Damnable Heresies

The KJV uses pretty colorful language in 2 Pet 2.1, when speaking about false teachers. Peter says that they "shall bring in damnable heresies." There is a certain resonance to that translation, although it is not altogether accurate. The ESV is more accurate, they will "bring in destructive heresies." The Greek word means "the destruction that one causes or experiences." Here BDAG says it is the destruction that one experiences because this type of heresy has the potential to destroy one's faith, and certainly to destroy the church.

This is exactly why both Peter and Paul wrote so strongly against false teachers and against heresies. This is also why we need to carefully guard the heart of the gospel. Satan is always working against the gospel in any way he can, by undermining it, by questioning it, by subverting it. False teachers aid and abet him.