2 Peter 2:10 kjv

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.

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,

2 Peter 2:10 niv

This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to heap abuse on celestial beings;

2 Peter 2:10 esv

and especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority. Bold and willful, they do not tremble as they blaspheme the glorious ones,

2 Peter 2:10 nlt

He is especially hard on those who follow their own twisted sexual desire, and who despise authority. These people are proud and arrogant, daring even to scoff at supernatural beings without so much as trembling.

2 Peter 2 verses

2 Peter 2 10 Meaning

2 Peter 2:10 describes a specific characteristic and conduct of false teachers: their primary focus is on gratifying their corrupted human desires, particularly those that are impure and immoral. This inner corruption manifests outwardly in a rebellious spirit, leading them to disregard and disrespect any form of God-given authority, whether human or angelic. Their arrogant and unrestrained nature prevents them from showing appropriate reverence, even leading them to speak evil against exalted spiritual beings.

2 Peter 2 10 Context

This verse is situated in 2 Peter chapter 2, where Peter extensively describes the characteristics, destructive influence, and inevitable judgment of false teachers who infiltrate the Christian community. Chapter 2 opens by stating that just as there were false prophets in ancient Israel, there will be false teachers among believers. Peter outlines their deceptive methods, their greed, their licentious behavior, and their audacious rejection of divine order. Verse 10 specifically hones in on two core aspects of their depravity: their enslavement to fleshly lusts and their disdain for all authority, culminating in sacrilegious speech against even glorious heavenly beings. This entire chapter serves as a stark warning, urging believers to be discerning and to avoid these corrupting influences by holding fast to sound doctrine and holy living.

2 Peter 2 10 Word analysis

• Especially (μάλιστα - malista): Highlights a particular subset or the most egregious examples of the false teachers described. It emphasizes that those who reject authority, particularly those given to lust, are the most reprehensible of the false teachers previously mentioned. It intensifies the subsequent description.
• those who walk (τοὺς ὀπίσω πορευομένους - tous opisō poreuomenous): "Walk" (πορευομένους - poreuomenous) in biblical Greek signifies a manner of life or habitual conduct. "Behind/after" (ὀπίσω - opisō) indicates following, being led by, or living in accordance with.
• after the flesh (σαρκός - sarkos): "Flesh" (σάρξ - sarx) here does not refer to the physical body but to fallen human nature apart from God, characterized by its sinful inclinations, desires, and passions (Rom 7:18; 8:5). It represents a principle of rebellion and self-gratification.
• in the lust of defiling passion (ἐν ἐπιθυμίᾳ μιασμοῦ - en epithymia miasmou):
  • lust (ἐπιθυμίᾳ - epithymia): Intense desire, often with a negative connotation, referring to covetous, eager, or craving longings. It speaks of the internal impulse that drives sinful actions.
  • defiling passion (μιασμοῦ - miasmou): Related to "defilement," "impurity," or "pollution." This clarifies the nature of their lusts—they are morally corrupting and bring spiritual impurity. This speaks to their characteristic of moral filth.
• and despise authority (κυριότητος καταφρονοῦντας - kyriotētos kataphronountas):
  • despise (καταφρονοῦντας - kataphroneountas): To look down on, scorn, treat with contempt, or disregard completely. It implies a haughty and dismissive attitude.
  • authority (κυριότητος - kyriotētos): "Lordship," "dominion," "sovereignty," "power." It denotes divine or delegated authority. This is a critical term, often referring to spiritual beings (Col 1:16, Eph 1:21) or human governing authorities. The context in Peter and Jude suggests this primarily refers to divine, heavenly, or angelic authorities.
• Bold and lawless (τολμηταὶ αὐθάδεις - tolmētai authadeis): These two adjectives describe their character.
  • Bold (τολμηταὶ - tolmētai): Daring, audacious, presumptuous. It conveys an arrogant self-assurance that steps beyond appropriate boundaries.
  • Lawless (αὐθάδεις - authadeis): Self-willed, obstinate, arrogant, refusing submission to authority or law, driven by one's own impulses. This highlights their independence from divine constraints. (Also appears in Tit 1:7 for overseers not to be).
• they do not tremble (οὐ τρέμουσιν - ou tremousin): Expresses their utter lack of reverence, fear, or respect. They are unafraid and uninhibited, indicating profound spiritual insensitivity and arrogance in the face of holiness.
• as they blaspheme (βλασφημοῦντες - blasphemountes):
  • blaspheme (βλασφημοῦντες - blasphemountes): To speak evil of, revile, slander, use impious or defamatory language. In this context, it implies speaking disrespectfully or abusively against divine or sacred entities.
• the glorious ones (δόξας - doxas): "Glories" or "glorious ones." This plural form refers to beings or powers of glory. In this context, given Jude's parallel (Jude 1:8-9), it almost certainly refers to angels, particularly high-ranking or powerful angels (e.g., archangels, principalities), who possess glory as a reflection of God's majesty. Their blasphemy is an affront to heavenly order and God Himself.

Words-group Analysis:

• "those who walk after the flesh in the lust of defiling passion": This phrase paints a picture of individuals completely governed by their base, unspiritual inclinations. Their way of life is one of unrestrained immoral desire and pollution, prioritizing self-gratification over purity. This is contrasted with walking according to the Spirit (Rom 8:4).
• "despise authority. Bold and lawless, they do not tremble": These interconnected phrases depict a profound rebelliousness. Their contempt for authority, particularly divine authority, stems from an internal arrogance and obstinacy. They act presumptuously, showing no appropriate fear or reverence for that which is holy or established by God. Their "boldness" is not courage but audacity and impudence.
• "as they blaspheme the glorious ones": This is the culmination of their spiritual audacity. Not only do they reject human or spiritual authority, but their impudence extends to speaking evil of powerful, glorious heavenly beings. This act demonstrates an extreme level of ungodliness and disrespect for the divine hierarchy, exposing their rebellion against God's established order.

2 Peter 2 10 Bonus section

The specific nature of "the glorious ones" has been a subject of scholarly discussion, with common interpretations including:

• Angels: This is the most common interpretation, strongly supported by the parallel in Jude 1:8-10, where Michael the archangel did not speak abusively even of the devil. The idea is that angels are "glorious" because they reflect God's glory and serve as His messengers and agents in the heavenly realm. Blaspheming them would be a profound disrespect for God's heavenly hosts.
• God's attributes or majesty: Some suggest "glorious ones" might refer to God's glorious attributes, which these false teachers inadvertently or directly malign by their unholy lives and words.
• High-ranking spiritual beings (good or evil): Some commentators believe it refers to "dignitaries," whether human or angelic, possibly even implying the spiritual "powers and principalities" over whom Christ is supreme. However, given the context, a direct blasphemy against evil spirits seems less likely to be condemned than disrespect towards holy, glorious beings.

The phrase "bold and lawless" encapsulates the defiant antinomianism (anti-law stance) that often characterized false teachings, particularly proto-Gnostic influences that believed salvation negated the need for moral restraints. These teachers felt liberated from ethical norms, considering them irrelevant to the spiritually "enlightened."

2 Peter 2 10 Commentary

2 Peter 2:10 offers a searing indictment of false teachers, unveiling their core characteristics. Firstly, their lives are dictated by "the flesh" and its "lusts of defiling passion." This isn't just about general sin; it points to a deep-seated spiritual corruption that drives them towards sensuality and moral impurity. Their desires are not simply errant but inherently "defiling," bringing spiritual pollution to themselves and others. This indicates an unrestrained indulgence in vice, rooted in a rejection of spiritual disciplines and a embrace of a libertine lifestyle, often disguised under a cloak of "freedom."

Secondly, and flowing from this internal corruption, is their audacious "despise[ing] authority." This rejection extends beyond mere human governance, touching upon the very fabric of divine order. The parallel with Jude 1:8-10 strongly suggests this "authority" (κυριότης) includes spiritual, angelic, or even God-ordained human authorities within the church. Their disrespect for divine structures reflects a prideful independence from God's rule.

Thirdly, Peter intensifies the charge by describing them as "bold and lawless." These terms capture their arrogance, self-will, and insubordination. They act with presumptuous impudence, recognizing no bounds. The terrifying implication is that "they do not tremble" even when their actions trespass against the divine. Their spiritual insensitivity means they lack the reverence that naturally arises in the presence of God's majesty or His delegated authority. This leads them to "blaspheme the glorious ones"—a particularly severe charge. "Glorious ones" (δόξας) most likely refers to angels, exalted heavenly beings who carry God's glory. The false teachers' audacity reaches such a peak that they even revile these high-ranking heavenly beings, an act even Michael the archangel did not commit against the devil (Jude 1:9). This points to an unparalleled hubris, reflecting a deep spiritual blindness and antagonism toward all that is holy and established by God. Peter paints a picture of individuals completely alienated from God's Spirit, reveling in their impurity and rebellion.

Examples for practical usage:

• A "bold and lawless" attitude in leadership: a person rejecting established church structures or divine mandates because they are self-willed, claiming a "special anointing" to disregard common biblical standards of conduct or authority.
• "Despise authority" manifested: Consistently speaking disrespectfully of pastors, elders, or other God-appointed leaders without valid, scriptural grounds for accountability.
• "Lust of defiling passion" evidenced: Individuals whose teaching facilitates or condones sexual immorality, excessive indulgence, or materialism, often presenting it as "Christian liberty."