2 Peter 2:1

But there were. Or, “but there arose,” with emphasis on the contrast between the prophets of God, who have just been discussed (ch. 1:20, 21) and the false teachers, with whom the apostle now deals.

False prophets. See on Matt. 7:15. Peter refers to a historical fact with which his readers were well acquainted—there had been many false prophets at work in OT times (see on Jer. 14:13). Later he refers to an outstanding example, Balaam (2 Peter 2:15).

The people. That is, Israelites.

There shall be. The future tense suggests that the false teachers have not yet begun their destructive work among the believers to whom Peter is writing, although they are already operating elsewhere, since in vs. 10–22 the present and past tenses are both used with reference to them. One of the chief purposes the apostle has in writing is to warn his readers against the insidious deceptions of these false teachers, that his flock may be saved from their snares.

False teachers. Peter distinguishes between a prophet and a teacher. The first claims to deliver God’s message; the second, to interpret the message.

Among you. This may imply that the false teachers would arise from among the believers themselves, or that they would come among them from outside (cf. Acts 20:29, 30).

Who. Gr. hoitines, “such kind,” that is, the false teachers are the kind of people who bring in heresies.

Privily shall bring in. Literally, “will bring into by the side of,” possibly implying the secret nature of the entrance of the false teachers, who would come in as spies slip into a country.

Damnable heresies. Literally, “heresies of destruction,” or “heresies of perdition,” that is, heresies that lead to perdition. The word for “perdition” is apōleia (see on John 17:12). In this epistle Peter makes frequent use of apōleia (twice in this verse; in v. 3; and in ch. 3:7, 16).

Heresies. Gr. haireseis (see on Acts 5:17; 1 Cor. 11:19). In the course of this present chapter the apostle refers to many of the heresies propagated by these false teachers— denial of the Lord (v. 1), licentious teachings (vs. 10, 18), turning from the holy commandment (v. 21), etc. Peter’s description of their work justifies the strong language in which he condemns them.

Denying. Compare the parallel passage in Jude 4. What memories must have come to Peter’s mind when using this word that reminded him of his own denial of his Lord (see on Matt. 26:75; cf. Matt. 10:33)!

Lord. Gr. despotēs “master” (see on Luke 2:29; Acts 4:24). The word was used by slaves in addressing their masters. It implies absolute lordship, ownership, usually by purchase. Despotēs is a peculiarly appropriate title for Christ because of the price He has paid for man’s redemption (see on Matt. 20:28; 1 Cor. 6:19, 20). There can be no worse heresy than to live a life such as the false teachers obviously did, denying the Master who had given His own life to redeem them from sin and its consequences. That they denied their Lord implies that they had once been Christians, even though they had since apostatized.

Swift destruction. Or, “sudden perdition,” that is, unexpected destruction. Compare on ch. 1:14, where the word here translated “swift” is rendered “shortly.” The end of all untruth is destruction, both to its teachers and to their followers.