Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Peter 2:15

"forsaking the right way, they went astray, having followed the way of Balaam the [son] of Beor, who loved the hire of wrong-doing;" — 2 Peter 2:15 (ASV)

The right way. (Compare to Acts 13:10.) In the Shepherd of Hermas (I. Vis. III. vii. 1) we have, “Who have believed indeed, but through their doubting have forsaken their true way.” (See Notes on 2 Peter 2:1; 2 Peter 2:3; 2 Peter 2:13; 2 Peter 2:20; 2 Peter 3:5).

Are gone astray. This is the main verb of this long sentence. Here, parallels with Jude begin again. In the historical incident of Balaam, as in that of Sodom and Gomorrah, our Epistle is more detailed than Jude (see notes on 2 Peter 2:7). The past tenses in this verse are quite in harmony with the view that this chapter is a genuine prediction. (Genesis 49:15; Genesis 49:23–24.) The future foretold with such confidence as to be spoken of as already past is a common form for prophecy to assume.

Balaam the son of Bosor. Bosor seems to be a dialectical variation from Beor, arising from a peculiar Aramaic pronunciation—a slight indication that the writer was a Jew of Palestine. The resemblance between these false teachers and Balaam consisted in their running counter to God’s will for their own profit, and in prostituting their office to an infamous purpose, which brought ruin on the community. He, like them, had enticed unstable souls and had a heart exercised in covetousness.

A comparison of this passage with Revelation 2:14-15 supports the view that among the false teachers thus stigmatized the Nicolaitans may be included. In Jude 1:11, these ungodly men are compared not only to Balaam but also to Cain and Korah. It seems more likely that St. Jude would add these two very opprobrious comparisons than that the vehement writer of this Epistle would reject material so suitable to his invective. If so, we have here another argument for the priority of our Epistle. (See notes on 2 Peter 2:12.)