Under punishment (2849) (kolazo from kolos = abridged, shortened, dwarf, "mutilated") means literally to cut short, to lop, to prune or to trim (such as trees). The figurative use conveys the idea of to impede, to curtail, to punish, to chastise or keep in line. The sense of punishing probably comes by way of trimming, i.e., cutting off what is superfluous. Punishment is designed to cut off what is bad or disorderly. It may be, however, that the idea of punishment is originally identical with that of maiming. It is often used of the punishment of slaves. In Classical Greek writings kolazo was used to do someone an injury, as described of polytheists who penalize their cult images by locking them up (Dg 2:8). Kolazo was used of an apocalyptic place of punishment. The verbal form was used as a noun (kolazontes) to describe constables or police. Aristotle limited the related word kolasis to disciplinary action but this limited meaning is not reflected in general usage. TDNT adds that This means “to cut short,” “to lop,” “to trim,” and figuratively a. “to impede,” “restrain,” and b. “to punish,” and in the passive “to suffer loss.” A common use is for divine chastisement. In inscriptions the deity punishes those who violate cultic laws. Some classical authors regard evil as divine retribution. Philo finds in beneficence and retribution the two primary powers of being, though God would rather forgive than punish, and punishes only those who are not amenable to reason. Punishment brings blessing by freeing from a false frame of soul." (Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Eerdmans) Kolazo is present tense (continuously under punishment) and passive voice (the punishment being inflicted from an outside force or source, which of course is God Himself). Since Peter mentions this "punishment" in the context of "the day of judgment" rather that for example the "day of death" it seems that Peter means that this "punishment" refers to the intermediate state between the death of the wicked (during which time their "holding tank" is the "hot" or "punishment" side of Sheol or Hades - see Lk 16:23, 24) and the final day of judgment at the Great White Throne. Luke has the only other NT use (one use in Lxx - Da 6:13) of kolazo... Acts 4:21 And when they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which they might punish them) on account of the people, because they were all glorifying God for what had happened; Day (2250) (hemera) is amplified by Luke who teaches that God "has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man Whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead." (Acts 17:31) Judgment (2920) (krisis from krino = to judge, to separate, pick out, pronounce an opinion concerning right or wrong) is that event which distinguishes, discriminates, divides, separates or decides, especially distinguishing between good & evil, right & wrong in the present context passing an adverse sentence. The final judgment on the wicked is the Great White Throne Judgment (Re 20:11, 12, 13, 14, 15-see notes Re 20:11; 12; 13; 14; 15) where all the ungodly of all the ages will be raised, judged and cast into the lake of fire. It will indeed be a "crisis" from which their is no escape for the wicked false teachers. 2Peter 2:10 and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties, (NASB: Lockman) Greek: malista de tous opiss sarkos en epithumia| miasmou poreuomenous (PMPMPA) kai kuriotetos kataphronountas. (PAPMPA) Tolmetai, authadeis, doxas ou tremousin (3PPAI) blasphemountes, (PAPMPN) Amplified: And particularly those who walk after the flesh and indulge in the lust of polluting passion and scorn and despise authority. Presumptuous [and] daring [self-willed and self-loving creatures]! They scoff at and revile dignitaries (glorious ones) without trembling, (Amplified Bible - Lockman) NET: especially those who indulge their fleshly desires and who despise authority. Brazen and insolent, they are not afraid to insult the glorious ones, (NET Bible) NLT: He is especially hard on those who follow their own evil, lustful desires and who despise authority. These people are proud and arrogant, daring even to scoff at the glorious ones without so much as trembling. (NLT - Tyndale House) Phillips: Let me show you what these men are really like - His judgment is chiefly reserved for those who have indulged all the foulness of their lower natures, and have nothing but contempt for authority. These men are arrogant and presumptuous - they think nothing of scoffing at the glories of the unseen world. (Phillips: Touchstone) Wuest: But [He knows how to reserve for the day of judgment to be punished] especially those who proceed on their way, hot in pursuit of the flesh [the totally depraved nature] in the sphere of the passionate desire of that which defiles, and who disdain authority. Presumptuous, arrogant, they do not tremble when defaming those in exalted positions. (Eerdmans) Young's Literal: and chiefly those going behind the flesh in desire of uncleanness, and lordship despising; presumptuous, self-complacent, dignities they are not afraid to speak evil of, AND ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO INDULGE THE FLESH: malista de tous opiso sarkos en epithumia miasmou poreuomenous (PMPMPA): (Ro 8:1; Ro 8:4,5 Ro 8:12,13 ; 2Cor 10:3; Heb 13:4) Especially (3122) (malista) means most of all, especially, particularly and indicates that the assured punishment applies especially to the false teachers. Alternatively it could signify that God's punishment will fall upon them with "special" severity which is the sense the New Living Translation conveys "He is especially hard on those who follow their own evil, lustful desires". In the following discussion Peter explains why these men are guilty or as Phillip's paraphrases it "Let me show you what these men are really like" first addressing their conduct. Wuest's paraphrase describes these men as "especially those who proceed on their way, hot in pursuit of the flesh [the totally depraved nature] in the sphere of the passionate desire of that which defiles" Especially those who indulge the flesh is more literally rendered "especially those who walk after the flesh" where the word "after" is (opiso) which describes a position behind something or someone and in the present context refers to a position behind or in back of "the flesh" which is in a sense personified as the "leader" of these evil men. For example, opiso is used several times in the NT describing "following after" Jesus in (Mt 4:19). Another good illustration of the meaning of opiso is Paul's description of certain persons in (1Ti 5:15) who "have already turned aside to follow (opiso) Satan." So you begin to get a clear picture of the spiritual dynamic. The word for "walk" in "walk after" is poreuomai which pictures one going from one place to another as if on a journey. Poreuomai is present tense which pictures these men continually, persistently following the pathway described as "after the flesh". Far from being true leaders, these false teachers to the contrary are eager followers, here pictured as following after the lead of their flesh rather than the leading of the Spirit of God. In Romans 8 Paul contrasts those who walk according to the flesh not the Spirit: For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him....for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body you will live." (cf notes Romans 8:5; 8:6; 8:7;8:8' 8:9; 8:13) (See related - Chart contrasting in the flesh vs in the Spirit) Calvin says that To walk after the flesh, is to be given up to the flesh, like brute animals, who are not led by reason and judgment, but have the natural desire of their flesh as their chief guide. 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