2 Peter 2:2-3
Words Of Truth

Words Of Truth


"That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth..." (Proverbs 22:21).

Second Peter 2:2-3


I. Introduction:

A. As we enter this study, we need to understand that motives for false brethren/teachers is not only financial gain (i.e. Jude 1:4 and Revelation 2:20).

  1. Some are just opposed to Christ (I John 2:18, I John 2:22, I John 4:3, and II John 1:7).
  2. Some just want preeminence (III John 1:9-10).
B. Then there are those that hold to, and others that tolerate, false doctrine (Revelation 2:14-16).

  1. The motives could be loving the praise of men more than God (John 12:36-43) or many other motives.
  2. One common component in many (not all; II Timothy 3:13) who follow false doctrine is that they have their own lusts as a motive (II Timothy 4:1-5).

II. Body: II Peter 2:2-3

A. Many shall follow their pernicious [perdition; destructive] ways (Matthew 24:10-12).

  1. Coming from the outside as well as from within (Acts 20:28-31).
  2. Their end is destruction (Philippians 3:18-19).
  3. Followers who are misled are not excused (Isaiah 9:16 and Matthew 15:1-14).
B. Because of those false teachers, the way of truth (John 14:6) is spoken of as evil (Acts 13:5-12).

  1. They speak evil against the truth (Acts 13:44-45), sometimes in ignorance (II Peter 2:12; cf. I Timothy 1:3-7 and II Timothy 3:1-7).
  2. They also speak against the messengers of the truth (Acts 14:1-7) as well as other faithful saints (I Peter 4:1-4).
C. Through greedy desire they make merchandise of those they seek to deceive (Isaiah 56:10-12, Jeremiah 6:13, Jeremiah 8:10, Micah 3:11, I Timothy 6:3-5, Titus 1:10-14, etc.). *Remember, this is one motive for some false teachers; not the motive for all.

  1. This motive, like most others, sometimes takes time to uncover. For, those that preach the Gospel are worthy of financial support (I Corinthians 9:1-14 and II Corinthians 11:8).
  2. You know these individuals through their fruit (Matthew 7:15-20).
  3. Those whom are not motivated by money will not make such their priority (Philippians 4:10-18 and I Timothy 6:6-10).
  4. Elders can also be supported financially (I Timothy 5:17-18) and are not to be motivate by financial gain (I Peter 5:1-3; cf. I Timothy 3:3 and Titus 1:7).
D. Judgment [decree] against those false teachers was not idle nor figuratively delayed as we addressed in our last lesson (cf. II Peter 2:1).

  1. Besides what we talked about in II Peter 2:1, consider also the aspect of judgment against such individuals being an exposure of them and the purging of them (Romans 16:17-18 and II Timothy 3:8-9).
  2. Exposing false teachers cuts off their influence and thus cuts off their ability to gain from deceiving others.

  1. Consider Jesus’ reaction in the temple (John 2:13-17).
  2. Also, consider Simon with both the early and latter lessons (Acts 8:5-24).

III. Conclusion: Our next lesson: II Peter 2:4-10