2 Peter 2:9 kjv

The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

2 Peter 2:9 nkjv

then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment,

2 Peter 2:9 niv

if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.

2 Peter 2:9 esv

then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment,

2 Peter 2:9 nlt

So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while keeping the wicked under punishment until the day of final judgment.

2 Peter 2 verses

2 Peter 2 9 Meaning

The Lord, by His intrinsic nature and perfect wisdom, possesses the capability to deliver and protect those who are devout and obedient from the trials, temptations, and adversities they face. Conversely, the Lord likewise has the unwavering power and just determination to hold in secure custody those who live in unrighteousness, reserving them for a definitive day of divine judgment where they will receive due punishment for their sin and defiance.

2 Peter 2 9 Context

Second Peter chapter 2 is a strong warning against false teachers who prey on the Christian community. Leading up to verse 9, Peter provides historical examples from the Old Testament to demonstrate God's consistent character in both judgment and salvation. He cites the angels who sinned and were condemned to gloomy darkness (2 Pet 2:4), the ancient world which was destroyed by a flood yet Noah, a preacher of righteousness, was saved (2 Pet 2:5), and the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah that faced fiery judgment while righteous Lot was rescued from their corruption (2 Pet 2:6-8). These three historical examples serve as irrefutable proofs and a theological foundation for Peter's concluding declaration in verse 9. Thus, 2 Peter 2:9 functions as the definitive summary and powerful assertion derived from the preceding verses, directly addressing the ultimate fate of the godly versus the unjust in light of the prevalent heresies and immoral lifestyles promoted by the false teachers in the early church. The verse stands as a declaration of God's sovereign justice and unwavering faithfulness to His covenant people, offering comfort to the persecuted believers and a severe warning to the unrighteous deceivers.

2 Peter 2 9 Word analysis

• The Lord (Ho Kyrios, ὁ Κύριος): This refers to God Himself, likely Jesus Christ given the context of Peter's writings (2 Pet 1:1; 3:18). It signifies supreme authority, sovereignty, and ownership. The definite article 'Ho' emphasizes the specific and unique nature of this Lord.
• Knoweth (Oiden, οἶδεν): Not merely intellectual knowledge but an inherent, perfect, and experiential understanding. It implies a divine wisdom and competence that translates into effective action. God not only knows what to do but also how to do it flawlessly and with perfect timing.
• How to deliver (ryesthai, ῥύεσθαι): The infinitive "to deliver" means to snatch, rescue, pull out, or preserve from danger. It suggests an active and powerful intervention. "How" emphasizes God's perfect method and ability.
• The godly (eusebeis, εὐσεβεῖς): Pious, devout, reverent, characterized by true worship and upright conduct toward God and fellow human beings. This describes those who align their lives with God's will and are sincere in their faith, demonstrating a genuine walk with Him (often linked to the Greek eusebeia, meaning godliness/piety, found frequently in the pastoral epistles and 2 Peter).
• Out of (ek, ἐκ): Denotes separation or origin "from" within a context of danger. They are drawn out of the very midst of their trials.
• Temptations (peirasmou, πειρασμοῦ): This singular noun refers to trials, tests, afflictions, or enticements to sin. It can encompass various forms of suffering, persecution, and inner struggles that challenge faith.
• And to reserve (terein, τηρεῖν): This verb means to keep, guard, hold securely, or maintain in a certain state. Here, it conveys the idea of divine custody, a holding in waiting, not necessarily a compassionate preservation but an active retention for a specific purpose.
• The unjust (adikous, ἀδίκους): Unrighteous, unholy, those who violate God's standards of justice and righteousness. This includes the false teachers in Peter's immediate context. It describes their intrinsic character and actions.
• Unto the day of judgment (eis hēmeran kriseōs, εἰς ἡμέραν κρίσεως): A specific, divinely appointed future time for reckoning. This phrase points to the eschatological reality of God's final assessment and sentencing for all humanity, where every deed will be exposed and judged.
• To be punished (kolazomenous, κολαζομένους): A present participle indicating that the reservation is for the purpose of being punished. The verb kolazo (κολάζω) signifies punishment, especially of the punitive or correctional kind, but in this context and combined with "judgment," it carries the weight of definitive retribution. They are literally "being punished" in the sense that their state of being reserved is leading directly and inevitably to punishment.

• The Lord knoweth how to deliver: This phrase highlights divine omnipotence and perfect wisdom. God is not merely aware of difficulties; He possesses the ultimate solution and the power to execute it perfectly. His knowledge is always active and effective.
• Deliver the godly out of temptations: This underscores God's active preservation of His own. It implies that true godliness, lived by faith, places believers under God's watchful and protective care amidst trials. Deliverance is not always removal from the trial but enduring through it by His grace, sometimes with an immediate way of escape.
• Reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment: This depicts God's long-suffering and meticulous justice. The unrighteous are not always immediately consumed by judgment but are held, as if in a secure prison, until the precise and appointed time for final reckoning. This demonstrates God's perfect timing and comprehensive accountability.
• Unto the day of judgment to be punished: This establishes the definite and inevitable destiny of the unrighteous. Their current state of "being reserved" is inextricably linked to and purposefully for their future condemnation and a definitive, measured punishment that fits their unrighteousness.

2 Peter 2 9 Bonus section

This verse carries a significant polemical edge against the antinomian and licentious teachings of the false teachers Peter condemns throughout chapter 2. These teachers likely claimed a kind of 'freedom' from moral constraints or suggested that their Gnostic 'knowledge' made them exempt from judgment. Peter's unequivocal declaration of God's reserved judgment for the unjust directly refutes such notions, emphasizing that conduct rooted in true godliness (or the lack thereof) absolutely matters to God and determines ultimate destiny.

The repetition of judgment language and examples (angels, flood, Sodom & Gomorrah) leading up to verse 9 is not accidental. It forms a cumulative argument that reinforces the inevitability and certainty of God's justice, establishing a historical precedent for Peter's theological assertion. This rhetorical strategy aims to convince believers that even if justice seems delayed, it is certain and rooted in God's immutable character. The use of the present participle "being punished" (kolazomenous) suggests that their very state of being reserved is part of their judgment, as they live under the constant shadow of impending divine wrath.

2 Peter 2 9 Commentary

2 Peter 2:9 is a cornerstone statement, functioning as the theological synthesis of God's consistent character, as exemplified by His past dealings with angels, Noah, and Lot (2 Pet 2:4-8). It affirms God's perfect justice and sovereignty, ensuring a distinct and righteous outcome for two distinct groups: the godly and the unjust. God's "knowing how" to deliver speaks to His omniscient wisdom and unfailing power; He not only comprehends every trial but also has the perfect method and means to bring His faithful through it, preserving their spiritual well-being even amidst suffering or persecution. This offers profound comfort and assurance to believers facing deception or hardship from within or outside the church.

Conversely, the verse emphatically declares that the unjust, particularly the deceitful false teachers, are under the direct, certain custody of God's justice, reserved for a pre-ordained day of comprehensive judgment. This is not arbitrary or immediate destruction, but a methodical, divine reservation that ensures every wicked deed will meet its ultimate, merited punishment. This truth provides both a strong warning to those who deviate from righteous paths and a vindication for those who faithfully endure unrighteousness, affirming that divine justice will ultimately prevail. The contrast between deliverance for the righteous and definitive punishment for the unrighteous serves as a powerful biblical truth that underpins God's moral governance of the world.

For instance, think of Joseph in Egypt (Gen 39-41). He faced temptations, false accusations, and imprisonment. Yet, God "delivered" him, not by removing him from prison immediately, but by preserving his integrity and ultimately elevating him. Conversely, Pharaoh and the Egyptians were "reserved" for God's judgment during the plagues and at the Red Sea, where their unrighteousness was fully repaid.