2 Peter 2:15
What does 2 Peter 2:15 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Peter 2:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Peter 2:15 means
Like Balaam the son of Beor, these teachers have left the straight path and gone astray because they love the wages of wrongdoing. Balaam knew God’s word yet coveted reward, seeking angles to profit while appearing compliant. So too these leaders cloak greed with religion. Forsaking the right way is not an accident; it is a chosen deviation for gain. Peter warns that ministry motivated by money will bend doctrine and bless disobedience. The “way of Balaam” becomes a blueprint for corruption: truth for sale, conscience for hire, blessing pronounced where God has not blessed.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000forsaking the right way, they went astray, having followed the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the hire of wrong-doing;
KJV
King James Version · 1611Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901forsaking the right way, they went astray, having followed the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the hire of wrong-doing;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Turning out of the true way, they have gone wandering in error, after the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who was pleased to take payment for wrongdoing;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862having forsaken a right way, they did go astray, having followed in the way of Balaam the <FI>son<Fi> of Bosor, who a reward of unrighteousness did love,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Leaving the right way, they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam of Bosor who loved the wages of iniquity,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890having left [the] straight way they have gone astray, having followed in the path of Balaam [the son] of Bosor, who loved [the] reward of unrighteousness;
Context
Peter strengthens his case by citing a notorious biblical figure whose greed distorted his prophetic role. This connects the false teachers to a scriptural pattern rather than an isolated novelty. Verse 16 will recall Balaam’s humiliating rebuke by a donkey to show how God exposes such madness. Then, verses 17–19 will return to direct description, emphasizing the emptiness of these teachers’ promises and the darkness reserved for them.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Numbers 31:16
Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against Jehovah in the matter of Peor, and so the plague was among the congregation of Jehovah.
- Ezekiel 9:10
And as for me also, mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity, but I will bring their way upon their head.
- Acts 1:18
(Now this man obtained a field with the reward of his iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.
- Numbers 22:23
And the ass saw the angel of Jehovah standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.
- Numbers 22:28
And Jehovah opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?
- 2 Peter 2:13
suffering wrong as the hire of wrong-doing; men that count it pleasure to revel in the day-time, spots and blemishes, revelling in their deceivings while they feast with you;
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