2 Peter 2:10
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. | Such punishment is specially reserved for those who indulge the corrupt desires of the flesh and despise authority. Bold and self-willed, they are unafraid to slander glorious beings. | but chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of defilement, and despise dominion. Daring, self-willed, they tremble not to rail at dignities: |
In context
AI-assisted, sourcedGod's judgment falls especially on those who follow the flesh in polluting desire and despise authority. They are bold and self-willed, and they do not tremble to slander "dignities," glorious beings. Peter now describes the false teachers' character (2:10-22). 2 Peter 2:92 Peter 2:10Strong's G1391
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 false teachers, who live by the flesh and despise authority. 2 Peter 2:12 Peter 2:10
This verse links the judgment of 2:9 to the false teachers and begins the section on their character (2:10-22). 2 Peter 2:92 Peter 2:102 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 eventsThe verse gives no date of its own. Peter writes near the end of his life. 2 Peter overview
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 gives believers marks to recognize false teachers: impurity, contempt for authority, and arrogant speech. 2 Peter 2:10
In the whole of ScriptureJude describes men "walking after their own lusts" (Jude 1:16), who "speak evil of those things which they know not" (Jude 1:10). Moses commanded, "Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people" (Exodus 22:28). Peter returns to scoffers "walking after their own lusts" in 3:3. Jude 1:16Jude 1:10Exodus 22:282 Peter 3:3
For readersContempt for authority and a life ruled by desire are warning signs in any teacher. 2 Peter 2:10Jude 1:16
Christians read this differently
Peter does not say who the "dignities" (glorious ones) are. Verse 11 says even angels do not bring railing accusation against them, so many take them to be spiritual beings, including fallen ones. Others take them to be human rulers, in line with "despise government." Either way, these men speak evil of what they understand not (2:12). 2 Peter 2:102 Peter 2:112 Peter 2:12Jude 1:10
- uncleannessμιασμός
The word means defilement, pollution. The lexicon lists this verse as its only New Testament use. Strong's G3394
- governmentκυριότης
The word means lordship or dominion. The lexicon lists Ephesians 1:21, Colossians 1:16 and Jude 8 as its other uses. Strong's G2963
- Presumptuousτολμητής
The word means a bold, daring man. The lexicon lists this verse as its only New Testament use. Strong's G5113
- selfwilledαὐθάδης
The word means self-pleasing or arrogant. The lexicon lists Titus 1:7 as its other New Testament use. Strong's G0829
- dignitiesδόξα
The word means glory; here, glorious ones. Strong's G1391
Takeaway
Judgment falls especially on those who indulge the flesh, despise authority, and boldly slander glorious beings. 2 Peter 2:10Jude 1:10
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| especially | μάλιστα | malista | G3122 | especiallyμάλιστα (malista) μάλιστα, see: μάλα. μάλα adv., [in LXX for אֲבָל, 3Ki.1:43, Dan LXX 10:21, al.; compar. for מ, Num.13:32 (31), al.; μᾶλλον ἠ (מ), Gen.19:9, al.; superlat., 2Ma.8:7, 4Ma.4:22 12:9 15:4 ;] I. Pos., very, very much, exceedingly (cl.; LXX ut supr.; in NT its place is taken by λίαν, σφόδρα, etc.). II. Compar., μᾶλλον. 1. Of increase, more; with qualifying words: πολλῷ, Mrk.10:48, Luk.18:39, Rom.5:15, 17, Php.2:12, al.; πόσῳ, Luk.12:24, Rom.11:12, al.; τοσούτῳ . . . ὅσῳ, Heb.10:25. … |
| then | 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.; … |
| after | ὀπίσω | opisō | G3694 | afterὀπίσω (opisō) ὀπίσω adv. of place and time, [in LXX chiefly for אַחַר and cogn. forms ;] 1. prop., as in cl., adv., (a) of time (not in NT); (b) of place, back, behind, after: Mat.24:18, Luk.7:38; τὰ ὀ., Php.3:13; εἰς τὰ ὀ., Mrk.13:16, Luk.9:62 17:31, Jhn.6:66 18:6 20:14. 2. By a usage not found in cl., and in LXX representing the Heb. prep. אַחַר (Bl., § 40, 8; Thackeray, Gr., 46 f.), but also prob. general in vernacular (M, Pr., 99), as prep. with genitive; (a) of time, after: Mat.3:11, Mrk.1:7 Jhn.1:15, 27 1:30; … |
| [the] flesh | σαρκὸς | sarkos | G4561 | fleshσάρξ (sarx) σάρξ, σαρκός, ἡ [in LXX chiefly for בָּשָׂר ;] flesh; 1. as in cl. generally, (a) prop., of the soft substance of the animal body: 1Co.15:39, 2Co.12:7, Gal.6:13, al.; σ. καὶ αἷμα, 1Co.5:50; σ. καὶ ὀστέα, Luk.24:39; pl., of the flesh of many or parts of the flesh of one (cl.), Rev.17:16 19:18; φαγεῖν, Re, ll. with (cf. κατεσθίειν, 4Ki.9:36, al., and βιβρώσκειν, frequently in l.); metaphorically, Jas.5:3; mystically, φ. (τρώγειν) τὴν σ. τοῦ υἱοῦ τ. ἀνθρώπου, Jhn.6:52-56; … |
| in | 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 … |
| [the] passion | ἐπιθυμίᾳ | epithumia | G1939 | desireἐπιθυμία (epithumia) ἐπιθυμία, -ας, ἡ (έπιθυμέω), [in LXX chiefly for תַּאֲוָה, אָוָה; also for חֶמֶד, etc. ;] desire, longing: Luk.22:15 (see: ἐπιθυμέω), Php.1:23, 1Th.2:17, Rev.18:14; p1., Mrk.4:19; esp. with ref. to forbidden things, desire, lust (Vg., concupiscentia): Rom.7:7-8, Jas.1:14-15, 2Pe.1:4; pl., Gal.5:24, 1Ti.6:9, 2Ti.2:22 4:3, 1Pe.1:14 4:2; πάθος ἐπιθυμίας, 1Th.4:5; ἐ. κακή, Col.3:5; with genitive, μιασμοῦ, 2Pe.2:10 (see Mayor, in l); τ. καρδιῶν, Rom.1:24; τ. κόσμου (aroused by the world), 1Jn.2:17; τ. σώματος, Rom.6:12; τ. ἀπάτης, Eph.4:22 (see ICC, in l); τ. σαρκός, 1Jn.2:16, 2Pe.2:18 (without ar … |
| of defilement | μιασμοῦ | miasmou | G3394 | defilementμιασμός (miasmos) μιασμός, -οῦ, ὁ (μιαίνω), [in LXX: Wis.14:26, 1Ma.4:43 * ;] 1. prop., the act of defiling. 2. = μίασμα (which see) : 2Pe.2:10 (cf. Plut., Mor., 393c).† (AS) |
| walking | πορευομένους | poreuomenous | G4198 | to travelπορεύω (poreuō) πορεύω, (πόρος, a ford, a passage), [in LXX chiefly for הלךְ ;] in cl. (the act. becomes obsolete in late Gk.; see M, Pr., 162), to cause to go over, carry, convey. Mid. (always in LXX and NT), ־ομαι, to go, proceed, go on one's way: with accusative, ὁδόν, Act.8:39; before ἐκεῖθεν, Mat.19:15; ἐντεῦθεν, Luk.13:31; ἀπό, Mat.25:41, Luk.4:42; εἰς, Mat.2:20, Mrk.16:12, Luk.1:39, Jhn.7:35, al; εἰς εἰρήνην (cf. 1Ki.1:17). Luk.7:50; ἐν εἰρήνῃ, Act.16:36; ἐπί, with accusative, Mat.22:9, Act.25:12, al; ἕως, Act.23:23; οὗ, Luk.24:28, 1Co.16:6; πρός, with accusative of person(s), Mat.25:9, Luk.11:5, al. … |
| and | 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. … |
| authority | κυριότητος | kuriotētos | G2963 | lordshipκυριότης (kuriotēs) κυριότης, -ητος, ἡ (κύριος), lordship, dominion: Eph.1:21, 2Pe.2:10, Ju 8; pl., Col.1:16 (cf. Lft., Col; Mayor, Ju., in ll.; DB, i, 616 f.).† (AS) |
| despising. | καταφρονοῦντας. | kataphronountas | G2706 | to despiseκαταφρονέω (kataphroneō) κατα-φρονέω, -ῶ [in LXX for בָּגַד, בּוּז, etc. ;] to think little of, despise: with genitive, Mat.6:24 18:10, Luk.16:13, Rom.2:4, 1Co.11:22, 1Ti.4:12 6:2, Heb.12:2, 2Pe.2:10.† (AS) |
| Bold, | τολμηταί, | tolmētai | G5113 | bold manτολμητής (tolmētēs) τολμητής, -οῦ, ὁ (τολμάω), a bold, daring man: 2Pe.2:10 (Thuc.).† (AS) |
| self-willed, | αὐθάδεις, | authadeis | G0829 | self-willedαὐθάδης (authadēs) αὐθάδης, -ες (αὐτος, ἥδομαι), [in LXX: Gen.49:3, 7 (עַז), Pro.21:24 (יָהִיר)* ;] self-pleasing, arrogant: Tit.1:7, 2Pe.2:10 (Cremer, 654).† SYN.: φίλαυτος (see Tr., Syn., § xciii) (AS) |
| glorious ones | δόξας | doxas | G1391 | gloryδόξα (doxa) δόξα, -ης, ἡ (δοκέω), [in LXX very frequently for כָּבוֹד, also for הוֹד ,פִּפְאֶרֶת, etc., 25 words in all ;] in cl., 1. expectation, judgment, opinion (4Ma.5:18). 2. opinion, estimation in which one is held, repute; in NT, always good opinion, hence reputation, praise, honour, glory: Luk.14:10, Jhn.12:43, Heb.3:3; opposite to αἰσχύνη, Php.3:19; to ἀτιμία, 2Co.6:8; δ. κ. τιμή, Rom.2:7, 10 1Pe.1:7, 2Pe.1:17; ζητεῖν, Jhn.5:44 7:18 8:50, 1Th.2:6; λαμβάνειν, Jhn.5:41, 2Pe.1:17, Rev.5:12; διδόναι δ. τ. θεῷ (cf. נָתַן כָּבוֹד לַיהוָֹה, Jer.13:16, al.), Luk.17:18, Jhn.9:24, Act.12:23, Rom.4:20, … |
| not | οὐ | ou | G3756 | noοὐ (ou) οὐ, before a vowel with smooth breathing οὐκ, before one with rough breathing οὐχ (but improperly οὐχ ἰδού, Act.2:7, WH, mg.; cf. WH, Intr., §409; M, Pr., 44, 244), [in LXX for אֵין ,אַיִן ,לֹא ;] neg. particle, not, no, used generally with indic, and for a denial of fact (cf . μή); 1. absol. (accented), οὔ, no: Mat.13:29 Jhn.1:21 21:5; οὒ οὕ, Mat.5:37 Jas.5:12. … |
| they tremble | τρέμουσιν | tremousin | G5141 | to trembleτρέμω (tremō) τρέμω to tremble, esp. with fear: Mrk.5:33, Luk.8:47; with ptcp. (in cl more frequently with inf.), 2Pe.2:10.† (AS) |
| blaspheming; | βλασφημοῦντες· | blasphēmountes | G0987 | to blasphemeβλασφημέω (blasphēmeō) βλασφημέω, -ῶ (βλάσφημος), [in LXX: 4Ki.19:4 (יכח hi.) ib. 6, 22 (גּדף pi.), Isa.52:5 (נאץ hith.), Dan LXX 3:29 (96) (אמר שׁלח), Tob.1:18, Da TH Bel 9, 2Ma.2 * ;] 1. to speak lightly or profanely of sacred things (in cl., opp. of εὐφημέω), esp. to speak impiously of God, to blaspheme, speak blasphemously: absol., Mat.9:3 26:65, Mrk.2:7, Jhn.10:36, Act.26:11, 1Ti.1:20, 2Pe.2:12; τ. θεόν, Act.19:37, Rev.16:11, 21; τὸ ὄνομα τ. θεοῦ, Rev.13:6 16:9; δόξας, Ju 3, 2Pe.2:10; εἰς τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον, Mrk.3:29, Luk.12:10. … |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.