2 Peter 2:10
What does 2 Peter 2:10 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Peter 2:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Peter 2:10 means
Peter singles out offenders who indulge the flesh in defiling passions and reject rightful authority. They are daring and self-willed, unafraid to slander “dignities,” likely referring to spiritual or established authorities. Their creed is self, their tone is insolent. Disdain for dominion goes hand in hand with moral license; when God’s order is despised, appetites rule. Such bravado is not courage but blindness to holy realities. The church must beware teachers who dress rebellion as authenticity and contempt as boldness; that posture betrays a heart already at war with the Lord’s rule.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000but chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of defilement, and despise dominion. Daring, self-willed, they tremble not to rail at dignities:
KJV
King James Version · 1611But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901but chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of defilement, and despise dominion. Daring, self-willed, they tremble not to rail at dignities:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But specially those who go after the unclean desires of the flesh, and make sport of authority. Ready to take chances, uncontrolled, they have no fear of saying evil of those in high places:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and chiefly those going behind the flesh in desire of uncleanness, and lordship despising; presumptuous, self-complacent, dignities they are not afraid to speak evil of,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And especially them who walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise government: audacious, self willed, they fear not to bring in sects, blaspheming.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and specially those who walk after the flesh in [the] lust of uncleanness, and despise lordship. Bold [are they], self-willed; they do not fear speaking injuriously of dignities:
Context
Coming off the general principle of verse 9, Peter now targets the profile of the false teachers. He highlights sensual indulgence and insubordination as their marks. Verse 11 will contrast their reckless slander with the restraint of angels, underscoring how out of place such speech is. Verses 12–13 then escalate the indictment with images of irrational animals, shameless revelry, and the certain payback that awaits them.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Colossians 3:5
Put to death therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry;
- Ephesians 4:19
who being past feeling gave themselves up to lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
- Jude 1:6
And angels that kept not their own principality, but left their proper habitation, he hath kept in everlasting bonds under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
- Psalms 2:1
Why do the nations rage, And the peoples meditate a vain thing?
- Jude 1:16
These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their lusts (and their mouth speaketh great swelling words), showing respect of persons for the sake of advantage.
- Exodus 22:28
Thou shalt not revile God, nor curse a ruler of thy people.
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