Spots and Blemishes 2 Peter 2:13

As the apostle Peter continued some of his last words to the church, he shared his concerns over false prophets that would arise among them. These false teachers would bring in “damnable heresies, speak evil of dignities, be presumptuous, self-willed, and speak evil about things they did not understand”. If this was not enough against them, Peter continues his discourse about them in chapter two and verse thirteen where we read:

And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;

The verse begins, “And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time.” The idea contained in “shall receive the reward of righteousness” is they “shall carry, or receive as due” the reward that unrighteousness brings. Peter marks that this “reward” shall be compared to those who “count it pleasure” or “think of it as, deem, or consider” rioting in the day time as though it shall always be. In other words, unrighteousness has it's time of pleasure, and as the book of Hebrews chapter eleven and verse twenty-five shares about Moses:

Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

These false teachers would dwell among the church, and believe themselves to be immune to any penalty for their behavior.

Peter goes on to say, “Spots they are and blemishes,” “Spots” were physically inherited maladies usually found in sacrificial animals. These were disabilities that were from birth such as blindness, missing a limb, etc. “Blemishes” were acquired blights such as a broken leg, a burn, etc. When animals were found with these traits, they were not to be sacrificed to the Lord for an offering. Peter knows that his audience is aware of his metaphors, and he insures that these false teachers stand out from the pureness that should be in the church as it functions.

Finally the verse says, “sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;” Peter goes on to add that these false prophets would be “sporting themselves” which means “to live in luxury, live delicately or luxuriously, to revel in” their own deceitfulness while they entertain themselves and feast sumptuously with the rest of the church. These presumptuous, self-willed, false teachers would lavish themselves and place themselves upon imaginary thrones of worthiness even while they dined with the members of the church.

Is there anyone reading these words who is beginning to dislike these “false prophets” and the ideas they convey? If there are not as yet, Peter is doing his best to insure that we are aware of them. As we consider this evil report of these teachers who use, abuse and confuse the church of Jesus, perhaps we should ask the Lord for discernment as to who these erroneous teachers are. We must be sharp O' church of the living God, and reveal as Peter did these “spots and blemishes” that are among us.

Next time we learn more about the behavior of these false prophets, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

 

Until tomorrow...there is more...

 

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