2 Peter 2:1-3

v1: “In every age of the church... when God sends true prophets, the Devil sends some to deceive: false prophets in the Old Testament, and false Christs, false apostles, and deceiving teachers in the New.” They deny the truth that Jesus is the only Saviour of sinners, and “work hard at spreading shameful and harmful errors” often under the appearance of truth.

v2: Sadly, false teachers have many followers. “Although the path of error” they lead people down “is dangerous, many are ready to follow it,” drinking “in sin like water,” and “happy to live in error.”

v3: A characteristic of false teachers is greed. They are only interested in saying whatever will increase their “wealth, reputation, or commendation,” and “the number of their followers,” which they can then exploit. In contrast, the faithful pastor, will teach people “the way of truth,” and “seek the profit and advantage of their followers, so that they may be saved.”