2 Peter 2:1
“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Just as false prophets once arose in Israel, false teachers will secretly introduce destructive errors and bring ruin on themselves.
What Does 2 Peter 2:1 Mean?
Peter turns from the true prophetic word to its counterfeit. As Israel had "false prophets," so the church will have "false teachers" who "privily" — secretly, by stealth — smuggle in "damnable heresies," destructive distortions of the truth. They go so far as "denying the Lord that bought them," and so call down "swift destruction" on themselves.
The danger is internal and deceptive. These teachers do not announce themselves; they slip error in quietly, among the people of God. Most striking is the phrase "the Lord that bought them" — the redemption Christ offers is wide and genuine, yet these teachers turn against the very Master who purchased them. Peter warns believers to be alert: not every voice within the community speaks truth. The same destruction these teachers spread will fall back on them. Christ's people are called to discern, holding fast to the sure word and refusing every smuggled lie, however confidently it is taught.
In the Original Language
hairesis (αἵρεσις), 'heresies' — self-chosen factions or destructive opinions that divide and mislead.