Slaves Who Promise Freedom: Participles, Paradox, and Passive Conquest in 2 Peter 2:19

ἐλευθερίαν αὐτοῖς ἐπαγγελλόμενοι, αὐτοὶ δοῦλοι ὑπάρχοντες τῆς φθορᾶς· ᾧ γάρ τις ἥττηται, τούτῳ καὶ δεδούλωται. (2 Peter 2:19)


Deception in Voice and Form

This verse from 2 Peter delivers a scathing rebuke against false teachers who promise liberty, yet are themselves enslaved to corruption. The Greek construction powerfully reinforces this moral irony, through its layered participles, passives, and causal logic.

We will examine the verse’s core grammar using a structured table, highlighting:

Present participles that describe deceptive activity and true condition
– A genitive of subjection that defines the master
– A dative of subjection that follows a perfect passive verb
– A causal clause structured around identity and subjugation


Grammatical Analysis Table

Greek Phrase Form & Morphology Function Meaning
ἐλευθερίαν αὐτοῖς ἐπαγγελλόμενοι Present middle participle, nominative plural masculine
from ἐπαγγέλλομαι
Adjectival participle modifying the false teachers “promising them freedom” — deceptive appearance of liberty
αὐτοὶ δοῦλοι ὑπάρχοντες τῆς φθορᾶς Present active participle (ὑπάρχοντες) + genitive of subjection Predicate description “they themselves are slaves of corruption” — contrasting reality to their message
ᾧ γάρ τις ἥττηται Relative pronoun in dative + perfect passive indicative, 3rd sg.
from ἡττάομαι
Causal clause: reason for enslavement “For by what a person is overcome…” — indicating the conqueror
τούτῳ καὶ δεδούλωται Dative of agent + perfect passive indicative, 3rd sg.
from δουλόω
Result clause / poetic justice “to this one he is also enslaved” — full reversal of freedom

Syntax of Irony: Freedom That Enslaves

ἐπαγγελλόμενοι: This present participle creates a false front — liberty offered with a smile.
ὑπάρχοντες + δοῦλοι: The present participle “being” combined with “slaves” names their actual identity.
– The genitive τῆς φθορᾶς (“of corruption”) reveals their true master.
– The phrase ᾧ… τούτῳ (dative-relative and demonstrative) forms a causal-result pair:
What you are overcome by, that is what owns you.

This is not just theological accusation; it is grammatical irony at its sharpest: they offer freedom, but their verbs betray their slavery.


When the Participles Preach

2 Peter 2:19 delivers its condemnation not only through words, but through grammar:

– Participles show pretense vs. reality
– The perfect passive verbs show ongoing subjugation
– Genitives and datives show who is in control

The verse teaches that spiritual slavery is often disguised by spiritual-sounding promises. The Greek makes clear: if you are conquered by sin, you are not free — no matter what you promise others.

Here, the voice of the verb exposes the state of the soul.

About Greek Insights

Applying Biblical Truth through Greek Understanding. Learning Greek for New Testament exegesis is essential for uncovering the depth and precision of the biblical text. The original Greek language of the New Testament carries nuances, grammatical structures, and wordplays that are often lost or flattened in translation. By engaging directly with the Greek, interpreters gain access to richer theological insights, more accurate contextual understanding, and a clearer grasp of the author’s intent. This linguistic foundation empowers students and teachers of Scripture to apply biblical truth with greater fidelity and depth, bridging the ancient text with contemporary life. In this way, Greek is not merely an academic tool but a vital means of faithfully discerning and communicating the message of the New Testament.
This entry was posted in Exegesis and tagged . Bookmark the permalink.

Comments are closed.