The Danger and Judgment of False Teachers
2 Peter 2:1-22
2Pet.2.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Εγενοντο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,pl
- δε: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- ψευδοπροφηται: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- λαω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- ως: ADV
- και: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- εσονται: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,pl
- ψευδοδιδασκαλοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- οιτινες: PRO,rel,nom,pl,m
- παρεισαξουσιν: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,pl
- αιρεσεις: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- απωλειας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- αγορασαντα: VERB,par,aor,act,acc,sg,m
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- δεσποτην: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- αρνουμενοι: VERB,par,pres,mid,nom,pl,m
- επαγοντες: VERB,par,pres,act,nom,pl,m
- εαυτοις: PRON,dat,pl,m
- ταχινην: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- απωλειαν·: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Jude 1:4 (verbal): Closely parallels language and theme of clandestine intruders who introduce destructive teaching and ‘deny the Lord’ (Jude explicitly: denying Jesus Christ), matching 2 Pet’s ‘deny the Master who bought them.’
- Matthew 7:15 (thematic): Jesus’ warning about false prophets who come inwardly harmful echoes Peter’s warning about false teachers among the community who bring destructive heresies.
- Acts 20:29-30 (verbal): Paul’s warning that ‘savage wolves will come in among you’ and that men from your own number will arise, speaking perverse things, closely parallels Peter’s concern about false teachers arising within the community and bringing ruin.
- Galatians 1:6-9 (thematic): Paul’s denunciation of those who preach a different/false gospel that perverts the truth and brings judgment parallels Peter’s charge that false teachers introduce destructive heresies.
- 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (thematic): Paul’s critique of false apostles and deceitful workers who disguise themselves as servants of righteousness parallels Peter’s depiction of deceptive teachers whose false doctrine leads to ruin.
Alternative generated candidates
- But there arose false prophets also among the people, and there will be false teachers among you who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.
- But false prophets also arose among the people, and just as there will be false teachers among you who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, they will bring swift destruction upon themselves.
2Pet.2.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- πολλοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- εξακολουθησουσιν: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,pl
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- ταις: ART,dat,pl,f
- ασελγειαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- δι᾽ους: PREP+PRON,acc,pl,m
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- οδος: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- αληθειας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- βλασφημηθησεται·: VERB,fut,pass,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Jude 1:4 (thematic): Warns of individuals who pervert grace into licentiousness and lead many into immorality—close in theme to many following false teachers’ sensuality.
- Acts 20:30 (thematic): Paul warns that men will arise speaking perverse things to draw away disciples—parallels the idea that many will follow false teachers and corrupt the truth.
- 1 Timothy 4:1 (thematic): Predicts that some will depart from the faith and follow deceitful teachings—similar warning about people abandoning truth for false doctrine.
- 2 Timothy 2:18 (verbal): Speaks of those who have 'swerved from the truth' and thereby upset the faith of some—language and consequence closely echo 2 Peter’s statement that the way of truth is maligned.
- Matthew 24:11 (thematic): Jesus’ prediction that many false prophets will arise and lead many astray parallels the warning that many will follow corrupt teachers and harm the reputation of the truth.
Alternative generated candidates
- Many will follow their licentious ways, and because of them the way of truth will be maligned.
- Many will follow their debauched conduct, and because of them the way of truth will be maligned.
2Pet.2.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- πλεονεξια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- πλαστοις: ADJ,dat,pl,m
- λογοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- εμπορευσονται·οις: VERB,fut,mid,ind,3,pl
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- κριμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- εκπαλαι: ADV
- ουκ: PART,neg
- αργει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- απωλεια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- ου: PART,neg
- νυσταζει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- 2 Corinthians 2:17 (verbal): Paul contrasts authentic ministry with 'peddling' the word of God (Greek ἐμπόριοι), closely echoing 2 Pet 2:3's image of false teachers 'making merchandise' of believers for profit.
- Titus 1:11 (verbal): Describes men 'subverting whole houses' and teaching things they ought not 'for dishonest gain,' directly paralleling the motive and activity of false teachers in 2 Pet 2:3.
- Jude 1:16 (verbal): Accuses certain men of being 'flatterers' who speak 'great swelling words' and 'flatter people for gain,' matching 2 Pet 2:3's 'feigned words' used to exploit others.
- Acts 20:29-30 (thematic): Paul warns that 'savage wolves' will come in among the flock, speaking perverse things to draw away disciples—a parallel warning about false teachers' destructive, profit-driven ministry and its imminent judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- In their greed they will exploit you with fabricated stories; their judgment from long ago does not sleep, and their destruction is not idle.
- By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; their condemnation, long prepared, does not sleep and their destruction is not idle.
2Pet.2.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ει: PART
- γαρ: PART
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- αγγελων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- αμαρτησαντων: VERB,aor,act,part,gen,pl,m
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εφεισατο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- αλλα: CONJ
- σειραις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- ζοφου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ταρταρωσας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,sg,m
- παρεδωκεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- εις: PREP
- κρισιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- τηρουμενους: VERB,pres,pass,part,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- Jude 1:6 (quotation): Nearly identical language about angels who sinned being kept in chains under darkness, reserved for judgment — a close verbal parallel to 2 Peter 2:4.
- 1 Enoch 10:4-6 (allusion): Jewish pseudepigraphal account of rebellious angels bound in pits of darkness until judgment; likely background for the tradition echoed in 2 Peter and Jude.
- Genesis 6:1-4 (thematic): The episode of the 'sons of God' and the daughters of men is the Old Testament motif linking angelic transgression with subsequent divine punishment.
- Matthew 25:41 (thematic): Jesus' reference to the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels parallels the theme of punitive confinement and final judgment of fallen angels.
- Revelation 20:1-3 (thematic): The binding of the dragon and his imprisonment in the abyss until judgment resonates with 2 Peter's image of angels confined in darkness awaiting judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down into Tartarus and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept for judgment,
- For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into Tartarus and delivered them into chains of gloomy darkness to be kept for judgment,
2Pet.2.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- αρχαιου: ADJ,dat,sg,m
- κοσμου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εφεισατο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- αλλα: CONJ
- ογδοον: NUM,ord,dat,sg,m
- Νωε: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- δικαιοσυνης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- κηρυκα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- εφυλαξεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- κατακλυσμον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- κοσμω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- ασεβων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- επαξας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- Genesis 6:8-9 (allusion): Noah described as righteous/blameless and finding favor with God; 2 Peter echoes Noah's righteousness and God's preservation of him.
- Genesis 7:23 (thematic): Reports the flood's destruction of all flesh on earth—parallel to 2 Peter's use of the deluge as divine judgment on the ungodly.
- 1 Peter 3:20 (verbal): Explicitly notes that eight persons were saved through water in the days of Noah; closely parallels 2 Peter's mention of Noah and seven others being preserved.
- 2 Peter 3:6 (structural): Same author recalls the flood as God's past judgment—'by water the world of that time was deluged'—reinforcing the flood motif in 2:5.
- Matthew 24:37-39 (thematic): Jesus compares the days of Noah—widespread wickedness and sudden destruction—to coming judgment, echoing 2 Peter's theme of the flood as punitive divine action.
Alternative generated candidates
- and if he did not spare the ancient world but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon a world of the ungodly,
- and if he did not spare the ancient world but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly,
2Pet.2.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- πολεις: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- Σοδομων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- και: CONJ
- Γομορρας: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- τεφρωσας: VERB,aor,act,part,acc,pl,f
- καταστροφη: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- κατεκρινεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- υποδειγμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- μελλοντων: ADJ,gen,pl,n
- ασεβεσιν: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- τεθεικως: VERB,perf,pass,part,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- Genesis 19:24-25 (verbal): The primary narrative of God raining fire and brimstone on Sodom and Gomorrah—source for Peter’s claim that the cities were 'condemned to destruction'.
- Jude 1:7 (quotation): Directly echoes Peter’s language about Sodom and Gomorrah as exemplars of divine punishment, describing them as 'undergoing the punishment of eternal fire.'
- Luke 17:29-30 (thematic): Jesus’ reference to Sodom’s destruction by fire as the paradigm for sudden judgment parallels Peter’s use of the cities as an example for the ungodly.
- Matthew 10:15 (thematic): Jesus’ statement that it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment underscores the cities’ role as a standard of divine condemnation, a theme Peter invokes.
Alternative generated candidates
- and if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes, reducing them to ruin and making them an example to those who would live ungodly,
- and if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes, reducing them to ruin and making them an example to those who would live ungodly,
2Pet.2.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- δικαιον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- Λωτ: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- καταπονουμενον: VERB,pres,pass,part,acc,sg,m
- υπο: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- αθεσμων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- ασελγεια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- αναστροφης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ερρυσατο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Genesis 19:9 (thematic): The men of Sodom demand to abuse Lot’s visitors, illustrating the sexual depravity that ‘vexed’ Lot—direct narrative background for Peter’s description of lawless sensuality.
- Genesis 19:15-17 (structural): Angels hasten Lot out of the city and command his rescue before the destruction—parallels Peter’s claim that the righteous Lot was delivered from the surrounding wickedness.
- 2 Peter 2:8 (verbal): Immediate continuation in the epistle describing Lot as a righteous man ‘vexed’ by the unlawful deeds around him; repeats and amplifies the same theme and language.
- Jude 1:7 (thematic): Speaks of Sodom and Gomorrah’s giving themselves to sexual immorality and serves as an example of divine judgment, echoing Peter’s portrayal of their depravity and Lot’s plight.
- 2 Peter 2:6 (structural): Earlier in the same passage Peter cites the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah as an example of judgment—provides the immediate literary context for Lot’s rescue.
Alternative generated candidates
- and if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the licentious conduct of the lawless,
- and rescued righteous Lot, who was distressed by the licentious conduct of the lawless
2Pet.2.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- βλεμματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- γαρ: PART
- και: CONJ
- ακοη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δικαιος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- εγκατοικων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- ημεραν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εξ: PREP
- ημερας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- ψυχην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- δικαιαν: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- ανομοις: ADJ,dat,pl,m
- εργοις: NOUN,dat,pl,n
- εβασανιζεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Genesis 19:1-11 (structural): The narrative source for Peter’s image — Lot living in Sodom among the wicked, including the assault on his house that underlies Peter’s claim that the righteous man was tormented by their deeds.
- Genesis 19:15-16 (verbal): Describes Lot’s lingering and eventual removal by the angels after dwelling in the city — echoes Peter’s note that Lot lived among them day by day before deliverance.
- Jude 1:7 (thematic): Uses Sodom and Gomorrah as an example of judgment for sexual immorality and lawless behavior; parallels Peter’s use of Sodom’s depravity and its effect on the righteous Lot.
- Psalm 73:3-4 (thematic): Asaph’s lament that the prosperity and conduct of the wicked distress the righteous — parallels the psychological/spiritual torment of the righteous man living amid lawlessness.
Alternative generated candidates
- (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, was tormented in his righteous soul by the daily sights and deeds of the wicked),
- (for that righteous man, dwelling among them day after day, saw and heard their lawless deeds and was tormented in his righteous soul over their lawless acts)
2Pet.2.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οιδεν: VERB,perf,act,ind,3,sg
- κυριος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ευσεβεις: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- εκ: PREP
- πειρασμου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ρυεσθαι: VERB,pres,mid/pass,inf
- αδικους: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- εις: PREP
- ημεραν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- κρισεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- κολαζομενους: VERB,pres,pass,ptc,acc,pl,m
- τηρειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
Parallels
- Psalm 34:19 (thematic): Both speak of the righteous experiencing trouble but being delivered by the LORD: “many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.”
- Psalm 37:28 (verbal): Emphasizes God’s justice and preservation of his people—He will not forsake his saints but preserves them—paralleling the saving/keeping contrast in 2 Pet 2:9.
- Nahum 1:7 (verbal): Uses the language of God’s knowledge and care in trouble: “The LORD is good… he knows those who take refuge in him,” echoing 2 Pet’s ‘the Lord knows how to rescue’ motif.
- Jude 1:5–7 (structural): Like 2 Peter, Jude contrasts God’s deliverance of a faithful remnant with the punishment of the disobedient—deliverance followed by judgment for the ungodly.
- Romans 2:5–8 (thematic): Speaks of a coming day of wrath/judgment when God will repay the ungodly, paralleling 2 Pet’s claim that the unjust are kept for the day of judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trial, and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment,
- then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trial, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment,
2Pet.2.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- μαλιστα: ADV
- δε: CONJ
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- οπισω: ADV
- σαρκος: NOUN,gen,sg,fem
- εν: PREP
- επιθυμια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- μιασμου: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- πορευομενους: VERB,pres,mid,part,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- κυριοτητος: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- καταφρονουντας: VERB,pres,act,part,acc,pl,m
- Τολμηται: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- αυθαδεις: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- δοξας: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- ου: PART,neg
- τρεμουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- βλασφημουντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- Jude 1:8 (verbal): Near-verbatim parallel language about those who follow the flesh in lust, despise authority, are bold/self-willed and blaspheme — Jude and 2 Peter share almost identical Greek phrasing.
- Jude 1:9 (thematic): Contrasts Michael the archangel's restraint in disputing with the devil with the false teachers' audacity; both passages juxtapose angelic reverence and human presumption.
- 2 Peter 2:4 (allusion): Speaks of angels who sinned and were cast into chains of darkness — provides the broader angelic/messianic background for the charge that false teachers blaspheme 'glorious ones'.
- 2 Peter 2:11 (structural): Directly adjacent verse that contrasts the arrogant conduct of these false teachers with angels who, though greater in power, do not bring railing accusations — structural foil emphasizing human impiety.
Alternative generated candidates
- especially those who follow the flesh in the lusts of uncleanness and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to revile glorious beings,
- and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the passions of impurity and who despise authority. Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to revile heavenly majesties,
2Pet.2.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οπου: ADV,rel
- αγγελοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- ισχυι: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- δυναμει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- μειζονες: ADJ,nom,pl,m,comp
- οντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- ου: PART,neg
- φερουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- κατ᾽αυτων: PREP+PRON,gen,pl,3
- βλασφημον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- κρισιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Jude 1:9 (verbal): Directly parallels the contrast between angels' restraint and human slander—Michael the archangel does not bring a railing accusation against the devil but says 'The Lord rebuke you.'
- Jude 1:6-8 (thematic): Speaks of angels who sinned and were judged and contrasts them with those who 'blaspheme' or revile authorities—shared theme of angelic conduct and judgment vs. human wrongdoing.
- 1 Corinthians 6:3 (thematic): Discusses the future judging of angels by believers, engaging the related ideas of angelic status, judgment, and proper respect for heavenly beings.
- Colossians 1:16 (verbal): Enumerates 'thrones, dominions, rulers, authorities'—language similar to Peter's 'glorious ones/authorities,' linking the passage to a cosmic hierarchy that deserves proper honor.
Alternative generated candidates
- whereas angels, though greater in power and might, do not pronounce against them a reviling judgment before the Lord.
- whereas angels, who are greater in might and power, do not bring a slanderous judgment against them before the Lord.
2Pet.2.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ουτοι: PRO,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- ως: ADV
- αλογα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- ζωα: NOUN,nom,pl,n
- γεγεννημενα: VERB,perf,pass,ptc,nom,pl,n
- φυσικα: ADV
- εις: PREP
- αλωσιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- φθοραν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- οις: PRON,dat,pl,m
- αγνοουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- βλασφημουντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- φθορα: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- φθαρησονται: VERB,fut,pass,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- Jude 1:10 (verbal): Uses nearly identical idea and wording: these false teachers 'blaspheme/speak evil of things they do not know'—both portray ignorance plus blasphemy.
- Jude 1:12-13 (thematic): Parallel imagery and polemic against false teachers as dangerous, worthless, and doomed (corrupt lives, deceptive appearance, and reserved judgment), echoing 2 Pet 2’s portrayal of them as irrational/ruinous.
- 2 Peter 2:19 (structural): Within the same argument: both verses link the false teachers’ deceptive speech and behavior to internal moral corruption and resulting bondage/destruction.
- Psalm 49:12 (thematic): Ancient OT motif: humans compared to 'beasts that perish'—the idea of persons reduced to perishing animals parallels 2 Pet’s 'irrational animals... to destruction' language.
Alternative generated candidates
- But these, like irrational animals born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheme in the things they are ignorant of; and in their destruction they will also be destroyed,
- But these, like irrational animals born to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and in their corruption they will be destroyed,
2Pet.2.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αδικουμενοι: VERB,pres,mp,part,nom,pl,m
- μισθον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- αδικιας·ηδονην: NOUN,gen,sg,f; NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ηγουμενοι: VERB,pres,mp,part,nom,pl,m
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- ημερα: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- τρυφην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- σπιλοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- μωμοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- εντρυφωντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- ταις: ART,dat,pl,f
- απαταις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- συνευωχουμενοι: VERB,pres,mp,part,nom,pl,m
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
Parallels
- Jude 1:12-13 (verbal): Very close verbal and imagistic overlap ("spots and blemishes," "reveling in their deceptions/feasts"); Jude and 2 Peter share nearly identical language condemning hypocritical, pleasure-seeking false teachers.
- 2 Peter 2:2-3 (thematic): Same chapter: both passages portray false teachers as leading people into destructive behavior for gain and facing the penalty of their wrongdoing, linking moral corruption, greed, and judgment.
- 2 Peter 2:18-19 (thematic): Continues the portrait of false teachers who entice by sensuality and empty words; echoes the idea of counting sensual pleasure as delight while deceiving others and corrupting them.
- Philippians 3:19 (thematic): Paul's description of those whose 'god is their belly' and who 'glory in their shame' parallels the condemnation of people who pursue bodily pleasure and revel in shameful behavior.
Alternative generated candidates
- receiving the wages of unrighteousness: suffering as they revel in their own deceptions, feasting with you while their consciences accuse them; they have eyes full of adultery and never cease from sin,
- receiving the wages of unrighteousness: they revel in the pleasures of shame, they are stains and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions while they feast with you.
2Pet.2.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οφθαλμους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- εχοντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- μεστους: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- μοιχαλιδος: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- ακαταπαυστους: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- αμαρτιας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- δελεαζοντες: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,pl,m
- ψυχας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- αστηρικτους: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- καρδιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- γεγυμνασμενην: VERB,perf,pass,ptc,acc,sg,f
- πλεονεξιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- εχοντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- καταρας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- τεκνα: NOUN,acc,pl,neut
Parallels
- Jude 1:4 (verbal): Jude condemns ungodly intruders who pervert the faith and live licentiously—language and target (false teachers indulging in sexual immorality) closely parallel 2 Pet 2:14.
- Jude 1:16 (verbal): Jude describes scoffers who follow their own desires and flatter others—echoes the portrait of people with 'eyes full of adultery' and who entice unstable souls in 2 Pet 2:14.
- 2 Timothy 3:2-4 (thematic): Paul lists moral vices (lovers of pleasure, proud, abusive, disobedient) that mirror Peter's catalogue of corrupt character and persistent sinfulness.
- Matthew 23:27-28 (thematic): Jesus exposes religious leaders as outwardly attractive but inwardly corrupt—parallel to 2 Pet 2:14's emphasis on deceptive appearance and a heart 'trained' in covetousness.
- Romans 1:24-27 (thematic): Paul describes people given over to dishonorable passions and sexual impurity, resonating with 2 Pet 2:14's imagery of eyes full of adultery and unceasing sin.
Alternative generated candidates
- enticing unstable souls; having hearts trained in greed—accursed children.
- With eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls; hearts trained in greed—accursed children;
2Pet.2.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- καταλιποντες: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,m,pl
- ευθειαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- οδον: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- επλανηθησαν: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,pl
- εξακολουθησαντες: VERB,aor,act,ptcp,nom,pl,m
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- οδω: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Βαλααμ: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Βοσορ: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- μισθον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- αδικιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ηγαπησεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Jude 1:11 (quotation): Jude explicitly groups 'the error of Balaam for reward' with other false‑teacher examples, using nearly the same tradition of Balaam loving the wages of unrighteousness (verbal and conceptual parallel).
- Revelation 2:14 (allusion): Jesus rebukes a church for holding 'the teaching of Balaam,' who caused Israel to sin — an allusion to Balaam's corrupting influence and the motif of leading others into unrighteousness.
- Numbers 22–24 (structural): The primary Old Testament narrative about Balaam (his being hired by Balak, his attempted curses/blessings) provides the historical background for Peter's reference to Balaam's conduct and motives.
- Numbers 31:16 (thematic): This passage attributes Israel's subsequent sin (with Moabite women and idolatry) to counsel associated with Balaam — thematically linked to Peter's charge that Balaam loved ill‑gotten gain and led others into sin.
Alternative generated candidates
- They have forsaken the right way and have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
- they have left the straight way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
2Pet.2.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ελεγξιν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- εσχεν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- ιδιας: ADJ,acc,pl,f
- παρανομιας·υποζυγιον: NOUN,gen,sg,f+NOUN,nom/acc,sg,n
- αφωνον: ADJ,nom/acc,sg,n
- εν: PREP
- ανθρωπου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- φωνη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- φθεγξαμενον: VERB,aor,mid,ptc,nom/acc,sg
- εκωλυσεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- προφητου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- παραφρονιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Numbers 22:28 (verbal): The donkey speaks with a human voice to Balaam—direct verbal parallel to ‘the dumb beast speaking with a man's voice’ that restrained the prophet’s madness.
- Numbers 22:21-35 (structural): The full Balaam narrative (angel, donkey, rebuke) provides the background incident 2 Peter alludes to; it supplies the narrative context for the rebuke of the prophet.
- 2 Peter 2:15 (structural): Immediate context in the same epistle identifying Balaam—2:15–16 form a unit describing Balaam’s love of gain and the donkey’s rebuke.
- Jude 11 (allusion): Jude condemns false teachers by invoking Balaam’s error for reward—an intertextual moral parallel to 2 Peter’s use of Balaam as an example of ungodliness.
- Revelation 2:14 (allusion): Jesus rebukes the church for those who ‘hold the teaching of Balaam,’ linking Balaam’s corrupting influence and false teaching to the same theme of moral/religious error found in 2 Peter 2:16.
Alternative generated candidates
- but he was rebuked for his own transgression: a mute donkey, speaking with a human voice, restrained the madness of the prophet.
- but he was rebuked for his transgression: a mute donkey, speaking with a human voice, restrained the madness of the prophet.
2Pet.2.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ουτοι: DEM,nom,pl,m
- εισιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- πηγαι: NOUN,nom,pl,f
- ανυδροι: ADJ,nom,pl,f
- και: CONJ
- ομιχλαι: NOUN,nom,pl,f
- υπο: PREP
- λαιλαπος: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ελαυνομεναι: VERB,pres,pass,part,nom,pl,f
- οις: PRON,dat,pl,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- ζοφος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- σκοτους: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- τετηρηται: VERB,perf,pass,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Jude 1:12-13 (verbal): Almost verbatim parallel imagery — 'clouds without water'/'mists driven by a storm' and the phrase about 'blackest darkness' reserved for them; Jude and 2 Peter share close verbal material.
- Jeremiah 2:13 (thematic): Jeremiah denounces Israel for hewing 'broken cisterns that can hold no water' — similar metaphor of wells/cisterns without water to describe spiritual barrenness and false hope.
- 2 Peter 2:4 (structural): Earlier in the same chapter God is said to have 'reserved' the fallen (angels) in chains of gloomy darkness — the theme of being 'reserved' for darkness connects 2:4 with 2:17.
- Matthew 7:26-27 (thematic): Storm imagery used to portray the judgment and destruction of those on insecure foundations; parallels the image of mists/clouds driven by a tempest that signify instability and impending doom.
Alternative generated candidates
- These are wells without water, clouds carried along by winds; for whom the blackest darkness is reserved forever.
- These are springs without water and mists driven by a storm; for whom the deepest darkness has been reserved.
2Pet.2.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- υπερογκα: ADV
- γαρ: PART
- ματαιοτητος: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- φθεγγομενοι: VERB,pres,mid,ptcp,nom,pl,m
- δελεαζουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- εν: PREP
- επιθυμιαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- σαρκος: NOUN,gen,sg,fem
- ασελγειαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- ολιγως: ADV
- αποφευγοντας: VERB,pres,act,ptcp,acc,pl,m
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- πλανη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- αναστρεφομενους: VERB,pres,mid,ptcp,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- Jude 1:16 (verbal): Jude uses nearly identical language — "speakings of swelling"/"speak great swelling words of vanity" — describing scoffers who flatter and boast, closely paralleling Peter's depiction.
- Romans 16:17-18 (verbal): Paul warns of persons who cause divisions and "by smooth talk and flattery deceive the hearts of the simple," echoing Peter's idea of enticing by sensual desires and leading the vulnerably misguided.
- Titus 1:10-11 (thematic): Paul condemns insubordinate teachers who teach for sordid gain and "subvert whole households," using persuasive speech to deceive — paralleling Peter's charge of seduction by fleshly desires and empty words.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 (thematic): Paul describes deceptive signs and a deluding influence that leads people to believe lies; thematically parallels Peter's concern with false teachers who entice the barely escaping into error and delusion.
Alternative generated candidates
- For speaking great swelling words of emptiness, they exploit the fleshly desires of others by enticing those who have barely escaped from those who live in error.
- For, speaking great swelling words of vanity, they entice by sensual desires those who have barely escaped from those living in error.
2Pet.2.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ελευθεριαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- επαγγελλομενοι: VERB,pres,mid,part,nom,pl
- αυτοι: PRON,nom,pl,3
- δουλοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- υπαρχοντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- φθορας·ω: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- γαρ: PART
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- ηττηται: VERB,perf,mid/pass,ind,3,sg
- τουτω: DEM,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- δεδουλωται: VERB,perf,mid/pass,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Romans 6:16 (verbal): Uses the slave/obey motif: people are 'slaves' of the one they obey (sin or righteousness), echoing 2 Pet 2:19's point that being overcome by something results in bondage.
- John 8:34 (verbal): Jesus states plainly 'everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin,' a close verbal and conceptual parallel to 'they themselves are slaves of corruption.'
- Galatians 5:1 (thematic): Contrasts false promises of freedom with the true freedom Christ gives ('For freedom Christ has set us free'), highlighting the theme of promised vs. genuine freedom found in 2 Peter 2:19.
- 1 Peter 2:16 (structural): Commands believers to 'live as free people' yet not use freedom as a cover for evil, paralleling 2 Pet 2:19's structural contrast between professed freedom and actual slavery to corruption.
Alternative generated candidates
- They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for whoever is overcome by someone is brought into bondage to that one.
- They promise them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for whoever is overcome by someone is enslaved to that one.
2Pet.2.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- γαρ: PART
- αποφυγοντες: PART,aor,act,nom,pl,m
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- μιασματα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κοσμου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- επιγνωσει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- σωτηρος: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- τουτοις: DEM,dat,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- παλιν: ADV
- εμπλακεντες: VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,pl,m
- ηττωνται: VERB,pres,pass,ind,3,pl
- γεγονεν: VERB,perf,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- εσχατα: NOUN,nom,pl,n
- χειρονα: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- πρωτων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Hebrews 6:4-6 (thematic): Speaks of those once enlightened who have tasted the heavenly gift and then fall away, implying an irreversible and worse situation after apostasy—closely parallels Peter’s warning about those who escape defilements but become entangled again.
- Hebrews 10:26-27 (thematic): Warnings about willful sin after receiving knowledge of the truth and the fearful judgment that follows; parallels the idea that relapse after genuine knowledge leads to a worse outcome.
- John 15:6 (thematic): Jesus’ image of a branch that does not abide and is cast out and burned echoes the severe final condition for those who are cut off after previously belonging to the vine—comparable to Peter’s ‘worse than the first’ judgment.
- Galatians 5:4 (thematic): Paul’s statement that seeking justification by law means falling from grace parallels the motif of reverting to a prior state with negative spiritual consequences after having known salvation.
Alternative generated candidates
- For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.
- For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state is worse for them than the first.
2Pet.2.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- κρειττον: ADV,comp
- γαρ: PART
- ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- μη: PART
- επεγνωκεναι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- οδον: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- δικαιοσυνης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- επιγνουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- υποστρεψαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- εκ: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- παραδοθεισης: VERB,aor,pass,part,gen,sg,f
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- αγιας: ADJ,gen,sg,f
- εντολης·: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Hebrews 6:4-6 (verbal): Speaks of those once enlightened who then fall away and the difficulty/impossibility of restoring them — closely parallels the idea of knowing the way of righteousness and then turning back.
- Hebrews 10:26-29 (thematic): Warns against willful sin after receiving the knowledge of the truth and announces severe judgment — echoes ‘better not to have known’ and the consequences of apostasy.
- John 15:6 (thematic): Jesus’ warning that those who do not abide in him are thrown away/withered and face judgment — parallels the fate of those who abandon the way after professing it.
- Galatians 5:4 (verbal): Speaks of having 'fallen from grace' after turning to the law — language and concept parallel turning away after previously being in the way of righteousness.
- Jude 1:4 (allusion): Like 2 Peter, Jude condemns persons who have crept in and turn aside from the faith; the two books share close literary/thematic material about false teachers and apostasy.
Alternative generated candidates
- For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy command delivered to them.
- For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy command delivered to them.
2Pet.2.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- συμβεβηκεν: VERB,perf,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- αληθους: ADJ,gen,sg,f
- παροιμιας·Κυων: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- επιστρεψας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,m,sg
- επι: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- ιδιον: ADJ,acc,sg,neut
- εξεραμα: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- και·Υς: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- λουσαμενη: VERB,aor,mid,part,nom,sg,f
- εις: PREP
- κυλισμον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- βορβορου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Proverbs 26:11 (quotation): Directly parallels the Hebrew proverb ('As a dog returns to his vomit...'); 2 Peter echoes/quotations this LXX proverb to describe apostates returning to sin.
- 2 Peter 2:20-21 (structural): Immediate literary context: the preceding verses explain the fate of those who escape corruption but then return to it, leading directly to the proverbial image in v.22.
- Jude 1:10-13 (thematic): Jude similarly denounces false teachers with animal imagery and depicts their moral filth and self‑destruction—paralleling Peter's portrait of apostates.
- Revelation 3:16 (thematic): Uses corporeal imagery of being 'spued' out to convey divine disgust and rejection, resonating with Peter's nauseating image of return to filth.
Alternative generated candidates
- It has happened to them according to the true proverb: “The dog has returned to its own vomit,” and “the sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.”
- For it has happened to them according to the true proverb: 'The dog returns to its own vomit,' and 'the sow, having washed, returns to wallowing in the mire.'
But false teachers also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you; they will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.
Many will follow their licentious ways, and because of them the way of truth will be maligned.
In their greed they will exploit you with fabricated words. Their judgment from long ago has not been idle, and their destruction does not sleep.
For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept for judgment,
and if he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the ungodly world;
and if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction, reducing them to ashes and making them an example of what is coming to the ungodly;
and if he rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the licentious conduct of wicked men—
(for by seeing and hearing, that righteous man who lived among them was tormented day after day in his righteous soul over their lawless deeds)—
then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trial and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment;
and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, they scoff at angelic majesties.
Yet angels, though greater in might and power, do not pronounce a railing judgment against them before the Lord. But these, like irrational animals—born to be caught and killed—speak evil of what they do not understand, and in their destruction they will perish,
receiving the wages of unrighteousness: they regard it as pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions while they feast with you;
having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls; they have a heart trained in greed—accursed children;
they have forsaken the straight way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
but he was rebuked for his own transgression—a mute donkey, speaking with a human voice, restrained the madness of the prophet.
These are springs without water and mists driven by a storm; for them the blackest darkness has been reserved.
For speaking great swelling words of emptiness, they entice by the passions of the flesh, by sensuality, those who barely escape from those who live in error;
promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption—for by whatever a person is mastered, by that he is enslaved.
For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled and overcome, the last state is worse for them than the first.
For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy command delivered to them.
Of them the true proverb applies: “The dog has returned to its own vomit,” and “the sow, having washed, returns to wallow in the mire.”