What does 2 Peter 2:11 mean?
In the previous verse, Peter revealed evidence of the conceit of the false teachers. For starters, they were not afraid to speak arrogantly about angelic beings. This might have meant insulting them, ignoring the influence of spiritual beings, or even telling lies about what such beings could or would do. In other words, they were speaking of these beings with great disrespect. Contempt leads to carelessness; speaking rudely of spiritual beings not only makes a person less cautious, it can invite unwanted attention.We do not know what, specifically, these false teachers were saying, but we get a clue in this verse that they may have been saying it about fallen angels. Peter tells us that even angels—apparently non-fallen angels speaking for God—would never speak so disrespectfully of fallen angels. Even when pronouncing God's judgment, they would not "heap abuse" on these rebellious angels.
Peter says that, clearly, the angels are far more powerful than these false teachers. If anyone had the moral authority to speak disrespectfully about the fallen celestial beings, the angels that remain loyal to God would. And yet, they don't. They won't. The fact that the false teachers do such a thing demonstrates both their arrogance and ignorance.
2 Peter 2:10–22 further describes the sins of the false teachers spreading deception in the early church. Prior verses explained how God judged evil in the past, while saving those who were faithful. This passage describes those who reject Christ in favor of the world as ''enslaved'' by their own sins. No matter what they may claim, such persons prove their spiritual condition by constantly returning to their moral filth.
False teachers had entered the early community of Christians. These deceivers lied to the believers, challenging the authority of Jesus. They also invited others to indulge in their sexual sin. Sadly, there are still versions of these false teachers plaguing the modern Christian community. Peter harshly describes the sins of these ''cursed children,'' the eternal judgment waiting for them, and the tragic impact their deception is having on those enticed by them.
