1 Peter 2:2 ²and many will follow their self-abandonment, on account of whom way of truth will be blasphemed.

This verse highlights one of the significant dangers of following false teachers or listening to false prophets. One danger about having teachers of false doctrine and false prophets is that people will be duped and deceived by them. Too many Christians are weak in their understanding of the gospel and do not recognize such false teaching.

Peter is especially concerned in this verse about two matters. First is the self-abandonment (aselgeiais) or “depraved conduct” of the false teachers. This strong ethical term refers to someone who has no restraints and does whatever feels good, often resulting, because of sin, in self-focused sensuality. Peter implies in verse 3 that some of this moral decay may be due at least in part to their greed. At the very least, they were liars and deceivers. They convinced people that their ideas were right. They may have even sounded persuasive with convincing rhetoric. People who are weak in their convictions and knowledge (1:3, 5, 6) are more open to being deceived by false teachers like this. When the truth is abandoned for a lie, the ethical foundation is removed, and the depraved flesh seeks to take over, showing up in many creative ways to sin (Galatians 5:19-21).

The second result is that way of truth will be blasphemed. By rejecting the truth in their own lives and embracing a lie, they distort the gospel’s truth and cause confusion about what it means. Paul warned Timothy of a similar danger in Ephesus (2 Timothy 3:13). Blasphemed gives the sense of slander, disrespect, or ridicule. Unbelievers might look at Christians and, instead of seeing the true Jesus reflected in them, might recognize corruption, hypocrisy, deceit, and misconduct. The witness about Jesus is ruined by heresy. It may take a long time to overcome such a bad testimony. We must be careful not to be among the many who follow false prophets and teachers. We must be vigilant in our convictions, know the truth of the Bible well, and be solid in our faith. Faith and knowledge are some of the key topics of this letter. Peter wants his readers to be strong in their faith about who Jesus is and what the prophets in Scripture said about him.