Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Peter 2:18

18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity , they allure through the lusts of the flesh , through much wantonness , those that were clean escaped from them who live in error .

I.e. Big words, full of sound, and void of Sense, at least of Truth. He seems to tax the affected, vain Speech of Seducers, who were wont to clothe their erroneous Doctrines (if not disguise the Truths of God) with strange uncouth Phrases, which made a shew of some rare Discoveries, or deep Mysteries, whereas indeed they were empty of any thing solid, or tending to Edification.

As with a Bait; a Metaphor taken from the manner of taking Fish.

To which they give liberty, as a Bait to draw Men after them.

This explains the former, and shews what Lusts they indulge Men in, viz. Wantonness, and Uncleanness.

Truly, or really, which seems the better reading than that in the Margin: And this is said of them, 1. in respect of the Profession they made of a real Conversion. 2ly. In respect of the Assent they gave to the Word by which they were called. 3ly. In respect of the change that appeared in their outward Conversation.

Whether the Error of Judaism, or Heathenism wherein they had been formerly involved, and others still were. This might be the case of some in whom yet there was no saving change wrought, that they might be brought off from those more soul ways of Sin and Error in which they had wa[illegible: 1 letter]ked, and yet might afterward return to the same, or as bad, Matth. 12.43. and 13.21.

Marginal references: Jude 16.; Acts 2.40.; Or, for a little, or, for a while, as some read.