A Great Gain, a Great Loss, and a Great Curse
2 Peter 2:17-22
These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.…


I. A GREAT GAIN. What is the gain? An escape from "the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."

1. The world is a scene of moral corruption.

2. To escape these corruptions is of the greatest importance to man.

3. This escape is effected through" the knowledge of Christ." Other sciences have signally failed to purify the world.

II. A GREAT LOSS. Peter supposes the position of escapement, after being gained, lost. "They are entangled and overcome."

1. Good men, being moral agents, can fall.

2. Good men, in this world, are surrounded by influences tempting them to apostasy.

3. Good men in this world have fallen from the positions they have occupied. David, Peter, etc., are examples.

III. A GREAT CURSE. "The latter end is worse with them than the beginning."

1. Because he is the subject of greater guilt.

2. Because he has the elements of greater distress.

3. Because he is in a condition of greater hopelessness.

(D. Thomas, D. D.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.

WEB: These are wells without water, clouds driven by a storm; for whom the blackness of darkness has been reserved forever.




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