A.T. Robertson Commentary 2 Peter 2

But there arose (εγενοντο δε). Second aorist middle indicative of γινομα (cf. γινετα in 1:20).

False prophets also (κα ψευδοπροφητα). In contrast with the true prophets just pictured in 1:20f. Late compound in LXX and Philo, common in N.T. (Matthew 7:15). Allusion to the O.T. times like Balaam and others (Jeremiah 6:13; Jeremiah 28:9; Ezekiel 13:9).

False teachers (ψευδοδιδασκαλο). Late and rare compound (ψευδησ, διδασκαλος) here alone in N.T. Peter pictures them as in the future here (εσοντα, shall be) and again as already present (εισιν, are, verse 17), or in the past (επλανηθησαν, they went astray, verse 15).

Shall privily bring in (παρεισαξουσιν). Future active of παρεισαγω, late double compound παρεισαγω, to bring in (εισαγω), by the side (παρα), as if secretly, here alone in N.T., but see παρεισακτους in Ga 2:4 (verbal adjective of this same verb).

Destructive heresies (αιρεσεις απωλειας). Descriptive genitive, "heresies of destruction" (marked by destruction) as in Lu 16:8. Hαιρεσις (from αιρεω) is simply a choosing, a school, a sect like that of the Sadducees (Acts 5:17), of the Pharisees (Acts 15:5), and of Christians as Paul admitted (Acts 24:5). These "tenets" (Galatians 5:20) led to destruction.

Denying (αρνουμενο). Present middle participle of αρνεομα. This the Gnostics did, the very thing that Peter did, alas (Matthew 26:70) even after Christ's words (Matthew 10:33).

Even the Master (κα τον δεσποτην). Old word for absolute master, here of Christ as in Jude 1:4, and also of God (Acts 4:24). Without the evil sense in our "despot."

That bought them (τον αγορασαντα αυτους). First aorist active articular participle of αγοραζω, same idea with λυτροω in 1 Peter 1:18f. These were professing Christians, at any rate, these heretics.

Swift destruction (ταχινην απωλειαν). See 1:14 for ταχινην and note repetition of απωλειαν. This is always the tragedy of such false prophets, the fate that they bring on (επαγοντες) themselves.

Lascivious doings (ασελγειαις). Associative instrumental ease after εξακολουθησουσιν (future active, for which verb see 1:16). See 1 Peter 4:3 for this word.

By reason of whom (δι' ους). "Because of whom" (accusative case of relative, referring to πολλο, many). Αυτων (their) refers to ψευδοδιδασκαλο (false teachers) while πολλο to their deluded followers. See Ro 2:23f. for a picture of such conduct by Jews (quotation from Isa 52:5, with βλασφημεω used as here with δι' υμας, because of you).

The way of truth (η οδος της αληθειας). Hοδος (way) occurs often in N.T. for Christianity (Acts 9:2; Acts 16:17; Acts 18:25; Acts 22:4; Acts 24:14). This phrase is in Ge 24:48 as "the right road," and that is what Peter means here. So Ps 119:30. See again 2:15,21.

In covetousness (εν πλεονεξια). As did Balaam (verse 15). These licentious Gnostics made money out of their dupes. A merely intellectual Gnosticism had its fruit in immorality and fraud.

With feigned words (πλαστοις λογοις). Instrumental case. Πλαστος is verbal adjective (from πλασσω, to mould as from clay, for which see Ro 9:20), here only in N.T. "With forged words." See sample in 3:4.

Shall make merchandise of you (υμας εμπορευσοντα). Future middle of εμπορευομα (from εμπορος, a travelling merchant), old word, to go in for trade, in N.T. only here and Jas 4:13, which see. Cf. our emporium (John 2:16, market house).

Whose sentence (οις το κριμα). "For whom (dative case) the sentence" (verdict, not process κρισις).

Now from of old (εκπαλα). Late and common compound adverb, in N.T. only here and 3:5.

Lingereth not (ουκ αργε). "Is not idle," old verb, αργεω (from αργος not working, alpha privative and εργον), here only in N.T.

Slumbereth not (ου νυσταζε). Old and common verb (from νυω to nod), in N.T. only here and Mt 25:5. Note απωλεια (destruction) three times in verses 1-3.

For if God spared not (ε γαρ ο θεος ουκ εφεισατο). First instance (γαρ) of certain doom, that of the fallen angels. Condition of the first class precisely like that in Ro 11:21 save that here the normal apodosis (υμων ου φεισετα) is not expressed as there, but is simply implied in verse 9 by οιδεν κυριος ρυεσθα (the Lord knows how to deliver) after the parenthesis in verse 8.

Angels when they sinned (αγγελων αμαρτησαντων). Genitive case after εφεισατο (first aorist middle indicative of φειδομα) and anarthrous (so more emphatic, even angels), first aorist active participle of αμαρτανω, "having sinned."

Cast them down to hell (ταρταρωσας). First aorist active participle of ταρταροω, late word (from ταρταρος, old word in Homer, Pindar, LXX Job 40:15; 41:23, Philo, inscriptions, the dark and doleful abode of the wicked dead like the Gehenna of the Jews), found here alone save in a scholion on Homer. Ταρταρος occurs in Enoch 20:2 as the place of punishment of the fallen angels, while Gehenna is for apostate Jews.

Committed (παρεδωκεν). First aorist active indicative of παραδιδωμ, the very form solemnly used by Paul in Ro 1:21,26,28.

To pits of darkness (σειροις ζοφου). Ζοφος (kin to γνοφοσ, νεφος) is an old word, blackness, gloom of the nether world in Homer, in N.T. only here, verse 17; Jude 1:13; Hebrews 12:18. The MSS. vary between σειραις (σειρα, chain or rope) and σειροις (σειρος, old word for pit, underground granary). Σειροις is right (Aleph A B C), dative case of destination.

To be reserved unto judgment (εις κρισιν τηρουμενους). Present (linear action) passive participle of τηρεω. "Kept for judgment." Cf. 1 Peter 1:4. Aleph A have κολαζομενους τηρειν as in verse 9. Note κρισις (act of judgment).

The ancient world (αρχαιου κοσμου). Genitive case after εφεισατο (with ε understood) repeated (the second example, the deluge). This example not in Jude. Absence of the article is common in the prophetic style like II Peter. For αρχαιος see Lu 9:8.

Preserved (εφυλαξεν). Still part of the long protasis with ε, first aorist active indicative of φυλασσω.

With seven others (ογδοον). "Eighth," predicate accusative adjective (ordinal), classic idiom usually with αυτον. See 1 Peter 3:20 for this same item. Some take ογδοον with κηρυκα (eighth preacher), hardly correct.

A preacher of righteousness (δικαιοσυνης κηρυκα). "Herald" as in 1 Timothy 2:7; 2 Timothy 1:11 alone in N.T., but κηρυσσω is common. It is implied in 1 Peter 3:20 that Noah preached to the men of his time during the long years.

When he brought (επαξας). First aorist active participle (instead of the common second aorist active επαγαγων) of εισαγω, old compound verb to bring upon, in N.T. only here and Ac 5:28 (by Peter here also).

A flood (κατακλυσμον). Old word (from κατακλυζω, to inundate), only of Noah's flood in N.T. (Matthew 24:38ff.; Luke 17:27; 2 Peter 2:5).

Upon the world of the ungodly (κοσμο ασεβων). Anarthrous and dative case κοσμω. The whole world were "ungodly" (ασεβεις as in 1 Peter 4:18) save Noah's family of eight.