The word “false Teacher” is found only one time in the Bible at 2 Peter 2:1. The apostle Peter wrote, “But there arose false prophets also among the people, as among you also there shall be false teachers…” Unsuspecting brethren are often amazed that the subject of false teachers is taught from the pulpit with regularity when it is only found this one time in the Bible. The objective of this article will be instructive regarding the actual frequency of this subject in both the Old and New Testament. The very words “false teacher” suggest a standard of teaching that is violated. Let us consider the identity, work, effects and the faithful Christian’s responsibility toward false teachers. Preventative measures are ordained of God that we be not infected with their error (2 Timothy 2:17).
Identity of False Teachers
The Greek word representing “false teacher” is pseudodidaskaloi which is defined as “a false teacher, one who inculcates (to teach by frequent repetition; to instill…) false doctrines” (Moulton’s Greek English Lexicon pp. 441). One who teaches or instills doctrines that oppose divine revelation is a false teacher. There are few books in our Bibles that do not deal with this subject in some form or fashion. To illustrate this point let us connect some associated words. Peter refers to false teachers as those who “deny the master” (2 Peter 1). The apostle John identifies those who deny the master as liars and antichrist who “hath not God” (2 John 2:22-23). Those who “hath not God” are those who teach doctrines that are opposed to divine revelation (2 John 9ff). Paul warned the Galatians (Galatians 1:6ff) and Timothy (1 Timothy 6:3ff) of those who would teach a different doctrine. Due to the frequent attacks against God’s divine revelation Paul pleaded with Timothy to guard the purity of truth (1 Timothy 6:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:12-13). These verses are all interconnected and reveal the actual frequency that the subject is dealt with in our Bibles.
Jesus warned against false prophets saying that you would know them by their fruit (Matthew 7:15). Paul said that they “pervert the right ways of truth” (Acts 13:6-10), “beguile the hearts of the innocent” (Romans 16:18), and teach fleshly wisdom as opposed to divine revelation (2 Corinthians 1:12-14). A clear identifying characteristic of the false teacher is that they “despise dominion and rail at dignities” (2 Peter 2:10). Those who do not honor people in positions of authority have the germ of a false teacher working within them. The word of God commands us to honor Jehovah (1 Timothy 1:17; 6:15-16), our parents (Ephesians 6:1ff), elders in the church (1 Timothy 5:17), our employers (1 Timothy 6:1), and government officials (Romans 13:7; 1 Peter 2:17).
During Bible days there were false teachers who had gained a religious following. Luke identifies the sect of the Pharisees that believed in Jesus yet taught the binding necessity of circumcision and Mosaic Law keeping (Acts 15:1ff). Paul spoke of the ascetics who bound “the precepts and doctrines of men” (Colossians 2:20ff). John exposed the Gnostics (those who supposed that they had special knowledge) (1 John 2:20-21, 27). The apostle John also exposed those who were obviously teaching a once saved always saved doctrine (1 John 1:8-10), that not all God’s commands were binding (1 John 2:4), and the idea that man could sin and somehow remain in fellowship with God (1 John 1:5-7). The book of Revelation speaks of the erring “teachings of Balaam” (Revelation 2:14) and “the Nicolaitans” (Revelation 2:15).
Peter equates the false teachers to false prophets at 2 Peter 2:1. A study of false prophets in the Old Testament reveals people who taught religious doctrines that had not been revealed by the Holy Spirit (see Deuteronomy 13:1ff). Jeremiah warned against the false prophets of his day saying that such men have no shame about themselves as they mislead people with their erring doctrines (Jeremiah 6:13-15 etc.). Ezekiel said that the false prophets follow their own spirit when they teach things that God had not revealed (Ezekiel 13:1-7). Habakkuk said that the false prophets spoke lies (Habakkuk 2:18-20) and Zechariah said that they would be made to feel the sting of their shame when the gospel of the kingdom of God was revealed (Zechariah 13:4-6).
The Standard of Truth
People are comforted by things that they can rely on. When we go to Walmart for a quick stop we know exactly where things are because of our previous visits. Dog food, for example, is always in the same place. The same can be said about the word of God. If I want to learn about baptism, God’s grace, redemption, or the covenants I know where to go. Book, chapter, and verse its there in the same place saying the same thing year in and year out. The word of God is also a consistent factor in our lives that never changes. The prophet Zechariah (1:5-6) and Jesus (Matthew 24:35) tell us that truth does not change. Truth is indeed a divinely revealed standard identified as a scale that men are weighed by (Daniel 5:27). Truth separates the wicked from the righteous (Matthew 7:22ff). Hosea referred to the standard of truth as an unchanging landmark (Hosea 5:10-11). Amos looked to God’s standard as a plumb-line (Amos 7:7-8). The Bible tells us that there is only one truth and one faith (Ephesians 4:1ff).
God revealed this unchanging standard of truth to the apostles and prophets by divinely moving them to speak (2 Peter 1:21). At times, God sent these people divine visions and other times He delivered His message through dreams (see Daniel 7:1; Joel 2:28ff; Amos 1:1; Zechariah 1:7ff etc.). When these men were moved to write, through divine guidance, it represented God’s standard (see Galatians 1:11-12; 1 Corinthians 14:37). God commands that men guard the purity of divine revelation so that the standard may remain constant and unchanging (1 Timothy 6:12-14, 20; 2 Timothy 1:12-13). This standard is recognized as a law (Galatians 6:2) and those who violate it sin (1 John 3:4). To teach another doctrine that God has not revealed is to pervert the standard (Galatians 1:6ff) and to set oneself up as a god; i.e., a law giver (2 Thessalonians 2:4).
Notice that the apostle Peter begins 2 Peter chapter 2 with the conjunction word “but.” Conjunctions connect and combine things together. The word “but” demands that we understand that what was said in the first chapter is associated with the subject of false teachers. Peter sets forth the objective in this epistle at chapter 1:4 saying, “He (God) hath granted unto us his precious and exceeding great promises; that through these ye may become partakers of the (a) divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust.“ The divine nature is altogether opposed to sin and is directly associated with God’s eternal glory (1 Peter 5:10) and man’s equivalent “exaltation” (1 Peter 5:6). The “divine nature” is the essential characteristics of deity. When one obeys the gospel he or she is in a state of perfection (Hebrews 7:18-19) and must thereby maintain said perfection (i.e., attain and maintain the divine nature) (see Matthew 5:48; 1 Peter 1:15-16). This means that we are to think like God (His divine Revelation brings us to a divine nature; see 2 Peter 1:16-21). When I hear words from man that do not measure up to divine revelation it will give rise to a passionate hatred for the doctrine being peddled because I know that it will destroy the souls of men (see Deuteronomy 14:1-2; Romans 12:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:22; Jude 23; Revelation 2:6).
The Effects of False Teaching
The apostle Peter tells us that one of the effects of false teaching is that “the way of the truth shall be evil spoken of” (2 Peter 2:2). The truth hurts many. People don’t like it when someone calls out the name of a false teacher. People are troubled when someone tells them they are in sin. These people are bothered by an eldership that tries to do all things by the authority of Jesus Christ. They speak evil of the truth because it convicts and condemns their teachings and actions. Their attitude spreads like a gangrene to other members of the body of Christ (2 Timothy 2:17). Other members of the church will begin to have problems with the eldership. Members will form factious clicks within the church (1 Timothy 6:3-5). The function of 2 Timothy 2 is to illustrate the trouble that false teachers bring to the table. When trouble occurs in the church is not because people are trying to follow God’s authorized words, its because someone is not doing that. We need to point the finger in the right direction when identifying the trouble people in the church (see Galatians 4:17; 5:10).
Furthermore, false teachers offer a false sense of security (Genesis 3:4; Jeremiah 8:11-13; 2 Peter 2:19). Such lies “hinder, trouble, and unsettle” the people of God (Galatians 5:7-12). Truly said teachers are “zealously seeking you in no good way” (Galatians 4:17). Peter concludes his second epistle by saying, “Ye therefore, beloved, knowing these things beforehand, beware lest, being carried away with the error of the wicked, ye fall from your own steadfastness” (2 Peter 3:17).
The apostle also Peter points out another effect of false teaching and erring doctrines at 2 Peter 2:2-3. False teachers make merchandise of many Christians. The ESV and NASV Bibles uses the word “exploit” rather than merchandise. To “exploit” someone is to “make use of selfishly or unethically… the utilization of another person for selfish purposes” (American Heritage Dictionary pp. 478). They make merchandise of you by causing not only you but also themselves to feel good about the error they are representing (see also 2 Timothy 3:5-7). Many who hold to erring doctrines revolving around the marriage, divorce, and remarriage controversy do so because they have loved ones in marriages that violate the standard of truth. Others hold to these doctrines because they don’t want to be “put out of the synagogue” (on the outs with popular brethren or exposed as different) (see John 12:42-43; 15:20ff; Galatians 6:12-13).
Today, false teachers are hard at work for the same merchandising reasons. Just look around you. How many different denominational bodies do you see just in your city? How many different churches of Christ are there? It is estimated that there are currently “more than 10,000 separate religions being practiced in the world today. Within Christianity alone, there are said to be more than 30,000 different denominations” (World Religions – Annual Editions pp. iv).
While the thousands of different religious bodies are teaching a multitude of doctrines the Bible tells us that there is only one God, one faith, and one church (Ephesians 4:1ff). Surely anyone who is honest with themselves must see that there is something not right with this current religious picture. The apostle Paul wrote, “Now I beseech you, brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10). Again, Paul writes, “Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of the same mind one with another according to Christ Jesus: that with one accord ye may with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 15:5-6). Paul commands the Philippian brethren saying, “stand fast in one spirit, with one soul, striving for the faith of the gospel” (Philippians 1:27).
We hear more and more today the phrase, “Attend the church of your choice.” What that means is go where you feel comfortable. If you feel more comfortable believing that you have been saved and there is nothing that can cause you to fall from grace then go to many of the Baptists churches. If you have a loved one that has died yet never obeyed the gospel then join with the Mormons and you can be baptized for that lost loved one. If you really love this earth and could never fathom it dissolving in fervent heat then join with the Jehovah’s Witnesses who believe that the earth’s existence will never end and God’s people will always dwell here. If you are sensual you might want to join ranks with the Muslims who teach that a man can have as many as four wives and that when you die you shall have all your sensual desires fulfilled. If your not satisfied with God’s standard of truth and want something divine that you can put your eyes on and actually feel then join with the Catholics. World religious statistics reveal millions upon millions of people who have been exploited by these groups. Worst yet are the millions that have been exploited by unfaithful churches of Christ.
Where is the Fear of God among Men?
The apostle Peter mentions the “swift destruction” that these men bring upon themselves (2 Peter 2:1). Peter states that God will not “spare” those who teach a different doctrine (2 Peter 2:4-5). Peter then mentions the examples that God set to prevent people from living and teaching ungodly things such as the great flood of Genesis 6-7 and the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 13:13ff) (2 Peter 2:4-6). There are other things for man to consider. Man ought to consider God’s thunderous voice at Sinai when God spoke directly to the people and it terrified them (Exodus 20:18-21). We ought to consider the example of Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10:1-4). We ought to consider the 50,000 people who died because they foolishly gazed upon the Ark of the Covenant (1 Samuel 6:19). We ought to consider the death of Uzzah (2 Samuel 6:6ff). We ought to consider God’s thunderous voice as He routed the Philistines at 1 Samuel 7. God’s people ought to be filled great fear and awe when looking to Jehovah. The Lord asked Aaron and Miriam where their fear was when they spoke against His sovereign choice of Moses (Numbers 12:1ff). David asked the Amalekite where his fear was when he killed Jehovah’s anointed King Saul (2 Samuel 1:14). Where is man’s fear of God today?
What is the Christian’s Responsibility when faced with a False Teacher?
God’s people can do nothing more or less than the Lord and His apostles (Philippians 4:9). If the Lord does not “spare” neither can we as his beloved saints (2 Peter 2:4). Recall that Zechariah had prophesied of a day that false teachers would be shamed by the gospel message (Zechariah 13:1-6). God’s view of false prophets and teachers has never been a secret. Moses commanded that the people of God were not to pity, spare, or conceal these people in any way (Deuteronomy 13:4-5, 8-9; 20:16-18). Deborah displayed her conviction against the ungodly by saying, “So let thine enemies perish, O Jehovah” (Judges 5:31). Those today who give said teachers the right hand of fellowship have greatly erred (2 John 9-11). God’s people ought to be united, rather than annoyed, at the exposing and calling out the names of those men and women who teach error. Yes said event will be shameful and embarrassing to that individual and this is as God would have it that they may turn from their error. Consider the fact that Jeremiah named 5 false prophets (teachers): Hananiah, Pashhur, Ahab, Zedekiah, and Shemaiah. Micah named Balaam, Omri, and Ahab (Micah 6:5, 12-16). The apostle Paul exposed Hymenaeus and Alexander (1 Timothy 1:20), Hymenaeus and Philetus (2 Timothy 2:17-18), and Jannes and Jambres (2 Timothy 3:8). Jesus called the names of the scribes and Pharisees with regularity (Matthew 5:20; 16:11-12). We ought to contend with these people because souls are at stake (Jude 3; Revelation 2:6). Paul refers to this contending with false teachers as “fighting the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12).
What can I do to Prevent myself from being made Merchandise of by False Teachers:
The best defense against a false teacher’s poison is spiritual growth (2 Peter 3:18). The word of God reveals the serious nature of erring doctrines (see Deuteronomy 20:16-18). Therefore all doctrines presented must stand the test of the standard of truth. We must put to test all doctrines we hear (Galatians 1:8-9; 1 John 4:1ff). Those doctrines that do not measure up to the Lord’s divine revelation are to be rejected.
