FocusGod judges and delivers
Connection to the wholeThe warning against destructive teaching is followed by scriptural examples showing that God can both judge evil and deliver the godly.
interpretation 2 Peter 2:4
KJVFor 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;
Read it in context
False teachers and examples of judgment
Start reading at 2 Peter 2:1 (2 Peter 2:1 to 2 Peter 2:9).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The warning against destructive teaching is followed by scriptural examples showing that God can both judge evil and deliver the godly.
- 2:1 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 denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
- 2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
- 2:3 And 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.
- 2:4 For 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;
- 2:5 And 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;
- 2:6 And 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;
- 2:7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:
- 2:8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)
- 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
Who
- Who wrote the book? Simon Peter is the named author and the traditional identification. The letter's authorship was disputed in antiquity and remains debated; the self-identification should not be confused with unanimous historical agreement. Biblical references: 2 Peter 1:1; 2 Peter 1:16; 2 Peter 3:1. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (2 Peter 1:1–3:18): The writer, identifying himself as Simon Peter, addresses believers who have received like precious faith, warning about false teachers and scoffers and urging growth and readiness. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Those who have obtained like precious faith, whom the writer also addresses as recipients of a previous letter. The greeting gives no city or province. Biblical references: 2 Peter 1:1; 2 Peter 3:1. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? False teachers and examples of judgment. Read 2 Peter 2:1 through 2 Peter 2:9 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The warning against destructive teaching is followed by scriptural examples showing that God can both judge evil and deliver the godly. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The writer speaks of his approaching death and recalls a former letter and the transfiguration. No calendar date is supplied. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The recipients' specific location is not stated in the opening, and the writing location is not explicitly named. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in False teachers and examples of judgment (2 Peter 2:1 to 2 Peter 2:9). Start reading at 2 Peter 2:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The letter bears witness to Jesus' majesty and addresses His promised coming. It joins knowledge of Him with growth, holiness, and warnings against falling from steadfastness. See 2 Peter 1:16, 2 Peter 3:9, 2 Peter 3:17, 2 Peter 3:18. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Grow in the qualities the letter names, resist destructive teaching, and live in view of the promised coming. Retain its warnings rather than treating earlier knowledge as a guarantee of perseverance. interpretation
Cited: 2 Peter 2:1, 2 Peter 2:9, 2 Peter 1:16, 2 Peter 3:9, 2 Peter 3:17, 2 Peter 3:18
Who wrote it, and how we know
Peter the apostle
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe letter names Simon Peter and refers to a former letter and to the transfiguration.
2 Peter 1:12 Peter 1:162 Peter 3:1
Early traditionTradition names Peter, though this letter was accepted more slowly than the first.
What is debatedThis is the most disputed New Testament letter on authorship grounds, ancient and modern.
Related passages
- spared 2 Pet 2:5 Deut 29:20 Ps 78:50 Ezek 5:11 Ezek 7:4,9 Rom 8:32 Rom 11:21
- the angels Job 4:18 Luke 10:18 John 8:44 1 John 3:8 Jude 1:6
- but Isa 14:12 Matt 8:29 Matt 25:41 Mark 5:7 Luke 8:31 Rev 12:7-9 Rev 20:2-3,10
- into 2 Pet 2:11 Jude 1:6
- to be 2 Pet 2:9 Job 21:30 Jude 1:13
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
2 Peter 2
The writer identifies himself as Simon Peter and addresses those who have obtained like precious faith. He urges growth, warns about false teachers, and answers scoffing about the Lord's coming without authorizing neglect or date-setting.
2 Peter 1:1 2 Peter 1:5 2 Peter 3:11
The teachers' character and end
2 Peter 2:10–22FocusCorruption disguised as liberty
Connection to the wholePeter exposes greed, presumption, and enslaving promises, ending with a severe warning about returning to corruption after escaping it.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
2 Peter
The writer identifies himself as Simon Peter and addresses those who have obtained like precious faith. He urges growth, warns about false teachers, and answers scoffing about the Lord's coming without authorizing neglect or date-setting.
2 Peter 1:1 2 Peter 1:5 2 Peter 3:11
Grow and remember
2 Peter 1:1–21FocusGod's provision and reliable testimony
Connection to the wholePeter joins divine provision with diligent growth and grounds his reminder in apostolic witness and the prophetic word.
interpretation FocusDestructive teaching and corrupt conduct
Connection to the wholeExamples of judgment and rescue frame warnings about teachers whose promises of liberty conceal bondage and corruption.
interpretation The coming day and present holiness
2 Peter 3:1–18FocusPatience, judgment, and growth
Connection to the wholePeter answers scoffers by recalling God's word and patience, then calls believers to holy living and continued growth.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.