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  2 PETER 2:2
  by John Gill
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Summary: The sermon emphasizes the dangers of following false teachings
and the importance of adhering to the truth of the Gospel.

Topics: "False Teachers", "The Way of Truth"
Scripture References: Matthew 24:11, John 14:6, Romans 2:24, Galatians 1:6-9, 1 Timothy 4:1, 2 Timothy 4:3-4, 2 Peter 2:2, 1 John 4:1, Jude 1:4, Revelation 13:3

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DESCRIPTION
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John Gill emphasizes the dangers of following false teachers and their
immoral ways, which lead many astray and ultimately to destruction. He
highlights that these individuals, despite their scandalous practices,
attract a multitude of followers, which does not validate their
teachings. Gill warns that such behavior causes the way of truth,
represented by Christ and the Gospel, to be blasphemed and discredited.
He draws attention to the historical context of false teachings and
their impact on the Christian faith, urging believers to remain vigilant
against such influences.

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CONTENT
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Ver. 2. And many shall follow their pernicious ways,.... Their
principles and their practices, which lead to destruction, The
Complutensian edition, the Alexandrian copy, and six copies of Beza's,
and others, read "their lasciviousnesses"; and so the Vulgate Latin
version renders it, "their luxuries"; and all the Oriental versions seem
to have read in like manner.

The Syriac version renders it, "their impurity"; and the Arabic version,
"their unchastities"; and the Ethiopic version, "their lust"; and which
seems to have respect to the impure conversation of the followers of
Simon Magus, the Nicolaitans, the Gnostics, Carpocratians, and others,
who indulged themselves in all unnatural lusts and uncleanness; and
generally, when men make shipwreck of faith, they also do of a good
conscience, and become immoral in their conversations; and yet, as
destructive as their principles, and as dishonourable and scandalous as
their practices be, many were, and are their followers; so it was
foretold by Christ, Mt 24:11, and so it has been, Re 13:3.

The road both of error and wickedness is a broad one, in which many
walk; and a multitude is no proof of the truth of a church or of the
principles of men, nor to be followed:

by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of; that is,
either Christ, who is truth itself, and the true way to eternal life and
happiness; or the Gospel, the word of truth, which holds forth Christ
the truth, and points to him, and every other truth, and nothing but
truth; or the Christian religion, which is the true way, in opposition
to all sects and heresies; and is what should be blasphemed and spoken
against, either by these men or their followers; for the phrase may be
rendered, "by whom", as it is in the Vulgate Latin version, and the
meaning be, that they should, in a blasphemous way, speak and write
against Christ and his truths, reproach and revile them, and in a
virulent manner oppose them, and trample them under foot: "or for the
sake of them", as other versions read; and as we do; "by reason of
them"; they should be the occasion, by their impure lives, of the name
of Christ, and his doctrines, being blasphemed by profane and
irreligious men; see Ro 2:24.

The Alexandrian copy, and one of Stephens's, read "the glory of truth";
and so the Ethiopic version, "the glory of his truth".

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/john-gill/2-peter-22/
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