1. 2 Peter 2:10–16 (ESV)
  2. Structure and outline

Structure and outline of 2 Peter 2:10b-16

2 Peter 2:10–16 (ESV)

10 and especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority.Bold and willful, they do not tremble as they blaspheme the glorious ones,

2 Peter 2:10b-16 is part of the apostolic testimony and false teachers section of the letter. This section can be further subdivided as follows:1

- Body middle: the apostolic testimony and the false teachers (2 Peter 1:12 – 2:22)

1. A call to remember (2 Peter 1:12–21)

2. The coming and the judgment of the false teachers (2 Peter 2:1–22)

  • The rise and judgment of the false teachers (2 Peter 2:1–3)

  • Past sinners and their doom (2 Peter 2:4–10)

  • The vices of the false teachers (2 Peter 2:10–16)

Having affirmed that the false teachers will face judgment, Peter now goes on to give more details about their sins and motivations. He focuses particularly on their arrogance, irrationality, devotion to pleasure, and enticement of others due to greed.2 By highlighting the rebelliousness of the false teachers, he will make it clear to believers why they should stay away from these people. He also helps us to recognize the wolves who come in sheep’s clothing so that it will be harder for us to be deceived by them.