2 Peter 2:1
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. | Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. | But there arose false prophets also among the people, as among you also there shall be false teachers, who shall privily bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master that bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedAs false prophets arose among the people of Israel, false teachers will arise among the believers. They will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, and bring swift destruction on themselves. The danger comes from inside the church. 2 Peter 2:1
SpeakingSimon Peter, "a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ," who saw Christ's majesty on the holy mount. 2 Peter overview
To"Them that have obtained like precious faith"; traditionally the same believers as 1 Peter, in Asia Minor. 2 Peter overview
Also involvedThe believers, among whom false teachers would arise, and the false teachers themselves. 2 Peter 2:12 Peter overview
Peter moves from true prophecy (1:19-21) to false prophets and teachers. Chapter 2 describes them and their judgment. 2 Peter 2:12 Peter overview
The letter names no place. If the readers are those of 1 Peter, they were in Asia Minor; tradition places Peter in Rome at the end of his life. 2 Peter overview
The eventsPeter speaks of the future: "there shall be false teachers." 2 Peter 2:1
WrittenTraditional: about AD 64-68, shortly before Peter's death. Scholarly: many hold a follower wrote it in Peter's name, perhaps AD 100-150; others accept that Peter wrote it near the end of his life. 2 Peter overview
HerePeter warns the church ahead of time so they will recognize false teachers. 2 Peter 2:12 Peter overview
In the whole of ScriptureJesus said, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing" (Matthew 7:15), and "many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many" (Matthew 24:11). Jude warns of "certain men crept in unawares ... denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ" (Jude 1:4). Paul wrote of "false brethren unawares brought in" (Galatians 2:4). Matthew 7:15Matthew 24:11Jude 1:4Galatians 2:4
For readersFalse teaching often enters quietly from within. Believers must be alert. 2 Peter 2:1Matthew 7:15
Christians read this differently
Peter says the false teachers deny "the Lord that bought them." Some read this as showing Christ's purchase was made even for people who finally reject him. Others read it as describing what the false teachers claimed or professed, not a purchase they truly shared. Both agree that these teachers deny the Master and bring "swift destruction" on themselves. 2 Peter 2:1Strong's G0059Strong's G1203
- false teachersψευδοδιδάσκαλος
The word means a false teacher. The lexicon lists this verse as its only New Testament use. Strong's G5572
- privily shall bring inπαρεισάγω
The word means to bring in secretly. The lexicon lists this verse as its only New Testament use. Strong's G3919
- heresiesαἵρεσις
The word means a sect, a faction. The lexicon lists 1 Corinthians 11:19 and Galatians 5:20 among its uses. Strong's G0139
- boughtἀγοράζω
The word means to buy. The lexicon lists 1 Corinthians 6:20 among its uses. Strong's G0059
- Lordδεσπότης
The word means master, owner. The lexicon lists 1 Timothy 6:1 and Titus 2:9 among its uses. Strong's G1203
Takeaway
False teachers will arise among you, secretly bringing destructive heresies and denying the Lord who bought them. 2 Peter 2:1Jude 1:4
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-28.
Original Greek words
| English | Greek | Say it | Strong's | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| There were | Ἐγένοντο | Egenonto | G1096 | to beγίνομαι (ginomai) γίνομαι, Ion. and κοινή for Att. γίγν- (M. Pr., 47; Bl., §6, 8 Mayser, 166 f.), [in LXX chiefly for היה ;] 1. of persons, things occurrences, to come into being, be born, arise, come on: Jhn.1:15 8:58, 1Co.15:37; a first appearance in public, Mrk.1:4, Jhn.1:6, al.; before ἐκ (of birth), Rom.1:3, Gal.4:4; διά, Jhn.1:3; βροντή, Jhn.12:29; σεισμός, Rev.6:12; γογγυσμός, Act.6:1; χαρά, Act.8:8, many other similar exx.; ἡμέρα, Luk.22:66, al.; ὀψέ, Mrk.11:19; πρωΐα, Mat.27:1; νύξ, Act.27:27. … |
| however | δὲ | de | G1161 | thenδέ (de) δέ (before vowels δ᾽; on the general neglect of the elision in NT, see WH, App., 146; Tdf., Pr., 96), post-positive conjunctive particle; 1. copulative, but, in the next place, and, now (Abbott, JG, 104): Mat.1:2ff., 2Co.6:15, 16, 2Pe.1:5-7; in repetition for emphasis, Rom.3:21, 22, 9:30, 1Co.2:6, Gal.2:2, Php.2:8; in transition to something new, Mat.1:18, 2:19, Luk.13:1, Jhn.7:14, Act.6:1, Rom.8:28, 1Co.7:1 8:1, al.; in explanatory parenthesis or addition, Jhn.3:19, Rom.5:8, 1Co.1:12, Eph.2:4, 5:32, al.; ὡς δέ, Jhn.2:9; καὶ . . . δέ, but also, Mat.10:18, Luk.1:76, Jhn.6:51, Rom.11:23, al.; … |
| also | καὶ | kai | G2532 | andκαί (kai) καί, conj., and I. Copulative. 1. Connecting single words; (a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. (b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; (with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. 2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. … |
| false prophets | ψευδοπροφῆται | pseudoprophētai | G5578 | false prophetψευδοπροφήτης (pseudoprophētēs) ψευδο-προφήτης, -ου, ὁ [in LXX: Zec.13:2, Jer.1:9 (Jer.6:13, al.) (נָבִיא)* ;] a false prophet (= cl. ψευδόμαντις): Mat.7:15 24:11, 24, Mrk.13:22 (see Swete, in l), Luk.6:26, Act.13:6, 2Pe.2:1, 1Jn.4:1, Rev.16:13 19:20 20:10 † (AS) |
| among | ἐν | en | G1722 | in/on/amongἐν (en) ἐν, prep, (the most frequently of all in NT), with dative (= Heb. בְּ, Lat. in, with abl.). I. Of place, with dative of thing(s), of person(s), in, within, on, at, by, among: ἐν τ. πόλει, Luk.7:37; τ. οφθαλμῷ, Mat.7:3; τ. κοιλίᾳ, Mat.12:40; τ. ὄρει, 2Pe.1:18; τ. θρόνῳ, Rev.3:21; τ. δεξιᾷ τ. θεοῦ, Rom.8:34; ἐν ἡμῖν Abbott-Smith has ὑμῖν., Luk.1:1; of books, ἐν τ. βιβλίῳ, Gal.3:10; τ. νόμῳ, Mat.12:5, al.; ἐν τοῖς τ. Πατρός, in my Father's house (RV; cf. M, Pr., 103), Luk.2:49; trop., of the region of thought or feeling, ἐν τ. καρδίᾳ (-αις), Mat.5:28, 2Co.4:6, al.; τ. συνειδήσεσιν, 2Co.5:11; af … |
| people | λαῷ | laō | G2992 | a peopleλαός (laos) λαός, -οῦ, ὁ, [in LXX very frequently for עַם, Gen.14:16, al.; occasionally for לְאֹם ( Gen.25:23, al.), etc. ;] a word rarely found in Att. prose; 1. the people at large (Hom., al.), esp. of people assembled: Mat.27:25, Luk.1:21 3:15 al.; pl. (Hom., al., π.; see MM, xvi), Act.4:27. … |
| as | ὡς | hōs | G5613 | as/whenὡς (hōs) ὡς, adverbial form of the relative pron. ὅς, ἥ, ὅ. I. As relat. adv. of manner, as, like as, just as, even as; 1. with a demonstrative, like οὕτως, expressed or understood: οὕτως . . . ὡς, Mrk.4:26, 1Co.3:15, Eph.5:28, Jas.2:12, al.; ὡς . . . οὕτως, Act.8:32, 1Co.7:17, al.; elliptically (sc. οὕτως, οὕτω), with nom., Mat.6:29, al.; with accusative, Mat.19:19, Mrk.12:31, al.; with prep., Mat.26:55, Mrk.14:48, Luk.22:52, Jhn.7:10, al.; with verb., Jhn.15:6, 2Co.3:1, Eph.2:3, 1Th.5:6, al.; with ptcp. (the ptcp. however not having the special force wh. it has in cl.; see Bl., §73, 5; 74, 6), Mat. … |
| also | καὶ | kai | G2532 | andκαί (kai) καί, conj., and I. Copulative. 1. Connecting single words; (a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. (b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; (with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. 2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. … |
| among | ἐν | en | G1722 | in/on/amongἐν (en) ἐν, prep, (the most frequently of all in NT), with dative (= Heb. בְּ, Lat. in, with abl.). I. Of place, with dative of thing(s), of person(s), in, within, on, at, by, among: ἐν τ. πόλει, Luk.7:37; τ. οφθαλμῷ, Mat.7:3; τ. κοιλίᾳ, Mat.12:40; τ. ὄρει, 2Pe.1:18; τ. θρόνῳ, Rev.3:21; τ. δεξιᾷ τ. θεοῦ, Rom.8:34; ἐν ἡμῖν Abbott-Smith has ὑμῖν., Luk.1:1; of books, ἐν τ. βιβλίῳ, Gal.3:10; τ. νόμῳ, Mat.12:5, al.; ἐν τοῖς τ. Πατρός, in my Father's house (RV; cf. M, Pr., 103), Luk.2:49; trop., of the region of thought or feeling, ἐν τ. καρδίᾳ (-αις), Mat.5:28, 2Co.4:6, al.; τ. συνειδήσεσιν, 2Co.5:11; af … |
| you | ὑμῖν | humin | G4771 | youσέ (se) αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). 1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); (1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; … |
| there will be | ἔσονται | esontai | G1510 | you areεἶ (ei) εἰμί, with various uses and significations, like the English verb to be. I. As substantive verb. 1. Of persons and things, to be, exist: Act.17:28, Jhn.1:1, 8:58, 17:5, al; ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν (for past ptcp.), Rev.1:4, 8, 4:8, 11:17, 16:5 (see Swete, Ap., 5; M, Pr., 228); τὰ (μὴ) ὄντα, Rom.4:17, 1Co.1:28. 2. Of times, events, etc., to be, happen, take place: Mat.24:3, Mrk.14:2, 15:42, Luk.21:23, Jhn.4:6, 23, 5:10, al. … |
| false teachers, | ψευδοδιδάσκαλοι, | pseudodidaskaloi | G5572 | false teacherψευδοδιδάσκαλος (pseudodidaskalos) ψευδο-διδάσκαλος, -ου, ὁ a false teacher: 2Pe.2:1.† (AS) |
| who | οἵτινες | oitines | G3748 | who/whichὅστις (hostis, hētis) ὅστις, ἥτις, ὅ τι (also written ὅ, τι and ὅτι; see LS, see word; WH, §411; Tdf., Pr., 111), in NT scarcely ever except in nom. (M, Pr., 91), the only instance of the oblique cases being found in ἕως ὅτου (see: ἕως), relative of indef. reference (related to simple ὅς as Lat. quisquis to qui), whoever, anyone who; (a) of an indef. person or thing: in general statements, Mat.5:39, 41 13:12, and freq., Luk.14:27, Gal.5:4, al.; in relative sentences, Mat.7:26, Luk.15:7, Php.3:7, al.; πᾶς, with indic., Mat.7:24 10:32; ὅ ἄν (ἐάν), with subjc., Mat.12:50 13:12, Jhn.14:13, 1Co.16:2, Gal.5:10, al.; … |
| will stealthily introduce | παρεισάξουσιν | pareisaxousin | G3919 | to introduceπαρεισάγω (pareisagō) παρ-εισ-άγω 1. to lead in by one's side, bring forward, introduce. 2. In late writers, to introduce or bring in secretly: 2Pe.2:1.† (AS) |
| heresies | αἱρέσεις | haireseis | G0139 | sectαἵρεσις (ahiresis) αἵρεσις, -εως, ἡ (αἱρέω, -ομαι), [in LXX for נְדָבָה,] 1. capture. 2. choosing, choice (see MM, VGT, see word). 3. that which is chosen, hence, opinion; esp. a peculiar opinion, heresy: 1Co.11:19, Gal.5:20, 2Pe.2:1 R, txt. 4. In late writers (MM, VGT), of a set of persons professing particular principles or opinions, a school, sect, party, faction: Act.5:17 15:5 24:5,14 26:5 28:22, I Co, Ga, II Pe, l.with, R, mg. (Cremer, 614). † (AS) |
| destructive | ἀπωλείας | apōleias | G0684 | destructionἀπώλεια (apōleia) ἀπώλεια, -ας, ἡ (ἀπόλλυμι), [in LXX (Cremer, 797) for אָבַד, אֵיד, etc. ;] destruction, waste, loss, perishing (in π., of money, see MM, see word): Mat.26:8, Mrk.14:4, Act.8:20, Rom.9:22, 1Ti.6:9, 2Pe.2:1; in special sense of the loss of eternal life, perdition, the antithesis of σωτηρία: Mat.7:13, Jhn.17:12, Php.1:28 3:19, 2Th.2:3, Heb.10:39, 2Pe.2:3 3:7 3:16, Rev.17:8, 11 (DB, iii, 744).† (AS) |
| even | καὶ | kai | G2532 | andκαί (kai) καί, conj., and I. Copulative. 1. Connecting single words; (a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. (b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; (with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. 2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. … |
| having bought | ἀγοράσαντα | agorasanta | G0059 | to buyἀγοράζω (agorazō) ἀγοράζω (ἀγορά), [in LXX chiefly for שׁבר, קנה ;] 1. to frequent the ἀγορά (Hdt., al.). 2. to buy in the market, purchase (Xen., al.; LXX; in π. very common in deeds of sale, see MM, VGT, see word): absol., Mat.21:12, Mrk.11:15; with accusative of thing(s), Mat.13:44, 46, al.; before παρά, with genitive of person(s), Rev.3:18 (LXX, Polyb.); ἐκ, Mat.27:7; with genitive pret., Mrk.6:37, al.; metaphorically, 1Co.6:20 7:23, 2Pe.2:1, Rev.5:9 14:3, 4. (AS) |
| them | αὐτοὺς | autous | G0846 | it/s/heαὐτός (autos) αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). 1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); (1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; … |
| Master | δεσπότην | despotēn | G1203 | masterδεσπότης (despotēs) δεσπότης, -ου, ὁ [in LXX chiefly for אָדוֹן, אֲדֹנָי; in Jdth.9:17, δ. τ. οὐρανῶν κ. τ. γῆς]; a master, lord, correlative of δοῦλος, οἰκέτης: 1Ti.6:1, 2, 2Ti.2:21, Tit.2:9, 1Pe.2:18; as title of God, voc., δέσποτα (so usually in LXX), Luk.2:29, Act.4:24; ὁ δ. = voc. δέσποτα (cf. B1., § 33, 4), Rev.6:10; of Christ, 2Pe.2:1, Ju 4, R, txt. (but cf. mg.).† SYN.: κύριος (which see), implying limitation of authority and a more general relation than δ., which "denoted absolute ownership and uncontrolled power" (Thayer). (AS) |
| denying, | ἀρνούμενοι, | arnoumenoi | G0720 | to denyἀρνέομαι (arneomai) ἀρνέομαι -οῦμαι, depon., [in LXX: Gen.18:15 (כָּחַשׁ pi.), Wis.12:27 16:16 17:10, 4Ma.8:7 4Mac 10:15 * ;] 1. to deny, say no, opposite to είπεῖν: absol., Mat.26:70, Luk.8:45; before ἅτι, 1Jn.2:22; with inf., Heb.11:24 2. In late Gk. (MM, see word), with accusative of person(s), to deny, refuse to acknowledge, disown: Act.3:14 7:35; Ἰησοῦν, Mat.10:33, 2Ti.2:12, 1Jn.2:22, Ju 4; ἑαυτόν, Luk.9:23, 2Ti.2:13 (prove false to) 3. C. accusative of thing(s) (in cl. to refuse), to deny, abjure: 1Ti.5:8, Tit.2:12, 2Ti.3:5 (cf. ἀπαρνέομαι) (AS) |
| bringing upon | ἐπάγοντες | epagontes | G1863 | to bring uponἐπάγω (epagō) ἐπ-άγω [in LXX for בּוֹא hi., etc. (29 words in all) ;] to bring upon: with dative and accusative, 2Pe.2:5; ἑαυτοῖς ἐ. (for cl. mid., see Mayor, in l), 2Pe.2:1; ἐ. τὸ αἷμα (cf. Ge 209), Act.5:28.† (AS) |
| themselves | ἑαυτοῖς | he'autois | G1438 | /him/herselfαὑτοῦ (ahutou) αὑτοῦ, -ῆς, -οῦ = ἑαυτοῦ (which see), Mat.6:34, Luk.12:17, al. (MM, see word) (AS) |
| imminent | ταχινὴν | tachinēn | G5031 | quickταχινός (tachinos) ταχινός, -ή, -όν [in LXX: Pro.1:16, Hab.1:6, Isa.59:7 (מָהַר), Wis.13:2, Sir.11:22 18:26 * ;] poët. and late for ταχύς, swift: of swift approach, 2Pe.1:14 2:1.† (AS) |
| destruction; | ἀπώλειαν· | apōleian | G0684 | destructionἀπώλεια (apōleia) ἀπώλεια, -ας, ἡ (ἀπόλλυμι), [in LXX (Cremer, 797) for אָבַד, אֵיד, etc. ;] destruction, waste, loss, perishing (in π., of money, see MM, see word): Mat.26:8, Mrk.14:4, Act.8:20, Rom.9:22, 1Ti.6:9, 2Pe.2:1; in special sense of the loss of eternal life, perdition, the antithesis of σωτηρία: Mat.7:13, Jhn.17:12, Php.1:28 3:19, 2Th.2:3, Heb.10:39, 2Pe.2:3 3:7 3:16, Rev.17:8, 11 (DB, iii, 744).† (AS) |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.