Lawrence DeMetrius

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Letter of Apostle Peter – II Peter
An Intimate Review
II Peter 2 - False Teachers and Erroneous Christian Doctrines
By Lawrence DeMetrius

-II Peter 2-

In [II Pet 2:1] Apostle Peter continues in regard to his statement about there being no private interpretation of words inspired by the Holy Ghost. Here he denotes the false prophets of ancient times, those of his generation, and those that will arise in future generations. While there is the existence of teachers of paganistic faiths, Apostle Peter especially expounds upon anti-Christ teachers who disguise themselves as pro-Christ teachers. Jesus Christ likened false teacher to wolves who cunningly establish themselves in Christian Assemblies disguised as sheep or followers and messengers of Christ. However, He said these intruders can be marked by observation of their fruit meaning their character, works and words. [Mt 7:15-23; Rm 11:29] Apostle Paul warns that they present themselves as angels of light which are messengers of divine light or insight as does Lucifer. [II Cor 11:3, 4, 13-15] Again, as did Christ, Apostles Paul and John notes that these pretenders can and are to be marked and avoided by well-informed born-again believers. [Gal 1:6-9; I Jn 4:1-6; II Jn vs 7-11] This is why the Elect must be and remain devoted to effective study of words inspired by the Holy Ghost and provisioned through Yahweh’s true messengers from Enoch to Jesus Christ and His Original Apostles. [Eno 37; Dan 12:3, 10; Lk 24:44, 45; Jn 8:31, 32; II Tim 2:15; Rev 3:8, 10] In regard to FALSE PROPHETS Apostle Peter writes,

But there were FALSE PROPHETS 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.
[II Pet 2:1]

*false prophets Gk #5578 pseudoprophetes (psyoo-dop-rof-ay-tace)
1. a prophet that is spurious meaning…
a. not genuine, authentic, or true
b. not from the pretended, claimed or proper source but counterfeit
c. having a similar appearance but a different structure
d. a bastard or one of illegitimate birth

2. a pretended foreteller
a. insincerely and falsely professed
b. feigned, fictitious, and counterfeit
c. alleged and asserted
d. a religious impostor who practices deception under an assumed character, identity and name

*false teachers Gk #5572 pseudodidaskalos (psyoo-dod-id-as-kal-os)
1. a spurious teacher
2. one who promotes to spread of erroneous Christian doctrine

Christ warned that in the last days FALSE PROPHETS and TEACHERS would arise throughout the world in great numbers to deceive many, the most of which would those pretending to be Him or His disciples. They began to manifest shortly after His ascension. [Mt 24:5, 7, 11, 24; II Cor 11:3, 4, 13-15; Gal 1:6-9; II Thes 2:3] Apostle John reports that some came from inner circles of the earliest disciples of Christ. [Jn 6:47-71; I Jn 2:18-27; II Jn vs 7-11]

*privily Gk #3918 pareimi (par-i-mee) to be near, at hand, time being, and property

*damnable Gk #684 apoleia (ap-o-li-a) it is ruin and loss physical, spiritual, and eternal

*heresies Gk #139 hairesis (hah-ee-res-is) a choice, party, disunion and a sect which is…
1. a body of persons adhering to a particular religious faith
2. a religious denomination
3. a group regarded as heretical or as deviating from a generally accepted religious tradition
4. in the sociology of religion, it is a Christian denomination characterized by insistence on strict qualifications for membership, as distinguished from the more inclusive groups called churches
5. any group, party, or faction united by a specific doctrine or under a doctrinal leader

Today there are numerous SECTS posing as Christian assemblies that teach erroneous Christian doctrines.

*denying (the Lord) Gk #720 areneomai (ar-neh-om-ahee) it means to...
1. contradict which is to…
a. disavow to disclaim knowledge of, connection with or responsibility for
b. disown and repudiate which is to…
i. cast off and reject as having no authority or binding force
ii. reject with disapproval, condemnation, and denial
iii. refuse to acknowledge

2. reject which is to…
a. refuse to have, take, or recognize
b. refuse to grant a request or demand
c. refuse to accept someone or something
d. discard as useless and unsatisfactory
e. eject, cast out and cast off



3. abnegate which is to…
a. refuse or deny oneself certain rights and conveniences
b. renounce which means to voluntarily and by formal declaration relinquish, give up, put aside, repudiate and disown

*(the Lord that) bought (them) Gk #59 agorazo (ag-or-ad-zo) to go to market, purchase, and redeem

It is true that Christ became the Propitiation for all sinners. Therefore, no person on earth should inherit eternal banishment from Yahweh’s delightful PRESENCE, which is the true death. However, many will due to their REJECTION of Christ and His words. [I Jn 2:1, 2; St Jn 3:19, 20, 36; 8:12, 23, 24; 14:6] In [II Pet 2:2] it becomes clearer that FALSE TEACHERS who pose as Christian witnesses pose the greatest threat within Christian Assemblies with members who lack adequate knowledge and understanding of the Holy Scriptures. Apostle Peter writes,

And MANY SHALL FOLLOW their PERNICIOUS WAYS; by reason of whom THE WAY OF TRUTH SHALL BE EVIL SPOKEN OF.
[II Pet 2:2]

*follow Gk #1811 exakoloutheo (ex-ak-ol-oo-theh-o) it means to follow out, imitate, obey, and yield to

*pernicious ways Gk #684 apoleia (ap-o-li-a) ruin and loss physical, spiritual and eternal

Christ clearly prophesied concerning this migration of foolish hearts to lies. [Mt 24:5, 11, 24] Thus, it should not be no surprise to witness massive numbers of souls falling prey to such deception throughout the latter generations. Indeed, BROAD is the WAY derived of MANY WAYS that SEEM RIGHT to a man but actually leads to death. [Pro 14:12; Mt 7:13]

*way/s Hb 1870 derek (deh-rek) a road as trodden, a course of life and a mode of action

*way Gk #3598 hodos (hod-os) a road, progress, route, act, distance, mode and means

In [II Pet 2:3a] Apostle Peter tells what these FALSE TEACHERS desire to do with unstable minds namely those of the true Christian Faith. He writes,

And through COVETOUSNESS shall they with FEIGNED WORDS MAKE MERCHANDISE OF YOU:
[II Pet 2:3a]

*covetousness Gk #4124 pleonexia (pleh-on-ex-ee-ah) avarice, fraudulency, extortion and greediness



*feigned Gk #4112 plastos (plas-tos) false, fictitious, artificial, and molded…words
• to mold is to...
o work into a required shape or form
o form a mold of or from, in order to make a casting
o produce by or as if by shaping material
o have influence in determining or forming

*words Gk #3056 logos (log-os)
1. something said including the thought
2. a topic or subject of discourse
3. reasoning of the mental faculty
4. a motive or computation which is a making sense of a thing
5. the Divine Expression in the Person of Jesus Christ

*make merchandise Gk #1710 emporeuomai (em-por-yoo-om-ahee)
1. to travel in a country as a peddler which is a person who…
a. sells from door to door or in the streets
b. tries to promote some cause, candidate, or viewpoint

2. to trade which means to…
a. carry on trade, buy, and shop
b. be bought, sold, or exchanged
c. to make an exchange or one’s purchases
d. traffic in something i.e., human lives

Per these definitions, Apostle Peter is warning the Elect of GOD that FALSE TEACHERS by marketing their MOLDED WORDS generate great financial gains for themselves as they of Lucifer seek to sway unstable minds into the pathways of death, especially professed Christians who are weak in their devotion to Christ and His Doctrine. In [II Pet 2:3b] Apostle Peter expounds upon the ultimate fate of FALSE PROPHETS and TEACHERS. It is a fate that was established by Yahweh long before religions divine or otherwise were formed, embraced and practiced by the children of earth. By Enoch, the first official Scribe and Prophet of Yahweh foretold of FALSE PROPHETS and TEACHERS and how their deceptions would influence many with lies preached and eventually written in books. [Gen 5:18-24; Enoch 14:3; 37] In light of the insight provisioned per Enoch’s writings, of which all former prophets and teacher of THE LORD were privy, Apostle Peter gives a detailed description that pertains to all FALSE PROPHETS, FALSE TEACHERS and ERRONEOUS DOCTRINES of that arise in any generation writing,

…whose JUDGMENT now of a long time LINGERETH NOT, and their DAMNATION SLUMBERTH NOT.
[II Pet 2:3b]



*judgment Gk #2917 krima (kree-mah) a decision for or against a crime

*lingereth not Gk #691 argeo (arg-eh-o) to be idle and to delay

*damnation Gk #684 apoleia (ap-o-li-a) ruin and loss this physical, spiritual and eternal

*slumbereth not Gk #3573 nustazo (noos-tad-zo) to nod, fall asleep and delay

The crime committed per this discourse is presenting one’s self and/or WORD as divine when it is not. In [II Pet 2:4-10a] Apostle Peter refers to the report of Enoch writing,

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; and spared not the old world but saved Noah and the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;
[II Pet 2:4, 5; Eno 14; 65; 67; 89; 106; Gen 5:18-32; 6-9]

In [II Pet 2:6-8] Apostle Peter likens the unchangeable mindset of some FALSE PROPHETS and TEACHERS to that of the citizens of Sodom and Gomorrah. [Gen 19:24; Eze 16:48-50; Jasher 18:11-43; 19] He writes,

But chiefly them that walk after the FLESH in the LUST of UNCLEANNESS, and DESPISE GOVERNMENT.
[II Pet 2:10a]

*flesh Gk #4561 sarx (sarx)
1. flesh as stripped of the skin or strictly the meat of an animal as food
2. The body as opposed to the soul or spirit, a symbol of what is external and the means of kindred
3. human nature with its frailties both physical and moral and passions
4. carnal and carnal minded

*lust Gk #1939 epithumia (ep-ee-thoo-ee-ah) a longing especially for that which is forbidden

*(lust of) uncleanness Gk #3394 miasmos (mee-as-mos) the act of moral contamination

Thus, FALSE PROPHETS and TEACHERS are wholly given to and driven the DESIRES of the CARNAL NATURE, which is not and cannot be subject to Yahweh or HIS rule. [Rm 8:5-8] In fact, anyone who is willingly driven by the desires of their CARNAL NATURE have no room in heart to love Yahweh. [Mt 6:24; Jam 4:7; I Jn 2:15-17]

*despise (government) Gk #2706 kataphroneo (kat-af-ron-eh-o) to think against and disesteem


*(despise) government Gk #2963 kuriotes (koo-ree-ot-ace)
1. mastery which is…
a. command or grasp of a subject
b. superiority or victory
c. the act of mastering, expert skill and knowledge
d. the state of being master
e. the power of concrete and collective command and control

2. rulers which is a sovereign or persons who rules and governs

3. dominion
a. domination and the power or right to govern and control
b. sovereign authority, rule and control
c. a territory in which a single ruler holds sway over
d. lands or domains that are subject to sovereign control

Per these definitions, Apostle Peter is teaching that FALSE PROPHETS and TEACHERS have no regard for rightly established leadership, order or ordinances, especially that which is divine. Such rule is required of THE LORD within HIS flocks. When divine GOVERNMENT is firmly established in the households of true Christian faith, it is difficult for FALSE PROPHETS and TEACHERS to usurp their influence. Some FALSE PROPHETS and TEACHERS so embrace their erroneous doctrines that they are not swayed therefrom even by divine influence. Apostle Peter continues his description of them writing,

PRESUMPTUOUS are they, SELFWILLED, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Whereas ANGELS <children of heaven>, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the LORD.
[II Pet 2:10b, 11; Jude vs 8]

*presumptuous Gk #5113 tolmetes (tol-may-tace) this is one who is…

1. daring meaning bold, courageous, adventurous, resolutely fearless and not easily intimidated
2. audacious meaning recklessly bold and brave in defiance of convention, propriety, and law
3. insolent, unrestrained, and uninhibited

*self-willed Gk #829 authades (ow-thad-ace) it means self-pleasing and arrogant





In [II Pet 2:12, 13] Apostle Peter continues his description of FALSE PROPHETS and TEACHERS writing,

But, these 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; and 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;
[II Pet 2:12, 13; Jude vs 12]

*sporting Gk # 1792 entruphao (en-troo-fah-o) to revel in meaning to take great pleasure, delight, merriment in boisterous festivities

*deceivings Gk #539 apate (ap-at-ay) deceit and the practices thereof

*feast Gk 4910 suneuocheo (soon-yoo-o-keh-o) it means to revel together and entertain sumptuously in company with

In [II Pet 2:14] Apostle Peter reiterates that the primary goal of FALSE PROPHETS and TEACHERS within true Christian Assemblies is to beguile unstable minds writing,

Having EYES full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; BEGUILING UNSTABLE SOULS:
[II Pet 2:14]

*eyes Gk #3788 ophthalmos (of-thal-mos) literally or figuratively the eye and vision

*beguiling Gk #1185 deleazo (del-eh-ad-zo) to entrap, delude, allure and entice

*unstable Gk #793 asteriktos (as-tay-rik-tos) it means unfixed and vacillating meaning not…
1. resolute but wavering, indecisive and hesitating
2. oscillating, swaying, and fluctuating

*souls Gk # 5590 psuche (psoo-khay) the mind or animal sentient principle only

Figuratively speaking, the EYE is often referring to the mind and adultery to idol worship. [Exo 20:3; Mt 6:19-21, 24; Col 3:1, 2; II Tim 6:4-10; II Jn 2:15-17] In [II Pet 2:14c-18] Apostle Peter is likely referring to professed Christians who are not as stable as they should be in their devotion to Christ and His Doctrine. Therefore, they remain vulnerable to the influence of FALSE PROPHETS and TEACHERS. Again, they are motivated by the desires of the carnal nature and draw on that within those who are unstable in Christ.




Apostle Peter continues concerning them writing,

…an heart they have EXERCISED with COVETOUS PRACTICES; cursed children: 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; But was rebuked for his iniquity, the dumb ass speaking with man’s vice forbad the madness of the prophet.
[II Pet 2:14b-16; Num 22-23; St Jn 3:19, 20; Mt 4:8-10]

*exercised Gk #1128 gumnazo (goom-nad-zo) to train and practice naked in the games

*covetous Gk #4124 pleonexia (pleh-on-ex-ee-ah) it is avarice, fraudulency, extortion and greediness

*practice in the English language is…
1. operation of habitual or customary performance
2. repetition of systematic exercise for the purpose of acquiring skill or proficiency
3. condition arrived at by experience or exercise
4. the action or process of performing or doing something

It’s amazing to think of one functioning solely with a heart of avarice. However, this is the means by which FALSE PROPHETS and TEACHERS operate. Jesus Christ taught that is from the abundance of one’s heart do they speak. [Mt 12:34, 35] Again, being driven by a heart of avarice they are always in pursuit to MAKE MERCHANDISE of UNSTABLE SOULS. [II Pet 2:3, 18; Mt 24:24] Jesus Christ likens them to ravening wolves in sheep’s clothing. [Mt 7:15] In wild life nature when wolves are hungry, they strategize by targeting prey that are least resilient to their attack. So, it is with FALSE PROPHETS and TEACHERS, namely those who pose as Christian authorities. Christ also warned that the most subtle of them would fool the very Elect if given opportunity to. This thing is possible with Christians who fail to equip their minds with proper spiritual understanding by practicing continual and effective study of the Holy Scriptures. [Jn 8:31, 32, 36; II Tim 2:15; 3:16-18; Rev 3:8, 10; Eph 6:17b; II Cor 4:3; 10: 4, 5; Pro 4:7] Apostle Peter continues to describe FALSE PROPHETS and TEACHERS writing,

While they PROMISE them <unstable souls> LIBERTY, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome of the same is he brought in bondage.
[II Pet 2:19]

*promise Gk #1861epagello (ep-ang-el-lo) it is to profess, announce upon, engage to do and assert something in respect of one’s own self

*liberty Gk #1657 eleutheria (el-yoo-ther-os) freedom, legitimate, licentious and chiefly both morally and ceremonially


In [II Pet 2:20] it becomes evident that Apostle Peter is primarily referring to FALSE TEACHERS who were once devoted Disciples taught by Jesus Christ Himself but for whatever reason decided to DISAVOW their allegiance to Him and His Doctrine. Surely, they are inclusive of them who shunned the idea of eating the flesh and drinking the blood of Christ, which of course refers to spiritual substance. [Jn 6:48-71] Apostle John makes mention of such apostates as well per [I Jn 2:18-18, 19]. Apostle Peter writes of them,

For if after they have ESCAPED the POLLUTIONS of the world through the KNOWLEDGE of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again ENTANGLED there in, and OVERCOME, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
[II Pet 2:20]

*escaped Gk #668 apopheugo (ap-of-yoo-go) to escape which means to…
1. slip or get away, as from confinement or restraint
2. gain liberty or regain liberty from
3. slip away from pursuit or peril
4. avoid capture, punishment, any threatening evil and confining enclosure

*pollutions Gk #3393 miasma (mee-as-mah) moral foulness and the effect thereof

*knowledge Gk #1922 epignosis (ep-ig-no-sis) recognition, full discernment and acknowledgement

*entangled Gk #1707 empleko (em-plek-o) entwined and involved with

*overcome Gk #2274 hettao (hayt-tah-o) to make worse, rate lower and vanquish meaning to…
1. conquer and subdue by superior force, as in battle
2. defeat in any contest and conflict
3. be victorious over and overpower

In [II Pet 2:21, 22] Apostle Peter concludes his statement regarding former Christian Disciples who become supporters of erroneous Christian doctrines writing,

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. 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 mire.
[II Pet 2:21, 22; Pro 26:11]

The Lord says of such apostates and indeed every soul who chooses the contrary way above that of righteousness,

Give not that which is holy unto DOGS, neither cast ye your pearls before SWINE, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again to rend you.
[Mt 7:6]


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