2 Peter 2:11 kjv
Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.
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.
2 Peter 2:11 niv
yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not heap abuse on such beings when bringing judgment on them from the Lord.
2 Peter 2:11 esv
whereas angels, though greater in might and power, do not pronounce a blasphemous judgment against them before the Lord.
2 Peter 2:11 nlt
But the angels, who are far greater in power and strength, do not dare to bring from the Lord a charge of blasphemy against those supernatural beings.
2 Peter 2 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jude 1:8 | Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and revile glorious ones. | Parallels the behavior of false teachers. |
| Jude 1:9 | But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not dare to pronounce a blasphemous judgment... | Archangel Michael's humble example. |
| Zech 3:1-2 | ...and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. The Lord said to Satan, "The Lord rebuke you, O Satan!..." | Lord's prerogative to rebuke evil. |
| 1 Cor 6:3 | Do you not know that we are to judge angels? | Believers' future role, but not present railing. |
| Rom 12:19 | Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." | Leaving judgment to God. |
| Deut 32:35 | Vengeance is mine, and recompense; for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand... | Divine retribution and justice. |
| Heb 1:6 | And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him." | Angels' reverence for Christ. |
| Heb 2:7 | You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor, and set him over the works of your hands... | Angels' greater current strength than man. |
| Ps 8:5 | Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. | Humanity lower than heavenly beings. |
| Ps 50:16-21 | But to the wicked God says: "What right have you to recite my statutes...? You let your mouth loose for evil..." | God condemns false accusations and slandering. |
| Jas 4:11 | Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks evil against a brother... speaks evil against the law... | Warning against evil speech. |
| Eph 6:12 | For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness... | Awareness of spiritual powers. |
| Tit 3:1-2 | Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities... to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling... | Respect for authorities. |
| Rom 13:1-2 | Let every person be subject to the governing authorities... For there is no authority except from God... | Submission to divinely appointed authority. |
| 1 Pet 2:17 | Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. | Respect for human authority. |
| 1 Pet 3:22 | ...who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him. | Angels' submission to Christ. |
| 2 Tim 3:1-5 | ...people will be lovers of self, lovers of money... blasphemous... | Description of ungodly behavior in last days. |
| Mark 3:28-29 | "Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man... but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness..." | Severity of blasphemy. |
| Jude 1:6 | And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains... | Angels who violated divine order. |
| Col 2:18 | Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels... | Contrast, emphasizes reverence of true angels vs false worship. |
| Ps 103:20 | Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word! | Angels' obedience to God. |
| 2 Pet 2:1-3 | But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you... And in their greed these will exploit you with false words. | Foretells the rise of destructive false teachers. |
| 2 Pet 2:10 | And especially those who indulge in the flesh in the pursuit of defiling passion and despise authority. Bold and willful, they do not tremble as they revile the glorious ones... | Direct context of false teachers' arrogance. |
2 Peter 2 verses
2 Peter 2 11 Meaning
Second Peter 2:11 highlights a stark contrast between the conduct of holy angels and the audacious actions of false teachers. While angels possess far greater strength and power than humans, they refrain from pronouncing a blasphemous or abusive judgment, even against their adversaries, choosing instead to leave all judgment before the Lord. This behavior of angels serves as a rebuke to the irreverent and slandering nature of the false teachers who revile spiritual authorities or "glorious ones" (doxas) without proper reverence or restraint. The verse underscores the principle of divine judgment being reserved for God alone, and the respect due to all spiritual authorities and heavenly beings.
2 Peter 2 11 Context
Second Peter chapter 2 vividly describes the nature and destiny of false teachers who infiltrate the Church. Peter warns against their destructive heresies, immoral lifestyles, and their exploitation of believers for financial gain. The chapter frequently draws parallels with Old Testament examples of divine judgment on the ungodly (e.g., the fallen angels, the flood, Sodom and Gomorrah). Verse 11 appears within a passage (vv. 10-12) that contrasts the reckless arrogance of these false teachers with the dignified restraint of even the most powerful angels. These false teachers "revile glorious ones" (v. 10), which refers to either high spiritual beings (angels, demons) or human dignitaries/authorities appointed by God, implying their complete disregard for any form of authority or divine order. Historically, Gnostic-leaning teachers in the early church were known to engage in speculations and disparagements concerning various heavenly powers or emanations, perhaps contributing to this "reviling."
2 Peter 2 11 Word analysis
- whereas (Gk. hoper): This conjunction indicates a contrast, setting the dignified behavior of angels against the scandalous actions of false teachers. It highlights a fundamental difference in character and reverence.
- angels (Gk. angeloi): Refers to spiritual, heavenly beings created by God, distinct from humans. They are messengers and servants of God. Their inclusion underscores a divine standard of conduct that transcends human limitations.
- though stronger and mightier (Gk. ischyi meizones ontes - lit. "being greater in strength/power"): This emphasizes the angels' superior power. Ischys refers to inherent strength or ability, meizones signifies "greater." Despite this immense power, they exhibit restraint, highlighting their obedience to divine order.
- do not pronounce (Gk. ou pherousin): Pherousin means to bring, carry, or bear. In this context, it refers to bringing forth a judgment or accusation. The negative "ou" emphatically states they do not engage in such action. It signifies a refusal or avoidance.
- a blasphemous judgment (Gk. blasphēmon krisin):
- blasphemous (blasphēmon): Implying abusive, slanderous, reviling speech that defames or denigrates, especially that which is directed towards God or sacred things/beings. It's a verbal assault that demonstrates contempt.
- judgment (krisin): Refers to a verdict, condemnation, or sentence. The term signifies a decisive pronouncement. Angels refrain from bringing such a verdict, particularly if it's abusive.
- against them (Gk. kat' autōn): This refers back to the "glorious ones" (doxas) mentioned in verse 10. The nature of these "glorious ones" is debated (angels, authorities, powerful entities), but the key point is that they are superior or distinct beings whom the false teachers revile, but angels do not.
- before the Lord (Gk. para Kyriō): This crucial phrase indicates the forum or authority before whom such a judgment would be rendered. Angels understand that judgment, especially a blasphēmous one, belongs to the Lord. It signifies reverence for God's ultimate judicial authority and a deferral to Him. It's not a private slander but an official "judgment" before divine authority.
Words-group analysis:
- Angels, though stronger and mightier: This phrase highlights the profound humility and respect angels possess, contrasting with the human inclination to abuse power. Their superior strength makes their restraint even more commendable. They possess raw power but choose to submit to divine protocol.
- Do not pronounce a blasphemous judgment against them: This is the core behavioral contrast. Angels understand their limits and roles. They do not revile or curse, especially those they are supposed to interact with or even potentially contend with. This echoes Jude 1:9 where Michael would not revile Satan, but said "The Lord rebuke you." It suggests that angels grasp the sacredness of ultimate judgment belonging only to God.
- Before the Lord: This specifies the divine context. Angels present no railing accusations before God's throne. This demonstrates their respect for the divine court, for the one who alone has the right and power to judge fully and perfectly. They are not presenting abusive legal arguments but rather leave it to God.
2 Peter 2 11 Bonus section
The "glorious ones" (doxas) that false teachers revile in 2 Peter 2:10 could potentially include powerful demonic entities or even figures like the "princes" of other nations in Dan 10. If so, it would mean that even when angels contend with genuinely evil spiritual beings, they do not resort to "blasphemous judgment" or reviling language, deferring all ultimate judgment to God. This further amplifies the profound spiritual blindness and moral depravity of the false teachers, who display less reverence and self-control than angels in situations involving cosmic conflict. The verse implicitly condemns any form of disrespectful speech against entities, whether angelic, demonic, or human, when it presumes God's ultimate role as judge and master of all.
2 Peter 2 11 Commentary
2 Peter 2:11 stands as a powerful indictment of the false teachers, painting a clear picture of their moral bankruptcy by contrasting them with God's holy angels. The false teachers of Peter's day, characterized by their bold and willful defiance (v. 10), reviled "glorious ones," likely referring to angelic powers, human authorities, or divine institutions. Their audacity was so great that they spoke abusively against what angels, despite their immeasurably greater power and wisdom, would never dare to do. Angels, as depicted here and elsewhere in Scripture (e.g., Zech 3:1-2, Jude 1:9), consistently display reverence and submission to God's ultimate authority, understanding that blasphemous or abusive judgment is not their prerogative, but God's. Even in contention, they resort to divine rebuke rather than personal insult.
This verse emphasizes several key theological truths. First, it underscores the sinfulness of slander and railing, especially when directed towards those in authority or even against spiritual adversaries. True holiness is characterized by a respect for divine order and an aversion to contemptuous speech. Second, it highlights the sovereignty of God in judgment. Vengeance and righteous condemnation belong to the Lord alone (Rom 12:19). Humans and even angels are called to defer to God's just recompense. The behavior of angels, therefore, becomes a model of spiritual maturity and submission that false teachers sorely lack. Their arrogant reviling stems from a profound spiritual ignorance and a despising of divine authority, behaviors that guarantee their swift destruction, as the remainder of the chapter makes clear.