment, corresponding to the Gehenna of the Jews (Matt. v. 22).

5. Noah the eighth [person]. An idiomatic phrase for “Noah with seven others”: see 1 Pet. iii. 20.

7 with the filthy conversation of the wicked. Rather, “by the conduct of the lawless in licentiousness.”

8 vexed. Rather, “tortured”; disturbed himself.

9 to be punished. Rather, “being tormented”; implying that the punishment has already begun.

10 government. Lit., “lordship,” or authority.

12 these. Referred to in ver. 10.

13 sporting themselves, etc. Rather, “rioting in their love-feasts” (see var. read.); using their false doctrines as a cloak for sensual indulgence: cp. Jude 12; 1 Cor. xi. 20-22.

14 adultery. Properly, “an adulteress”: cp. Matt. v. 28, and note.

cursed children. Lit., “children of curse”: cp. Eph. ii. 3.

15. Bosor. “Bosor” is another form of “Beor,” which form occurs here in many copies: see Numb. xxii. 5-30, and notes.

17 clouds. Or “mists,” R.V.; promising rain, but carried away by a hurricane, and so disappointing the husbandman’s hope.

18 that were clean escaped. Rather, “just escaped.” The reference is to recent converts from heathenism and sin.

19 servants. Rather, “bondmen”: cp. Rom. vi. 16.

20 the latter end is worse, etc. See notes on Matt. xii. 43-45, where our Lord’s words here quoted are found: and cp. Heb. x. 26, 27.

21 not to have known. “Not to have fully known.”

the holy commandment. The holy precepts of the gospel.

22 according to the true proverb, etc. This is taken in part from Prov. xxvi. 11, and in part from some popular saying. It means that these men, in returning to their evil habits, have shown that their depravity is unsubdued, and their hearts are unchanged.