{"id":7981,"date":"2017-05-01T20:15:56","date_gmt":"2017-05-01T14:15:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/intelligent-torvalds.74-208-171-134.plesk.page\/?p=7981"},"modified":"2023-03-31T18:10:38","modified_gmt":"2023-03-31T23:10:38","slug":"sowing-to-the-flesh-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/?p=7981","title":{"rendered":"Sowing to the Flesh, Part 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from their trials<\/em>,[1]<\/sup><\/a> Peter wrote to those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ, have been granted <\/em>(\u03bb\u03b1\u03c7\u03bf\u1fe6\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd, a form of \u03bb\u03b1\u03b3\u03c7\u03ac\u03bd\u03c9<\/a>) a faith just as precious as ours<\/em>.[2]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Another thing the Lord knows, Peter continued, is how to reserve the unrighteous for punishment at the day of judgment, especially those who indulge their fleshly desires and who despise authority.\u00a0 Brazen and insolent, they are not afraid to insult the glorious ones, yet even angels, who are much more powerful, do not bring a slanderous judgment against them before the Lord<\/em>.[3]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

I think some things in these letters are hard to understand<\/a><\/em>.\u00a0 Who, for instance, were the glorious ones<\/em> (\u03b4\u1f79\u03be\u03b1\u03c2, a form of \u03b4\u03cc\u03be\u03b1<\/a>)? \u00a0Who did the angels (\u1f04\u03b3\u03b3\u03b5\u03bb\u03bf\u03b9, a form of \u1f04\u03b3\u03b3\u03b5\u03bb\u03bf\u03c2<\/a>) not bring a slanderous judgment against<\/em>?\u00a0 The glorious ones<\/em>?\u00a0 Or those brazen and insolent <\/em>ones who indulge their fleshly desires and who despise authority<\/em>, who are not afraid to insult<\/em> the glorious ones<\/em>.<\/p>\n

The angels \u201care greater in power and might,\u201d Matthew Henry<\/a> wrote in his commentary[4]<\/sup><\/a> on 2 Peter, \u201cand that even than those who are clothed with authority and power among the sons of men, and much more than those false teachers who are slanderous revilers of magistrates and governors.\u201d\u00a0 In Mr. Henry\u2019s mind the glorious ones<\/em> insulted by those who indulge their fleshly desires and who despise authority <\/em>were human \u201cmagistrates and governors.\u201d \u00a0If this is what Peter meant I\u2019ve already written<\/a> about the difference between Peter\u2019s writing on the subject and his own actions.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese ungodly ones are proud, despising authority,\u201d David Guzik<\/a> wrote in his commentary of 2 Peter 2. \u00a0\u201cIn their presumption they will even speak ill of spiritual powers (Satan and his demons) that the angels themselves do not speak evil of, but the angels rebuke them in the name of the Lord instead.\u201d[5]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 If this was what Peter meant, then the glorious ones<\/em> insulted by those who indulge their fleshly desires and who despise authority <\/em>were the gods of Rome and its environs.\u00a0 Frankly, I can\u2019t tell if Peter meant either or both or none of the above.<\/p>\n

Peter, in my opinion, wrote just enough to demonstrate why John and Paul were called to write most of the Gospel commentary in the New Testament.\u00a0 I don\u2019t mean to criticize Peter as a man, a believer, an apostle or a leader, simply as a writer. \u00a0But I think sometimes we Protestants are too quick to exonerate him from the Catholic contention that Peter was the first Pope.<\/p>\n

Consider what he wrote about faith (2 Peter 1:5-7 NET):<\/p>\n

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith excellence, to excellence, knowledge; to knowledge, self-control; to self-control, perseverance; to perseverance, godliness; to godliness, brotherly affection; to brotherly affection, unselfish love.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This sounds a lot like the piling on of merits in the \u201cform of absolution<\/a> used among the monks\u201d[6]<\/sup><\/a> quoted by Luther\/Graebner<\/a> 1,300 years later.<\/p>\n

God forgive thee, brother. The merit of the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of the blessed Saint Mary, always a virgin, and of all the saints; the merit of thy order, the strictness of thy religion, the humility of thy profession, the contrition of thy heart, the good works thou hast done and shalt do for the love of our Lord Jesus Christ, be available unto thee for the remission of thy sins, the increase of thy worth and grace, and the reward of everlasting life. Amen.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Granted, Peter may have been misunderstood<\/a>.\u00a0 The Greek word translated add <\/em>was \u1f10\u03c0\u03b9\u03c7\u03bf\u03c1\u03b7\u03b3\u1f75\u03c3\u03b1\u03c4\u03b5 (a form of \u1f10\u03c0\u03b9\u03c7\u03bf\u03c1\u03b7\u03b3\u03ad\u03c9<\/a>).\u00a0 Another form\u2014 \u1f10\u03c0\u03b9\u03c7\u03bf\u03c1\u03b7\u03b3\u03b7\u03b8\u1f75\u03c3\u03b5\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9\u2014of the very same word was translated will be<\/em>\u2026provided <\/em>just six verses<\/a> later.\u00a0 Peter may have meant that we should make every effort to \u201cbe provided\u201d with excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly affection and unselfish love by the fruit of the Holy Spirit; since Jesus\u2019 divine power has bestowed<\/em> (\u03b4\u03b5\u03b4\u03c9\u03c1\u03b7\u03bc\u1f73\u03bd\u03b7\u03c2, a form of \u03b4\u03c9\u03c1\u03ad\u03bf\u03bc\u03b1\u03b9<\/a>) on us everything necessary for life and godliness through the rich knowledge of the one who called us by his own glory and excellence<\/em>.[7]<\/sup><\/a> \u00a0But apparently Peter\u2019s writing has made that difficult to suss out.<\/p>\n

Now I sincerely doubt a first century Jewish apostle of Jesus Christ consciously thought of himself as Pope (Pontifex Maximus<\/a>), the leader of the Roman state religion.\u00a0 The title was probably assumed sometime after 381 when \u201cChristianity [was] made [the] state religion of [the] Roman Empire.\u201d[8]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 But I have no doubt that Peter was received as leader, or bishop, if or when he arrived in Rome, if not during his lifetime, surely after his martyrdom.<\/p>\n

I may not qualify as an historian but I have an interest in history.\u00a0 That interest may compel me to hear the reasoning of the author<\/a> of The Lonely Pilgrim<\/a> blog: \u201cEvery historical record that speaks to Peter\u2019s later life and death attests that he died in Rome a martyr under the emperor Nero, ca. A.D. 67. \u00a0No record places the end of his life anywhere else.\u201d[9]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 But as a believer I can\u2019t follow his reasoning when he asserts:<\/p>\n

The fact that so many Protestants deny [that Peter ministered in Rome] so vehemently, and refute it so absurdly, tells me that they, however basically, realize the power in our claim.\u00a0 They recognize and in effect acknowledge what we have maintained for many centuries: that having the chief of Apostles as our foundation gives the Roman Catholic Church legitimacy and primacy.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cWe have Peter as our founder\u201d is the same species of error that John corrected when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism <\/em>(Matthew 3:7-9 ESV) [for repentance<\/a><\/em>]\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cBear (\u03c0\u03bf\u03b9\u1f75\u03c3\u03b1\u03c4\u03b5, a form of \u03c0\u03bf\u03b9\u03ad\u03c9<\/a>)<\/em> fruit in keeping (\u1f04\u03be\u03b9\u03bf\u03bd, a form of \u1f04\u03be\u03b9\u03bf\u03c2<\/a>)<\/em> with repentance. \u00a0And do not presume to say to yourselves, \u2018We have Abraham as our father,\u2019 for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Membership in a church Peter founded is not equivalent to trusting the Savior Peter trusted. \u00a0Mason Gallagher, an American pastor, wrote, \u201cRome sends her heralds to this land who come to me in the name of Peter and demand my adherence, and complete subjection\u2026\u201d[10]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 The problem was made more acute because he believed \u201cthat Peter had such power, proved by Holy Writ\u201d (Matthew 20:20-28<\/a>).\u00a0 He quoted a Catholic priest, Reuben Parsons, D. D.<\/a>:<\/p>\n

The simplest way of proving that the Bishop of Rome is not the successor of St. Peter, is by establishing as a stubborn fact that St. Peter himself, the presumed source of the Roman claims, never was Bishop of Rome; in fact that he never was in the Eternal City.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

But isolated as this quote is, it\u2019s impossible to determine if it was a genuine admission of potential persuasion or a false alternative thrown off like countermeasures from a warplane caught in an enemy\u2019s missile lock.\u00a0 But Mr. Gallagher cited other quotations under the heading \u201cWhat Rome Teaches.\u201d \u00a0I\u2019ve put them in a table opposite Peter\u2019s words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\n

What Rome Teaches<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

What Peter Taught (Acts 4:11, 12 NET)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

“If anyone should deny that it is by the institution of Christ, the Lord, or by Divine Right, that blessed Peter should [have] a perpetual line of successors in the primacy over the Universal Church, or that the Roman Pontiff is the successor of blessed Peter in the Primacy, let him be anathema!”<\/p>\n

\u2014 Decree of Vatican Council, 1870.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

“He that acknowledgeth not himself to be under the Bishop of Rome, and that the Bishop of Rome is ordained of God to have Primacy over all the world, is a heretic and cannot be saved, nor is of the flock of Christ.”<\/p>\n

\u2014 Canon Law Ch. of Rome.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Creed of Pope Pius IV., 1564: “I acknowledge the Holy ‘Catholic, Apostolic, Roman Church, for the mother and mistress of all Churches; and I promise true obedience to [the] Bishop of Rome \u2014 successor to St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles, and Vicar of Jesus Christ. I do at this present freely profess, and sincerely hold, this true Catholic faith, without which no one can be saved.”<\/td>\n

This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by<\/em><\/strong> you, the builders, that has become the cornerstone<\/em><\/strong>. \u00a0And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among people by which we must be saved.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

I will not argue before the judgment seat of Christ<\/a><\/em> that Peter at Pentecost was ignorant of a church he would found at Rome to usurp Jesus\u2019 salvation.\u00a0 And I would not recommend that anyone else do so.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m not inclined to argue with anyone who believes that Babylon <\/em>means Babylon<\/a> in Scripture.\u00a0 As A. Allison Lewis (See: \u201cTestimony<\/a>\u201d at the bottom of the page) wrote, \u201cIn 1 Peter 5:13, it tells us very plainly that [Peter] wrote that epistle from the city of Babylon.\u201d[11]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 This kind of literalism is my customary and preferred way to read Scripture.\u00a0 But in this case\u2014as the original fundamentalists identified themselves to one another by shortening their first names to an initial and using their middle names as their \u201cChristian\u201d names\u2014I think Babylon <\/em>might have been code for Rome.[12]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Church here in Babylon, united with you by God\u2019s election, sends you her greeting, and so does my son, Mark\u201d (1 Pet. 5:13, Knox). Babylon is a code-word for Rome. It is used that way multiple times in works like the Sibylline Oracles (5:159f), the Apocalypse of Baruch (2:1), and 4 Esdras (3:1). Eusebius Pamphilius<\/a>, in The Chronicle, composed about A.D. 303, noted that \u201cIt is said that Peter\u2019s first epistle, in which he makes mention of Mark, was composed at Rome itself; and that he himself indicates this, referring to the city figuratively as Babylon.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I moved across the country about the time I began to form a negative opinion of Peter\u2019s writing.\u00a0 Looking for a church online I came across a sermon series on Peter\u2019s epistles.\u00a0 The pastor praised Peter as a clear and concise author.\u00a0 Since the sermons where also online and I could catch up and keep up with the series while I was traveling, I started attending that church when I was home on Sunday.\u00a0 Though the pastor praised the clarity of Peter\u2019s writing, whenever he wanted to explain what Peter meant he turned to John or Paul.<\/p>\n

This may be more relevant than whether Peter founded the church at Rome.\u00a0 Protestants more often than not turn to John and Paul to understand Peter.\u00a0 If I were more inclined to favor Peter’s writings and utilized them to understand John and Paul, I might derive a Gospel understanding more like that of the Roman Catholic Church.<\/p>\n

But these men<\/em>, Peter continued\u2014describing those who indulge their fleshly desires and who despise authority<\/em>\u2014like irrational animals \u2013 creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed<\/em> (\u03c6\u03b8\u03bf\u03c1\u1f71\u03bd, a form of \u03c6\u03b8\u03bf\u03c1\u03ac<\/a>) \u2013 do not understand whom they are insulting, and consequently in their destruction<\/em> (\u03c6\u03b8\u03bf\u03c1\u1fb7, another form of \u03c6\u03b8\u03bf\u03c1\u03ac) they will be destroyed<\/em> (\u03c6\u03b8\u03b1\u03c1\u1f75\u03c3\u03bf\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9, a form of \u03c6\u03b8\u03b5\u03af\u03c1\u03c9<\/a>), suffering harm as the wages for their harmful ways<\/em>.[13]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

The Greek word \u03c6\u03b8\u03bf\u03c1\u1f71\u03bd, translated destroyed <\/em>above, was translated corruption <\/em>in the person who sows to his own flesh will reap corruption <\/em>(\u03c6\u03b8\u03bf\u03c1\u1f71\u03bd, a form of \u03c6\u03b8\u03bf\u03c1\u03ac) from the flesh<\/em>.[14]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Another form \u03c6\u03b8\u03bf\u03c1\u1fb6\u03c2 was translated decay <\/em>in the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage of decay<\/em> (\u03c6\u03b8\u03bf\u03c1\u1fb6\u03c2, another form of \u03c6\u03b8\u03bf\u03c1\u03ac) into the glorious freedom of God\u2019s children<\/em>.[15]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Peter described false teachers<\/em> who promised people freedom while they themselves are enslaved to immorality<\/em> (\u03c6\u03b8\u03bf\u03c1\u1fb6\u03c2, another form of \u03c6\u03b8\u03bf\u03c1\u03ac).[16]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 And he wrote (2 Peter 1:3, 4 NET):<\/p>\n

\u2026his divine power has bestowed on us everything necessary for life and godliness through the rich knowledge of the one who called us by his own glory and excellence. \u00a0Through these things he has bestowed on us his precious and most magnificent promises, so that by means of what was promised you may become partakers of the divine nature, after escaping the worldly corruption (\u03c6\u03b8\u03bf\u03c1\u1fb6\u03c2, another form of \u03c6\u03b8\u03bf\u03c1\u03ac)<\/em> that is produced by evil desire.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The definition of \u03c6\u03b8\u03b1\u03c1\u1f75\u03c3\u03bf\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9 in the NET offers the following historical insight: \u201cin the opinion of the Jews, the temple was corrupted or \u2018destroyed\u2019 when anyone defiled or in the slightest degree damaged anything in it, or if its guardians neglected their duties.\u201d \u00a0I want to link this to another quote and another Greek word \u1f00\u03c0\u03ce\u03bb\u03b5\u03b9\u03b1<\/a> (2 Peter 2:1b-3 NET):<\/p>\n

These false teachers will infiltrate your midst with destructive (\u1f00\u03c0\u03c9\u03bb\u03b5\u1f77\u03b1\u03c2, a form of \u1f00\u03c0\u03ce\u03bb\u03b5\u03b9\u03b1)<\/em> heresies, even to the point of denying the Master who bought them. \u00a0As a result, they will bring swift destruction (\u1f00\u03c0\u1f7d\u03bb\u03b5\u03b9\u03b1\u03bd, another form of \u1f00\u03c0\u03ce\u03bb\u03b5\u03b9\u03b1)<\/em> on themselves. \u00a0And many will follow their debauched lifestyles. \u00a0Because of these false teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. \u00a0And in their greed they will exploit you with deceptive words. \u00a0Their condemnation pronounced long ago is not sitting idly by; their destruction (\u1f00\u03c0\u1f7d\u03bb\u03b5\u03b9\u03b1)<\/em> is not asleep.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

<\/a>If false teachers bring swift destruction on themselves<\/em>, where do they find the time to lead others into their debauched lifestyles<\/em>?\u00a0 But I\u2019m not convinced that this particular confusion was Peter\u2019s fault.\u00a0 The definition of \u1f00\u03c0\u03ce\u03bb\u03b5\u03b9\u03b1 online<\/a> caught my attention:<\/p>\n

ap\u1e53leia\u00a0 (from\u00a0622\u00a0\/<\/em>ap\u00f3llymi, “cut\u00a0<\/em>off“) \u2013\u00a0<\/em>destruction, causing someone (something) to be\u00a0<\/em>completely severed\u00a0\u2013 cut\u00a0<\/em>off\u00a0(entirely)\u00a0<\/em>from\u00a0what\u00a0<\/em>could or <\/em>should\u00a0have been.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

If what could or should have been was that Jesus\u2019 divine power has bestowed on us everything necessary for life and godliness <\/em>then this swift destruction<\/em> may be, not an end of human life, but being\u00a0completely severed from what Jesus has bestowed on us and intended for us, a destruction of corruption<\/em> (Romans 1:18, 22-32 NET).<\/p>\n

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth by their unrighteousness\u2026Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for an image resembling mortal human beings or birds or four-footed animals or reptiles.\u00a0 Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity, to dishonor their bodies among themselves<\/a> [Table<\/a>]<\/em>. \u00a0They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served the creation rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! \u00a0Amen.\u00a0 For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. \u00a0For their women exchanged the natural sexual relations for unnatural ones, and likewise the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed in their passions for one another. \u00a0Men committed shameless acts with men and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. \u00a0And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what should not be done. \u00a0They are filled with every kind of unrighteousness<\/a>, wickedness, covetousness, malice. \u00a0They are rife with envy, murder, strife, deceit, hostility. \u00a0They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, contrivers of all sorts of evil, disobedient to parents, senseless, covenant-breakers, heartless<\/a>, ruthless. \u00a0Although they fully know God\u2019s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but also approve of those who practice them.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

So we would have (2 Peter 2:12, 13):<\/p>\n

But these men, like irrational animals \u2013 creatures of instinct, born to be caught and [corrupted] (\u03c6\u03b8\u03bf\u03c1\u1f71\u03bd, a form of \u03c6\u03b8\u03bf\u03c1\u03ac)<\/em> \u2013 do not understand whom they are insulting, and consequently in their [corruption] (\u03c6\u03b8\u03bf\u03c1\u1fb7, another form of \u03c6\u03b8\u03bf\u03c1\u03ac)<\/em> they will be [corrupted, led astray][17]<\/sup><\/a> (\u03c6\u03b8\u03b1\u03c1\u1f75\u03c3\u03bf\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9, a form of \u03c6\u03b8\u03b5\u03af\u03c1\u03c9)<\/em>, suffering harm as the wages for their harmful ways. \u00a0By considering it a pleasure to carouse in broad daylight, they are stains and blemishes, indulging in their deceitful pleasures when they feast together with you. \u00a0Their eyes, full of adultery, never stop sinning; they entice unstable people. \u00a0They have trained their hearts for greed, these cursed children!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

And (2 Peter 2:1b-3 NET):<\/p>\n

These false teachers will infiltrate your midst with [corrupting] (\u1f00\u03c0\u03c9\u03bb\u03b5\u1f77\u03b1\u03c2, a form of \u1f00\u03c0\u03ce\u03bb\u03b5\u03b9\u03b1)<\/em> heresies, even to the point of denying the Master who bought them.\u00a0 As a result, they will bring swift [corruption] (\u1f00\u03c0\u1f7d\u03bb\u03b5\u03b9\u03b1\u03bd, another form of \u1f00\u03c0\u03ce\u03bb\u03b5\u03b9\u03b1)<\/em> on themselves.\u00a0 And many will follow their debauched lifestyles.\u00a0 Because of these false teachers, the way of truth will be slandered.\u00a0 And in their greed they will exploit you with deceptive words.\u00a0 Their condemnation pronounced long ago is not sitting idly by; their [corruption] (\u1f00\u03c0\u1f7d\u03bb\u03b5\u03b9\u03b1)<\/em> is not asleep.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Watch out for false prophets<\/em>, Jesus said, who come to you in sheep\u2019s clothing but inwardly are voracious wolves.\u00a0 You will recognize them by their fruit<\/em>.[18]<\/sup><\/a>\u00a0 Do the teachers proclaim and exhibit the fruit of the Spirit?\u00a0 Or are they sowing to their own flesh and reaping corruption from their own flesh?<\/p>\n

\n
Sowing to the Flesh, Part 2<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n
Back to Atonement, Part 2<\/em><\/a><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

<\/a>[1]<\/sup> 2 Peter 2:9a (NET)<\/p>\n

<\/a>[2]<\/sup> 2 Peter 1:1b (NET)<\/p>\n

<\/a>[3]<\/sup> 2 Peter 2:9b-11 (NET)<\/p>\n

<\/a>[4]<\/sup> http:\/\/www.biblestudytools.com\/commentaries\/matthew-henry-complete\/2-peter\/2.html<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>[5]<\/sup> https:\/\/enduringword.com\/commentary\/2-peter-2\/<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>[6]<\/sup> Commentary <\/em>on Galatians 2:18<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>[7]<\/sup> 2 Peter 1:3 (NET)<\/p>\n

<\/a>[8]<\/sup> \u201cConstantine: First Christian Emperor<\/a>\u201d Christianity Today<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/a>[9]<\/sup> Early Testimonies to St. Peter\u2019s Ministry in Rome<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>[6]<\/sup> Rev. Mason Gallagher,D. D., \u201cWas the Apostle Peter ever at Rome? A critical examination of the evidence and arguments presented on both sides of the question<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/a>[11]<\/sup> A. Allison Lewis, \u201cWas Peter Ever in Rome?<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/a>[12]<\/sup> \u201cWas Peter in Rome?<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/a>[13]<\/sup> 2 Peter 2:12, 13a (NET)<\/p>\n

<\/a>[14]<\/sup> Galatians 6:8a (NET)<\/p>\n

<\/a>[15]<\/sup> Romans 8:21 (NET)<\/p>\n

<\/a>[16]<\/sup> 2 Peter 2:19a (NET)<\/p>\n

<\/a>[17]<\/sup> Forms of \u03c6\u03b8\u03b5\u03af\u03c1\u03c9 were translated corrupts <\/em>in 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NET)<\/a>; corrupted <\/em>in 2 Corinthians 7:2 (KJV)<\/a>; may be led astray <\/em>in 2 Corinthians 11:3 (NET)<\/a>; who is being corrupted<\/em> in Ephesians 4:22 (NET)<\/a> and corrupted <\/em>in Revelation 19:2 (NET)<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>[18]<\/sup> Matthew 7:15, 16a (NET)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from their trials,[1] Peter wrote to those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ, have been granted (\u03bb\u03b1\u03c7\u03bf\u1fe6\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd, a form of \u03bb\u03b1\u03b3\u03c7\u03ac\u03bd\u03c9) a faith just as precious as … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2719,3826],"tags":[3818,935,3823,933,3824,3822,3817,3819,3821,3820,3324,358,3825],"class_list":["post-7981","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-section-three","category-sowing-to-the-flesh","tag-2-peter-11","tag-2-peter-13","tag-2-peter-13-4","tag-2-peter-15-7","tag-2-peter-21-3","tag-2-peter-212-13","tag-2-peter-29","tag-2-peter-29-11","tag-acts-411-12","tag-matthew-37-9","tag-matthew-715-16","tag-romans-118","tag-romans-122-32"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7981","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7981"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7981\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20576,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7981\/revisions\/20576"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7981"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7981"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/religiousmind.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7981"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}