Dig In:
Chapter Overview:
v1-9 - In chapter 1, Peter emphasized the importance of relying upon the prophetic Word of God.
But not all who claim to be prophets of God are what they claim to be.
Although you need to be aware of them, and always remain on guard for unbiblical teaching, be assured that God will rescue the godly and bring these liars to justice.
v10-22 - This passage is a long and brutal takedown of people "who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority (v10)."
Peter pulls out all of the stops in the second half of this chapter, comparing unrepentant sinners to:
'unreasoning animals' (v12),
a Hebrew turncoat whose sin was rebuked by an unreasoning animal (v15-16),
He finishes with two proverbs showing sinners in the most disgusting way possible:
a dog eating its own vomit
and a washed sow rolling in the [mud].
Peter doesn't use the 'G rated' word the translations do in v22.
Interestingly, the proverb about the dogs comes from Proverbs 26:11, but the proverb about the sow is an ancient Greek proverb.
Even pagans can sense the disgusting filth of sin.
Dig Deeper:
The sexual revolution that started in the 60's is now over half a century old. The idea was to break free from the constraints forced upon people by the prudish standards of Western Civilization, or more specifically, Biblical Christianity.
It's almost like Peter knew exactly what life would be like in the early 21st century when he wrote v19:
They promise them freedom,
while they themselves are slaves of depravity—
for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.”
Certainly Peter had no idea what life would be like in our day and age, but the reason he seems so prescient is because temptation keeps following the exact same pattern it has all throughout history: promising freedom, but delivering slavery.
The serpent successfully used this deception against Adam, and continues to do so even today. It's just that now the temptation is so much more blatant and obvious than in previous generations, but the resulting slavery to depravity is no different.
Be reminded again by these biting words from Peter that the freedom the world promises is not freedom at all. True independence for humanity has never been possible, as Peter notes by quoting an often used saying that "people are slaves to whatever has mastered them."
Be grateful that God, through Christ, has set you "free from sin," so that you can enjoy the true freedom of becoming a "slave to righteousness." (Romans 6:18).
OLD TESTAMENT REFERENCE:
Psalm 49:12–13 (NIV)
People, despite their wealth, do not endure;
they are like the beasts that perish.
This is the fate of those who trust in themselves,
and of their followers, who approve their sayings.
Discuss:
Use the comment box below to discuss one or more of these questions:
EYE FOR DETAIL— Three animals are mentioned in this chapter; what are they? (See verses 16 and 22.)
What in this chapter do you think might be most surprising to a new Christian reading it for the first time?
Questions from The Complete Bible Discussion Guide: New Testament
Follow the AAA Prayer Pattern:
ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: The Lord who knows how to rescue the Godly from trials (v9)
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Ask for God's strength to help you flee from the disgust of sin (v1-22)
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:
