2 Peter 2:17-22
17 “These are springs without water and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved. 18 For, while speaking out arrogant words of no value they entice by fleshly desires, by indecent behavior, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, 19 promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what anyone is overcome, by this he is enslaved.20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. 21 For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them. 22 It has happened to them according to the true proverb, ‘A dog returns to its own vomit,” and, “A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire.’”
Springs without water: Peter is speaking of the impending judgment and destruction upon all who reject the Gospel. In the specific context, the false teachers are in focus but all who reject Jesus will be judged.
Black darkness has been reserved: False teachers are destined for eternal judgment as long as they remain unrepentant. This is because genuine false teachers are not born again.
Live in error: The false teachers live in error inherently. Those young believers who are misled by them are barely escaping the false teaching because they are saved, but immature and consequently influenced by the lies being promoted.
Slaves of corruption: Christians are not slaves of sin and corruption. Rather, we are slaves of righteousness and of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, this is another label for the false teachers. These teachers were evidently not only spreading false beliefs but causing corruption in the community.
Holy commandment: Peter is not speaking of the law of Moses but rather loving one another as Christ has loved us (John 13:34; 1 John 3:23). These are the New Covenant laws of God.
The last state has become worse for them than the first: The they spoken of here is likely Christians because this particular group is said to have escaped the world. However, their Christian maturity is suspect because they are being influenced by the false teachings at least to some degree and need to remember the Gospel of grace which saved them. If they continue to be deceived they will continue to be miserable because their behavior is incompatible with the new heart given to them by God. This is why their last state is worse than before they believed. Unbelievers are compatible with sin and can participate in it freely. Christians who participate in sin are miserable.
