EXPLORE THE TEXT

False Teachers (2 Peter 2:1-3)

Application Point:

Believers should be alert to false teachers and to any teachings that deny Christ.

1 There were indeed false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you.
They will bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them,
and will bring swift destruction on themselves.
2 Many will follow their depraved ways,
and the way of truth will be maligned because of them.

3 They will exploit you in their greed with made-up stories.
Their condemnation, pronounced long ago,
is not idle, and their destruction does not sleep. "

Key Phrase

The Master who bought them

Peter noted that while their lies might be subtle, they would be destructive.
The fact that the heretics were planted and thriving within the local congregation made them even more dangerous.
Peter referred to them as being bought by Jesus, suggesting they may have professed Christ at some point.
It is doubtful they ever established a genuine relationship with Jesus if they could not affirm His deity or His atoning death.
These false teachers had decided to turn away from the One who had died for them,
denying Him and guaranteeing their own destruction."

Examine:

answer the following questions using phrases from verses 1-3.
Elaborate on phrases that provide a definitive picture of false teachers."

• Who were the false teachers and what were they doing in the church? (1:1)

false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you.
They will bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them,
and will bring swift destruction on themselves.

• Why was their teaching so dangerous? (1:2)

Many will follow their depraved ways,
and the way of truth will be maligned because of them.

• What motives drove the false teachers? (1:3)

They will exploit you in their greed with made-up stories.

Ask:

• How can believers become more sensitive to false teachings? (PSG, p. 111) "