Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 2 Peter 2:19

"promising them liberty, while they themselves are bondservants of corruption; for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he also brought into bondage." — 2 Peter 2:19 (ASV)

They promise “freedom,” perhaps from any law or restraint of the flesh. Paul ran into similar error—“Everything is permissible for me” (1 Corinthians 6:12–13)— among false teachers in Corinth and possibly in Galatia (cf. Galatians 5:14). Yet, Peter says, the very ones who speak of freedom are “slaves of depravity—for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.” To this the best parallel is Jesus’ word: “Everyone who sins is a slave to sin” (cf. Romans 6:16). So though the false teachers talk of religion and freedom, they do not know the Son; for as Jesus said, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” .