King James Version

What Does 2 Peter 2:1 Mean?

2 Peter 2:1 in the King James Version says “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall ... — study this verse from 2 Peter chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

But there were false prophets also 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.

2 Peter 2:1 · KJV


Context

1

But there were false prophets also 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.

2

And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. pernicious ways: or, lascivious ways, as some copies read

3

And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But there were false prophets also 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. Peter transitions from true prophecy (1:19-21) to false prophecy, establishing historical pattern: "there were false prophets also among the people" (egenonto de kai pseudoprophētai en tō laō) among Israel, so "there shall be false teachers among you" (hos kai en hymin esontai pseudodidaskaloi, ὡς καὶ ἐν ὑμῖν ἔσονται ψευδοδιδάσκαλοι) in the church.

These infiltrators "privily shall bring in" (pareisaxousin, παρεισάξουσιν, "secretly introduce") "damnable heresies" (haireseis apōleias, αἱρέσεις ἀπωλείας, literally "destructive sects" or "factions"). Hairesis (αἵρεσις) denotes divisive teaching creating factions, ultimately leading to apōleia (ἀπώλεια)—destruction or perdition. The core heresy: "denying the Lord that bought them" (ton agorasanta autous despotēn arnoumenoi). "Bought" (agorasanta, ἀγοράσαντα) uses commercial redemption language, indicating Christ's purchase through His blood (1 Cor 6:20; 7:23; Rev 5:9).

This raises the difficult question: Did Christ genuinely purchase these false teachers? Reformed theology typically understands this as (1) external covenant relationship without genuine regeneration, (2) hypothetical redemption—Christ's work was sufficient for all but applied only to the elect, or (3) profession without possession—they claimed redemption but were never truly saved. The warning: they "bring upon themselves swift destruction" (epagontes heautois tachinēn apōleian), indicating certain judgment despite temporary success.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Israel's history was plagued by false prophets who claimed divine authority while leading people into idolatry, immorality, and false security (Jer 23:9-40; Ezek 13; 22:23-29). Jesus warned of false prophets in sheep's clothing (Matt 7:15-20; 24:11, 24). Paul predicted grievous wolves entering the flock (Acts 20:29-30) and warned of deceitful workers transforming themselves as apostles of Christ (2 Cor 11:13-15).

The specific false teachers Peter addresses likely promoted antinomianism (freedom from moral law), denied Christ's return (3:3-4), and lived sensually (2:10-14, 18-19). Some scholars connect them to early Gnosticism, which devalued material existence and ethics while claiming secret knowledge. Others see similarities to Nicolaitans (Rev 2:6, 15) or teachers combining Christian profession with pagan practices. Whatever their specific identity, Peter's description applies to all who corrupt Christian teaching while claiming Christian authority.

Reflection Questions

  1. What false teachings currently threaten the church, and how do they subtly deny Christ's lordship?
  2. How can churches balance welcoming seekers with maintaining doctrinal boundaries against false teaching?
  3. What practices cultivate discernment to recognize false teaching before it causes damage?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 27 words
Ἐγένοντο1 of 27

there were

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

δὲ2 of 27

But

G1161

but, and, etc

καὶ3 of 27

also

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ψευδοπροφῆται4 of 27

false prophets

G5578

a spurious prophet, i.e., pretended foreteller or religious impostor

ἐν5 of 27

among

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῷ6 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

λαῷ7 of 27

the people

G2992

a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)

ὡς8 of 27

as

G5613

which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)

καὶ9 of 27

also

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐν10 of 27

among

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ὑμῖν11 of 27

you

G5213

to (with or by) you

ἔσονται12 of 27

there shall be

G2071

will be

ψευδοδιδάσκαλοι13 of 27

false teachers

G5572

a spurious teacher, i.e., propagator of erroneous christian doctrine

οἵτινες14 of 27

who

G3748

which some, i.e., any that; also (definite) which same

παρεισάξουσιν15 of 27

privily shall bring in

G3919

to lead in aside, i.e., introduce surreptitiously

αἱρέσεις16 of 27

heresies

G139

properly, a choice, i.e., (specially) a party or (abstractly) disunion

ἀπώλειαν17 of 27

damnable

G684

ruin or loss (physical, spiritual or eternal)

καὶ18 of 27

also

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὸν19 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀγοράσαντα20 of 27

that bought

G59

properly, to go to market, i.e., (by implication) to purchase; specially, to redeem

αὐτοὺς21 of 27

them

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

δεσπότην22 of 27

the Lord

G1203

an absolute ruler ("despot")

ἀρνούμενοι23 of 27

denying

G720

to contradict, i.e., disavow, reject, abnegate

ἐπάγοντες24 of 27

and bring

G1863

to superinduce, i.e., inflict (an evil), charge (a crime)

ἑαυτοῖς25 of 27

upon themselves

G1438

(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc

ταχινὴν26 of 27

swift

G5031

curt, i.e., impending

ἀπώλειαν27 of 27

damnable

G684

ruin or loss (physical, spiritual or eternal)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Peter. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Peter 2:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Peter 2:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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