John Gill expounds on 2 Peter 2:19, emphasizing the false promises of liberty made by deceitful teachers who offer a carnal freedom that leads to sin rather than true Christian liberty, which is freedom from sin and obedience to God. He warns that these teachers, who are themselves enslaved by corruption and sin, cannot genuinely provide the freedom they claim to offer. Gill illustrates that true liberty is found in serving God and living righteously, contrasting it with the destructive nature of the false liberty that caters to carnal desires. He concludes that those who are overcome by sin are in bondage and cannot promise freedom to others, as they are captives themselves.

Charles Finney addresses the distinction between true and false religion, emphasizing that many people practice a form of religion that is merely a yoke of bondage rather than a source of genuine liberty. He explains that true liberty is found in a relationship with Christ, characterized by love and joy, rather than legalistic observance. Finney warns against the Judaizers who sought to combine legalism with Christianity, asserting that true faith is based solely on justification by faith. He encourages believers to examine their hearts and ensure that their faith is not a burdensome obligation but a joyful expression of love for God. Ultimately, he calls for a return to the freedom that comes from Christ, urging listeners to reject the chains of false religion.