2 Peter 2:1

Authorized King James Version

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
Ἐγένοντο
G1096
there were
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
#2
δὲ
G1161
But
but, and, etc
#3
καὶ
G2532
also
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#4
ψευδοπροφῆται
G5578
false prophets
a spurious prophet, i.e., pretended foreteller or religious impostor
#5
ἐν
G1722
among
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#6
τῷ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#7
λαῷ
G2992
the people
a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)
#8
ὡς
G5613
as
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
#9
καὶ
G2532
also
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#10
ἐν
G1722
among
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
#11
ὑμῖν
G5213
you
to (with or by) you
#12
ἔσονται
G2071
there shall be
will be
#13
ψευδοδιδάσκαλοι
G5572
false teachers
a spurious teacher, i.e., propagator of erroneous christian doctrine
#14
οἵτινες
G3748
who
which some, i.e., any that; also (definite) which same
#15
παρεισάξουσιν
G3919
privily shall bring in
to lead in aside, i.e., introduce surreptitiously
#16
αἱρέσεις
G139
heresies
properly, a choice, i.e., (specially) a party or (abstractly) disunion
#17
ἀπώλειαν
G684
damnable
ruin or loss (physical, spiritual or eternal)
#18
καὶ
G2532
also
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#19
τὸν
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#20
ἀγοράσαντα
G59
that bought
properly, to go to market, i.e., (by implication) to purchase; specially, to redeem
#21
αὐτοὺς
G846
them
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#22
δεσπότην
G1203
the Lord
an absolute ruler ("despot")
#23
ἀρνούμενοι
G720
denying
to contradict, i.e., disavow, reject, abnegate
#24
ἐπάγοντες
G1863
and bring
to superinduce, i.e., inflict (an evil), charge (a crime)
#25
ἑαυτοῖς
G1438
upon themselves
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
#26
ταχινὴν
G5031
swift
curt, i.e., impending
#27
ἀπώλειαν
G684
damnable
ruin or loss (physical, spiritual or eternal)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of 2 Peter Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection