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Exegesis - Presley
Criminal Justice Research and Writing (Liberty
University)
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EXEGESIS OF 2 PETER 2:1-3 1
Exegesis of 2 Peter 2:1-3 and Application to the Thesis Statement
Zachary Cushman
Liberty University
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EXEGESIS OF 2 PETER 2:1-3 2
Abstract
There are many ways to interpret the Bible, some correct and some incorrect. The preachers of
these messages are the most significant part of biblical teaching. Sometimes, these preachers
may be the only time someone hears the message, which in some cases is good. However, when
a false teacher is involved, this person can be led astray from Christ and wind up in eternal
damnation. Peter teaches us to beware of these false teachers and not to be led away from God.
We can also use these warnings to prevent us from becoming false teachers. We must revolve
our lives around the Bible and the truth of the Word so we can truly lead people to Christ. Only
after we entwine the Lord within us can we trust ourselves to lead without fallacy. False teaching
is a sort of terroristic act against humans because we are taking them away from eternal life and
the love of God. We cannot believe or succumb to the false teachings and must not become false
teachers at all costs. Not only does it condemn us, but it sends innocent people to Hell without
them even knowing it.
Keywords: Peter, false teachings, fallacy, God, Christ
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EXEGESIS OF 2 PETER 2:1-3 3
Exegesis of 2 Peter 2:1-3 and Application to the Thesis Statement
Why did Charles Manson decide to kill and start a cult? The passage chosen, 2 Peter 2:1-
3, aims to answer that question through greed. This passage shows how leaders should lead with
integrity and honesty instead of greed. Peter wrote this after his teachings on our calling and
God’s prophecies. He writes,
And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long
ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. (The Holy Bible, English Standard
Version, 2016, 2 Peter 2: 3)
Peter is writing this epistle specifically to Asia Minor churches due to their struggles
with strife and dissension. This passage emphasizes the importance of the proper knowledge of
God. Proper knowledge is necessary enough that the word “knowledge” is referenced roughly
15 times within the three chapters. (Swindoll, n.d.).
Biblical Versions
But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers
among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master
who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their
sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed
they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their
destruction is not asleep. (New American Standard Bible, 1995, 2 Peter 2: 1-3)
But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers
among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign
Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow
their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed,
these
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EXEGESIS OF 2 PETER 2:1-3 4
teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been
hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping. (Holy Bible, New
International Version, 2011, 2 Peter 2: 1-3)
But there were also lying prophets among the people then, just as there will be lying
religious teachers among you. They’ll smuggle in destructive divisions, pitting you
against each other—biting the hand of the One who gave them a chance to have their
lives back! They’ve put themselves on a fast downhill slide to destruction, but not before
they recruit a crowd of mixed-up followers who can’t tell right from wrong. They give
the way of truth a bad name. They’re only out for themselves. They’ll say anything,
anything, that sounds good to exploit you. They won’t, of course, get by with it. They’ll
come to a bad end, for God has never just stood by and let that kind of thing go on. (The
Message, 2018, 2 Peter 2: 1-3)
Contextual Analysis
Literary Genre
2 Peter is part of the Epistles. The Epistles were letters written to specific audiences that
are still practical to us today. In the case of 2 Peter, the audience was the churches of Asia
Minor. Peter wrote this second letter to them because “The churches of Asia Minor were not just
struggling with the persecution and suffering addressed in Peter’s first letter; they also had strife
and dissension within their ranks.” (Swindoll, n.d., para. 3). To stop the false teachings, he
wanted to emphasize the importance of the proper knowledge of God and what will happen if
they do not stick to it.
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EXEGESIS OF 2 PETER 2:1-3 5
Historical Context
Peter wrote this letter while in Roman jail and shortly after was killed by Nero’s order.
The most accurate estimate of when he wrote it is still debated; however, Nero’s persecution (64-
68 A.D.) and the late arrival of the letter in the Eastern empire leads many to believe 67-68 A.D
is the most accurate date. This event occurs right before Rome’s destruction from Titus in 70
A.D. (BibleGateway, n.d.).
Emperor Nero finally got his government established and immediately pursued unholy
desires and even proclaimed himself as an enemy of God. He slaughtered the apostles, beheading
Paul and crucifying Peter. Caius, who rose under Rome’s Bishop, Zephyrinus, and Dionysius,
Bishop of Corinth, confirms these deaths. (Bible Hub, n.d.).
Detailed Analysis
Peter gives many reasons why we need to be careful when trusting in and becoming
teachers and leaders. These warnings include their subtle and deceptive methods, destructive
doctrines, alluring influence, impure motives, dishonoring teachings and lifestyle, the perpetual
threat to God’s people, and the fall to Hell they will cause to themselves and others who follow.
Cole (2013) gives an example of false teaching from a personal experience where someone
emailed him claiming God is never threatening and wants everyone to be rich. “All you had to do
was buy his book to find out how you can change your view of God and get all the blessings!”
(para. 1 of Conclusion).
False teachers are, most of the time, greedy, self-righteous, and prideful. However,
misleaders can also have good intentions but may still be leading others astray. Before preaching
the Word to others, one must first thoroughly understand it if genuinely trying to spread the
gospel to others. Without understanding the message, someone can misinterpret the scripture,
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EXEGESIS OF 2 PETER 2:1-3 6
causing the teacher to fall deeper into sin and anyone who listens and adopts the thinking
themselves.
Before listening to preachers and taking their word to heart, understand the message, first
within personal context and thoughts, then comparing with others’ thoughts and interpretations.
Think of the Bible’s entire story and how the passage fits into the Bible’s underlying concept. It
is almost like a puzzle; if the piece does not fit, do not try to force it in. Do not twist the words of
the Bible to fit in someone’s personal life; it manipulates it into personal human desires; instead,
twist the personal life to fit within the context of the Bible. Only then can teachers truly help
others to follow God and live a fulfilling journey.
Theology
The primary concept of this passage is that leading others astray is cruel. To lead
someone away from the opportunity to receive Christ and gain eternal life is terrorism in a
sense. It destroys current and future lives. The preachers taught these false messages damning
themselves to Hell and the followers of that message. This scripture acts as a warning of whom
to watch out for and who not to become.
Application
This passage applies to my topic because Charles Manson led many people astray.
Manson was very greedy, prideful, and corrupt. So corrupt that he decided to start a cult. He
loved the attention and power he gained from his followers. These followers, as well as himself,
considered him God or Christ-like. He used passages in the Bible to feed the members his
wrongful teachings more effectively. Manson did not directly murder the victims of the
Tate/LaBianca case; instead, he convinced some of his members to do so, meaning they were so
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far down the wrong path that they would murder for him. Many people, including Manson
himself, were led to eternal damnation because of these fallacies and perversions of the text.
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EXEGESIS OF 2 PETER 2:1-3 8
References
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. (2016). Crossway Bibles.
New American Standard Bible. (1995). The Lockman Foundation.
Holy Bible, New International Version. (2011). Biblica, Inc.
The Message. (2018). Eugene H. Peterson
Swindoll, C. (n.d.). Second Peter. Insight for Living Ministries
https://www.insight.org/resources/bible/the-general-epistles/second-peter
BibleGateway. (n.d.). Second Epistle of Peter.
https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/encyclopedia-of-the-bible/Second-Epistle-Peter
Bible Hub. (n.d.) The persecution under Nero in which Paul and Peter were honored at
Rome with martyrdom in behalf of religion.
https://biblehub.com/library/pamphilius/church_history/chapter_xxv_the_persecution_under_ner
o.htm#1
Cole, S. J. (2013). Lesson 8: Beware of false teachers! (2 Peter 2:1-3).
Bible.org https://bible.org/seriespage/lesson-8-beware-false-teachers-2-peter-21-3?
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