September 19, 2014 2nd Peter Chapter 2

2nd Peter Chapter 2

Originally posted Thursday November 13, 2008

2nd Peter Chapter 1:16-21 Eyewitnesses of Christ's Glory

This first passage serves as an introduction to the larger body of text in Chapter 2 relating to false teachers. The basic understanding of the believer's call to and confirmation of faith and election as virtuous members of the household of God has been established (1:3-15). That call and election is now under attack from outsiders and perhaps some within the churches who have fallen under their influence. The preaching of "everything needed for [eternal] life and godliness" came "through the knowledge of [God]." What has been introduced by the false teachers is considered by "Peter" to be heretical lies meant to convince believers that the apostolic teaching of the Parousia was based on "cleverly devised myths." Unfortunately we do not learn the identity of these teachers. However, based on the main subject of Chapter 3 the delay in Christ's return was certainly a factor as it was in the continuing development of a variety of teachings surrounding the Parousia and its delay. We have already read of the introduction of "myths and speculations" related to the resurrection in 1 Tim. 1:3-7and 2 Tim. 2:16-18 written at least four decades earlier. Later, in the letters attributed to John, we will read of other heretical teachings regarding the human nature of Christ. What is evident is that these writings were from a time in which many offshoots of Christian thought were forming. The post-Pauline letters we have been studying represent the side of so-called apostolic orthodoxy. Those promoting this orthodoxy were fighting to develop and maintain a common understanding of the earthy life, resurrection and return of Christ, salvation through faith and God as the architect of it all.

The basis for what the believers have been taught regarding the doctrine of the Parousia did not arise from "cleverly devised myths" as the false prophets have charged. Citing the Gospels (MT. 17:1-5 et al) the writer (by way of Peter's presence on the mountain) claims the story of the Transfiguration as an eyewitness account of the future glorified Christ. In the prolepsis vision the "majesty" of the glorified Christ was seen. God's affirming voice of approval of Christ as the Lord of the coming age was heard from heaven (Ps. 2:7). This visionary experience was considered to be a prophetic message not just for those present on the mountain but also for the readers of Peter's letter. The prophecy is from Holy Scripture and not from human interpretation as charged by the false teachers (who think their interpretation of scripture is as good as anybody else's). All prophecy comes through and is verified as true by the Holy Spirit, the conveyer and interpreter of scripture. The Transfiguration story is "a lamp shining in a dark place" meant to be a cherished reminder of what is yet to dawn on the last day (the flame is a symbol of the spirit).

Vss. 19-21 contains a significant change in the Christian understanding of what constitutes Holy Scripture. Here-to-fore "scripture" in the New Testament always referred to the Old Testament spoken through the Holy Spirit. This was the basis for New Testament writers' claim that what was written under the old covenant of Israel spoke to the Christian experience, particularly regarding faith in Christ and the hope of salvation. Here for the first time "scripture" is referring to a New Testament text, the story of the Transfiguration. The change may have begun with Paul who on occasions would quote what were purported to be the words of Jesus (though they cannot be located in the New Testament!). Jesus' words did take on the character of "words of authority" but not yet truly scripture. The very mention of a New Testament text in 2nd Peter gives us some insight into the earliest (by 130 CE) acceptance of the Gospels (or at least a Gospel) with the same sense of being sacred - of the Spirit, as the Old Testament.

2nd Peter, Chapter 2:1-22 False Prophets and Their Punishment

The writer begins his condemnation of the false teachers with his own bit of prophecy: As there were false prophets among the people of Israel there will be false teachers among the Christians (see other NT scriptural references MT 24:11; Acts 20:29). They will "secretly bring in destructive opinions" (and have already begun doing so), exploiting the gullible to satisfy their own greed. By their deceit they will deny their savior, Christ, and many will follow them to their "swift destruction," "pronounced against them long ago." This destruction is "not idle and...is not asleep" as they might think because they believe their own false teachings of Christ's return.

Referring to a series of Biblical events the writer elaborates on the punishment to be inflicted upon the false teachers on the Day of Judgment.

1) According to later Jewish tradition (Talmud haggadic) the lustful angels (Watchers) of Gen 6:1-4who had children with the "daughters of men," were cast into the deepest dungeons of Hell to remain in chains until the Day of Judgment. On that day they will be destroyed and cease to exist.

2) In the story of Noah the entire population of the world (descendents of the Watchers) is drowned (to be held under judgment) except for the righteous Noah and his family).

3) Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed with all their inhabitants as an example to the ungodly, yet God saved the righteous Lot who, like the readers of this letter, was "tormented day after day" by the evil that he witnessed.

The double lesson of these three stories is that God knows how to keep the righteous safe from trial and the unrighteous "under punishment" until the Day of Judgment. Apparently the false teachers "who despise authority" are included in those who will be kept "under punishment." They are so "bold and willful" that they slander the weakness and sinfulness of the evil angels (Watchers). By contrast the good angels will not bring a charge of slander from God against the false teachers (the ancient world had a fascinating view of the heavens and its celestial beings). 

The writer indulges in a series of imaginative, self descriptive epithets against the false teachers too extensive to relate. Like irrational animals born to be killed, they will be destroyed on the Day of Judgment in the same way as the evil angels whom they slander yet do not understand. They are all together a despicable lot -accursed children, straying from the "straight road." Having once been sanctified and forgiven for their sins, they have become "entangled in their defilements and overpowered," falling back into sinfulness, their second state being worse than the first. They are an appropriate example of Prov. 26:11 like dogs returning to their vomit, to their old sins. Therefore, "for them the deepest darkness has been reserved."