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2 Peter 2:10-11

October 16, 2008

The Text: 2 Peter 2:9b-11 The Lord knoweth how …to reserve the unjust [false teacher and followers 2:1-2] unto the day of judgment [at the end of the age] to be punished: 10 But chiefly [especially] 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 [glories]. 11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.

Temporary punishment

Matthew 25:46 "And these will go away into age-lasting punishment, but the righteous into age-lasting life."

Severer punishment

Hebrews 10:29 How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?

False teachers promise liberty

2 Peter 2:19 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.

A perverted grace

Jude 4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

The doctrine in the church should be according to godliness

1 Timothy 6:3-5 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, 4 he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, 5 useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.

They walk after the flesh

2 Peter 2:10 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 speak evil of dignities.

those who indulge the flesh NAS

those who go after the unclean desires of the flesh BBE

those who follow the flesh NAB

A lifestyle that cannot please God

Romans 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

No profit from the flesh

John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

The flesh is weak

Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

The flesh manifests itself in certain evil behaviors

Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

The flesh inherits corruption

Galatians 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life ~~everlasting~~ age-lasting.

Living after the flesh shall kill you

Romans 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

A former life before baptism

Ephesians 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Baptism puts an end to following after the flesh

Colossians 2:11-12 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

The flesh was crucified

Galatians 5:24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

Make no provision for the flesh

Romans 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ [in baptism Gal.3:27], and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

They despise rulership in the kingdom

2 Peter 2:10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government [rulership in a kingdom]. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

Jude 8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities

They are presumptuous

2 Peter 2:10 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 speak evil of dignities.

Webster’s 1828 – presumptuous means unduly confident; irreverent with respect to sacred things.

Other dictionaries - presumptuous means to be rude or arrogant: inconsiderate, disrespectful, or overconfident, especially in doing something when not entitled or qualified to do it

They are self-willed

2 Peter 2:10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

Webster's 1828 - Self-willed - Governed by one's own will; not yielding to the will or wishes of others; not accommodating or compliant; obstinate.

Church leaders are not to behave self-willed

Titus 1:7 For a bishop [an overseer – in the church] must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

Not afraid to speak against “glories”

2 Peter 2:10 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 speak evil of dignities [ Gk. doxa= glories].

Different views on the word “glories”:

Glories = angels [ a. fallen or b. holy]
Glories = church authorities
Glories = the glories of Christ at His second coming

Angels know their place before the Lord

2 Peter 2:11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.

Jude 8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. 9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.