2 Peter 2:10Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Now from the examples cited above, the apostle skillfully passes to his main subject. He speaks of the accursed Nicolaitans, Naassenes, and Cerdonians. Their malice has many names and is viewed together, since it is alike in filthy deeds and names.

They presented the Abyss and Silence as the first principles of the world’s existence. Some of these first principles they strangely called mothers and aeons (aionas). From this source Marcion also took evil seeds.

Then, having rejected the Lord’s participation in the creation and providence of the world, they fearlessly plunged into every fleshly impurity.

Man does not turn aside so far that he is wholly reduced to nothing. But when he turns aside toward himself, he becomes less than he was when he cleaved to Him who possesses being in the highest degree. Therefore, to leave God and be in oneself, that is, to be satisfied with oneself, does not yet mean to be reduced to nothing. It means to draw near to nothingness. For this reason the proud in Holy Scripture are otherwise called self-pleasers. In the Synodal translation, they are called self-willed.

Peter wishes to say the same thing here. These madmen are in no way ashamed to revile their superiors, although even those who surpass them, that is, these sinners, in meekness and power do not bring against them, that is, against the superiors, a reviling judgment before the Lord (2 Pet 2:11).

The Apostle depicts the false teachers and divides them into two classes: filthy libertines and self-willed despisers of authority. The Apostle Jude depicts them in the same way (Jude 1:8). "They do not tremble as they blaspheme glories." By "glories" here are meant higher persons who possess high glory. Therefore the Russian has: "They are not afraid to revile dignitaries."

In the second chapter of his Second Epistle, the Apostle Peter rebukes false teachers who introduce destructive heresies or divisions (v. 1). They bring reproach upon the way of truth, that is, upon the Gospel teaching.

They have known the way of righteousness and the holy commandment (v. 21). They have known our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (v. 20). Yet, like irrational animals, they are led by nature (v. 12). They promise freedom while being slaves of corruption (v. 19).

In what does their false teaching consist? Among other things, in this: “They despise authorities, are bold and self-willed, and are not afraid to speak evil of dignities” (v. 10).

Is there not here a clear depiction of contemporary Tolstoyans, who deny lawful authorities? Is it not they who teach a return to the way of life of irrational animals, which know neither property, nor society, nor state?

“And especially those,” and so forth. From his general discourse the apostle turns more particularly to those persons against whom he directs his word of rebuke, namely the false teachers whom he then characterizes.

These are men who go, or more precisely walk, after the filthy lusts of the flesh. They give themselves over to the lusts of fleshly defilement.

All filthy fleshly lusts are meant. Yet judging by the context and the parallel passages in Jude (v. 7) and in the Apostle Paul (Eph 4:18-19; Rom 1:24-27), especially meant are the lusts of Sodom, which cry out to heaven.

“They despise authority.” This refers to all authorities appointed by God for governance, both in the Church and in civil society.

"They follow after the filthy lusts of the flesh, despise authorities, are bold and self-willed, and are not afraid to revile dignitaries. They count it pleasure to revel in the daytime. Their eyes are full of lust. Their heart is trained in covetousness." Thus the striving for independence from every authority, flesh-pleasing dissipation, sensuality, and daily immersion in sensual pleasures are the moral traits of the heretics of the apostolic age. Some Gnostic sects are depicted in history with such traits, as are their ancestors and forerunners: the Simonians, Nicolaitans, Balaamites, and others.

The judgment of God must overtake heretics especially for their corruption, their rebellion against authorities, and their evil speech against the higher bearers of glory. By authorities here one may understand bishops and presbyters, and by higher ones, the apostles.

It is known that heretics, in order to gain success, often spoke evil of all ministers of the Church, not excluding the apostles. This happened especially often with regard to the Apostle Paul.

Therefore he said that even if an angel should preach a gospel other than he did, let him be anathema. The Apostle Peter likewise appeals to angels, though in a more positive way, saying that angels do not condemn the apostolic preaching.