This chapter in particular is very similar to the letter of Jude. It seems they are addressing the same issues though coming at it from different perspectives.
The problem? Preachers preaching heresy. Teachers teaching false doctrine. We perhaps don’t understand fully what the heresies were and 2,000 years later we stand up against theories that maybe Peter and Jude didn’t. Nonetheless how they addressed it is how they would speak to us today.
If your Pastor is preaching the Truth of the Gospel today then be thankful that the truth the world holds to has not infiltrated the pulpit.
After Peter says the unrighteous will be punished:
“This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, they are not afraid to heap abuse on celestial beings; yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not heap abuse on such beings when bringing judgment on them from the Lord. But these people blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like unreasoning animals, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like animals they too will perish.” (2 Peter 2 v 10-12)
“Those who follow” – They have a following. Success isn’t the measure of truth.
“Despise authority” – Ultimately the Sovereignty of God and His authority. Not that they know or admit to this. But it is seen in the fact that they teach and act like they have authority. They have a title and they speak authoritatively and yet they are blinded to the truth that the authority we have is given by Jesus, it is His authority, we don’t have it, it isn’t ours, it belongs to Him.
“Bold and arrogant” about the issue – True teaching will not tell you to live free from restriction. True teaching will not desire for you to submit to the teacher. True teachers do not focus on criticism.
“Blaspheme what they don’t understand” – Pride blinds them to the blasphemy that they speak. Heresies are blasphemies.
“They will perish like animals” – they live without restraint, they are not tamed animals, but beasts or unreasoning animals that will be caught, receive their justice and destroyed.
Thank God for Preachers that preach the truth!
Missions Paul 