But these, as unreasoning creatures, born natural animals to be taken and destroyed, speaking evil in matters about which they are ignorant, will in their destroying surely be destroyed, receiving the wages of unrighteousness; people who count it pleasure to revel in the daytime, spots and defects, reveling in their deceit while they feast with you; having eyes full of adultery, and who can’t cease from sin; enticing unsettled souls; having a heart trained in greed; children of cursing; forsaking the right way, they went astray, having followed the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of wrongdoing;
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But false prophets also arose among the people, as false teachers will also be among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master who bought them, bringing on themselves swift destruction. Many will follow their immoral ways, and as a result, the way of the truth will be maligned. In covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words: whose sentence now from of old doesn’t linger, and their destruction will not slumber. For if God didn’t spare angels when they sinned, but cast them down to Tartarus, and committed them to pits of darkness to be reserved for judgment; and didn’t spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah with seven others, a preacher of righteousness, when he brought a flood on the world of the ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, having made them an example to those who would live in an ungodly way; and delivered righteous Lot, who was very distressed by the lustful life of the wicked (for that righteous man dwelling among them was tormented in his righteous soul from day to day with seeing and hearing lawless deeds): the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment, but chiefly those who walk after the flesh in the lust of defilement and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries; whereas angels, though greater in might and power, don’t bring a railing judgment against them before the Lord. But these, as unreasoning creatures, born natural animals to be taken and destroyed, speaking evil in matters about which they are ignorant, will in their destroying surely be destroyed, receiving the wages of unrighteousness; people who count it pleasure to revel in the daytime, spots and defects, reveling in their deceit while they feast with you; having eyes full of adultery, and who can’t cease from sin; enticing unsettled souls; having a heart trained in greed; children of cursing; forsaking the right way, they went astray, having followed the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of wrongdoing; but he was rebuked for his own disobedience. A mute donkey spoke with a man’s voice and stopped the madness of the prophet. These are wells without water, clouds driven by a storm; for whom the blackness of darkness has been reserved forever. For, uttering great swelling words of emptiness, they entice in the lusts of the flesh, by licentiousness, those who are indeed escaping from those who live in error; promising them liberty, while they themselves are bondservants of corruption; for a man is brought into bondage by whoever overcomes him.
Parallel Translations
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But these, as unreasoning creatures, born natural animals to be taken and destroyed, speaking evil in matters about which they are ignorant, will in their destroying surely be destroyed,
receiving the wages of unrighteousness; people who count it pleasure to revel in the daytime, spots and defects, reveling in their deceit while they feast with you;
having eyes full of adultery, and who can’t cease from sin; enticing unsettled souls; having a heart trained in greed; children of cursing;
forsaking the right way, they went astray, having followed the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of wrongdoing;
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But these as brute beastes naturally made to betaken and destroyed speake evyll of that they knowe not and shall perisshe through their awne destruccion
and receave the rewarde of vnrightewesnes. They count it pleasure to live deliciously for a season. Spottes they are and filthines livinge at pleasure and in disceaveable wayes feastynge with you:
havinge eyes full of advoutrie and that cannot cease to synne begylynge vnstable soules. Hertes they have exercised with coveteousnes. They are cursed chyldren
and have forsaken the right waye and are gone astraye folowinge the waye of Balam the sonne of Bosor which loved the rewarde of vnrightewesnes:
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But these, as naturall brute beasts, led with sensualitie and made to be taken, and destroyed, speake euill of those things which they know not, and shall perish through their owne corruption,
And shall receiue the wages of vnrighteousnes, as they which count it pleasure dayly to liue deliciously. Spottes they are and blottes, deliting them selues in their deceiuings, in feasting with you,
Hauing eyes full of adulterie, and that can not cease to sinne, beguiling vnstable soules: they haue heartes exercised with couetousnesse, they are the children of curse:
Which forsaking the right way, haue gone astray, folowing the way of Balaam, the sonne of Bosor, which loued the wages of vnrighteousnes.
Cross-references (72)
- 2 Peter 2:3 (v14) In covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words: whose sentence now from of old doesn’t linger, and their destruction will not…
- Jude 1:10 (v12) But these speak evil of whatever things they don’t know. They are destroyed in these things that they understand naturally, like the…
- 2 Peter 2:18 (v14) For, uttering great swelling words of emptiness, they entice in the lusts of the flesh, by licentiousness, those who are indeed escaping…
- Revelation 2:14 (v15) But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to throw a stumbling…
- Jude 1:11 (vv14–15) Woe to them! For they went in the way of Cain, and ran riotously in the error of Balaam for hire, and perished in Korah’s rebellion.
Show all 71 cross-references
- Ephesians 2:3 (v14) We also all once lived among them in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of…
- Romans 13:13 (v13) Let’s walk properly, as in the day; not in reveling and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and lustful acts, and not in strife and…
- Deuteronomy 23:4-5 (v15) because they didn’t meet you with bread and with water on the way when you came out of Egypt, and because they hired against you Balaam the…
- Romans 2:8-9 (v13) but to those who are self-seeking, and don’t obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, will be wrath, indignation, oppression, and anguish…
- Romans 16:18 (v14) For those who are such don’t serve our Lord, Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and flattering speech, they deceive the…
- Ephesians 4:14 (v14) that we may no longer be children, tossed back and forth and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in…
- 2 Peter 3:16 (v14) as also in all of his letters, speaking in them of these things. In those, there are some things that are hard to understand, which the…
- Numbers 22:5-7 (v15) He sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor, to Pethor, which is by the River, to the land of the children of his people, to call him,…
- Numbers 31:16 (v15) Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against Yahweh in the matter of Peor, and so…
- Jeremiah 12:3 (v12) But you, Yahweh, know me. You see me, and test my heart toward you. Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the…
- Matthew 12:34 (v14) You offspring of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.
- John 5:44 (v14) How can you believe, who receive glory from one another, and you don’t seek the glory that comes from the only God?
- 1 Corinthians 11:19 (v14) For there also must be factions among you, that those who are approved may be revealed among you.
- Nehemiah 13:2 (v15) because they didn’t meet the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, to curse them; however our God…
- Jeremiah 13:23 (v14) Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? Then may you also do good, who are accustomed to do evil.
- Mark 13:22 (v14) For there will arise false christs and false prophets, and will show signs and wonders, that they may lead astray, if possible, even the…
- Hebrews 2:2-3 (v13) For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, how will we…
- 1 John 2:16 (v14) For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, isn’t the Father’s, but is the world’s.
- Micah 6:5 (v15) My people, remember now what Balak king of Moab devised, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may…
- Galatians 6:8 (v12) For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. But he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
- Philippians 3:19 (v13) whose end is destruction, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who think about earthly things.
- Colossians 2:18 (v14) Let no one rob you of your prize by self-abasement and worshiping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he has not seen, vainly…
- James 1:8 (v14) He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
- 2 Peter 2:19 (v12) promising them liberty, while they themselves are bondservants of corruption; for a man is brought into bondage by whoever overcomes him.
- 2 Samuel 11:2-4 (v14) At evening, David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king’s house. From the roof, he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was…
- Psalms 92:6 (v12) A senseless man doesn’t know, neither does a fool understand this:
- Proverbs 28:4 (v15) Those who forsake the law praise the wicked; but those who keep the law contend with them.
- Acts 1:18 (v15) Now this man obtained a field with the reward for his wickedness, and falling headlong, his body burst open, and all his intestines gushed…
- Acts 13:10 (v15) and said, “You son of the devil, full of all deceit and all cunning, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to pervert the…
- Ephesians 5:27 (v13) that he might present the assembly to himself gloriously, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and…
- 1 Peter 4:4 (v13) They think it is strange that you don’t run with them into the same excess of riot, blaspheming.
- 2 Peter 2:13 (v15) receiving the wages of unrighteousness; people who count it pleasure to revel in the daytime, spots and defects, reveling in their deceit…
- Jude 1:12-16 (v13) These are hidden rocky reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you, shepherds who without fear feed themselves; clouds without…
- Numbers 22:18-21 (v15) Balaam answered the servants of Balak, “If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I can’t go beyond the word of Yahweh my…
- Numbers 22:23 (v15) The donkey saw Yahweh’s angel standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and the donkey turned out of the path, and went into…
- Numbers 22:28 (v15) Yahweh opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?”
- 1 Samuel 12:23 (v15) Moreover as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against Yahweh in ceasing to pray for you: but I will instruct you in the good and…
- 1 Kings 18:18 (v15) He answered, “I have not troubled Israel; but you, and your father’s house, in that you have forsaken Yahweh’s commandments, and you have…
- Proverbs 14:32 (v12) The wicked is brought down in his calamity, but in death, the righteous has a refuge.
- Isaiah 34:5 (v14) For my sword has drunk its fill in the sky. Behold, it will come down on Edom, and on the people of my curse, for judgment.
- Jeremiah 4:22 (v12) “For my people are foolish. They don’t know me. They are foolish children, and they have no understanding. They are skillful in doing evil,…
- Jeremiah 10:8 (v12) But they are together brutish and foolish, instructed by idols! It is just wood.
- Jeremiah 10:21 (v12) For the shepherds have become brutish, and have not inquired of Yahweh. Therefore they have not prospered, and all their flocks have…
- Ezekiel 9:10 (v15) As for me also, my eye won’t spare, neither will I have pity, but I will bring their way on their head.”
- Hosea 14:8 (v15) Ephraim, what have I to do any more with idols? I answer, and will take care of him. I am like a green cypress tree; from me your fruit is…
- 1 Thessalonians 5:7-8 (v13) For those who sleep, sleep in the night; and those who are drunk are drunk in the night. But since we belong to the day, let’s be sober,…
- 1 Kings 19:10 (v15) He said, “I have been very jealous for Yahweh, the God of Armies; for the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your…
- Psalms 49:10 (v12) For he sees that wise men die; likewise the fool and the senseless perish, and leave their wealth to others.
- Psalms 94:8 (v12) Consider, you senseless among the people; you fools, when will you be wise?
- Isaiah 3:11 (v13) Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them; for the deeds of his hands will be paid back to him.
- Jeremiah 5:4 (v12) Then I said, “Surely these are poor. They are foolish; for they don’t know the Yahweh’s way, nor the law of their God.
- Ezekiel 21:31 (v12) I will pour out my indignation on you. I will blow on you with the fire of my wrath. I will deliver you into the hand of brutish men,…
- John 8:21 (v12) Jesus said therefore again to them, “I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sins. Where I go, you can’t come.”
- 1 Corinthians 11:20-22 (v13) When therefore you assemble yourselves together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat. For in your eating each one takes his own supper…
- 2 Timothy 4:14 (v13) Alexander, the coppersmith, did much evil to me. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds,
- 2 Peter 1:4 (v12) by which he has granted to us his precious and exceedingly great promises; that through these you may become partakers of the divine…
- 2 Peter 2:15 (v13) forsaking the right way, they went astray, having followed the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of wrongdoing;
- Revelation 18:6 (v13) Return to her just as she returned, and repay her double as she did, and according to her works. In the cup which she mixed, mix to her…
- Job 31:7 (v14) if my step has turned out of the way, if my heart walked after my eyes, if any defilement has stuck to my hands,
- Job 31:9 (v14) “If my heart has been enticed to a woman, and I have laid wait at my neighbor’s door,
- Proverbs 6:25 (v14) Don’t lust after her beauty in your heart, neither let her captivate you with her eyelids.
- Song of Solomon 4:7 (v13) You are all beautiful, my love. There is no spot in you.
- Isaiah 1:16 (v14) Wash yourselves. Make yourself clean. Put away the evil of your doings from before my eyes. Cease to do evil.
- Isaiah 65:20 (v14) “No more will there be an infant who only lives a few days, nor an old man who has not filled his days; for the child will die one hundred…
- Matthew 5:28 (v14) but I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.
- Matthew 25:41 (v14) Then he will say also to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his…
71 distinct cross-references across this passage (72 total citations).
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (22 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
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John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain On vv12–15 12. But these. He proceeds with what he had…
12. But these. He proceeds with what he had begun to say respecting impious and wicked corrupters. And, first, he condemns their loose manners and the obscene wickedness of their whole life; and then he says that they were audacious and perverse, so that by their scurrilous garrulity they insinuated themselves into the favor of many.
He especially compares them to those brute animals, which seem to have come to existence to be ensnared, and to be driven to their own ruin by their own instinct; as though he had said, that being induced by no allurements, they of themselves hasten to throw themselves into the snares of Satan and of death. For what we render, naturally born, Peter has literally, “natural born.” But there is not much difference in the sense, whether one of the two has been by somebody else supplied, or by putting down both he meant more fully to express his meaning.
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What he adds, speaking evil of the things that they understand not, refers to the pride and presumption he mentioned in the preceding verse. He then says that all excellency was insolently despised by them, because they were become wholly stupefied, so that they differed nothing from beasts. But the word I have rendered for destruction, and afterwards in corruption, is the same, φθορὰ; but it is variously taken: but when he says that they would perish in their own corruption, he shews that their corruptions would be ruinous or destructive.
John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv12–14 Their own wicked manners shall bring them to destruction.
Their own wicked manners shall bring them to destruction.
A lively painting out of the same persons, wherein they are compared to beasts, which are made to snare themselves to destruction, while they give themselves to fill their bellies: For there is no greater ignorance than is in these men, although they most impudently find fault with those things which they know not: and it shall come to pass that they shall destroy themselves as beasts, with those pleasures wherewith they are delighted, and dishonor and defile the company of the godly.
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Made to this end, to be a prey to others: so do these men willingly cast themselves into Satan’s snares.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv12–15 12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to…
12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;
Ver. 12. As natural brute beasts] Some men put off all manhood, fall beneath the stirrup of reason, and are bestialized, yea, satanized. Such a one was that man mentioned by Luther, who was so possessed with an unclean spirit, a vehement impetus, a spirit of whoredom (as the prophet calleth it), that he was not ashamed to spew out of his foulest mouth these filthiest words, If I might be sure that this life would always last with me, I would wish no other heaven but to be carried from one brothel-house to another, from one harlot to another, Voe dementioe, et impietati. (Horndorf. Theatr.)
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Speak evil of the things] Dare to reprehend what they do not comprehend, dispraise sound doctrine; yea, the Holy Scriptures, blaspheming them and their priests, as Sanctius doth the prophet Ezekiel; calling the description of the temple made by him, Eze 48:21-23, &c., insulsam descriptionem, a senseless description. See his argument upon Eze. xl.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv12–15 But these; the false teachers before mentioned.
But these; the false teachers before mentioned.
As natural brute beasts; beasts which are void of reason, and follow only their sensual inclination.
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Made to be taken and destroyed; being made for men’s use, and so to be a prey to them; while they hasten after their food, they are taken in nets and snares, and being taken are destroyed.
Speak evil of the things that they understand not; either the great mysteries of religion, whereof they are stupidly ignorant; or rather, dignities, before mentioned, which they, (not knowing, or not considering, them to be of God, and of so great use to men), following the inclination of their own corrupt natures, speak against.
And shall utterly perish in their own corruption; or, shall be corrupted in their own corruption, i.e. shall be utterly destroyed by their own fault and folly; penal corruption (or perdition) following upon sinful. The sum is: That as brute beasts, which have no reason, follow their brutish appetite, till it lead them into destruction, and where they sought their meat they find their death, Pro 7:23; so these false teachers, not being guided by reason, much less by the light of the Spirit, but merely by sway of their natural inclinations, in speaking evil of that ordinance which God hath honoured, shall bring upon themselves that destruction they have deserved.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain On vv12, 13, 15 Observe here, What our apostle compares these heretical seducers…
Observe here, What our apostle compares these heretical seducers to, and sets them forth by, brute beasts.
1. Because their minds run after sensual objects violently and impetuously, and they know no measure in the using of them; like swine, they wallow over head and ears in the mud of their sensual lusts.
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And, 2. They were also as secure as the brute beasts; they mock at the denunciation of God’s judgments, saying, Where is the promise of his coming? Seducers are perfect sensualists; it is a righteous thing with God to leave them to be governed by sense, who will not be guided by grace: they would not be saints, and at length they cease to be men; but like brutes, fall into the ditch of beastly sensuality. O Christian! beg of God that thy grace may be true and supernatural; for if it be only in appearance, and doth not arise to true sanctity, it may soon degenerate and sink down into sensual bestiality.
In a word, 3. They are to perish, and to be destroyed like brute beasts; all seek to destroy them for their hurtfulness, but these moral beasts destroy themselves; sensual seducers perish in their own corruptions: in their natural corruptions, by their luxury and intemperance, bringing diseases and death upon their bodies; In their civil corruptions, over-throwing their families, by swallowing down their estates; yea, they corrupt themselves eternally, destroying body and soul by their excess. Lord! how will the fatted glutton (without repentance) fry in hell; how dismal a recompence will a sea of brimstone be for a river of wine! They who are drowned in profuseness, shall certainly be drowned in perdition.
William Burkitt's Expository Notes on the New Testament (1700–1703) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv12–15 But these, as natural brute beasts,.... So far are…
But these, as natural brute beasts,.... So far are these men from acting like the angels, that they are sunk below their own species, and are like beasts, and become brutish in their knowledge and behaviour; are like the horse and the mule, without understanding, act as if they were without reason; yea, are more stupid and senseless than the ox, or the ass, which know their owner, and their crib; and even in those things which they might, and do know by the light of nature, they corrupt themselves; and being given up to judicial blindness, and a reprobate mind, call good evil, and evil good, and do things that are not convenient, and which even brute beasts do not; and like as they are guided by an instinct in nature, to do what they do, so these men are led and influenced by the force and power of corrupt nature in them, to commit all manner of wickedness: and like them are
made to be taken and destroyed; or, as it may be rendered, "to take and destroy"; as beasts and birds of prey, such as lions, tigers, wolves, bears, vultures, hawks, &c. to which abusers of themselves with mankind, ravishers of women, extortioners, oppressors, thieves, robbers, and plunderers of men's properties, may be compared: or "to be taken and destroyed"; that is, they are made or appointed to be taken in the net and snare of Satan, are vessels of wrath fitted for destruction, and are afore ordained to condemnation and ruin: and this being their case, they
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speak evil of the things they understand not; either of angels, of whose nature, office, and dignity, they are ignorant; and blaspheme them, by either ascribing too much to them, as the creation of the world, and divine worship, as were by some ancient heretics; or by speaking such things of them as were below them, and unworthy of them; or of civil magistrates, not knowing the nature and end of magistracy and civil government, and therefore spoke evil of them, when they ought to pray, and be thankful for them, and live peaceable and quiet lives under them; or of the ministers of the word, whose usefulness for the conversion of sinners and edification of saints were not known, at least not acknowledged by these men; hence they were traduced, and went through ill report among them, being as unknown by them; or of the Scriptures of truth, which heretical men do not truly know and understand, but wrest to their own destruction, or deny; and of the Gospel and the mysteries of it, which are things not seen, known, and understood by carnal men, and therefore are blasphemed, reviled, and reproached by them:
and shall utterly perish in their own corruption: of which they are servants, Pe2 2:19, in their moral corruption, in their filthy and unnatural lusts, which are the cause of their everlasting perdition and destruction, to which they are righteously appointed of God.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv12, 13, 15 Savage as brute beasts - Several of which in…
Savage as brute beasts - Several of which in the present disordered state of the world, seem born to be taken and destroyed.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv12–15 Verse 12. But these, as natural brute beasts] ωςαλογαζωα…
Verse 12. But these, as natural brute beasts] ωςαλογαζωα φυσικα. As those natural animals void of reason, following only the gross instinct of nature, being governed neither by reason nor religion.
Made to be taken and destroyed] Intended to be taken with nets and gins, and then destroyed, because of their fierce and destructive nature; so these false teachers and insurgents must be treated; first incarcerated, and then brought to judgment, that they may have the reward of their doings. And thus, by blaspheming what they do not understand, they at last perish in their own corruption; i.e. their corrupt doctrines and vicious practices.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv12, 15 2Pe 2:12-14. But these — False teachers; as natural…
2Pe 2:12-14. But these — False teachers; as natural brute beasts — As irrational animals, led merely by their brutish inclinations, several of which, in the present disordered state of the world, seem to be made to be taken and destroyed by mankind. He speaks chiefly of savage beasts, which men for their own security and preservation hunt down and destroy; speak evil of things that they understand not — Namely, the mysteries of Christianity; or magistracy, the institution, use, and benefit whereof they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption — In that loose and abandoned course of life to which they have given up themselves, Joh 8:21; who account it pleasure to riot in the day-time — Reckon it their chief happiness to pursue, even in the broad light of day, those riotous and voluptuous courses, which one would suppose they would endeavour to conceal under the cover of night. See 1Th 5:7; Isa 3:9. Spots they are — In themselves; and blemishes — To any church; sporting themselves with their own deceivings — Making a jest of those whom they deceive, and even jesting while they are deceiving their own souls; while they feast with you — When they join with you in the love-feasts. “The primitive Christians were used to feast together before they celebrated the Lord’s supper, because it was instituted by Christ after he had eaten the passover with his disciples. See 1Co 11:21. These previous suppers, it appears from Jude, 2Pe 2:13, were called αγαπαι, love-feasts; because the rich, by feasting their poor brethren, expressed their love to them. But on these occasions, it seems, the false teachers and their disciples were guilty of great intemperance. Having eyes full of adultery — Many of them are as lewd as they are gluttonous. The Greek is, more literally, having eyes full of an adulteress; a very strong expression, implying their having an adulteress continually before their eyes; and that cannot — Or who act as if they could not; cease from sin; beguiling — Δελεαζοντες, insnaring; unstable souls — Such as are not established in the faith and practice of the gospel. A heart exercised with covetous practices — Well experienced in such contrivances as are calculated to promote their gain and carnal interest. Cursed children — Persons worthy to be had in utter abomination, and peculiarly exposed to the curse of God.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv12–15 But these, as natural brute beasts - These persons,…
But these, as natural brute beasts - These persons, who resemble so much irrational animals which are made to be taken and destroyed. The point of the comparison is, that they are like fierce and savage beasts that exercise no control over their appetites, and that seeM to be made only to be destroyed. These persons, by their fierce and ungovernable passions, appear to be made only for destruction, and rush blindly on to it. The word rendered “natural,” (which, however, is lacking in several manuscripts), means “as they are by nature,” following the bent of their natural appetites and passions. The idea is, that they exercised no more restraint over their passions than beasts do over their propensities. They were entirely under the dominion of their natural appetites, and did not allow their reason or conscience to exert any constraint. The word rendered “brute,” means without reason; irrational. Man has reason, and should allow it to control his passions; the brutes have no rational nature, and it is to be expected that they will act out their propensities without restraint. Man, as an animal, has many passions and appetites resembling those of the brute creation, but he is also endowed with a higher nature, which is designed to regulate and control his inferior propensities, and to keep them in subordination to the requirements of law. If a man sinks himself to the level of brutes, he must expect to be treated like brutes; and as wild and savage animals - lions, and panthers, and wolves, and bears - are regarded as dangerous, and as “made to be taken and destroyed,” so the same destiny must come upon men who make themselves like them.
Made to be taken and destroyed - They are not only useless to society, but destructive; and men feel that it is right to destroy them. We are not to suppose that this teaches that the only object which God had in view in making wild animals was that they might be destroyed; but that people so regard them.
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Speak evil of the things that they understand not - Of objects whose worth and value they cannot appreciate. This is no uncommon thing among people, especially in regard to the works and ways of God.
And shall utterly perish in their own corruption - Their views will be the means of their ruin; and they render them fit for it, just as much as the fierce passions of the wild animals do.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv12–15 But these men, &c. These infamous heretics of whom…
But these men, &c. These infamous heretics of whom he speaks, like brutes, void of reason, naturally following the disorderly inclinations of their nature corrupted by sin, tend, or run headlong into the snares of the devil, to their own destruction and perdition, blaspheming against the mysteries of religion, and against what they do not understand. (Witham)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv12–15 (Jde 1:19).
(Jde 1:19).
But--In contrast to the "angels," Pe2 2:11.
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brute--Greek, "irrational." In contrast to angels that "excel in strength."
beasts--Greek, "animals" (compare Psa 49:20).
natural--transposed in the oldest manuscripts, "born natural," that is, born naturally so: being in their very nature (that is, naturally) as such (irrational animals), born to be taken and destroyed (Greek, "unto capture and destruction," or corruption, see on Gal 6:8; compare end of this verse, "shall perish," literally, "shall be corrupted," in their own corruption. Jde 1:10, naturally . . . corrupt themselves," and so destroy themselves; for one and the same Greek word expresses corruption, the seed, and destruction, the developed fruit).
speak evil of--Greek, "in the case of things which they understand not." Compare the same presumption, the parent of subsequent Gnostic error, producing an opposite, though kindred, error, the worshipping of good angels": Col 2:18, "intruding into those things which he hath not seen."
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv12–15 12. These—False teachers. As…
12. These—False teachers. As…
destroyed—Rather, As brute beasts, by nature born for capture and destruction. They profess a superior knowledge, but, as if they had no more reason than irrational animals, they condemn and rail at things of which they know nothing, as the glories of 2Pe_2:10; and thus acting like beasts, they shall perish like beasts. In…
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corruption—In it, as their element, they live; in it they grow; and in it they will go on until they shall be corrupted to death, corruption working out eternal corruption.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv12–15 12. But these, as natural brute beasts, made to…
12. But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed] Literally, as irrational merely natural animals born for capture and destruction. A different order of the words in some MSS. justifies the rendering born by their nature. The words express a strong indignation, at first sight scarcely reconcilable with the implied protest against a railing accusation. It must be remembered however that the whole context implies a depth of infamy and impurity for which no language could well be too strong in its scornful condemnation.
speak evil of the things that they understand not] Literally, speaking evil (or railing) in the things in which they are ignorant. The words point to the same form of railing as before. They present, as it were, the evil of which St Paul speaks (“intruding into those things which they have not seen,” Col_2:18) at its opposite pole. As, on the one hand, there was the danger of an undue reverence for angelic “dignities,” so, on the other, there was the peril of men acting irreverently, from the standpoint of an equally crass ignorance, and speaking of the mystery of spiritual evil, not with solemn awe, but with foolish talking and jesting.
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and shall utterly perish in their own corruption] We cannot improve on the English rendering, but it fails to give the emphasis which is found in the Greek from the repetition of the same root both in the noun and the verb. Literally the clause runs, they shall be corrupted in and by their corruption, i.e. in St Paul’s words, of which these are in fact the echo, “they that sow to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption” (Gal_6:8).
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv12–15 (12) But these, as natural brute beasts.—Omit “natural.” This…
(12) But these, as natural brute beasts.—Omit “natural.” This verse appears to tell strongly in favour of the priority of our Epistle. The literary form of Jud_1:10, is so very superior; the antithesis (quite wanting here) between abusing what they cannot know and misusing what they cannot help knowing is so telling, and would be so easily remembered, that it is improbable that a writer who was willing to adopt so much would not have adopted in this respect also; and whichever writer is second, it is evident that he was willing to adopt his predecessor’s material almost to any extent. On the other hand, there is nothing improbable in a writer who knew this verse improving upon it by writing Jud_1:10. The verses, similar as they are in much of their wording, are very different in their general drift. Jud_1:10, is simply an epigrammatic description of these ungodly men; this verse is a denunciation of final ruin against them.
Made to be taken and destroyed.—Literally, born naturally for capture and destruction. “Natural” comes in better here as a kind of adverb than as an additional epithet to beasts. The force of it is that these animals cannot help themselves—it is their nature to rush after what will prove their ruin; but the false teachers voluntarily seek their own destruction against nature. This verse contains one of the repetitions noticed above (see on 2Pe_2:7) as characteristic of this Epistle. The word for “destruction” and “corruption” is one and the same in the Greek, the destroying being literal in the first case, moral in the second. Moreover, the word for “perish” is from the same root. “Like brutes born for capture and destruction, these men shall be destroyed in their destruction.” But such a translation would be misleading in English.
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Shall utterly perish.—A reading of higher authority gives us, shall even perish.
In their own corruption.—“Own” may be omitted. Their present evil life anticipates and contains within itself the elements of their final destruction. Thus they “bring it upon themselves” (2Pe_2:1). The right division of the sentences here cannot be decided with certainty; the Apostle hurries on, in the full flood of his denunciation, without paying much attention to the precise form of his language. On the whole, it seems best to place only a comma at the end of 2Pe_2:12, with a full stop or colon at “unrighteousness,” and to make what follows part of the long sentence, of which the main verb is “are gone astray” in 2Pe_2:15.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv12–15 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be…
But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed. The order of the words in the best manuscripts favours the translation of the Revised Version, But these, as creatures without reason, born mere animals to be taken and destroyed. The word rendered "mere animals" is literally "natural" (fusika); comp. Jud_1:10, "what they know naturally (fusikwv) as brute beasts." Speak evil of the things that they understand not; literally, as in the Revised Version, railing in matters whereof they are ignorant. (For the construction, see Wirier, 3:66. 5, at the end.) The context and the parallel passage in St. Jude show that the doxai, the glories, are the things which the false teachers understand not and at which they rail. Good angels do not pronounce a railing judgment against angels that sinned. These men, knowing nothing of the angelic sphere of existence, rail at the elect and the fallen angels alike, lien should speak with awe of the sin of the angels; jesting on such subjects is unbecoming and dangerous. And shall utterly perish in their own corruption. The best manuscripts read here kai fqarhsontai "shall also be destroyed in their own corruption." It seems better to take fqora in the sense of "corruption" here, as inloga 2Pe_1:4, and to suppose that St. Peter is intentionally playing on the double sense of the noun and its cognate verb than, with Huther, to refer the pronoun aujtwn, "their own," to the a) zwa, and to understand St. Peter as meaning that the false teachers, who act like irrational animals, shall be destroyed with the destruction of irrational animals.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On vv12–15 But these, as natural brute beasts.
2Pe_2:12
But these, as natural brute beasts.
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Men like beasts
I. Their resemblance.
1. What they are like--beasts. You have read many fables and apologues, wherein beasts are feigned to speak like men; but who would endure that theatre, where men be seen to play the beast? Such is the power of sin, it can transform men into beast. While idolaters turn beasts into gods, they turn themselves into beasts.
2. Wherein they are like them.
(1) The whole intendment of the beast is sensuality; and so of wicked men.
(2) Beasts cannot foresee the future, not provide for it.
(3) Beasts are not ashamed of their deeds; where is no reason, there is no sin; and where no sin, no shame. These have reason, yet are not ashamed of their abominations (Jer_8:12); and therein are beasts, or worse.
II. Their ordinance. Made to be taken and destroyed.
1. God is an absolute Lord over His creatures, and hath as just right of their disposition, as He had power of their creation (Mat_20:15).
2. God is always most just, nor can lie do other than what is perfectly good. His judgments are sometimes manifest, often secret, always wonderful, never unjust.
3. The will of God is the cause of all causes, in which we must make a stand; and neither beyond it, nor without it, seek for any reason.
4. God hath not ordained any to destruction without the respect of sin.
III. Their ignorance. Speak evil of the things that they understand not. Not to understand, is the infirmity of a man; to speak of that he understands not, is the part of a fool; bat to speak maliciously evil, is the part of a devil. They will not understand, they will not be silent, they will not speak well. If they will not know, let them hold their peace; nay, they will speak; but then let them give good words; nay, they will speak evil.
IV. Their vengeance. Shall utterly perish in their own corruption.
1. No cause doth more necessarily produce its proper effect, than sin doth naturally beget punishment.
2. Forbearance of punishment is no argument of immunity; though not presently, they shall perish.
3. Obstinate sin would make its own rod, were there none prepared. The grace of God resisted, turns to desperateness; and wicked men, like some beasts, grow mad with baiting. They cannot be quiet till they have wrought out their full destruction. (Thos. Adams.)
Sensuality
1. Sin, where it reigns, turns a man into a brute beast as it were. This is showed in all those places of Scripture where wicked men are compared unto brute beasts, either in general or in special, to horses, mules, dogs, swine, foxes, wolves, bears, lions, etc.
2. The fountain of all this sin and misery is the want of a right and spiritual judgment.
3. A sign of such a condition, that is, of a man turning to a brute beast, is to follow the passions of corrupted nature without reason.
4. Such men do corrupt also whatsoever natural goodness they have in them.
5. Such sinners are entangled in their sins, and kept unto destruction like as brute beasts in their snares, wherewith they are taken (2Ti_2:26; Lam_1:14). (Wm. Ames, D. D.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain On vv12–15 12–16. But these, as natural brute beasts. As if…
12–16. But these, as natural brute beasts. As if utterly irrational. The brute beasts were destined to the slaughter for man's uses. So these men blindly rush to destruction. Speak evil of the things that they understand not. How often the scoffer fulfills this description!
B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain On vv12, 14, 15 natural brute beasts
natural brute beasts
natural animals without reason. Jud 1:10.
The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 edition), notes by C. I. Scofield — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On v15 Balaam’s example:
Balaam’s example:
v. 15. Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam, the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness,
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v. 16. but was rebuked for his iniquity; the dumb ass, speaking with man’s voice, forbade the madness of the prophet.
The character and the motive of the false teachers is brought out strongly by the comparison with the behavior of Balaam: Having left the right way, they have gone astray, by exactly following the way of Balaam, the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness, but received a rebuke for his transgression; the dumb ass, speaking with the voice of a man, hindered the prophet’s senseless behavior. The manner in which most false teachers go wrong is exemplified by Balaam, Num 22:5-41; Num 23:1-30; Num 24:1-25. Although the Lord had expressly told him that he must not curse the children of Israel, yet the bribe money which was offered by Balak, king of the Moabites, induced him to make an attempt at cursing Israel. His greed for money was stronger than his obedience to God. He was conscious that he was tempting God in setting out on his mission, and an evil conscience made him irritable. When his ass tried to crowd out of the way at the appearance of the angel, he beat her unmercifully, until the Lord Himself opened her mouth and rebuked Balaam for his transgression, for his foolish, senseless behavior, for his madness. Thus it is madness that has taken hold of the false teachers when they put aside all virtue and become adepts in every form of unrighteousness, at the same time drawing with them the souls of men.
Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv12, 15 these unreasoning animals are naturally made for capture and…
these unreasoning animals are naturally made for capture and destruction.
Just as animals cannot reason, these men cannot be reasoned with. AT: "these false teachers are like unreasoning animals who are made to be captured and destroyed" (See: Metaphor)
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They do not know what they insult
They speak evil of what they do not know or understand.
They will be destroyed
This can be stated in active form. AT: "God will destroy them" (See: Active or Passive)
They will receive the reward of their wrongdoing
Peter speaks of the punishment that the false teachers will receive as if it were a reward. AT: "They will receive what they deserve for their wrongdoing" (See: Irony)
luxury during the day
Here the word "luxury" refers to immoral activity that includes gluttony, drunkenness, and sexual activity. Doing these things during the day indicates that these people are not ashamed of this behavior.
They are stains and blemishes
The words "stains" and "blemishes" share similar meanings. Peter speaks of the false teachers as if they were stains on a garment that cause shame for those who wear it. AT: "They are like stains and blemishes on clothes, which cause disgrace" (See: Metaphor and Doublet)
They have eyes full of adultery
Here the "eyes" represent their desires and "eyes full" means they constant want something. AT: "They constantly want to commit adultery" (See: Metonymy)
they are never satisfied with sin
Although they sin in order to satisfy their lusts, the sin that they commit never satisfies.
They entice unstable souls
Here the word "souls" refers to persons. AT: "They entice unstable people" (See: Synecdoche)
hearts trained in covetousness
Here the word "hearts" refers to the thoughts and emotions of the person. Because of their habitual actions, they have trained themselves to think and act out of covetousness. (See: Metonymy)
translationWords
reward
wrong
blemish
deceive
feast
adultery
sin
soul
heart
envy
children
curse
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv13, 15 2:13 They delight in deception even as they eat…
2:13 They delight in deception even as they eat with you in your fellowship meals: Cp. Jude 1:12. Christians often ate fellowship meals together in celebration of the Lord (see Acts 2:46; 6:1). The false teachers were using these mealtimes as opportunities to deceive true believers. Some manuscripts read They delight (or revel, or carouse) in their fellowship meals as they eat with you. If this reading is correct, they were using the fellowship meals for self-indulgence (cp. 1 Cor 11:20-22).
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.