Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Peter 2:10

"but chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of defilement, and despise dominion. Daring, self-willed, they tremble not to rail at dignities:" — 2 Peter 2:10 (ASV)

Them that walk after the flesh.—This is less definite than Jude 1:7. Here, there is nothing about going away or astray, nor about the flesh being “other” than is allowed. This is natural, as Jude’s remark applies to the inhabitants of the cities of the plain in particular, while this phrase applies to sensual persons generally.

In the lust of uncleanness.—Better, in the lust of pollution—that is, the lust that causes pollution. The exact word occurs nowhere else; the same word, except for the termination, occurs in 2 Peter 2:20, and nowhere else.

Despise government.—(Compare despise dominion, Jude 1:8.) Our version is minutely perverse. The word translated “government” here and “dominion” in Jude is one and the same in Greek, whereas the words translated in both places as “despise” are different.

Presumptuous are they.—A fresh verse should begin here, as the construction is entirely changed and a fresh start is made. From “the unjust” to “government,” the reference is to ungodly and sensual people in general; here we return to the false teachers in particular. Audacious would be more literal than “presumptuous.” The word is found here only. On the change to the present tense, see Introduction, I., c, γ.

Speak evil of dignities.—The exact meaning of “dignities,” or “glories,” is not clear, either here or in Jude 1:8. The context in both places seems to show that spiritual powers alone are intended, and that earthly powers, whether civil or ecclesiastical, are not included, much less exclusively indicated. The construction here resembles that in 2 Peter 1:19: “Do not tremble in (or, while) speaking evil of dignities,” like you do well in taking heed. These men deny the existence of, or irreverently speak slightingly of, those spiritual agencies by means of which God conducts the government of the world.