Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The real tragedy here isn't just that they've wandered off the path; it's that they chose the path of Balaam, a man whose deepest desire was for ill-gotten profit. This isn't an accidental stumble, but a deliberate embrace of a destructive greed that ultimately led to destruction.
Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter is warning the early church about false teachers who have secretly infiltrated their communities. These deceivers twist the truth for personal gain, leading believers astray just as Balaam, in his greed, tried to curse God's people for money. The verses immediately following will detail the severe judgment awaiting these corrupt leaders and the destructive paths they lead others down.
Ever felt like you were straying from what's right, even when you knew better? This verse hits hard on that feeling.
Peter talks about people 'forsaking the right way' and 'going astray.' This isn't accidental; it's a deliberate turning away.
The Fork in the Road
Think of it like standing at a fork in the road. One path is clear, well-lit, and leads toward home. The other is dark, overgrown, and whispers promises of shortcuts or hidden treasures. 'Going astray' means actively choosing the darker, more deceptive path. It's not about making a single mistake, but about a pattern of turning away from truth and righteousness.
Who was Balaam, and why is his example so potent for warning about spiritual dangers?
Peter points directly to Balaam, son of Beor. This ancient story is a stark reminder of how even those who seem to know God can be derailed by greed.
The Price of Prophecy
Balaam was a prophet, someone who could hear from God. But he was offered money to curse Israel. Even though God told him not to, he sought a way to profit from the situation, ultimately leading the Israelites into sin by encouraging them to join in pagan feasts.
He 'loved gain from wrongdoing.' This means he valued ill-gotten riches more than obedience, integrity, or the well-being of God's people. His story is a timeless warning: when the love of money or personal gain overrides our commitment to God's ways, we risk leading ourselves and others astray.
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Understand the original words
kataleipontes · Greek Verb
Abandoning the true path, doctrine, or relationship with God. It implies an active turning away from a position once held or a truth once known.
eutheian · Greek Adjective/Noun
The righteous, straight path of God’s commands and truth. To turn aside from this is to deviate into error, sin, or idolatry.
Balaam · Greek Proper Noun
A historical figure (Numbers 22-24) known for his greed and willingness to compromise God's people for financial reward. He is the archetype of a false teacher who uses spiritual influence for personal gain.
Peter warns his readers against false teachers who, like Balaam, are motivated by greed and lead people astray through the lure of sin, rather than teaching the truth that brings life.
c. 1400 BC
Israel Enters the Land of Moab
After crossing the Red Sea and wandering in the wilderness, the Israelites arrived at the plains of Moab, bordering the Promised Land. This proximity created new challenges and temptations.
c. 1400 BC
Moab Hires Balaam
The Moabite king Balak, terrified of the Israelites, hired a renowned (though morally compromised) seer named Balaam to curse them. Balak offered Balaam a significant payment for this service.
c. 1400 BC
Balaam's Failed Curses
Despite Balak's offers, Balaam was divinely prevented from cursing Israel. Instead, God compelled him to bless them, even foretelling their future dominance.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Balaam's Wicked Counsel
Frustrated by his inability to curse Israel directly, Balaam advised the Moabites to tempt the Israelites into sexual immorality and idolatry with the daughters of Moab. This led many Israelites to sin and incurred God's judgment.
c. 1400 BC
Judgment on Israel and Balaam
Because of their participation in the Moabite rites and sexual immorality, a plague broke out among the Israelites. Phinehas the priest executed an Israelite man and his Midianite consort, stopping the plague and earning God's favor for his zeal.
c. 1400 BC
Later Judgment on Midianites
The book of Numbers records a subsequent war against the Midianites, whom the Israelites destroyed. Balaam himself was killed among them, according to later accounts.
This passage describes Balaam's story directly, showing how he was hired to curse Israel but instead blessed them, revealing his desire for personal gain even when attempting to obey God.
Jude directly parallels these false teachers with Balaam, highlighting their persistent rebellion and their greedy pursuit of profit, which corrupts their message and their followers.
1 Timothy 6:10This verse warns about the love of money being a root of all kinds of evil, which directly speaks to Balaam's motivation and the danger of prioritizing financial gain over righteousness.
Matthew 7:15Jesus warns about false prophets who come in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves, a danger mirrored in Balaam's deceptive path that led others astray for personal benefit.
The real tragedy here isn't just that they've wandered off the path; it's that they chose the path of Balaam, a man whose deepest desire was for ill-gotten profit. This isn't an accidental stumble, but a deliberate embrace of a destructive greed that ultimately led to destruction.
Peter is warning the early church about false teachers who have secretly infiltrated their communities. These deceivers twist the truth for personal gain, leading believers astray just as Balaam, in his greed, tried to curse God's people for money. The verses immediately following will detail the severe judgment awaiting these corrupt leaders and the destructive paths they lead others down.
Peter is warning the early church about false teachers who have secretly infiltrated their communities. These deceivers twist the truth for personal gain, leading believers astray just as Balaam, in his greed, tried to curse God's people for money. The verses immediately following will detail the severe judgment awaiting these corrupt leaders and the destructive paths they lead others down.
"Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing," — The real tragedy here isn't just that they've wandered off the path; it's that they chose the path of Balaam, a man whose deepest desire was for ill-gotten profit. This isn't an accidental stumble,…
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Last reviewed October 2026