2 Peter 2:19
New International Version
They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.”

New Living Translation
They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you.

English Standard Version
They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.

Berean Standard Bible
They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves to depravity. For a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.

Berean Literal Bible
promising them freedom, themselves being slaves of corruption. For by what anyone has been subdued, by that also he is enslaved.

King James Bible
While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

New King James Version
While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage.

New American Standard Bible
promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what anyone is overcome, by this he is enslaved.

NASB 1995
promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved.

NASB 1977
promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved.

Legacy Standard Bible
promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved.

Amplified Bible
They promise them liberty, when they themselves are the slaves of depravity—for by whatever anyone is defeated and overcome, to that [person, thing, philosophy, or concept] he is continually enslaved.

Christian Standard Bible
They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption, since people are enslaved to whatever defeats them.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption, since people are enslaved to whatever defeats them.

American Standard Version
promising them liberty, while they themselves are bondservants of corruption; for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he also brought into bondage.

Contemporary English Version
They promise freedom to everyone. But they are merely slaves of filthy living, because people are slaves of whatever controls them.

English Revised Version
promising them liberty, while they themselves are bondservants of corruption; for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he also brought into bondage.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They promise these people freedom, but they themselves are slaves to corruption. A person is a slave to whatever he gives in to.

Good News Translation
They promise them freedom while they themselves are slaves of destructive habits--for we are slaves of anything that has conquered us.

International Standard Version
Promising them freedom, they themselves are slaves to depravity, for a person is a slave to whatever conquers him.

Majority Standard Bible
They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves to depravity. For a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.

NET Bible
Although these false teachers promise such people freedom, they themselves are enslaved to immorality. For whatever a person succumbs to, to that he is enslaved.

New Heart English Bible
promising them liberty, while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for a person is brought into bondage by whoever overcomes him.

Webster's Bible Translation
While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for by whom a man is overcome, by the same is he brought into bondage.

Weymouth New Testament
And they promise them freedom, although they are themselves the slaves of what is corrupt. For a man is the slave of any one by whom he has been worsted in fight.

World English Bible
promising them liberty, while they themselves are bondservants of corruption; for a man is brought into bondage by whoever overcomes him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
promising liberty to them, themselves being servants of corruption, for by whom anyone has been overcome, he has been brought to servitude to this one also;

Berean Literal Bible
promising them freedom, themselves being slaves of corruption. For by what anyone has been subdued, by that also he is enslaved.

Young's Literal Translation
liberty to them promising, themselves being servants of the corruption, for by whom any one hath been overcome, to this one also he hath been brought to servitude,

Smith's Literal Translation
Promising them liberty, they being servants of corruption: for by whom any is conquered, by him has he been made to serve.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Promising them liberty, whereas they themselves are the slaves of corruption. For by whom a man is overcome, of the same also he is the slave.

Catholic Public Domain Version
promising them freedoms, while they themselves are the servants of corruption. For by whatever a man is overcome, of this also is he the servant.

New American Bible
They promise them freedom, though they themselves are slaves of corruption, for a person is a slave of whatever overcomes him.

New Revised Standard Version
They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption; for people are slaves to whatever masters them.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
They, while they promise liberty, themselves are the slaves of corruption: for a man is overcome by whatever it is that enslaves him.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
They promise liberty to them when they are servants of corruption; that by which anyone is conquered, to the same he is also a slave.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
While they promise them freedom, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for by whatever any man is overcome, he is also enslaved.

Godbey New Testament
promising them liberty, they themselves being the slaves of corruption: for to whatsoever any one has been subordinated, to this he has become enslaved.

Haweis New Testament
Preaching liberty to them, while they themselves are the slaves of corruption: for by whatever a man is overcome, by that also he is enslaved.

Mace New Testament
whilst they promise others liberty, they themselves are slaves to their corrupt passions, for he that is vanquished, is a slave to the conqueror.

Weymouth New Testament
And they promise them freedom, although they are themselves the slaves of what is corrupt. For a man is the slave of any one by whom he has been worsted in fight.

Worrell New Testament
promising them liberty, while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what one is overcome by this he has become enslaved.

Worsley New Testament
promising them liberty, while they themselves are the slaves of corruption: for by whom any one is vanquished, by him he is also enslaved.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Deliverance from False Prophets
18With lofty but empty words, they appeal to the sensual passions of the flesh and entice those who are just escaping from others who live in error. 19They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves to depravity. For a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him. 20If indeed they have escaped the corruption of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, only to be entangled and overcome by it again, their final condition is worse than it was at first.…

Cross References
John 8:34
Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.

Romans 6:16
Do you not know that when you offer yourselves as obedient slaves, you are slaves to the one you obey, whether you are slaves to sin leading to death, or to obedience leading to righteousness?

Galatians 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.

Romans 6:20
For when you were slaves to sin, you were free of obligation to righteousness.

1 Corinthians 6:12
“Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be mastered by anything.

Romans 6:18
You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

Romans 6:22
But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the fruit you reap leads to holiness, and the outcome is eternal life.

Galatians 4:3
So also, when we were children, we were enslaved under the basic principles of the world.

Galatians 4:9
But now that you know God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you are turning back to those weak and worthless principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?

2 Timothy 2:26
Then they will come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, who has taken them captive to his will.

James 1:14-15
But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. / Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Jude 1:13
They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.

Proverbs 5:22
The iniquities of a wicked man entrap him; the cords of his sin entangle him.

Proverbs 26:11
As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.

Isaiah 28:15
For you said, “We have made a covenant with death; we have fashioned an agreement with Sheol. When the overwhelming scourge passes through it will not touch us, because we have made lies our refuge and falsehood our hiding place.”


Treasury of Scripture

While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

they promise.

Galatians 5:1,13
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage…

1 Peter 2:16
As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

they themselves.

John 8:34
Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

Romans 6:12-14,16-22
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof…

Titus 3:3
For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

overcome.

2 Peter 2:20
For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

Isaiah 28:1
Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine!

Jeremiah 23:9
Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine hath overcome, because of the LORD, and because of the words of his holiness.

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Although Bondage Bondservants Corrupt Corruption Depravity Destruction Enslaved Fight Free Freedom Gets Liberty Makes Overcome Overcomes Promise Promising Servant Servants Slave Slavery Slaves Subdued Themselves Whatever
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Although Bondage Bondservants Corrupt Corruption Depravity Destruction Enslaved Fight Free Freedom Gets Liberty Makes Overcome Overcomes Promise Promising Servant Servants Slave Slavery Slaves Subdued Themselves Whatever
2 Peter 2
1. Peter warns of false teachers, showing the impiety and punishment both of them and their followers;
7. from which the godly shall be delivered, as Lot was out of Sodom;
10. and more fully describes the manners of those profane and blasphemous seducers.














They promise them freedom
This phrase highlights the deceptive nature of false teachers who offer a false sense of liberty. The Greek word for "promise" (ἐπαγγέλλονται, epangellontai) suggests a proclamation or assurance, often with a sense of authority. Historically, false teachers in the early church claimed to offer spiritual freedom, yet their promises were empty. This mirrors the serpent's promise to Eve in Genesis, where the promise of enlightenment led to bondage. The concept of "freedom" here is ironic, as true freedom in Christ is contrasted with the false freedom offered by those who are themselves enslaved.

while they themselves are slaves to corruption
The term "slaves" (δοῦλοι, douloi) in Greek indicates complete subjugation. The false teachers are depicted as being in bondage to "corruption" (φθορά, phthora), which implies moral decay and destruction. This corruption is not just a physical or moral decline but a spiritual one, leading to eternal separation from God. The historical context of the early church shows that many were led astray by leaders who were morally compromised, emphasizing the need for discernment and adherence to true doctrine.

For a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him
This statement is a universal truth, reflecting the biblical principle that one becomes enslaved to whatever one yields to. The Greek word for "mastered" (ἡττάομαι, hettao) conveys the idea of being defeated or overcome. Scripturally, this echoes Jesus' teaching in John 8:34, where He states that everyone who sins is a slave to sin. The historical context of Roman slavery would have made this imagery particularly poignant to Peter's audience, as they understood the total control a master had over a slave. This serves as a warning to believers to guard their hearts and minds, ensuring that Christ alone is their master, leading to true freedom.

(19) Promise them liberty.--A specimen of the "great swelling words"--loud, high-sounding talk about liberty. The doctrines of Simon Magus, as reported by Irenaeus (I., chap. xxiii. 3) and by Hippolytus (Refut. VI., chap. xiv.), show us the kind of liberty that such teachers promised--being "freed from righteousness" to become "the slaves of sin."

Servants of corruption.--Better, bond-servants, or slaves of corruption. Our translators have often done well in translating the Greek word for "slave" by "servant" (see Note on 2Peter 1:1), but here the full force of the ignominious term should be given. Tyndale, Cranmer, and Geneva have "bond-servants;" Rheims "slaves." (Comp. "bondage of corruption," Romans 8:21.)

Brought in bondage.--Or, enslaved. We seem here to have an echo of John 8:34 (see Notes there): "Every one who continues to commit sin is the slave of sin," words which St. Peter may have heard. Comp. Romans 6:16-20, which the writer may also have had in his mind. There is nothing improbable in St. Peter being well acquainted with the Epistle to the Romans during the last years of his life; the improbability would rather be in supposing that he did not know it.

Verse 19. - While they promise them liberty; literally, promising. The words cohere closely with the preceding clause. Liberty was the subject of their great swelling words of vanity; they talked loudly, made a great boast, about liberty. Perhaps they were wresting to their own destruction (comp. 2 Peter 3:15, 16) the teaching of St. Paul concerning Christian liberty. St. Paul had spoken of the liberty of the glory of the children of God (Romans 8:21); he had again and again asserted the liberty of Christians in things indifferent (see 2 Corinthians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 8:9; 1 Corinthians 10:23, etc.). But he had insisted on the paramount duty of giving no offence (1 Corinthians 8:13, etc.), and had earnestly cautioned his converts to "use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh." There were false teachers who maintained that the true Gnostic was free from moral restraints, in fact, that liberty meant libertinism, liberty to sin (comp. 1 Peter 2:16). They themselves are the servants of corruption. The construction is still participial, "being" (ὑπάρχοντες) being from the beginning servants of corruption. Those who talked about liberty were themselves all the time the bondservants, the slaves, of corruption. The word rendered "corruption" (φθορά) includes the sense of" destruction," as in verse 12 and 2 Peter 1:4 (comp. Romans 8:21). For of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. "Of whom," or "by whatever;" by Satan, the personal tempter, or by sin, the innate tendency; the Greek word will bear either meaning. Some good manuscripts add "also," which strengthens the assertion; "is he also brought in bondage." St. Peter's teaching corresponds exactly with that of St. Paul in Romans 6:16. There is a very close parallel to this clause in the 'Clementine Recognitions' (5:12; quoted by Dr. Salmon, in his 'Historical Introduction to the Books of the New Testament'): "unusquisque illius fit servus cui se ipse subjecerit."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
They promise
ἐπαγγελλόμενοι (epangellomenoi)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1861: From epi and the base of aggelos; to announce upon, i.e. to engage to do something, to assert something respecting oneself.

them
αὐτοῖς (autois)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

freedom,
ἐλευθερίαν (eleutherian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1657: Freedom, liberty, especially: a state of freedom from slavery. From eleutheros; freedom.

while they themselves
αὐτοὶ (autoi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

are
ὑπάρχοντες (hyparchontes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5225: To begin, am, exist, be in possession. From hupo and archomai; to begin under, i.e. Come into existence; expletively, to exist (verb).

slaves
δοῦλοι (douloi)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1401: (a) (as adj.) enslaved, (b) (as noun) a (male) slave. From deo; a slave.

to corruption.
φθορᾶς (phthoras)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 5356: Corruption, destruction, decay, rottenness, decomposition. From phtheiro; decay, i.e. Ruin.

For
γάρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

a man is a slave
δεδούλωται (dedoulōtai)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1402: To enslave. From doulos; to enslave.

to whatever
(hō)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

has overcome him.
ἥττηται (hēttētai)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2274: From the same as hetton; to make worse, i.e. Vanquish; by implication, to rate lower.


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NT Letters: 2 Peter 2:19 Promising them liberty while they themselves (2 Pet. 2P iiP ii Pet)
2 Peter 2:18
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