The Meaning of 2 Peter 2:18 Explained

2 Peter 2:18

KJV: For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.

YLT: for overswellings of vanity speaking, they do entice in desires of the flesh -- lasciviousnesses, those who had truly escaped from those conducting themselves in error,

Darby: For while speaking great highflown words of vanity, they allure with the lusts of the flesh, by dissoluteness, those who have just fled those who walk in error,

ASV: For, uttering great swelling words of vanity, they entice in the lusts of the flesh, by lasciviousness, those who are just escaping from them that live in error;

Discover 2 Peter 2:18

CONTEXT: What is the Context of 2 Peter 2:18?

MEANING: What does 2 Peter 2:18 Mean?

WORDS: What do the individual words in 2 Peter 2:18 mean?

RELATIONS: What do the major concepts mean in 2 Peter 2:18?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

For  when they speak  great swelling  [words] of vanity,  they allure  through  the lusts  of the flesh,  [through much] wantonness,  those that were clean  escaped  from them who live  in  error. 

What does 2 Peter 2:18 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The false teachers appealed to their audiences with boastful (lit. swollen) words, promising more than they could deliver, with vain words empty of anything to back them up. Their appeal was to "the lustful desires of sinful human nature" (NIV).
"Grandiose sophistry is the hook, filthy lust is the bait, with which these men catch those whom the Lord had delivered or was delivering." [1]
Furthermore they appealed to people who were only just escaping from those who live in error. This group probably includes new Christians and or older carnal ones who were still in the process of making a final break with their pagan past. [2]
"The average person does not know how to listen to and analyze the kind of propaganda that pours out of the mouths and printing presses of the apostates. Many people cannot tell the difference between a religious huckster and a sincere servant of Jesus Christ." [1]

Context Summary

2 Peter 2:12-22 - The Dark Way Of Animalism
The description of these false teachers is terrific! They are slaves to their brute instincts. They are as abusive as they are ignorant. They destroy and will be destroyed. They feast daintily in the broad daylight, instead of leading abstemious and sober lives. With them, the very church feasts were occasions for self-indulgence. Their eyes never ceased from the sin against which the Lord warns us in Matthew 5:28. Balaam is an awful example of such, torn, as he was, between the celestial vision of his spirit and the sensual appetite of his soul.
The will of man, as in Balaam's case, is always poising itself between its knowledge of good and evil and its strong bias toward evil. Only the help of God can correct this. Let us "who are just escaping," 2 Peter 2:18, r.v., from the meshes of the world, beware lest we be caught in the guiles and nets of false teaching, which would drag us back into the evils of the worldly life. It is in our heart-felt union with the Lord Jesus Christ alone that we can be permanently secure. [source]

Chapter Summary: 2 Peter 2

1  Peter warns of false teachers, showing the impiety and punishment both of them and their followers;
7  from which the godly shall be delivered, as Lot was out of Sodom;
10  and more fully describes the manners of those profane and blasphemous seducers

Greek Commentary for 2 Peter 2:18

Great swelling words [υπερογκα]
Old compound adjective (υπερ — huper and ογκος — ogkos a swelling, swelling above and beyond), in N.T. only here and Judges 1:16. [source]
Of vanity [ματαιοτητος]
Late and rare word (from ματαιος — mataios empty, vain), often in lxx, in N.T. here, Romans 8:20; Ephesians 4:17.By lasciviousness (ασελγειαις — aselgeiais). Instrumental plural, “by lascivious acts.” Note asyndeton as in 2 Peter 1:9, 2 Peter 1:17.Those who are just escaping So A B read ολιγως — oligōs (slightly, a little), while Aleph C K L P read οντως — ontōs (actually). Ολιγως — Oligōs late and rare, only here in N.T. So again the Textus Receptus has αποπυγοντας — apophugontas (second aorist active participle, clean escaped) while the correct text is the present active αποπευγοντας — apopheugontas them that live in error Accusative case after αποπευγοντας — apopheugontas (escaping from) according to regular idiom. Peter often uses αναστρεπω — anastrephō and αναστροπη — anastrophē f0). [source]
By lasciviousness [ασελγειαις]
Instrumental plural, “by lascivious acts.” Note asyndeton as in 2 Peter 1:9, 2 Peter 1:17. [source]
Those who are just escaping [τους ολιγως αποπευγοντας]
So A B read ολιγως — oligōs (slightly, a little), while Aleph C K L P read οντως — ontōs (actually). Ολιγως — Oligōs late and rare, only here in N.T. So again the Textus Receptus has αποπυγοντας — apophugontas (second aorist active participle, clean escaped) while the correct text is the present active αποπευγοντας — apopheugontas them that live in error Accusative case after αποπευγοντας — apopheugontas (escaping from) according to regular idiom. Peter often uses αναστρεπω — anastrephō and αναστροπη — anastrophē f0). [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Peter 2:18

Mark 7:22 Lasciviousness [ἀσέλγεια]
Derivation unknown. It includes lasciviousness, and may well mean that here; but is often used without this notion. In classical Greek it is defined as violence, with spiteful treatment and audacity. As in this passage its exact meaning is not implied by its being classed with other kindred terms, it would seem better to take it in as wide a sense as possible - that of lawless insolence and wanton caprice, and to render, with Trench, wantonness, since that word, as he remarks, “stands in remarkable ethical connection with ἀσέλγεια , and has the same duplicity of meaning” (“Synonyms of the New Testament”). At Romans 13:13, where lasciviousness seems to be the probable meaning, from its association with chambering ( οίταις )it is rendered wantonness in A. V. and Rev., as also at 2 Peter 2:18. [source]
Romans 8:20 To vanity [τηι ματαιοτητι]
Dative case. Rare and late word, common in lxx. From ματαιος — mataios empty, vain. Ephesians 4:17; 2 Peter 2:18. Not of its own will (ουχ εκουσα — ouch hekousa). Common adjective, in N.T. only here and 1 Corinthians 9:27. It was due to the effect of man‘s sin. But by reason of him Because of God. In hope that (επ ελπιδι οτι — Ephesians' helpidi hoti). Note the form ελπιδι — helpidi rather than the usual ελπιδι — elpidi and so επ — Ephesians' οτι — Hoti can be causal “because” instead of declarative “that.” [source]
Galatians 5:16 The lust [ἐπιθυμίαν]
Frequent in Paul, and usually in a bad sense; but see Philemon 1:23; 1 Thessalonians 2:17, and comp. Luke 22:15. The phrase lust or lusts of the flesh occurs also Ephesians 2:3; 2 Peter 2:18; 1 John 2:16. It means, not the mere sensual desire of the physical nature, but the desire which is peculiar to human nature without the divine Spirit. [source]
Ephesians 4:14 Whereby they lie in wait to deceive [πρὸς τὴν μεθοδείαν τῆς πλάνης]
Lit., tending to the system of error. Rev., after the wiles of error. Μεθοδεία means a deliberate planning or system. Of error includes the idea of deceit or delusion. See Matthew 27:64; Romans 1:27; 2 Peter 2:18; 2 Peter 3:17; James 5:20. Error organizes. It has its systems and its logic. Ellicott remarks that here it is almost personified. [source]
1 Timothy 5:3 Who are widows indeed [τὰς ὄντως χήρας]
Comp. 1 Timothy 5:5, 1 Timothy 5:16. Ὄντως verilytruly, twice in Paul, 1 Corinthians 14:25; Galatians 3:21. See on 2 Peter 2:18. Wherever ὄντως is used by Paul or by any other N.T. writer, it is used purely as an adverb (see Luke 23:47; Luke 24:34): but in all the four instances in the Pastorals, it is preceded by the article and converted into an adjective. The meaning is, who are absolutely bereaved, without children or relations (comp. 1 Timothy 5:4), and have been but once married. There is probably also an implied contrast with those described in 1 Timothy 5:6, 1 Timothy 5:11-13. [source]
James 1:14 Enticed [δελεαζομενος]
Present passive participle of δελεαζω — deleazō old verb from δελεαρ — delear (bait), to catch fish by bait or to hunt with snares and Philo has υπ ηδονης δελεαζεται — huph' hēdonēs deleazetai (is enticed by pleasure). In N.T. only here and 2 Peter 2:14, 2 Peter 2:18. Allured by definite bait. [source]
1 Peter 1:17 As Father [πατερα]
Predicate accusative in apposition with τονκρινοντα — ton- απροσωπολημπτως — krinonta respect of persons Found nowhere else except in the later Ep. of Clem. of Rome and Ep. of Barn., from alpha privative and προσωπολημπτεω — prosōpolēmptēs (Acts 10:34. See James 2:9 for προσωπολημπσια — prosōpolēmpteō and 1 Peter 1:1 for προσωπον λαμβανω — prosōpolēmpsia) from κατα το εκαστου εργον — prosōpon lambanō (in imitation of the Hebrew).According to each man‘s work (κρινοντα — kata to hekastou ergon). “According to the deed of each one” God judges (αναστραπητε — krinonta) just as Christ judges also (2 Corinthians 5:10).Pass Second aorist passive imperative of τον χρονον — anastrephō metaphorical sense as in 2 Corinthians 1:12; 2 Peter 2:18.The time (της παροικιας υμων — ton chronon). Accusative case of extent of time.Of your sojourning A late word, found in lxx (Psalm 119:5) and in N.T. only here and Acts 13:17 and in ecclesiastical writers (one late Christian inscription). It comes from παροικος — paroikeō old verb, to dwell beside (in one‘s neighbourhood), and so of pilgrims or strangers Peter here recurs to 1 Peter 1:1 (“sojourners of the Dispersion”).In fear (αναστραπητε — en phobōi). Emphatic position at beginning of the clause with anastraphēte at the end. [source]
1 Peter 1:17 Pass [αναστρεπω]
Second aorist passive imperative of τον χρονον — anastrephō metaphorical sense as in 2 Corinthians 1:12; 2 Peter 2:18.The time (της παροικιας υμων — ton chronon). Accusative case of extent of time.Of your sojourning A late word, found in lxx (Psalm 119:5) and in N.T. only here and Acts 13:17 and in ecclesiastical writers (one late Christian inscription). It comes from παροικος — paroikeō old verb, to dwell beside (in one‘s neighbourhood), and so of pilgrims or strangers Peter here recurs to 1 Peter 1:1 (“sojourners of the Dispersion”).In fear (αναστραπητε — en phobōi). Emphatic position at beginning of the clause with anastraphēte at the end. [source]
2 Peter 1:4 Having escaped [αποπυγοντες]
Second aorist active participle of αποπευγω — apopheugō old compound verb, in N.T. only here and 2 Peter 2:18-20, with the ablative here (πτορας — phthorās old word from πτειρω — phtheirō moral decay as in 2 Peter 2:12) and the accusative there. [source]
2 Peter 2:14 Enticing [δελεαζοντες]
Present active participle of δελεαζω — deleazō to catch by bait as in 2 Peter 2:18; James 1:14. [source]
2 Peter 2:16 Spake [πτεγχαμενον]
First aorist middle participle of πτεγγομαι — phtheggomai old verb, to utter a sound, in N.T. only here, 2 Peter 2:18, Acts 4:18.Stayed (εκωλυσεν — ekōlusen). First aorist active indicative of κωλυω — kōluō to hinder.Madness Only known example of this word instead of the usual παραπροσυνη — paraphrosunē or παραπρονησις — paraphronēsis It is being beside one‘s wits. [source]
2 Peter 2:20 After they have escaped [αποπυγοντες]
Second aorist active participle here (see 2 Peter 2:18). [source]
2 Peter 1:4 He hath granted [δεδωρηται]
Perfect middle indicative of δωρεω — dōreō for which see 2 Peter 1:3.His precious and exceeding great promises (τα τιμια και μεγιστα επαγγελματα — ta timia kai megista epaggelmata). Επαγγελμα — Epaggelma is an old word (from επαγγελλω — epaggellō) in place of the common επαγγελια — epaggelia in N.T. only here and 2 Peter 3:13. Τιμιος — Timios (precious, from τιμη — timē value), three times by Peter (1 Peter 1:7 of faith; 1 Peter 1:19 of the blood of Christ; 2 Peter 1:4 of Christ‘s promises). Μεγιστα — Megista is the elative superlative used along with a positive adjective (τιμια — timia).That ye may become Purpose clause with ινα — hina and second aorist middle subjunctive of γινομαι — ginomai these The promises.Partakers (κοινωνοι — koinōnoi). Partners, sharers in, for which word see 1 Peter 5:1.Of the divine nature This phrase, like το τειον — to theion in Acts 17:29, “belongs rather to Hellenism than to the Bible” (Bigg). It is a Stoic phrase, but not with the Stoic meaning. Peter is referring to the new birth as 1 Peter 1:23 The same phrase occurs in an inscription possibly under the influence of Mithraism (Moulton and Milligan‘s Vocabulary).Having escaped (αποπυγοντες — apophugontes). Second aorist active participle of αποπευγω — apopheugō old compound verb, in N.T. only here and 2 Peter 2:18-20, with the ablative here (πτορας — phthorās old word from πτειρω — phtheirō moral decay as in 2 Peter 2:12) and the accusative there.By lust Caused by, consisting in, lust. “Man becomes either regenerate or degenerate” (Strachan). [source]
2 Peter 1:4 That ye may become [ινα γενηστε]
Purpose clause with ινα — hina and second aorist middle subjunctive of γινομαι — ginomai these The promises.Partakers (κοινωνοι — koinōnoi). Partners, sharers in, for which word see 1 Peter 5:1.Of the divine nature This phrase, like το τειον — to theion in Acts 17:29, “belongs rather to Hellenism than to the Bible” (Bigg). It is a Stoic phrase, but not with the Stoic meaning. Peter is referring to the new birth as 1 Peter 1:23 The same phrase occurs in an inscription possibly under the influence of Mithraism (Moulton and Milligan‘s Vocabulary).Having escaped (αποπυγοντες — apophugontes). Second aorist active participle of αποπευγω — apopheugō old compound verb, in N.T. only here and 2 Peter 2:18-20, with the ablative here (πτορας — phthorās old word from πτειρω — phtheirō moral decay as in 2 Peter 2:12) and the accusative there.By lust Caused by, consisting in, lust. “Man becomes either regenerate or degenerate” (Strachan). [source]
2 Peter 1:4 Of the divine nature [τειας πυσεως]
This phrase, like το τειον — to theion in Acts 17:29, “belongs rather to Hellenism than to the Bible” (Bigg). It is a Stoic phrase, but not with the Stoic meaning. Peter is referring to the new birth as 1 Peter 1:23 The same phrase occurs in an inscription possibly under the influence of Mithraism (Moulton and Milligan‘s Vocabulary).Having escaped (αποπυγοντες — apophugontes). Second aorist active participle of αποπευγω — apopheugō old compound verb, in N.T. only here and 2 Peter 2:18-20, with the ablative here (πτορας — phthorās old word from πτειρω — phtheirō moral decay as in 2 Peter 2:12) and the accusative there.By lust Caused by, consisting in, lust. “Man becomes either regenerate or degenerate” (Strachan). [source]
2 Peter 2:14 That cannot cease [ακαταπαστους]
Reading of A B in place of ακαταπαυστους — akatapaustous (alpha privative and verbal of καταπαυω — katapauō to cease). “Unable to stop.” This a late verbal, only here in N.T. It is probable that ακαταπαστους — akatapastous is merely a misspelling of ακαταπαυστους — akatapaustous sin Ablative case as in 1 Peter 4:1 Insatiable lust.Enticing (δελεαζοντες — deleazontes). Present active participle of δελεαζω — deleazō to catch by bait as in 2 Peter 2:18; James 1:14.Unsteadfast Late verbal adjective (alpha privative and στηριζω — stērizō), in Longinus and Vettius Valens, here alone in N.T.Exercised (γεγυμνασμενην — gegumnasmenēn). Perfect passive predicate participle with εχοντες — echontes from γυμναζω — gumnazō precisely as in Hebrews 5:14. Rhetorical metaphor from the gymnasium.In covetousness Genitive case after the participle.Children of cursing (καταρας τεκνα — kataras tekna). Hebraism like τεκνα υπακοης — tekna hupakoēs in 1 Peter 1:14 = accursed (καταρατοι — kataratoi). [source]
2 Peter 2:16 For his own transgression [ιδιας παρανομιας]
Objective genitive of παρανομια — paranomia old word (from παρανομος — paranomos lawbreaker), here only in N.T.A dumb ass (υποζυγιον απωνον — hupozugion aphōnon). Dumb is without voice, old word for idols and beasts. The adjective υποζυγιος — hupozugios (υπο ζυγον ον — hupo zugon on) “being under a yoke,” is applied to the ass as the common beast of burden (papyri, Deissmann, Bible Studies, p. 160), in N.T. only here and Matthew 21:5.Spake First aorist middle participle of πτεγγομαι — phtheggomai old verb, to utter a sound, in N.T. only here, 2 Peter 2:18, Acts 4:18.Stayed (εκωλυσεν — ekōlusen). First aorist active indicative of κωλυω — kōluō to hinder.Madness Only known example of this word instead of the usual παραπροσυνη — paraphrosunē or παραπρονησις — paraphronēsis It is being beside one‘s wits. [source]
Jude 1:16 Great swelling words []
See on 2 Peter 2:18. [source]
Jude 1:16 Complainers [μεμπσιμοιροι]
Rare word (Isocrates, Aristotle, Plutarch) from μεμπομαι — memphomai to complain and μοιρα — moira lot or fate. Here alone in N.T.Lusts (επιτυμιας — epithumias). As in 2 Peter 3:3.Swelling So in 2 Peter 2:18 (big words).Showing respect of persons (ταυμαζοντες προσωπα — thaumazontes prosōpa). Present active participle of ταυμαζω — thaumazō to admire, to wonder at. Nowhere else in N.T. with προσωπα — prosōpa but a Hebraism (in Leviticus 19:15; Job 13:10) like λαμβανειν προσωπον — lambanein prosōpon (Luke 20:21) and βλεπειν προσωπον — blepein prosōpon (Matthew 22:16) and προσοπωλεμπτεω — prosopōlempteō (James 2:9). Cf. James 2:1.For the sake of advantage To themselves. See also Judges 1:11. The covetousness of these Gnostic leaders is plainly shown in 2 Peter 2:3, 2 Peter 2:14. For χαριν — charin as preposition with genitive see Ephesians 3:1, Ephesians 3:14. [source]
Jude 1:16 Swelling [υπερογκα]
So in 2 Peter 2:18 (big words).Showing respect of persons (ταυμαζοντες προσωπα — thaumazontes prosōpa). Present active participle of ταυμαζω — thaumazō to admire, to wonder at. Nowhere else in N.T. with προσωπα — prosōpa but a Hebraism (in Leviticus 19:15; Job 13:10) like λαμβανειν προσωπον — lambanein prosōpon (Luke 20:21) and βλεπειν προσωπον — blepein prosōpon (Matthew 22:16) and προσοπωλεμπτεω — prosopōlempteō (James 2:9). Cf. James 2:1.For the sake of advantage To themselves. See also Judges 1:11. The covetousness of these Gnostic leaders is plainly shown in 2 Peter 2:3, 2 Peter 2:14. For χαριν — charin as preposition with genitive see Ephesians 3:1, Ephesians 3:14. [source]

What do the individual words in 2 Peter 2:18 mean?

Arrogant for of vanity speaking words they entice with [the] passions of [the] flesh to sensuality those barely escaping from those in error living
ὑπέρογκα γὰρ ματαιότητος φθεγγόμενοι δελεάζουσιν ἐν ἐπιθυμίαις σαρκὸς ἀσελγείαις τοὺς ὀλίγως ἀποφεύγοντας τοὺς ἐν πλάνῃ ἀναστρεφομένους

ὑπέρογκα  Arrogant 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: ὑπέρογκος  
Sense: overswollen.
ματαιότητος  of  vanity 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: ματαιότης  
Sense: what is devoid of truth and appropriateness.
φθεγγόμενοι  speaking  words 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: φθέγγομαι  
Sense: to give out a sound, noise or cry.
δελεάζουσιν  they  entice 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: δελεάζω  
Sense: to bait, catch by a bait.
ἐπιθυμίαις  [the]  passions 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Plural
Root: ἐπιθυμία  
Sense: desire, craving, longing, desire for what is forbidden, lust.
σαρκὸς  of  [the]  flesh 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: σάρξ  
Sense: flesh (the soft substance of the living body, which covers the bones and is permeated with blood) of both man and beasts.
ἀσελγείαις  to  sensuality 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Plural
Root: ἀσέλγεια  
Sense: unbridled lust, excess, licentiousness, lasciviousness, wantonness, outrageousness, shamelessness, insolence.
τοὺς  those 
Parse: Article, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: ὁ  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ὀλίγως  barely 
Parse: Adverb
Root: ὀλίγος  
Sense: little, small, few.
ἀποφεύγοντας  escaping 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: ἀποφεύγω  
Sense: to flee from, escape.
τοὺς  from  those 
Parse: Article, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: ὁ  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
πλάνῃ  error 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: πλάνη  
Sense: a wandering, a straying about.
ἀναστρεφομένους  living 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle or Passive, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: ἀναστρέφω  
Sense: to turn upside down, overturn.

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