2 Peter 2:19 They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.”
The false teachers and prophets offer empty promises that do not even work in their own lives. Peter does not say what type of freedom they promise, but there are many options. It may be a good thing that this verse is rather open ended because there are many things that trap people. In the modern age, we hear a lot about the “health, wealth, and prosperity” gospel. This can be a form of empty promise. What are the three things that trap people? Illness, poverty, and lack of employment. This form of preaching offers promises to overcome those if a person will only people will invest money in a church or certain preacher. Peter would not be happy with this teaching. This form of teaching twists the New Testament message. God may at times bless us with health and wealth, but this is dependent on God’s sovereign grace and will. Generally speaking, a believer’s life will improve because he or she will eat differently and spend money more wisely. Old habits that are destructful and wasteful are stopped. However, we should not expect our lives to be free from pain and sorrow. As followers of Jesus, we may experience these things even more than if we followed the empty promises of the world. But we must keep in mind the outcome of our faith. Peter’s first letter dealt with suffering and has many powerful things to say about how we can and should hold up to suffering with the help of God. These false teachers have actually become trapped by their own teaching. They are slaves of “depravity.” The word describes something that is corrupt, perishing, and deteriorating. These people have become trapped by materialism and things of this world. They are after glory, honor, and comfort. They have let selfish desires become their masters. This is very similar to what Paul the Apostle wrote in Romans 6 and how sin enslaves people. Peter is giving a strong warning to people who are doing this, that they need to change, otherwise God will judge them. By leading people astray into this false teaching, they will be held accountable.
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