Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam [the son] of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
Which have forsaken {G2641} the right {G2117} way {G3598}, and are gone astray {G4105}, following {G1811} the way {G3598} of Balaam {G903} the son of Bosor {G1007}, who {G3739} loved {G25} the wages {G3408} of unrighteousness {G93};
These people have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Bil‘am Ben-B‘or, who loved the wages of doing harm
They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness.
forsaking the right way, they went astray, having followed the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the hire of wrong-doing;
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Revelation 2:14
But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. -
Jude 1:11
Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. -
Deuteronomy 23:4
Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee. -
Deuteronomy 23:5
Nevertheless the LORD thy God would not hearken unto Balaam; but the LORD thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the LORD thy God loved thee. -
Numbers 31:16
Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD. -
Numbers 22:5
He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which [is] by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me: -
Numbers 22:7
And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak.
Second Peter chapter 2 is a powerful warning against false teachers who infiltrate the Christian community, seeking to exploit and deceive believers. Verse 15 specifically describes these deceivers as those who have abandoned the path of truth and righteousness, likening their corrupt motivation to that of the Old Testament figure, Balaam.
Context
In 2 Peter 2, the apostle Peter exposes the dangerous characteristics and impending judgment of false prophets and teachers. He contrasts their destructive ways with God's preservation of the righteous. Verse 15 serves to highlight the underlying motive for their spiritual corruption: greed. By drawing a parallel to Balaam, Peter emphasizes that these individuals, despite perhaps having some knowledge of spiritual truths, are ultimately driven by personal gain rather than divine calling or genuine love for God's people.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The name "Bosor" (KJV) is an Aramaicized form of "Beor," the father of Balaam, as found in the Old Testament (e.g., Numbers 22:5). This variation simply reflects a different linguistic tradition of the name and does not alter the identity of the prophet. The Greek phrase for "wages of unrighteousness" is misthos adikias, which vividly conveys the idea of payment or reward obtained through unjust, immoral, or dishonest means, emphasizing the corrupt nature of the false teachers' desires.
The Way of Balaam: Historical Context
The reference to Balaam, the son of Bosor, is a direct allusion to the Old Testament narrative found in Numbers chapters 22-24. Balaam was a Mesopotamian prophet hired by Balak, the king of Moab, to curse the approaching Israelites. Although God prevented Balaam from directly cursing Israel (Numbers 24:10), his desire for remuneration led him to advise Balak on how to entice the Israelites into idolatry and immorality (Numbers 31:16). This strategy resulted in a plague among Israel. Balaam's "way" is characterized by his willingness to compromise divine truth and seek personal enrichment, even at the expense of God's people. This historical example serves as a stark warning, particularly for the false teachers Peter condemns, who similarly exploit others for financial gain by twisting spiritual truths. The "error of Balaam" is also cited in Jude 1:11, underscoring its significance as a timeless example of spiritual corruption driven by greed.
Practical Application
This verse provides a crucial lesson for believers today: spiritual discernment is paramount. We are exhorted to be vigilant against those who claim spiritual authority but whose true motivation is personal gain or worldly influence. The "right way" of Christian faith is marked by integrity, selfless service, and adherence to God's unchanging truth, not by the pursuit of wealth or power. This passage encourages us to scrutinize the motives of those who teach, remembering that genuine spiritual leadership is evidenced by humility and a commitment to serving others, in contrast to the love of money, which 1 Timothy 6:10 warns is the root of all evil.