…and are again entangled in it and are overcome,
Summary: Peter shows us the heart of the false teacher and explains why they teach destructive heresies.
I have to confess that I have had a bit of trouble following Peter through this passage. In chapter two, verse one, he begins by clearly stating that he is talking about “false teachers.” Then, much later in verse eighteen, he includes “people who are just escaping from those who live in error.” Verse twenty begins with, “If they have escaped the corruption of the world…”
Who is he talking about? Who are “they?” Is he referring to the false teachers or their victims?
It appears to me that he must be referring to the false teachers. I thought at first that he might be referring to their victims, but then I remembered Paul’s words to the church at Rome:
“Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.” (Romans 14:4)
And the Lord’s words recorded in John’s Gospel:
“And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.” (John 6:39)
Falling victim to a false teacher does not negate the power of Jesus to save. It may cause the victim grief in their lifetime, it may harm the church as a whole, but I do not believe that we have the power to thwart God’s plan for the redemption of those he has called.
If I am right, then the words of verse twenty are referring to the false teacher himself. Looking at this verse through this lens reveals an interesting insight about the false teacher: At one time, they had escaped the corruption of the world by knowing Jesus.
At one time, the false teacher was a seeker. Once upon a time, they discovered Jesus. In that moment, they realized freedom from the corruption of the world. Then, like Lot’s wife, they turn their eyes back to the world they just left behind. In their hearts, they want it all. They want Jesus, and they want what the world offers, too.
Lot’s wife looked back at the world she left behind and turned into a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:26). She became a warning to all future generations: Don’t look back! Jesus, himself, says something similar:
“Jesus replied, ‘No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.’” (Luke 9:62)
Suddenly, Jesus’ words make sense to me. The false teacher puts his hand to the plow of sharing the Gospel and then looks back at what he left behind. His glance is not a casual one. He is not looking back and saying, “Good riddance!” The “look” Jesus is referring to is probably the same look that Lot’s wife indulged in. It is a look that longs for what was left behind.
Now we can understand why the false teacher is greedy, indulges in depraved conduct, and follows the desire of the flesh. They do not want to leave behind what the world offers. What is a person to do? How can they have both the pleasures of the world and the freedom of the Gospel?
Their answer, it appears, is to twist the Word of God to fit their warped desires. These are the “fabricated stories” and “destructive heresies” Peter warns us about. Because the Word of God is not in them, their behavior does not reflect God’s character. This explains why they are “bold and arrogant” and appear to “lack understanding.”
So where do they stand? Do they stand on the Rock of Jesus? No, they do not. Peter tells us that they have known Jesus, but their feet remain entangled in the world.
Application: The heart of the false teacher does not reflect God. Instead, it twists God’s word to conform to the corruption of the world.
Food for Thought: What does it mean to be ‘overcome’ by the world?
I would have to say that with all the voices, half-truths, false reasoning, and fear being passed around in the world that it would be easy to become overwhelmed or overcome. Also, when we try and make sense of it all we become discouraged and lose hope; this is another way one can be overcome by the world. As Christians though, we have hope in the Lord:
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
The Bible talks a lot about how Jesus overcame the world.
John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
1 John 5:4-5 For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
John 1:5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Chris,
Good words today! Thank you!
Your comment highlights the impact our electronic ‘social media’ has on us. Without God to provide balance, perspective and comfort, I would not do well in our modern world.
If anyone should know the answer it is certainly Peter,..wasn’t he the one that sided with the “other side” when Paul walked into the room and then Peter slipped back with shame or guilt again,..
Peter knew what it took to be a teacher and then to get pegged on way he was teaching,..wow,..
Peter was being overcome by the world in that situation,.and it’s easy for us to get sidetracked and distracted from the truth while living in this world in situation’s like that,..especially if we haven’t been taught the truth of what it means to love thy neighbor,..
Then when scripture and the leading of the Holy Spirit prompts us to be truthful with those that are sidetracked and distracted then I believe we have overcome the world,..especially when the seed that has been planted,..sprouts up into a bountiful harvest,..
That’s my take on it,..
John,
That is a great illustration! I love how you put Peter back into the picture and use him to illustrate his own point.
2 Peter 2:20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.
Matthew 13:22 “And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.”
I think in context I agree Jeff, that this verse is still talking about the false teachers. And perhaps this is what is meant by the deceitfulness of wealth choking out the word. But I struggle here, if they believed at any point, would they not have assurance of salvation? How can the judgement of earlier verses be theirs if they had at any point truly turned to Jesus in faith? Are we all then at risk?
Chris mentioned – 1 John 5:4-5 For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
So believers would overcome, right? So what does this passage mean? If it has just said that they knew about Jesus and then became entangled, then I would’ve said they did not accept Him in the first place (merely seeing truth but not choosing it). But it says that they escaped by Jesus and then became entangled AGAIN. Escaping sounds like they had turned away from the world, accepted Jesus and then as you say looked back.
But if that were so, what assurance do we have? It is repeated in the new testament that we have assurance of salvation, so I know it is there even one of your references today “And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.” (John 6:39) But this is troubling to see anything that appears to say that we can be lost again.
How do we believe both passages without twisting what they say?
A —
Excellent questions:
“… if they believed at any point, would they not have assurance of salvation? How can the judgement of earlier verses be theirs if they had at any point truly turned to Jesus in faith? Are we all then at risk?”
I have wrestled with this, too. My personal take (my current point of view…) is that this is one of those situations that is best looked at from God’s point of view. God sees two things that we cannot see. First, he sees and knows the heart. We can barely understand our own hearts, and to “know” someone else’s heart is impossible. Second, God stands outside of time so he sees the entirety of the situation, beginning and end.
We, on the other hand, look at life as through a knot-hole in a board fence. We can only “see” a little of the picture.
For us, to look at someone who becomes a false teacher, we see them only at a moment in time. We don’t know how sincere they were in accepting Christ initially, and we don’t know if they will ever repent and be brought to salvation. As John points out in his comment, Peter is an example of being in and out, both Satan and Saint.
Hebrews 6: 4-8 is another illustration of the Bible commenting on this.
Perhaps the answer to your question involves looking again at the promise of salvation. Some people assume that once we accept Jesus we are “saved” and they go on to live a life that does not honor Jesus. Matthew 7: 21-23 speaks to these kind of people.
Others see the promise of salvation as something we hope for. 1 Corinthians 15:19 is an example of Paul talking about our hope in Christ. He does not talk about it as a done deal, rather it is a future hope.
The entire book of James speaks to this as James delineates the difference between living in a faith that is in word only, and living a faith visible in what we do.
You ask, “are we then all at risk?” I guess my answer is that if there is no risk of being rejected, then we fall into the risk of presumption. So yes, we are all at risk of something.
Does this mean that Christ is powerless to save? Not at all. This is where looking through the knot-hole limits our view. From God’s perspective he is able to save whomever he choses.
Is it fair that we do not know what God knows? Maybe not, but it is a fact. That is why faith is called faith.
——-
I hope this is helpful. I am writing a bit “off the cuff” today. 🙂
According to Strong’s concordance, the Greek word can also mean to be subdued, defeated, made inferior. I simply found the range of meanings interesting, not sure how much it helps.
From what I see in the context, including the proverbs in verse 22, I do not believe the false teachers were ever seen as true believers. I agree with the comment that the worries and riches of this world choked out the gospel seed before it took root. I also agree with Chris that those who are in Christ will overcome the world. The promises of Ephesians 1: 3 – 14 are for those in Christ. If we re in Christ, the Holy Spirit indwells us and serves like an engagement ring to a future marriage (Ephesians 1: 13 – 14; 2 Corinthians 1: 21 – 22; Romans 8: 9). We are sealed in Him and have eternal life (John 5: 24; John 10 : 27 – 30; 1 John 5: 11 – 13).
The false teachers may not even know it, but they have been subdued, overcome, defeated, corrupted by the world (Matthew 7: 15 – 23). Their need is the same as every person: repent and turn to Christ.
That is my take. We also need to remember that the Scriptures are from the Holy Spirit and have one mind behind them (2 Timothy 3: 16 – 17; 2 Peter 1: 20 – 21). Scripture helps us interpret Scripture and the devotion did a great job of that today. So have the comments.
I think to be overcome by the world is what everyone does outside of Christ. They are defeated until receiving freedom and victory in Christ. Then they are overcomers.
Rich,
Thank you for your thoughts today! This one caught my eye:
” I do not believe the false teachers were ever seen as true believers.”
I would add, they were not seen as true believers by true believers. It is the confused and the lost who are taken advantage of by the false teacher. For awhile they may think of them as a ‘true believer’ but with God’s help I trust that their eyes are eventually opened.
11-26-2021, 2 Peter 2:20c, What does it mean to be ‘overcome’ by the world?
The physical world opposes God and all He stands for. The world will elevate the accomplishments of humankind and belittle the powers of God and possibly the sanity of all who choose to live in obedience to Him through Jesus Christ.
Those who have become overcome by the world have chosen to submit themselves to the standards of self worth as established by men. To be overcome by this world begins as a person submits to their human nature and allow the tempting powers of this world to draw them into it’s system which will feed the human ego by providing temporary feelings of pleasure, personal accomplishments and/or power over others. THEY HAVE CHOSEN TO SERVE THE ADDICTIVE POWERS THAT FEED THEIR FLESH OVER THE ETERNAL POWERS OF GOD WHICH FEED OUR SPIRITS. Chosen a life of temporary rewards now over eternal rewards stored in Heaven.
As I understand their salvation rests in the promise from God the Father in John 3:16.
However their works will have no eternal value and will be burnt.
1 Corinthians 3:15, If it is burned up, he will suffer loss. He himself will be saved, but only as if through the flames.
Jesus experienced these temptations and overcame them by remaining submissive to God’s word. He forsook physical food as He remained strong in the spiritual truths of God.
The first temptation concerns the lust of the flesh, Matthew 4:3-4.
The second temptation concerns the pride of life, Matthew 4:5-7.
The third temptation concerns the lust of the eyes, Matthew 4:8-10.
God’s word cautions and warns us many times about the powers and intentions of Satan as well as our refuge and power to overcome evil.
1 Peter 5:8, James 4:7, 1 John 5:4–5, Romans 6, 1 John 2:1-5
Ron,
I am so glad that you mentioned the temptations of Christ. That encompasses the three areas Satan attacks us. Without Christ, we are doomed to be overcome.