Tara-Leigh Cobble

The false teachers were accusing them of lying, the apostles and the leaders of the early church.

So Peter defends the gospel.

It's not a myth and no one made it up.

Not the apostles' testimony and not the Hebrew scriptures either.

In fact, he says in verses 20-21, He stands firm on the fact that scripture is God's word.

These false teachers were not only disregarding God's word, but trying to get people to rely on their own words about God instead.

They even claimed to know when Jesus would return, as though God had revealed it to them personally.

Peter says to trust the written word of God over the words of these false teachers and their false prophecies.

Those who lie about God's word will face judgment.

Even the angels brought judgment on themselves when they sinned against God.

not to mention the people on earth during the flood and in Sodom and Gomorrah, God brought judgment while still sparing the righteous people who were in those situations.

But these false teachers, they're bold and willful.

They have no fear of God, no reverence and awe of him.

They're irrational and impulsive, like animals, he said.

Not only is their message a lie, but their lives are a train wreck.

They're adulterers, liars, greedy, and he says they entice unsteady souls.

That makes me want to make sure my soul is steady so I don't fall prey to false teaching.

And for them, Peter says God has reserved the gloom of utter darkness.

Peter says at some point in the future, people will be scoffers.

They will follow their own sinful desires and mock the return of Jesus.