False Teachers: Set in contrast to the prophets of God who spoke the truth by the Holy Spirit (1:20-21), Peter now speaks of false teachers in the church. He compares them to the false prophets of the Old Testament who audaciously spoke for God, even though God had neither spoken to them nor sent them.[1] Like them, the false teachers of the church age promote doctrines contrary to Scripture and propagate their false ideas of lawlessness and antinomianism.[2] Peter warns us of their sneaky heresies, their denial of Jesus as their rightful Master, their immorality (“sensuality”), their popularity (“many will follow”), their greed, their exploitation, and their deception (“false words”). Finally, their influence will fuel an assault on the truth. On account of them, brazen fools will speak slanderously against the truth, condemning it as false.[3]

Judgment: What will become of these false teachers? Peter tells us plainly. God will punish those who lead people astray into sin and damnation. God will have His day with them. Peter further points out their condemnation as self-inflicted (“bringing swift destruction upon themselves”) and certain (“not idle” and “not asleep”). God is neither neglectful nor heedless to the lies they propagate. Sin is the poison that destroys human lives, and God will not tolerate its advertisers. The clarion call of His gospel stands: receive Jesus as Savior and Lord, repent, be cleansed from sin and pursue a holy life.[4]

[1] Cf. Jere. 27:15; 29:8-9; Ezek. 13:6-7; Zech. 10:2.

[2] Martin Luther coined the term “antinomian” for false teachers of his day who preached that the gospel annuls the need to repent and obey Christ. Peter speaks out against the same kind of false teaching.

[3] As Peter spoke of false teachers who will malign the way of the truth, the prophets castigated those who did the same by condemning the truth as false (Jere. 43:2; Isaiah 5:20; Malachi 2:17). Cf. also Acts 13:8-10.

[4] Cf. Matt. 28:18-20; Rom. 1:5; 6:17; 15:18; 16:26; 2 Cor. 5:15, 17, 20; 10:5; Eph. 5:5-8; Col. 3:5-6; 1 Pet. 1:2.