2 Peter 2:3

¶ And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

And {G2532} through {G1722} covetousness {G4124} shall they with feigned {G4112} words {G3056} make merchandise {G1710} of you {G5209}: whose {G3739} judgment {G2917} now of a long time {G1597} lingereth {G691} not {G3756}, and {G2532} their {G846} damnation {G684} slumbereth {G3573} not {G3756}.

In their greed they will exploit you with fabricated stories.

Their punishment, decreed long ago, is not idle; their destruction is not asleep!

In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep.

And in covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose sentence now from of old lingereth not, and their destruction slumbereth not.

Second Peter chapter 2 serves as a stark warning against false teachers who threaten the purity of the Christian faith. In verse 3, the Apostle Peter exposes the core motivation and method of these deceivers, along with the certainty of their impending doom.

Context

This verse is part of a broader denunciation of false prophets and teachers that begins in 2 Peter 2:1-2. Peter describes their destructive heresies and immoral lifestyles, which bring disrepute to the way of truth. Verse 3 specifically hones in on their economic exploitation of believers, revealing that their deceit is rooted in selfish ambition and greed rather than genuine spiritual concern. It sets the stage for the detailed examples of God's past judgments that follow, underscoring the inevitability of their own condemnation.

Key Themes

  • Greed and Exploitation: The primary motivation for these false teachers is "covetousness" (pleonexia in Greek), an insatiable desire for more, especially material gain. They "make merchandise" of people, treating them as commodities to be bought and sold for profit, rather than as souls to be shepherded. This highlights a severe perversion of ministry.
  • Deceptive Communication: They achieve their exploitation "through feigned words." The Greek term for "feigned" (plastois) implies words that are molded, fabricated, or artificial – carefully crafted to deceive and manipulate, lacking sincerity or truth. This emphasizes the cunning and calculated nature of their falsehoods.
  • Certainty of Divine Judgment: Peter offers a powerful reassurance that God's justice is not delayed. He states that their "judgment now of a long time lingereth not" and "their damnation slumbereth not." This vivid imagery conveys that God's righteous wrath against such evil is already active and will surely come to fruition. The word "damnation" here (apoleia) signifies ruin or destruction, emphasizing the ultimate fate of those who lead others astray for personal gain.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "make merchandise of you" comes from the Greek word emporeusontai, which means "to trade in," "to make gain of," or "to exploit." It powerfully illustrates how these false teachers view their followers not as disciples but as a means to an end, a source of income. Their "feigned words" (plastois logois) literally means "molded words," suggesting a deliberate crafting of lies and flattery to achieve their avaricious goals.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a timeless warning for believers to exercise great discernment. In an age where spiritual teaching is widely accessible, it is crucial to:

  • Examine Motivations: Be cautious of those whose teaching seems primarily focused on financial gain or who demand excessive contributions. True spiritual leaders seek to serve, not to be served (Mark 10:45).
  • Discern Truth from Deception: Ground yourself deeply in the Scriptures so you can recognize "feigned words" that twist biblical truth for selfish ends. Compare what is taught to the consistent message of the Bible (Acts 17:11).
  • Trust in God's Justice: Find comfort in the assurance that God is just and will not allow exploitation of His people to go unpunished. The judgment of those who prey on the flock is certain and active, even if it seems delayed from a human perspective.

Peter's words encourage believers to remain vigilant against those who would exploit them, reminding us that God's justice is ever watchful and swift to act against such evil.

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.

  • 2 Corinthians 2:17

    For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

  • Deuteronomy 32:35

    To me [belongeth] vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in [due] time: for the day of their calamity [is] at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:5

    For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God [is] witness:

  • Romans 16:18

    For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

  • Jude 1:15

    ¶ To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard [speeches] which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

  • 1 Timothy 6:5

    Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

  • Titus 1:11

    Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

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