The big picture
2 Peter 2 opens in verse 1 with “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 11 with “Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation…”, and closes in verse 22 with “But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own…” Repeated or prominent terms include Lord, delivered, evil, judgment, world. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
2 Peter · King James Version · 222 Peter 2:1-8
1–8: There were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be…
2 Peter 2:1–8 opens with “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among…” and reaches “(For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on False teachers exploiting a congregation, with remembered judgments from Noah, Lot, and Balaam used as warnings, with particular weight carried by delivered, false, judgment.
Context that brings the passage to life
“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood…” Naming Noah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
2 Peter 2:1-8
King James Version1But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
3And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
4For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
5And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;
6And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;
7And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:
8(For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)
2 Peter 2:9-16
9–16: The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to…
2 Peter 2:9–16 opens with “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the…” and reaches “But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on False teachers exploiting a congregation, with remembered judgments from Noah, Lot, and Balaam used as warnings, with particular weight carried by evil, Lord, unrighteousness.
Context that brings the passage to life
“The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be…” The verse names Lord rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.
“Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.” Naming Whereas keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
2 Peter 2:9-16
King James Version9The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
10But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
11Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.
12But 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;
13And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;
14Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
15Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
16But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet.
2 Peter 2:17-22
17–22: These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest…
2 Peter 2:17–22 opens with “These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of…” and reaches “But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on False teachers exploiting a congregation, with remembered judgments from Noah, Lot, and Balaam used as warnings, with particular weight carried by escaped, known, overcome.
Context that brings the passage to life
“These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for…” The line’s distinctive content terms include carried, clouds, darkness. Its relationship to verses 18 shows what work it does in this passage.
“For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
2 Peter 2:17-22
King James Version17These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
18For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
19While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
20For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
21For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
22But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
2 Peter 2:1 begins with “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even…”
Where the chapter turns
2 Peter 2:10 forms a natural hinge: “But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to…”
The final note
2 Peter 2:22 leaves the reader with “But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the…”
A word trail through the chapter
The words Lord, delivered, evil, judgment, world, angels help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
Which gifts come before the prohibition?
Life, the garden, food and meaningful work. The command occurs inside generosity.
How does chapter 2 deepen chapter 1?
It concentrates on dependence, partnership and responsibility within the shared human calling.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.