2 Peter 2:13

And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, [as] they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots [they are] and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;

And shall receive {G2865} the reward {G3408} of unrighteousness {G93}, as they that count {G2233} it pleasure {G2237} to riot {G5172} in {G1722} the day time {G2250}. Spots {G4696} they are and {G2532} blemishes {G3470}, sporting themselves {G1792} with {G1722} their own {G846} deceivings {G539} while they feast {G4910} with you {G5213};

they will be paid back harm as wages for the harm they are doing.

Their idea of pleasure is carousing in broad daylight; they are spots and defects reveling in their deceptions as they share meals with you —

The harm they will suffer is the wages of their wickedness. They consider it a pleasure to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deception as they feast with you.

suffering wrong as the hire of wrong-doing; men that count it pleasure to revel in the day-time, spots and blemishes, revelling in their deceivings while they feast with you;

Context

Second Peter chapter 2 serves as a stark warning against the destructive influence of false teachers who infiltrate the Christian community. Peter contrasts these deceivers with genuine prophets and underscores God's historical pattern of judging unrighteousness while preserving the godly. This particular verse, 2 Peter 2:13, vividly describes the character and conduct of these corrupt individuals, highlighting their brazen immorality and hypocritical presence within the fellowship.

Key Themes

  • Certainty of Judgment: The phrase "shall receive the reward of unrighteousness" emphasizes the inevitable divine retribution awaiting those who practice deceit and lead others astray. God's justice will prevail over their wickedness.
  • Brazen Immorality: Describing them as those who "count it pleasure to riot in the day time" depicts their open, unashamed indulgence in sensual pleasures and revelry. They do not hide their sin but flaunt it, indicating a deep moral depravity.
  • Spiritual Contamination: The powerful metaphors "Spots they are and blemishes" illustrate their defiling nature. Like stains on a garment or physical defects, they mar the purity and reputation of the Christian community they inhabit.
  • Deceptive Enjoyment: "Sporting themselves with their own deceivings" reveals that these false teachers not only practice deceit but find amusement and satisfaction in their lies and the manipulation of others. Their wickedness is a source of perverse pleasure for them.
  • Infiltration and Hypocrisy: The critical phrase "while they feast with you" points to their presence within communal gatherings, likely referring to the early church's agape feasts or even the Lord's Supper. This highlights their insidious nature, as they present themselves as part of the fellowship while inwardly being corrupt and destructive. This mirrors the description of false teachers found in Jude 1:12.

Linguistic Insights

  • The KJV word "riot" comes from the Greek term truphē (τρυφή), which signifies luxury, wantonness, and voluptuous living. It paints a picture of excessive self-indulgence and effeminate softness, contrasting sharply with Christian self-control.
  • "Spots" (Greek: spiloi, σπίλοι) and "blemishes" (Greek: mōmoi, μῶμοι) are strong terms indicating moral defilement and disgrace. These individuals are not merely flawed but actively pollute the environment they are in, much like stains on a clean garment, as also seen in the context of the church being presented by Christ without spot or wrinkle in Ephesians 5:27.
  • "Sporting themselves" is from entryphōntes (ἐντρυφῶντες), a verb related to truphē, meaning to revel in or take delight in. This reinforces the idea that they take pleasure in their own deceptions, enjoying the process of misleading others.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a timeless warning for believers to exercise discernment. It reminds us that not everyone who participates in church activities or claims to be a believer is genuine. True faith is evidenced by righteous living and adherence to sound doctrine, not by outward participation alone. We are called to be vigilant, guarding against those who would corrupt the purity of the faith and the fellowship, understanding that the "wages of sin" are ultimately death and judgment (Romans 6:23).

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Romans 13:13

    Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

  • Romans 2:8

    But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,

  • Romans 2:9

    Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;

  • Hebrews 2:2

    For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;

  • Hebrews 2:3

    How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard [him];

  • Ephesians 5:27

    That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

  • 1 Peter 4:4

    ¶ Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with [them] to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of [you]:
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