The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Peter — Section 66

his subjects are righteous. "Righteous and true are thy ways, 0 thou King of the nges ! " II. IT IS A WAY C0NSTl!.UCTED BY A RIGHTEOUS SAVIOUR. The execution of God's righteous plans for man's salvation was by him entrusted to his own Son. Jn Christ God appears before men as "a just G-od and a Saviour." The mediatorial dispensation in all its provisions is distinguished by righteousness; it is a revelation of righteousness as much as of love. Ill. IT IS A WAY wmcH AVOIDS THE PATHS OF UNRIGHTEOUSNESS. This, it may be objected, is t.autological. But it is well to insist upon the fact that there can be no fellowship between light and darkness; that however professed travellers in the narrow way may disgrace their profession by unrighteous conduct, the religion of Christ can tolerate no such practices. Other religions may require only verbal assent or cere- monial conformity, but Christianity demands righteousness of life and, what is more, righteousness of heart. "Except your righteousness," says the Founder of our faith, "exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingJom of heaven." IV. lT IS THE WAY TRODDEN BY RIGHTEOUS MEN. The interest and attractiveness of a road depend in no small measure upon those who are its habitual frequenters. Judged by this test, the way of righteousness has attractions far beyond any other. It is the path which has for centuries been trodden by the great and good. The stimulus and encouragement afforded by the noblest and the best society are there enjoyed. V. IT IS THE WAY WRICH LEADS TO THE NEW HEAVENS AND THE NEW EARTH WHEREIN DWELLETH RIGHTEOUS1''ESS. As is the road, so is its termination, its destination. If righteousness has a bard battle to fight for existence here on eaTth, it is comforting and inspiriting to be assured that the state to which we are advancing is one where unrighteousness is altogether and for ever unknown. APPLICATION. 1. Seek and find this way.- 2. Having entered upon it, turn not back, but persevere even unto the end.-J. R. T. Vers. 1-22.-False teachers. Archdeacon Farrar here finds" the burning lava of the apostle's indignation." The chapter is indeed in a style that well suits its theme. It is strong, not to say rough and rugged; wild, not to say weird and ghastly. It might be interesting to deal with the many metaphors he here employs, but probably an analysis of the whole chapter will better convey its teaching. L THE DOCTBINES OF FALSE TEACHERS. They are not definitely denoted, but one word probably indicates them all: "heresies" (ver. 1)-self-chosen doctrines, deve- :oping into endless varieties. 1. Self-indulgence of intellect. 2. Self-indulgence of passion. They are similar to the co1Tesponding sins with which Paul and Jude deal in their Epistles. IL THE CONDUCT OF FALSE TEACHERS. More is said here, much more, of their conduct than of their error. Their conduct is described: 1. In its relation to their teaching. That conduct is (1) cunning (ver.1); (2) treacherous (ver. 3); (3) daringly insolent (ver. 11); (4) coveteous (vers. 14-16); (5) deluding (ver. 19), promising liuerty: "0 Liberty, what crimes have been wrought in thy name I" 2. In its relation to their own life. It is (1) bitterly disappointing (ver. 17); (2) enslaved and enslaving (rnr. 19); (3) degraded and yet ever degrading (ver. 22). IIL THE PUNISHMENT OF FALSE TEACHERS. 1. It is sure (ver. 3). Lingereth not, is not idle, slumbereth not; justice is sleepless. 2. It is in harmony with God's past dealings. The apostle cites other ages and other worlds. '!'heir punishment is in liarmony v.-ith God's dealings (1) with angels; (2) with the ancient world-Noah, Sodom, Gomorrah. IV. 'l'nE CHIEF SIN OF FALSE TEACHERS. Its central evil is "denying even the Master that bought them." 1. In itself most guilty. Peter's memory burnt thi_i.t lesson into him. 2. Leads to terrible woe (vers. 1-21). "'rhe man who turns his back on well-kn.own ways of righteousness, ancl leads others from those ways, is of e.11 men in the most pitiable and terrible condition.-U. R. 'l'. Vers. 1-22.-False teachers. I. OBJECTS OF PUNIBJIMENT. 1. On account of their anti-- dlri6tian character. "But there arose false prophets also among the people, as among f.'ll, u. 1~-22.J TUE SECO;-!D El'IS'l'LE GI<:NERAL OF PETER, 61