2 Peter 2:11

KJV

Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.

KJV (with Strong's)

Whereas {G3699} angels {G32}, which are {G5607} greater in {G3187} power {G2479} and {G2532} might {G1411}, bring {G5342} not {G3756} railing {G989} accusation {G2920} against {G2596} them {G846} before {G3844} the Lord {G2962}.

Complete Jewish Bible

whereas angels, though stronger and more powerful, do not bring before the Lord an insulting charge against them.

Berean Standard Bible

Yet not even angels, though greater in strength and power, dare to bring such slanderous charges against them before the Lord.

American Standard Version

whereas angels, though greater in might and power, bring not a railing judgment against them before the Lord.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Peter 2:11 presents a striking contrast between the conduct of powerful angels and the unbridled arrogance of false teachers. While angels, who possess superior strength and authority, refrain from bringing slanderous accusations against even fallen spiritual beings or human dignities before the Lord, the false teachers condemned by Peter exhibit no such restraint, freely reviling those in authority. This verse underscores the angels' reverence for God's ultimate judgment and serves as a powerful indictment of the presumptuous and destructive speech characteristic of those who lead others astray.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within 2 Peter chapter 2, which is Peter's fervent and detailed condemnation of false teachers who had infiltrated the early Christian communities. Peter meticulously describes their destructive doctrines, immoral lifestyles, and greedy motivations, contrasting their behavior with God's righteous judgment, which he illustrates through historical examples such as the fallen angels ([2 Peter 2:4](/2_peter/2-4 "2 Peter 2:4 - Judgment of Fallen Angels")), the flood in Noah's time ([2 Peter 2:5](/2_peter/2-5 "2 Peter 2:5 - The Flood and Noah")), and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah ([2 Peter 2:6-9](/2_peter/2-6-9 "2 Peter 2:6-9 - Sodom and Gomorrah's Destruction")). Verse 11 directly follows a description of these false teachers as "bold and self-willed" who "do not tremble when they revile dignities" ([2 Peter 2:10](/2_peter/2-10 "2 Peter 2:10 - Description of False Teachers")). The angelic conduct in verse 11 thus serves as a powerful and immediate foil to the impudent and blasphemous speech of these human deceivers, highlighting the gravity of their sin by comparing it to the restraint of heavenly beings.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The early Christian church, like many new religious movements, was susceptible to internal challenges from individuals claiming spiritual authority but promoting doctrines and behaviors contrary to apostolic teaching. These false teachers often leveraged their supposed spiritual insight to gain followers, financial profit, or indulge in immoral practices. Peter's letter addresses a real threat to the integrity and purity of the nascent church. In the broader ancient world, there were various understandings of angelic beings and their roles, often seen as agents of divine will or as powerful spiritual entities. Jewish tradition, in particular, held a high view of angels, often depicting them as powerful, pure, and obedient to God. The idea that even these mighty beings exercise restraint in judgment, especially when compared to human arrogance, would have resonated deeply with an audience familiar with such concepts, emphasizing the profound impropriety of the false teachers' actions.
* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme of 2 Peter 2 is **Divine Judgment** upon wickedness, particularly against those who corrupt God's people. Verse 11 contributes to this by contrasting the *manner* of judgment. Another key theme is **Respect for Authority**, whether divine or earthly, and the severe consequences of reviling it. The angels demonstrate profound reverence for God's ultimate authority and judicial prerogative, implicitly teaching that judgment belongs to the Lord, not to presumptuous humans. This highlights the theme of **Humility vs. Arrogance**: angels, despite their immense "power and might," display humility and deference, while the false teachers, despite their human limitations and spiritual depravity, are characterized by audacious arrogance and an unbridled tongue. Finally, the verse underscores the **Nature of True Spiritual Power**, which is characterized by restraint and alignment with God's will, rather than the self-serving and destructive exercise of power seen in the false teachers. This also connects to the broader biblical theme of the **Dangers of the Tongue**, as seen in [James 3:5-8](/james/3-5-8 "James 3:5-8 - The Power of the Tongue").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **angels (Greek, _ángelos'_):** From _agō_ (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor. In this context, it refers to celestial, spiritual beings who serve as God's messengers and agents. Peter uses their exemplary conduct as a standard against which the false teachers' behavior is measured, highlighting their superior nature and their proper deference to divine authority.
* **power (Greek, _ischýs'_):** From a derivative of _echō_ (to have, hold); forcefulness (literally or figuratively). This word denotes inherent strength, might, or ability. When paired with "might" (_dýnamis_), it emphasizes the angels' formidable inherent capabilities and robust strength, making their restraint all the more significant.
* **railing (Greek, _blásphēmos'_):** From a derivative of _blaptō_ (to injure) and _phēmē_ (a report); scurrilous, i.e., calumnious (against men), or (specially) impious (against God). This term describes abusive, slanderous, or blasphemous speech. It implies not merely criticism but contemptuous, reviling, and disrespectful language, often with an intent to defame or dishonor. The fact that angels, even when dealing with evil, do not use such language underscores its severe impropriety.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Whereas angels":** This phrase introduces the contrasting party, setting up a direct comparison with the false teachers described in the preceding verses. The implication is that if even these superior beings behave with such decorum, how much more should humans, especially those claiming spiritual authority.
* **"which are greater in power and might":** This clause emphasizes the angels' inherent superiority in strength, authority, and spiritual potency compared to humans, or even to the "dignities" (likely fallen angels or human authorities) they might be contending with. Their greatness makes their subsequent restraint all the more remarkable and instructive.
* **"bring not railing accusation against them":** This is the core of the contrast. Despite their superior power, angels do not engage in _blasphemos_ (slanderous, reviling, or abusive) speech. The "them" likely refers to the "dignities" mentioned in [2 Peter 2:10](/2_peter/2-10 "2 Peter 2:10 - Reviling Dignities"), which could encompass both human authorities and fallen spiritual beings. The angels' refusal to "bring railing accusation" signifies a profound respect for the proper channels of judgment and a rejection of contemptuous speech.
* **"before the Lord":** This final phrase contextualizes the angels' restraint within the divine courtroom. It signifies that their actions are performed in the presence and under the ultimate authority of God. They recognize that judgment and condemnation belong to the Lord, not to themselves, even when dealing with the most wicked entities. This highlights their reverence and submission to God's sovereignty.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in 2 Peter 2:11 is **Contrast** (or **Antithesis**). Peter sets up a stark comparison between the righteous, restrained conduct of powerful angels and the unrestrained, arrogant behavior of the false teachers. This juxtaposition serves to highlight the extreme depravity and presumption of the false teachers by showing how even beings far superior to them in "power and might" exhibit greater humility and respect for divine authority. The angels serve as an **Exemplum**, providing a positive model of conduct (restraint, respect for God's judgment) that implicitly condemns the negative example of the false teachers. Furthermore, there is an element of **Irony** in the fact that those who are "greater in power and might" display more humility and proper decorum than those who are spiritually inferior and morally corrupt.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The theological significance of 2 Peter 2:11 lies in its profound statement about the nature of divine authority, the proper exercise of power, and the sanctity of speech. It underscores that judgment belongs to God alone, and even the most powerful of His created beings, the angels, defer to His ultimate sovereignty, refusing to usurp His role by engaging in slanderous condemnation. This angelic restraint serves as a powerful indictment of human arrogance, particularly the presumptuous and reviling speech of the false teachers. It teaches us that true spiritual power is characterized by humility and submission to God's will, not by self-willed audacity or disrespectful language, even towards those who are clearly in error or subject to judgment. It also subtly reinforces the idea that there are spiritual realities and authorities beyond human comprehension that demand reverence.

* [Jude 1:9](/jude/1-9 "Jude 1:9 - Michael's Dispute with the Devil")
* [Romans 13:1-2](/romans/13-1-2 "Romans 13:1-2 - Submission to Governing Authorities")
* [James 3:8-10](/james/3-8-10 "James 3:8-10 - The Untamable Tongue")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers today, 2 Peter 2:11 offers a profound and challenging lesson in humility, the proper use of speech, and trust in God's ultimate justice. It calls us to examine our own hearts and words, especially when we encounter those with whom we strongly disagree, or those in positions of authority whom we may view as flawed or even corrupt. The angelic example teaches us that even when confronted with evil or injustice, our response should be marked by restraint, reverence for God's sovereign judgment, and a rejection of slanderous, contemptuous, or disrespectful language. Rather than taking judgment into our own hands or resorting to railing accusations, we are called to commit such matters to the Lord, recognizing that vengeance is His. This verse challenges us to cultivate a spirit of humility, to speak words that build up rather than tear down, and to trust that God will ultimately bring all things to account, ensuring that justice prevails in His perfect timing and manner.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what situations do I find myself most tempted to "bring railing accusation" against others, especially those in authority or those I perceive as wrong?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater sense of humility and trust in God's ultimate judgment, rather than taking matters into my own hands through my words?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure my speech, particularly in public discourse or online interactions, reflects the reverence and restraint exemplified by the angels?**
* **How does my attitude towards those who err or are in authority align with the principle that judgment belongs to the Lord?**

### FAQ
**Who are "them" that angels do not bring railing accusation against?**

Answer: The "them" in 2 Peter 2:11 most likely refers to the "dignities" (Greek: _doxas_, meaning "glories" or "authorities") mentioned in the preceding verse ([2 Peter 2:10](/2_peter/2-10 "2 Peter 2:10 - Reviling Dignities")). These "dignities" are often interpreted as referring to angelic beings, possibly even fallen ones, or to human authorities, whether civil or ecclesiastical. The parallel passage in [Jude 1:9](/jude/1-9 "Jude 1:9 - Michael's Dispute with the Devil"), where Michael the archangel refrains from a railing accusation against the devil himself, strongly supports the interpretation that the "dignities" include powerful spiritual entities, even evil ones. The point is that angels, despite their superior power and righteousness, do not engage in abusive or slanderous speech even against those who are clearly deserving of condemnation, because judgment ultimately belongs to God.

**Why is angelic restraint so significant in this context?**

Answer: Angelic restraint is highly significant because it highlights the profound arrogance and impropriety of the false teachers. Angels are described as "greater in power and might," implying their superior status and capacity to judge or condemn. Yet, they choose not to engage in "railing accusation" (slanderous, reviling speech) before the Lord. This demonstrates their deep reverence for God's sovereignty and their understanding that only God has the prerogative to judge and condemn. By contrasting this with the false teachers, who are mere humans but boldly and self-willedly revile dignities, Peter underscores the severity of the false teachers' sin. Their lack of restraint shows a fundamental disrespect for authority, a presumptuousness that usurps God's role, and a spiritual depravity that even mighty angels do not exhibit.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Second Peter 2:11, while contrasting angelic restraint with human arrogance, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The angels' deference to God's judgment and their refusal to bring "railing accusation" perfectly foreshadow the humility and submission of the Son of God. Unlike the false teachers who speak evil of dignities, Christ, though possessing all power and authority ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Christ")), never engaged in railing accusation, even against His accusers or those who crucified Him ([1 Peter 2:23](/1_peter/2-23 "1 Peter 2:23 - Christ's Example of Suffering")). He perfectly embodied the submission to the Father's will, entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously. Furthermore, while angels refrain from bringing railing accusation, Christ is the One before whom all judgment will ultimately be rendered ([John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - The Father Judges No One, but Has Given All Judgment to the Son")). He is the true and righteous Judge, who will perfectly discern and execute justice without partiality or slander. Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ also addresses the very sin of unbridled speech and arrogance, offering forgiveness and the transformative power to enable believers to live with the humility and reverence exemplified by the angels, reflecting His own character who "made himself nothing" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humility")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jude 1:9

Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

Psalms 104:4

Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:

2 Thessalonians 1:7

And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

Daniel 6:22

My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.

Psalms 103:20

Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.