2 Peter 2:17–22 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 2:10b, 2 Peter 2:11–16)
The seduction of the false teachers (2 Peter 2:17–22)
Having focused on the character of the false teachers (2 Peter 2:10–16), Peter now considers their seductive effects on others.2 They make big promises of freedom, encouraging others to listen to them and follow their ways. However, their promises are empty because they themselves are slaves of depravity. Though they claim to be Christian, they have rejected Christ so that they are in a worse position than they were before they came to know the Christian truth.
17 These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved.