2 Peter 2:15 kjv

Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

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;

2 Peter 2:15 niv

They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Bezer, who loved the wages of wickedness.

2 Peter 2:15 esv

Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing,

2 Peter 2:15 nlt

They have wandered off the right road and followed the footsteps of Balaam son of Beor, who loved to earn money by doing wrong.

2 Peter 2 verses

2 Peter 2 15 Meaning

The verse condemns false teachers who have deliberately abandoned the path of righteousness to pursue a course of moral wandering and error, mirroring the infamous Old Testament prophet Balaam. Their motive, like his, is a profound love for the gains derived from wickedness, emphasizing their spiritual corruption driven by avarice.

2 Peter 2 15 Context

2 Peter chapter 2 intensely warns against the imminent danger of false teachers who would subtly infiltrate the church, much like false prophets of old among Israel. Peter establishes a pattern of God's righteous judgment against wickedness through examples like the angels who sinned, the ancient world's destruction by flood, and Sodom and Gomorrah. He then pivots to describe these new false teachers, detailing their corrupt character, licentious lifestyle, audacious contempt for authority, and most notably, their greed. Verse 15 is a pivotal indictment, directly explaining why they behave this way: they have abandoned truth and followed Balaam's path, motivated by the insatiable craving for dishonest gain, which underlies their spiritual and moral perversion.

2 Peter 2 15 Word analysis

• They have forsaken (καταλιπόντες - katalipontes): A participle, "having abandoned" or "having left behind." It implies a deliberate, conscious choice to depart from something previously known or walked in. It is not an accidental deviation but a definitive abandonment of the correct path.
• the right way (εὐθεῖαν ὁδὸν - eutheian hodon): Eutheia means "straight," "level," "right," or "true." Hodon means "way" or "path." Combined, it refers to the path of truth, righteousness, and obedience to God's will, which is clear and straightforward in contrast to the winding paths of deception. It is God's revealed path for moral living and spiritual truth.
• and gone astray (ἐπλανήθησαν - eplanēthēsan): "They were led astray," "they erred," or "they wandered." This verb (planaō) indicates being caused to roam from the correct course, to deviate, or to be deceived. Here, it suggests that by forsaking the right way, they naturally fell into error and wandering, both in conduct and doctrine. It highlights a state of being lost or misguided.
• following (ἐξακολουθήσαντες - exakolouthēsantes): "Having followed after," "having pursued," "having conformed to." This strong verb (exakoloutheō) emphasizes a persistent and intentional adherence, not merely a casual imitation, but a committed pursuit and adoption of a particular course of action or teaching. It suggests deep devotion to the wrong way.
• the way of Balaam (τῇ ὁδῷ τοῦ Βαλαὰμ - tē hodō tou Balaam): This refers directly to the narrative in Numbers 22-24, where Balaam was a prophet hired to curse Israel but was prevented by God. The "way of Balaam" encompasses not just his actions (prophesying for profit, advising Balak to entice Israel into sin) but also his fundamental spiritual disposition: a willingness to misuse spiritual gifts for personal financial gain, leading others to apostasy.
• son of Beor (τοῦ Βοσὸρ - tou Bosor): A transliteration variation for "Beor" (Bʿōr in Hebrew). This specific identification emphasizes the historical and theological continuity with the biblical figure known for his morally compromised prophecy.
• who loved (ὃς ... ἠγάπησεν - hos ... ēgapēsen): The relative pronoun "who" links Balaam directly to the motive that characterized him and now characterizes these false teachers. Agapaō denotes a strong, purposeful, and volitional love, emphasizing deep affection or preference. This is not accidental inclination but a fundamental desire.
• the wages (μισθὸν - misthon): "Reward," "hire," "gain," or "payment." This term directly relates to earned compensation, but here, it is associated with unrighteousness. It points to tangible financial profit.
• of wickedness (ἀδικίας - adikias): "Of unrighteousness," "of injustice," "of wrongdoing." Adikia covers all forms of moral and ethical wrong, injustice, and perversion. Thus, "wages of wickedness" refers to profit acquired through immoral, unjust, or sinful means, highlighting that their gain is derived from corrupt practices, often spiritual exploitation.

• They have forsaken the right way and gone astray: This phrase denotes a wilful and consequential deviation. It's a move from light to darkness, from clarity to confusion. The "right way" refers to the moral, doctrinal, and behavioral standard set by God, aligned with His truth and justice. The "going astray" is the inevitable outcome of abandoning this standard – spiritual, moral, and even intellectual wandering and error.
• following the way of Balaam son of Beor: This group of words defines the specific nature of their errant path and the archetype of their corruption. Balaam, though a prophet, prioritized personal gain over divine truth and actively incited God's people to sin for profit (Num 31:16, Rev 2:14). His "way" signifies using spiritual authority or insight for selfish, illicit gain and leading others into moral compromise. The mention of his father's name serves as a precise biblical reference, leaving no doubt about the figure invoked.
• who loved the wages of wickedness: This highlights the core motivation behind Balaam's and the false teachers' actions. It is not mere seeking of wealth, but a love for it (an active affection or preference) specifically when it is obtained through wicked means. This deep internal desire for corrupt profit drives their entire modus operandi, distinguishing them as inherently depraved and dangerous exploiters rather than merely misguided.

2 Peter 2 15 Bonus section

The "way of Balaam" (Num 31:16) also has a specific connotation in Revelation 2:14, where it refers to enticing people into idolatry and sexual immorality, implying that the false teachers of Peter's day, driven by avarice, also encouraged similar licentious behavior. Peter implies that these teachers, like Balaam, lead others into stumbling blocks. The strong contrast between "the right way" (eutheia hodos) and "the way of Balaam" emphasizes the absolute dichotomy between God's clear moral and doctrinal standards and the twisted paths of those driven by greed. The term "wages of wickedness" (misthon adikias) strongly connects to the Jewish legal understanding where gain from illicit or unjust activity was always considered tainted and prohibited, making the love of such gain utterly repugnant in God's eyes.

2 Peter 2 15 Commentary

2 Peter 2:15 provides a stark portrait of the inner corruption driving the false teachers Peter warns against. Their moral and doctrinal deviation is not accidental but results from a deliberate departure from the straight and righteous path God defines. Having turned their backs on truth, they inevitably wander into error, embodying the perversion exemplified by Balaam. Like him, their fundamental flaw is a profound "love for the wages of wickedness"—an insatiable appetite for profit gained through immoral and spiritually exploitative means. This avarice fuels their deceptive teachings and scandalous behavior, ultimately leading themselves and those they deceive to ruin. The verse underlines that outward misconduct springs from deep-seated internal spiritual corruption, particularly the idolatry of dishonest gain.
Examples for practical usage:

• A religious leader primarily focused on church attendance figures and donations over genuine spiritual growth or biblical teaching might be showing signs of "loving the wages of wickedness."
• A "prophet" who insists on monetary offerings before delivering a "word from the Lord" may be walking in the way of Balaam.
• When seeking advice or teaching, discerning if the motivation is faithful service or personal gain helps identify true teachers from false ones.