Explanation: In 2 Peter 2, Peter warns that, as in olden days, false teachers will arise who will secretly bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord who purchased them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. Many shall follow their pernicious (ruinous) ways. They will speak evil of the way of truth. Because of their covetousness, they will make merchandise of you with feigned (moulded) words -- words that have been carefully crafted to deceive, Their judgment does not linger; their damnation does not slumber (1-3).
     God has sent judgment on evil many times. He did not spare the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell and put them into chins of darkness to be reserved to judgment. He did not spare the old world, but saved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven of his family. He incinerated Sodom and Gomorrha, but delivered just Lot who was vexed with their filthy way of life (4-8).
      The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished, especially those who live in lust, despise government, and speak evil of dignitaries (perhaps including spiritual authorities). Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, do not bring railing accusations against them before the Lord (9-11).
     These people are like beasts which are made to be taken and destroyed. They speak evil of things which they do not understand. They will receive the reward of their unrighteousness. They riot (participate in debauchery) in the daytime. They deceive you. Their eyes are full of adultery. They have gone astray like Balaam who loved the wages of unrighteousness (12-16).
     They are wells without water and clouds driven by a tempest. As with the angels that kept not their first estate, the blackness of darkness is reserved for them forever. They speak with swollen vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh. They promise people liberty, but they themselves are the servants of corruption. If they have escaped the pollutions of the world by the knowledge of Christ but are again entangled in it, their latter end is worse than the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than to have turned from it. But, like dogs they return to their vomit, and like pigs that are washed, they return to wallowing in the mire (17-22).]
     [Sermons: Dick Lucas. Various. ]
     [Illustration: Today's painting is of Balaam who epitomizes most, if not all, of the negative things which Peter says about false teachers and seducers in today's chapter. ]

     ¹⁷ These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever [into the eons]. ¹⁸ For 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. ¹⁹ While 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. ²⁰ For 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. ²¹ For 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. ²² But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned [turned again] to his own vomit again; and the was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

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