2 Peter 2 5

2 Peter 2:5 kjv

And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;

2 Peter 2:5 nkjv

and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly;

2 Peter 2:5 niv

if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others;

2 Peter 2:5 esv

if he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;

2 Peter 2:5 nlt

And God did not spare the ancient world ? except for Noah and the seven others in his family. Noah warned the world of God's righteous judgment. So God protected Noah when he destroyed the world of ungodly people with a vast flood.

2 Peter 2 verses

2 Peter 2 5 meaning

Second Peter 2:5 states that God did not spare the ancient world but brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly, yet preserved Noah, who was a preacher of righteousness, along with seven other people. This verse exemplifies God’s dual character of righteous judgment upon the wicked and merciful preservation of the just, drawing on the biblical account of the Great Flood as a historical precedent. It underscores that God acts decisively against widespread depravity while protecting those who adhere to His standards.

2 Peter 2 5 Context

Second Peter chapter 2 serves as a stern warning against false teachers who will secretly introduce destructive heresies among believers. To underscore God's unwavering resolve to judge wickedness and preserve the righteous, Peter draws upon historical examples of divine judgment and salvation. Verse 5 is the second of three such historical precedents, following the judgment of the angels (2 Pet 2:4) and preceding the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (2 Pet 2:6-9). The immediate context establishes God's pattern of holding back punishment for those appointed for destruction and rescuing those who are devoted to Him. Noah’s experience, where God flooded an entire wicked world but saved one family, is a powerful illustration of this divine principle, serving as a polemic against those who claim God is not just or will not intervene against sin. It reassures true believers that God knows how to rescue the godly, while demonstrating His certain judgment against false teachers who are likened to the "ungodly" generation of Noah's time.

2 Peter 2 5 Word analysis

• and did not spare (οὐκ ἐφείσατο - ouk epheisato): Literally "not to show mercy," or "to punish without mercy." This powerful negative phrase emphasizes God's determination and resolve in judgment. It signifies that no partiality was shown, indicating the gravity of the wickedness and the certainty of divine retribution. This mirrors the previous verse (2 Pet 2:4) about the angels, highlighting a consistent divine character of unsparing judgment on rebellion and sin.
• the ancient world (ἀρχαίου κόσμον - archaiou kosmon):
  • Archaiou: Pertains to that which is from the beginning, original, old. It emphasizes the historical depth and long-established nature of God's judgment, reaching back to the very earliest recorded global judgment.
  • Kosmon: Often translated as "world," refers not just to the physical earth but more significantly to the inhabited world, the ordered system of human society, implying the totality of human culture and all its inhabitants. Here, it specifies the societal structure and populace characterized by widespread corruption.
• but preserved (ἀλλὰ ἐτήρησεν - alla eterēsen): The conjunction "but" (ἀλλὰ - alla) introduces a stark contrast. "Preserved" means "kept safe," "guarded," or "delivered from danger." This word highlights God’s protective and delivering power, specifically singling out His faithful remnant in the midst of global destruction.
• Noah (Νῶε - Nōe): The patriarch, foundational figure in biblical history, and survivor of the Great Flood (Gen 6-9). He represents righteousness and obedience in the face of widespread wickedness.
• a herald (κήρυκα - kēryka): A public proclaimer, an announcer, one who officially broadcasts a message. This detail, not explicitly stated in Genesis, is affirmed here and by early Jewish traditions. It implies Noah was not merely righteous in character but actively preached and warned his generation of impending judgment, offering an opportunity for repentance. This term emphasizes the prophetic and public role Noah played, underscoring that the ancient world was without excuse.
• of righteousness (δικαιοσύνης - dikaiosynēs): Refers to a state of being right, uprightness, justice, conformity to God's standard. Noah preached God's righteousness, implying both the need for human righteousness and God’s just nature which would bring judgment on unrighteousness.
• with seven others (μετ’ ἑβδόμους - met' hebdomous): This specifies the precise number of those preserved with Noah (his wife, his three sons, and their three wives), totaling eight people (Noah + 7 = 8). It highlights the selective and precise nature of God's salvation amidst widespread destruction.
• when He brought (ἐπαγαγὼν - epagagōn): From "to lead in," or "to bring upon," referring to the agent of the judgment being God Himself.
• a flood (κατακλυσμὸν - kataklysmŏn): A deluge, a catastrophe of overflowing water. This specific term for the Genesis Flood is used consistently in the New Testament to refer to this specific, global event.
• upon the world of the ungodly (κόσμον ἀσεβῶν - kosmon asebōn):
  • Kosmon: Again, the "world" or "human society."
  • Asebōn: Refers to those who are irreverent, impious, wicked, or godless, characterized by a general disregard for divine authority and a turning away from God. This emphasizes that the judgment was directly proportional to the pervasive and profound spiritual depravity of the population, not a random act.

2 Peter 2 5 Bonus section

The inclusion of Noah as a "herald of righteousness" by Peter emphasizes a specific aspect of Noah's character not explicitly detailed in the Genesis narrative but potentially inferred or passed down through Jewish tradition. This characteristic directly contrasts with the false teachers of Peter's day, who were heralding unrighteousness. It means Noah wasn't merely passively good but actively warned his generation, embodying a prophetic role. The meticulous mention of "seven others" totaling eight individuals stresses the miraculous nature and specificity of God's preservation, as only a small fraction of humanity survived, based on their connection to one righteous man. This small number highlights that God's preservation is not based on majority but on His own discernment of faithfulness.

2 Peter 2 5 Commentary

2 Peter 2:5 serves as a compelling and historical precedent within Peter's argument against false teachers. It showcases God's immutable character: He is a God of both devastating judgment against profound wickedness and gracious salvation for the righteous. The "ancient world" met with an "unsparing" flood because of its "ungodliness"—a spiritual condition mirroring the deception and immorality propagated by the false teachers Peter warns against. Conversely, Noah, uniquely labeled a "herald of righteousness," was "preserved" along with his family. This detail is crucial; it highlights Noah's active role in proclaiming truth in a corrupt society, making the judgment of his generation one of informed rejection. God did not passively permit wickedness to fester indefinitely but actively intervened. This specific historical example offers both a warning of certain judgment for those who mimic the ancient world’s rebellion and a deep assurance that God indeed knows how to rescue His own in the midst of turmoil. The continuity from "not sparing" the angels, to "not sparing" the ancient world, and the implicit "not sparing" the coming false teachers, strengthens Peter's message about divine consistency in dealing with rebellion.