CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>2 Peter 2:12 These men are like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be captured and destroyed. They blaspheme in matters they do not understand, and like such creatures, they too will be destroyed.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_peter/2-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/61_2Pe_02_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Peter 2:12 - Deliverance from False Prophets" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="These men are like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be captured and destroyed. They blaspheme in matters they do not understand, and like such creatures, they too will be destroyed." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/2_peter/2-12.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/2_peter/2-12.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/2_peter/">2 Peter</a> > <a href="/2_peter/2.htm">Chapter 2</a> > Verse 12</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad12.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/2_peter/2-11.htm" title="2 Peter 2:11">◄</a> 2 Peter 2:12 <a href="/2_peter/2-13.htm" title="2 Peter 2:13">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/2_peter/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/2_peter/2.htm">New International Version</a> But these people blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like unreasoning animals, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like animals they too will perish. <a href="/nlt/2_peter/2.htm">New Living Translation</a> These false teachers are like unthinking animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed. They scoff at things they do not understand, and like animals, they will be destroyed. <a href="/esv/2_peter/2.htm">English Standard Version</a> But these, like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed, blaspheming about matters of which they are ignorant, will also be destroyed in their destruction, <a href="/bsb/2_peter/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> These men are like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be captured and destroyed. They blaspheme in matters they do not understand, and like such creatures, they too will be destroyed. <a href="/blb/2_peter/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But these, like irrational animals, having been born as creatures of instinct for capture and destruction, blaspheming in what they are ignorant of, in their destruction also will be destroyed, <a href="/kjv/2_peter/2.htm">King James Bible</a> But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; <a href="/nkjv/2_peter/2.htm">New King James Version</a> But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption, <a href="/nasb_/2_peter/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But these, like unreasoning animals, born as creatures of instinct to be captured and killed, using abusive speech where they have no knowledge, will in the destruction of those creatures also be destroyed, <a href="/nasb/2_peter/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> But these, like unreasoning animals, born as creatures of instinct to be captured and killed, reviling where they have no knowledge, will in the destruction of those creatures also be destroyed, <a href="/nasb77/2_peter/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> But these, like unreasoning animals, born as creatures of instinct to be captured and killed, reviling where they have no knowledge, will in the destruction of those creatures also be destroyed, <a href="/lsb/2_peter/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> But these, like unreasoning animals, born as creatures of instinct to be captured and killed, blaspheming where they have no knowledge, will in the destruction of those creatures also be destroyed, <a href="/amp/2_peter/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But these [false teachers], like unreasoning animals, [mere] creatures of instinct, born to be captured and destroyed, reviling things they do not understand, will also perish in their own corruption [in their destroying they will be destroyed], <a href="/csb/2_peter/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> But these people, like irrational animals—creatures of instinct born to be caught and destroyed—slander what they do not understand, and in their destruction they too will be destroyed. <a href="/hcsb/2_peter/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> But these people, like irrational animals—creatures of instinct born to be caught and destroyed—speak blasphemies about things they don&#8217t understand, and in their destruction they too will be destroyed, <a href="/asv/2_peter/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> But these, as creatures without reason, born mere animals to be taken and destroyed, railing in matters whereof they are ignorant, shall in their destroying surely be destroyed, <a href="/cev/2_peter/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> These people are no better than senseless animals that live by their feelings and are born to be caught and killed. They speak evil of things they don't know anything about. But their own corrupt deeds will destroy them. <a href="/erv/2_peter/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> But these, as creatures without reason, born mere animals to be taken and destroyed, railing in matters whereof they are ignorant, shall in their destroying surely be destroyed, <a href="/gwt/2_peter/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> These false teachers insult what they don't understand. They are like animals, which are creatures of instinct that are born to be caught and killed. So they will be destroyed like animals <a href="/gnt/2_peter/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> But these people act by instinct, like wild animals born to be captured and killed; they attack with insults anything they do not understand. They will be destroyed like wild animals, <a href="/isv/2_peter/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> These people, like irrational animals, are mere creatures of instinct that are born to be caught and killed. They insult what they don't understand, and like animals they, too, will be destroyed, <a href="/msb/2_peter/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> These men are like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be captured and destroyed. They blaspheme in matters they do not understand, and like such creatures, they will be destroyed. <a href="/net/2_peter/2.htm">NET Bible</a> But these men, like irrational animals--creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed--do not understand whom they are insulting, and consequently in their destruction they will be destroyed, <a href="/nheb/2_peter/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> But these, as unreasoning creatures, born natural animals to be taken and destroyed, speaking evil in matters about which they are ignorant, will in their destroying surely be destroyed, <a href="/wbt/2_peter/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption: <a href="/wey/2_peter/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> But these men, like brute beasts, created (with their natural instincts) <a href="/web/2_peter/2.htm">World English Bible</a> But these, as unreasoning creatures, born natural animals to be taken and destroyed, speaking evil in matters about which they are ignorant, will in their destroying surely be destroyed, <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/2_peter/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and these, as irrational natural beasts, made to be caught and destroyed—in what things they are ignorant of, slandering—in their destruction will be destroyed; <a href="/blb/2_peter/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But these, like irrational animals, having been born as creatures of instinct for capture and destruction, blaspheming in what they are ignorant of, in their destruction also will be destroyed, <a href="/ylt/2_peter/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and these, as irrational natural beasts, made to be caught and destroyed -- in what things they are ignorant of, speaking evil -- in their destruction shall be destroyed, <a href="/slt/2_peter/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> But these, as natural irrational living creatures, having been for catching and destroying, defaming in what things they are ignorant of; and shall be destroyed in their corruption;<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/2_peter/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But these men, as irrational beasts, naturally tending to the snare and to destruction, blaspheming those things which they know not, shall perish in their corruption, <a href="/cpdv/2_peter/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Yet truly, these others, like irrational beasts, naturally fall into traps and into ruin by blaspheming whatever they do not understand, and so they shall perish in their corruption, <a href="/nabre/2_peter/2.htm">New American Bible</a> But these people, like irrational animals born by nature for capture and destruction, revile things that they do not understand, and in their destruction they will also be destroyed, <a href="/nrsvce/2_peter/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> These people, however, are like irrational animals, mere creatures of instinct, born to be caught and killed. They slander what they do not understand, and when those creatures are destroyed, they also will be destroyed,<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/2_peter/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> But these men, as natural brute beasts, made for slaughter and destruction, speak evil of the things which they do not understand; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/2_peter/2.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> But these, like dumb animals, are by nature for the knife and destruction, as they slander those things which they do not understand and by their corruption they will be destroyed.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/2_peter/2.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> But these men, like beasts with out reason, which follow the instinct of nature, and are made to be taken and destroyed, speaking evil of things that they understand not, shall utterly perish in their own corruption, <a href="/godbey/2_peter/2.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> But these, like irrational animals having been born naturally for capture and destruction, blaspheming those things in which they are ignorant; in their own corruption they will indeed corrupt themselves; <a href="/haweis/2_peter/2.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> But these men, as the naturally irrational brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speaking evil of the things of which they are ignorant, will perish by their own corruption; <a href="/mace/2_peter/2.htm">Mace New Testament</a> But as for these, they have no more reason than brute beasts that are naturally made for hunting, and slaughter: so these who calumniate what they do not understand, shall receive the reward of their iniquity by perishing in their own corruption. <a href="/wey/2_peter/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> But these men, like brute beasts, created (with their natural instincts) <a href="/worrell/2_peter/2.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> But these, as irrational creatures, born naturally for capture and destruction, railing in matters of which they are ignorant, shall in their destruction be also destroyed, <a href="/worsley/2_peter/2.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> But these men, like brute beasts naturally produced to be taken and destroyed, speaking evil of things which they do not understand, shall perish by their own corruption; receiving the reward of their unrighteousness: <a href="/parallel/2_peter/2-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Gzcat0SlE18?start=337" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/2_peter/2.htm">Deliverance from False Prophets</a> …11Yet not even angels, though greater in strength and power, dare to bring such slanderous charges against them before the Lord. 12<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: Houtoi (DPro-NMP) -- This; he, she, it. ">These men</a> <a href="/greek/5613.htm" title="5613: hōs (Adv) -- Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.">are like</a> <a href="/greek/249.htm" title="249: aloga (Adj-NNP) -- Without reason, irrational; contrary to reason, absurd. Irrational.">irrational</a> <a href="/greek/2226.htm" title="2226: zōa (N-NNP) -- An animal, living creature. Neuter of a derivative of zao; a live thing, i.e. An animal.">animals,</a> <a href="/greek/5446.htm" title="5446: physika (Adj-NNP) -- Natural, (a) according to nature, (b) merely animal. From phusis; physical, i.e. instinctive.">creatures of instinct,</a> <a href="/greek/1080.htm" title="1080: gegennēmena (V-RPM/P-NNP) -- From a variation of genos; to procreate; figuratively, to regenerate.">born</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases."></a> <a href="/greek/259.htm" title="259: halōsin (N-AFS) -- Capture, capturing. From a collateral form of haireomai; capture, be taken.">to be captured</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/5356.htm" title="5356: phthoran (N-AFS) -- Corruption, destruction, decay, rottenness, decomposition. From phtheiro; decay, i.e. Ruin.">destroyed.</a> <a href="/greek/987.htm" title="987: blasphēmountes (V-PPA-NMP) -- From blasphemos; to vilify; specially, to speak impiously.">They blaspheme</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">in</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: hois (RelPro-DNP) -- Who, which, what, that. ">matters</a> <a href="/greek/50.htm" title="50: agnoousin (V-PIA-3P) -- To do not know, be ignorant of, sometimes with the idea of willful ignorance. ">they do not understand,</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">and like such creatures,</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autōn (PPro-GM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tē (Art-DFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5356.htm" title="5356: phthora (N-DFS) -- Corruption, destruction, decay, rottenness, decomposition. From phtheiro; decay, i.e. Ruin."></a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/5351.htm" title="5351: phtharēsontai (V-FIP-3P) -- To corrupt, spoil, destroy, ruin. Probably strengthened from phthio; properly, to shrivel or wither, i.e. To spoil or to ruin.">they too will be destroyed.</a> 13The harm they will suffer is the wages of their wickedness. They consider it a pleasure to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deception as they feast with you.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/jude/1-10.htm">Jude 1:10</a> These men, however, slander what they do not understand, and like irrational animals, they will be destroyed by the things they do instinctively. <a href="/romans/1-21.htm">Romans 1:21-22</a> For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, <a href="/philippians/3-19.htm">Philippians 3:19</a> Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things. <a href="/1_corinthians/2-14.htm">1 Corinthians 2:14</a> The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. <a href="/1_corinthians/15-32.htm">1 Corinthians 15:32</a> If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for human motives, what did I gain? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” <a href="/james/3-15.htm">James 3:15</a> Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. <a href="/1_timothy/6-9.htm">1 Timothy 6:9</a> Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. <a href="/titus/1-12.htm">Titus 1:12</a> As one of their own prophets has said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” <a href="/matthew/7-6.htm">Matthew 7:6</a> Do not give dogs what is holy; do not throw your pearls before swine. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces. <a href="/1_peter/1-14.htm">1 Peter 1:14</a> As obedient children, do not conform to the passions of your former ignorance. <a href="/isaiah/56-11.htm">Isaiah 56:11</a> Like ravenous dogs, they are never satisfied. They are shepherds with no discernment; they all turn to their own way, each one seeking his own gain: <a href="/psalms/49-12.htm">Psalm 49:12-13</a> But a man, despite his wealth, cannot endure; he is like the beasts that perish. / This is the fate of the foolish and their followers who endorse their sayings. Selah <a href="/psalms/73-22.htm">Psalm 73:22</a> I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before You. <a href="/proverbs/7-22.htm">Proverbs 7:22</a> He follows her on impulse, like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer bounding into a trap, <a href="/proverbs/30-2.htm">Proverbs 30:2</a> Surely I am the most ignorant of men, and I lack the understanding of a man.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;as natural.<a href="/psalms/49-10.htm">Psalm 49:10</a> For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.<a href="/psalms/92-6.htm">Psalm 92:6</a> A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this.<a href="/psalms/94-8.htm">Psalm 94:8</a> Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise?perish.<a href="/2_peter/2-19.htm">2 Peter 2:19</a> While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.<a href="/2_peter/1-4.htm">2 Peter 1:4</a> Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.<a href="/proverbs/14-32.htm">Proverbs 14:32</a> The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/james/3-7.htm">Animals</a> <a href="/james/3-7.htm">Beasts</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-2.htm">Born</a> <a href="/james/3-7.htm">Brute</a> <a href="/2_timothy/2-26.htm">Captured</a> <a href="/2_peter/1-4.htm">Corruption</a> <a href="/james/1-18.htm">Created</a> <a href="/james/4-4.htm">Creatures</a> <a href="/james/5-1.htm">Crying</a> <a href="/2_peter/1-15.htm">Death</a> <a href="/nahum/1-11.htm">Designing</a> <a href="/james/1-11.htm">Destroyed</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/10-8.htm">Destroying</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-11.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-15.htm">Ignorant</a> <a href="/romans/2-14.htm">Instinct</a> <a href="/james/5-6.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/1_peter/4-15.htm">Matters</a> <a href="/james/4-16.htm">Mere</a> <a href="/james/3-15.htm">Natural</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-5.htm">Others</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-4.htm">Perish</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-11.htm">Railing</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-2.htm">Reason</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-11.htm">Reviling</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-10.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-11.htm">Speaking</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-14.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/2_peter/1-20.htm">Understand</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-11.htm">Use</a> <a href="/titus/1-16.htm">Utterly</a> <a href="/hebrews/13-10.htm">Whereof</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/jude/1-10.htm">Animals</a> <a href="/jude/1-10.htm">Beasts</a> <a href="/1_john/2-29.htm">Born</a> <a href="/jude/1-10.htm">Brute</a> <a href="/revelation/19-19.htm">Captured</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-19.htm">Corruption</a> <a href="/revelation/4-11.htm">Created</a> <a href="/jude/1-10.htm">Creatures</a> <a href="/revelation/5-2.htm">Crying</a> <a href="/2_peter/3-4.htm">Death</a> <a href="/joshua/20-5.htm">Designing</a> <a href="/2_peter/3-6.htm">Destroyed</a> <a href="/genesis/6-13.htm">Destroying</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-13.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/2_peter/3-5.htm">Ignorant</a> <a href="/jude/1-10.htm">Instinct</a> <a href="/1_john/3-12.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/2_peter/3-16.htm">Matters</a> <a href="/jude/1-10.htm">Mere</a> <a href="/jude/1-19.htm">Natural</a> <a href="/1_john/2-10.htm">Others</a> <a href="/2_peter/3-9.htm">Perish</a> <a href="/jude/1-9.htm">Railing</a> <a href="/2_peter/3-12.htm">Reason</a> <a href="/jude/1-9.htm">Reviling</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-18.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-16.htm">Speaking</a> <a href="/1_john/2-19.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/2_peter/3-3.htm">Understand</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-18.htm">Use</a> <a href="/2_peter/3-10.htm">Utterly</a> <a href="/1_john/4-3.htm">Whereof</a><div class="vheading2">2 Peter 2</div>1. <a href="/2_peter/2-1.htm">Peter warns of false teachers, showing the impiety and punishment both of them and their followers;</a> 7. <a href="/2_peter/2-7.htm">from which the godly shall be delivered, as Lot was out of Sodom;</a> 10. <a href="/2_peter/2-10.htm">and more fully describes the manners of those profane and blasphemous seducers.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_peter/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_peter/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/2_peter/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>These men are like irrational animals This phrase draws a comparison between false teachers and irrational animals, emphasizing their lack of spiritual discernment and moral reasoning. In biblical context, animals often symbolize those who act on base instincts rather than divine wisdom (<a href="/psalms/32-9.htm">Psalm 32:9</a>). The comparison highlights the danger of living without the guidance of the Holy Spirit, as seen in <a href="/romans/8-5.htm">Romans 8:5-8</a>, where living according to the flesh is contrasted with living according to the Spirit.creatures of instinct The term "creatures of instinct" suggests behavior driven by natural impulses rather than conscious thought or moral consideration. This reflects the biblical theme of the fallen nature of humanity, as seen in <a href="/genesis/6-5.htm">Genesis 6:5</a>, where human wickedness is described as pervasive. The instinctual behavior of these false teachers is contrasted with the call to live by the Spirit, as in <a href="/galatians/5-16.htm">Galatians 5:16-25</a>.born to be captured and destroyed This phrase indicates the inevitable judgment awaiting those who persist in false teaching and rebellion against God. The imagery of capture and destruction is reminiscent of the fate of the wicked in the Old Testament, such as in <a href="/psalms/73-18.htm">Psalm 73:18-19</a>, where the wicked are set on slippery ground and ultimately destroyed. It underscores the certainty of divine justice.They blaspheme in matters they do not understand Blasphemy here refers to speaking irreverently about sacred things, showing a profound lack of understanding and respect for divine truths. This echoes <a href="/jude/1-10.htm">Jude 1:10</a>, where similar language is used to describe those who slander what they do not comprehend. The warning against blasphemy is consistent with the broader biblical narrative, which emphasizes the importance of reverence for God and His Word (<a href="/exodus/20-7.htm">Exodus 20:7</a>).and like such creatures, they too will be destroyed The repetition of the theme of destruction reinforces the certainty of judgment for those who reject God's truth. This mirrors the fate of the ungodly described in <a href="/2_thessalonians/1-9.htm">2 Thessalonians 1:9</a>, where they will face eternal destruction away from the presence of the Lord. The passage serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of living in opposition to God's will.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/peter.htm">Peter</a> The apostle and author of this epistle, addressing false teachers and their destructive influence within the early Christian communities. 2. <a href="/topical/f/false_teachers.htm">False Teachers</a> Individuals within the church who spread heretical teachings and lead others astray, characterized by their irrational and instinctual behavior. 3. <a href="/topical/e/early_christian_communities.htm">Early Christian Communities</a> The recipients of Peter's letter, who are being warned about the dangers of false teachings and encouraged to remain steadfast in their faith.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_false_teachings.htm">The Danger of False Teachings</a> False teachers are likened to irrational animals, emphasizing the destructive nature of their influence. Believers must be vigilant and discerning to protect their faith. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_understanding.htm">The Importance of Understanding</a> The passage highlights the peril of speaking on matters not understood. Christians are encouraged to seek wisdom and understanding through Scripture and the Holy Spirit. <a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_instinctual_living.htm">Consequences of Instinctual Living</a> Living by mere instinct, without regard for God's truth, leads to destruction. Believers are called to live by the Spirit, not by the flesh. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_discernment.htm">The Role of Discernment</a> Peter's warning underscores the need for discernment in identifying and rejecting false teachings. Christians should test all teachings against the truth of Scripture. <a href="/topical/t/the_certainty_of_divine_justice.htm">The Certainty of Divine Justice</a> The destruction of false teachers serves as a reminder of God's justice. Believers can trust that God will ultimately deal with those who lead others astray.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_peter_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Peter 2</a> <a href="/q/ready_for_the_wedding_feast.htm">Does a washed sow return to the mire?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_'foundation_of_apostles'.htm">What does 'The End of All Things Is at Hand' mean?</a> <a href="/q/why_save_peter_but_not_james.htm">Why would God intervene to rescue Peter (Acts 12:7-17) but not prevent James's execution (Acts 12:2)?</a> <a href="/q/why_do_some_suffer_but_not_grow.htm">If suffering purifies people, why do some suffer terribly and never grow from it?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_peter/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(12) But these, as natural brute beasts.--Omit "natural." This verse appears to tell strongly in favour of the priority of our Epistle. The literary form of <a href="/jude/1-10.htm" title="But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.">Jude 1:10</a>, is so very superior; the antithesis (quite wanting here) between abusing what they cannot know and misusing what they cannot help knowing is so telling, and would be so easily remembered, that it is improbable that a writer who was willing to adopt so much would not have adopted in this respect also; and whichever writer is second, it is evident that he was willing to adopt his predecessor's material almost to any extent. On the other hand, there is nothing improbable in a writer who knew this verse improving upon it by writing <a href="/jude/1-10.htm" title="But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.">Jude 1:10</a>. The verses, similar as they are in much of their wording, are very different in their general drift. <a href="/jude/1-10.htm" title="But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.">Jude 1:10</a>, is simply an epigrammatic description of these ungodly men; this verse is a denunciation of final ruin against them.Made to be taken and destroyed.--Literally, born naturally for capture and destruction. "Natural" comes in better here as a kind of adverb than as an additional epithet to beasts. The force of it is that these animals cannot help themselves--it is their nature to rush after what will prove their ruin; but the false teachers voluntarily seek their own destruction against nature. This verse contains one of the repetitions noticed above (see on <a href="/2_peter/2-7.htm" title="And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:">2Peter 2:7</a>) as characteristic of this Epistle. The word for "destruction" and "corruption" is one and the same in the Greek, the destroying being literal in the first case, moral in the second. Moreover, the word for "perish" is from the same root. "Like brutes born for capture and destruction, these men shall be destroyed in their destruction." But such a translation would be misleading in English.Shall utterly perish.--A reading of higher authority gives us, shall even perish.In their own corruption.--"Own" may be omitted. Their present evil life anticipates and contains within itself the elements of their final destruction. Thus they "bring it upon themselves" (<a href="/2_peter/2-1.htm" title="But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privately shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.">2Peter 2:1</a>). The right division of the sentences here cannot be decided with certainty; the Apostle hurries on, in the full flood of his denunciation, without paying much attention to the precise form of his language. On the whole, it seems best to place only a comma at the end of <a href="/2_peter/2-12.htm" title="But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;">2Peter 2:12</a>, with a full stop or colon at "unrighteousness," and to make what follows part of the long sentence, of which the main verb is "are gone astray" in <a href="/2_peter/2-15.htm" title="Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;">2Peter 2:15</a>. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_peter/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 12. - But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed. The order of the words in the best manuscripts favours the translation of the Revised Version, But these, as creatures without reason, born mere animals to be taken and destroyed. The word rendered "mere animals" is literally "natural" (φυσικά); comp. <a href="/jude/1-10.htm">Jude 1:10</a>, "what they know naturally (φυσικῶς) as brute beasts." Speak evil of the things that they understand not; literally, as in the Revised Version, railing in matters whereof they are ignorant. (For the construction, see Wirier, 3:66. 5, at the end.) The context and the parallel passage in St. Jude show that the δόξαι, the glories, are the things which the false teachers understand not and at which they rail. Good angels do not pronounce a railing judgment against angels that sinned. These men, knowing nothing of the angelic sphere of existence, rail at the elect and the fallen angels alike, lien should speak with awe of the sin of the angels; jesting on such subjects is unbecoming and dangerous. And shall utterly perish in their own corruption. The best manuscripts read here καί φθαρήσονται "shall also be destroyed in their own corruption." It seems better to take φθορά in the sense of "corruption" here, as in <a href="/2_peter/1-4.htm">2 Peter 1:4</a>, and to suppose that St. Peter is intentionally playing on the double sense of the noun and its cognate verb than, with Huther, to refer the pronoun αὐτῶν, "their own," to the ἄλογα ζῶα, and to understand St. Peter as meaning that the false teachers, who act like irrational animals, shall be destroyed with the destruction of irrational animals. <a href="/commentaries/2_peter/2-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>These [men] Οὗτοι (Houtoi) Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> This; he, she, it. [are] like ὡς (hōs) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_5613.htm">Strong's 5613: </a> Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner. irrational ἄλογα (aloga) Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_249.htm">Strong's 249: </a> Without reason, irrational; contrary to reason, absurd. Irrational. animals, ζῷα (zōa) Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2226.htm">Strong's 2226: </a> An animal, living creature. Neuter of a derivative of zao; a live thing, i.e. An animal. creatures of instinct, φυσικὰ (physika) Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5446.htm">Strong's 5446: </a> Natural, (a) according to nature, (b) merely animal. From phusis; 'physical', i.e. instinctive. born γεγεννημένα (gegennēmena) Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1080.htm">Strong's 1080: </a> From a variation of genos; to procreate; figuratively, to regenerate. to be captured ἅλωσιν (halōsin) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_259.htm">Strong's 259: </a> Capture, capturing. From a collateral form of haireomai; capture, be taken. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. destroyed. φθοράν (phthoran) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5356.htm">Strong's 5356: </a> Corruption, destruction, decay, rottenness, decomposition. From phtheiro; decay, i.e. Ruin. They blaspheme βλασφημοῦντες (blasphēmountes) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_987.htm">Strong's 987: </a> From blasphemos; to vilify; specially, to speak impiously. in ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. [matters] οἷς (hois) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Dative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> Who, which, what, that. they do not understand, ἀγνοοῦσιν (agnoousin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_50.htm">Strong's 50: </a> To do not know, be ignorant of, sometimes with the idea of willful ignorance. [and like] ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. [such creatures], φθορᾷ (phthora) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5356.htm">Strong's 5356: </a> Corruption, destruction, decay, rottenness, decomposition. From phtheiro; decay, i.e. Ruin. they too will be destroyed. φθαρήσονται (phtharēsontai) Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5351.htm">Strong's 5351: </a> To corrupt, spoil, destroy, ruin. Probably strengthened from phthio; properly, to shrivel or wither, i.e. To spoil or to ruin. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_peter/2-12.htm">2 Peter 2:12 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/2_peter/2-12.htm">2 Peter 2:12 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/2_peter/2-12.htm">2 Peter 2:12 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/2_peter/2-12.htm">2 Peter 2:12 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/2_peter/2-12.htm">2 Peter 2:12 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/2_peter/2-12.htm">2 Peter 2:12 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_peter/2-12.htm">2 Peter 2:12 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_peter/2-12.htm">2 Peter 2:12 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/2_peter/2-12.htm">2 Peter 2:12 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/2_peter/2-12.htm">2 Peter 2:12 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-12.htm">NT Letters: 2 Peter 2:12 But these as unreasoning creatures born natural (2 Pet. 2P iiP ii Pet) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_peter/2-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Peter 2:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Peter 2:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_peter/2-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Peter 2:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Peter 2:13" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>