These two aspects are very related, as those who despise authority cannot abide with God in charge. In the same way, those who cannot abide with God being in charge oppose the most Supreme Authority, so they will also oppose other authority.
My comments between the text below.
2 Peter 2:10 NKJV - and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries,
Note the self-focus. Self-indulgence and pride is at the root of things.
2 Peter 2:11 NKJV - whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring a reviling accusation against them before the Lord.
I assume this is speaking of godly angels. Note that they don't do they accusation, they let God handle it. See Jude's comments on how Michael did not rebuke Satan when contesting for the body of Moses.
2 Peter 2:12 NKJV - But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption,
More like beasts than like the angels or a creation of God.
2 Peter 2:13 NKJV - and will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes, carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you,
Note they don't even limit their sinful behavior to the dark. They are shameless and do it even in the light.
2 Peter 2:14 NKJV - having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children.
Note that they are compelled to drag others into their corruption.
2 Peter 2:15 NKJV - They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
We are told again that they went astray, seeking earthly mammon, not heavenly riches.
2 Peter 2:16 NKJV - but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man's voice restrained the madness of the prophet.
I believe this man really was a prophet of God, else the Scripture would have indicated not. Arguing that he was "just a pagan" has as much basis as arguing Melchizedeck (sp?) was "just a pagan." God can and did work through many people, even though the Jewish people were His chosen path for the Redeemer to come.
2 Peter 2:17 NKJV - These are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.
Lots of promise, little fulfillment. A really rough end is coming for them.
2 Peter 2:18 NKJV - For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error.
Note that they persuade with words, manipulating others to get their will accomplished.
2 Peter 2:19 NKJV - While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage.
Note that they don't provide what they promise. In fact, they cannot. For only bondage, death and destruction come from their ways.
2 Peter 2:20 NKJV - 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 in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.
How horrible to be bound in this when you have once known the truth. I believe they truly are reborn in their spirit, but have let their soul rule them so much that their spirit is restrained. They may get absolutely nothing but the salvation of themselves when they stand before Christ's judgment seat.
2 Peter 2:21 NKJV - For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.
How horrible to know that you not only wasted you own life, but that you led others astray as well? How many of us will have plenty of "tears to wipe away" in heaven for that? How would you like to make it to heaven because you made a good choice in the past, but find that those you loved the most on the earth end up in hell and the Lake of Fire because you misled them?
2 Peter 2:22 NKJV - But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: "A dog returns to his own vomit," and, "a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire."
You can't keep someone clean that doesn't want to be clean! That is a tough thing to realize, but ultimately each of us is accountable to ourselves.
Brad
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