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Selected Verse: 2 Peter 2:2 - King James

Verse	Translation	Text
2Pe 2:2	King James	And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
follow--out: so the Greek. pernicious ways--The oldest manuscripts and Vulgate read, "licentiousness" (Jde 1:4). False doctrine and immoral practice generally go together (Pe2 2:18-19). by reason of whom--"on account of whom," namely, the followers of the false teachers. the way of truth shall be evil spoken of--"blasphemed" by those without, who shall lay on Christianity itself the blame of its professors' evil practice. Contrast Pe1 2:12.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

follow--out: so the Greek.

pernicious ways--The oldest manuscripts and Vulgate read, "licentiousness" (Jde 1:4). False doctrine and immoral practice generally go together (Pe2 2:18-19).

by reason of whom--"on account of whom," namely, the followers of the false teachers.

the way of truth shall be evil spoken of--"blasphemed" by those without, who shall lay on Christianity itself the blame of its professors' evil practice. Contrast Pe1 2:12.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
And many shall follow their pernicious ways - Margin: "lascivious." A large number of manuscripts and versions read "lascivious" here - ἀσελγείαις aselgeiais - instead of "pernicious" - ἀπωλείαις apōleiais (see Wetstein), and this reading is adopted in the editions of the Greek Testament by Tittman, Griesbach, and Hahn, and it seems probable that this is the correct reading. This will agree well with the account elsewhere given of these teachers, that their doctrines tended to licentiousness, Pe2 2:10, Pe2 2:14, Pe2 2:18-19. It is a very remarkable circumstance, that those who have denied the essential doctrines of the gospel have been so frequently licentious in their own conduct, and have inculcated opinions which tended to licentiousness. Many of the forms of religious error have somehow had a connection with this vice. People who are corrupt at heart often seek to obtain the sanction of religion for their corruptions. By reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of - (1) because they were professors of religion, and religion would seem to be held responsible for their conduct; and, (2) because they were professed teachers of religion, and, by many, would be understood as expounding the true doctrines of the gospel.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

And many shall follow their pernicious ways - Margin: "lascivious." A large number of manuscripts and versions read "lascivious" here - ἀσελγείαις aselgeiais - instead of "pernicious" - ἀπωλείαις apōleiais (see Wetstein), and this reading is adopted in the editions of the Greek Testament by Tittman, Griesbach, and Hahn, and it seems probable that this is the correct reading. This will agree well with the account elsewhere given of these teachers, that their doctrines tended to licentiousness, Pe2 2:10, Pe2 2:14, Pe2 2:18-19. It is a very remarkable circumstance, that those who have denied the essential doctrines of the gospel have been so frequently licentious in their own conduct, and have inculcated opinions which tended to licentiousness. Many of the forms of religious error have somehow had a connection with this vice. People who are corrupt at heart often seek to obtain the sanction of religion for their corruptions.

By reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of -

(1) because they were professors of religion, and religion would seem to be held responsible for their conduct; and,

(2) because they were professed teachers of religion, and, by many, would be understood as expounding the true doctrines of the gospel.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Shall follow See on Pe2 1:16. Pernicious ways (ἀπωλείαις) The true reading is ἀσελγείαις, lascivious doings. So Rev. See on Pe1 4:3. The use of the plural is rare. Compare Jde 1:4.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]

Shall follow

See on Pe2 1:16.

Pernicious ways (ἀπωλείαις)

The true reading is ἀσελγείαις, lascivious doings. So Rev. See on Pe1 4:3. The use of the plural is rare. Compare Jde 1:4.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
The way of truth will be evil spoken of - By those who blend all false and true Christians together.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]

The way of truth will be evil spoken of - By those who blend all false and true Christians together.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
Many shall follow - Will follow, because determined to gratify their sinful propensities. Pernicious ways - Ταις απωλειαις· Their destructions; i.e. the heresies of destruction, or destructive opinions, mentioned above. But instead of απωλειαις, destructions, ασελγειαις, lasciviousnesses or uncleannesses, is the reading of ABC, and upwards of sixty others, most of which are among the most ancient, correct, and authentic. This is the reading also of both the Syriac, all the Arabic, the Coptic, Ethiopic, Armenian, Slavonic, Vulgate, Chrysostom, Theophylact, Ecumenius, and Jerome. A very few, and those of little repute, have the word in the text. The word lasciviousnesses is undoubtedly the true reading, and this points out what the nature of the heresies was: it was a sort of Antinomianism; they pampered and indulged the lusts of the flesh; and, if the Nicolaitans are meant, it is very applicable to them, for they taught the community of wives, etc. Griesbach has received this reading into the text. By reason of whom - These were persons who professed Christianity; and because they were called Christians, and followed such abominable practices, the way of truth - the Christian religion, βλασφημηθησεται, was blasphemed. Had they called themselves by any name but that of Christ, his religion would not have suffered.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826

Many shall follow - Will follow, because determined to gratify their sinful propensities.

Pernicious ways - Ταις απωλειαις· Their destructions; i.e. the heresies of destruction, or destructive opinions, mentioned above. But instead of απωλειαις, destructions, ασελγειαις, lasciviousnesses or uncleannesses, is the reading of ABC, and upwards of sixty others, most of which are among the most ancient, correct, and authentic. This is the reading also of both the Syriac, all the Arabic, the Coptic, Ethiopic, Armenian, Slavonic, Vulgate, Chrysostom, Theophylact, Ecumenius, and Jerome. A very few, and those of little repute, have the word in the text.

The word lasciviousnesses is undoubtedly the true reading, and this points out what the nature of the heresies was: it was a sort of Antinomianism; they pampered and indulged the lusts of the flesh; and, if the Nicolaitans are meant, it is very applicable to them, for they taught the community of wives, etc. Griesbach has received this reading into the text.

By reason of whom - These were persons who professed Christianity; and because they were called Christians, and followed such abominable practices, the way of truth - the Christian religion, βλασφημηθησεται, was blasphemed. Had they called themselves by any name but that of Christ, his religion would not have suffered.

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