2 Peter 2:14
They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children!
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
It's easy to see the outward "eyes full of adultery," but notice how Peter immediately points to their "hearts trained in greed" and how they "entice unsteady souls." This isn't just about lust; it's about a deep-seated, practiced corruption that actively seeks out and ensnares those who are vulnerable. They are not just struggling individuals, but skilled manipulators who have honed their ability to lead others astray.
Peter is exposing the destructive nature of false teachers who have infiltrated the early church. These individuals, driven by their own lusts and greed, are actively seducing vulnerable believers with their deceptive teachings, leading them away from the truth and towards eternal ruin. Their presence is a grave danger, and Peter warns believers to be on guard against their manipulative influence.
Have you ever noticed how some people seem to be constantly looking for what's next, never satisfied? This verse paints a vivid picture of that very struggle.
Peter describes individuals with 'eyes full of adultery.' This isn't just about literal affairs, but a deeper spiritual condition. Their gaze is consumed by craving and dissatisfaction, making them 'insatiable for sin.' This insatiable desire is what they project onto others, 'enticing unsteady souls.' It's a warning that unchecked desire has a powerful, destructive reach, and it specifically targets those who are not firmly rooted in their faith.
Greed can feel like a quiet sin, but Peter shows it’s anything but passive. It actively shapes us.
The phrase 'hearts trained in greed' is incredibly powerful. It suggests that greed isn't just a fleeting thought; it's a discipline. Like an athlete training their body, these individuals have consciously and repeatedly practiced and honed their greed until it’s become their default setting. Their hearts are molded by this pursuit of more. This 'training' makes them effective deceivers, able to prey on the 'unsteady souls' because their own inner compass is so distorted by self-interest. They are 'accursed children,' set apart for judgment because of this deeply ingrained, willful pursuit of selfish gain over God's will.
Understand the original words
moichalidos · Greek Noun
A deliberate act of sexual unfaithfulness, either literal or figurative (as in spiritual infidelity or idolatry). It represents the pursuit of fleshly desires outside of God’s ordained boundaries.
pleonexiais · Greek Noun
The sinful longing to possess more, characterized by an unrestrained, selfish desire for material or worldly gain. It is often described in Scripture as a form of idolatry.
kataras · Greek Adjective
Under the judgment of God; excluded from the grace and fellowship of the community of God due to persistent rebellion. It marks one as a recipient of divine wrath.
This passage describes similar spiritual corruption in Israel, where leaders were greedy and unjustly oppressed people, showing a historical pattern of such deceitful hearts.
Matthew 23:25-28Jesus condemns the Pharisees for their outward show of righteousness that hid inner corruption, greed, and lack of self-control, mirroring the description of these false teachers.
1 Timothy 6:9-10This passage warns that the desire for wealth leads to temptation and ruin, directly paralleling the 'hearts trained in greed' mentioned in 2 Peter.
Jude 1:11Jude describes individuals who have followed the 'way of Cain' and are 'rushing into error for profit,' highlighting the insatiable greed and destructive path of false teachers.
It's easy to see the outward "eyes full of adultery," but notice how Peter immediately points to their "hearts trained in greed" and how they "entice unsteady souls." This isn't just about lust; it's about a deep-seated, practiced corruption that actively seeks out and ensnares those who are vulnerable. They are not just struggling individuals, but skilled manipulators who have honed their ability to lead others astray.
Peter is exposing the destructive nature of false teachers who have infiltrated the early church. These individuals, driven by their own lusts and greed, are actively seducing vulnerable believers with their deceptive teachings, leading them away from the truth and towards eternal ruin. Their presence is a grave danger, and Peter warns believers to be on guard against their manipulative influence.
Peter is exposing the destructive nature of false teachers who have infiltrated the early church. These individuals, driven by their own lusts and greed, are actively seducing vulnerable believers with their deceptive teachings, leading them away from the truth and towards eternal ruin. Their presence is a grave danger, and Peter warns believers to be on guard against their manipulative influence.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about 2 Peter 2:14 is available in the Sola app.
"They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children!" — It's easy to see the outward "eyes full of adultery," but notice how Peter immediately points to their "hearts trained in greed" and how they "entice unsteady souls." This isn't just about lust; it's…
