Chapter
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Verse

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;
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;
NASB and did not spare the ancient world, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;
CSB and if he didn’t spare the ancient world, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others, when he brought the flood on the world of the ungodly;
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.
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;
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;

What does 2 Peter 2:5 mean?

After revealing that God will bring judgment—condemnation and destruction—upon the false teachers in the church, Peter offers a list of historical examples to show that God does indeed judge those who rebel against Him.

The previous verse mentioned rebellious angels condemned to darkness and awaiting their judgment. Now Peter points to the great flood of Noah. In this fierce act of judgment, God destroyed every person in the entire ancient world, aside from Noah and his family (Genesis 6:1–8).

Why would God do such a thing? In addition to possessing great mercy and love, our God is a righteous judge. Genesis 6:5 says the world was in a catastrophic state of evil prior to the flood: "The LORD saw that wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

" But our God also saves. Noah is described as a preacher of righteousness. Instead of being done with humanity completely, God spared Noah and began again. It's important to note that, as he also did in 1 Peter 3:20, Peter affirms the flood of Noah as a historical event. Jesus, too, referenced Noah's flood. In fact, Jesus said that the world would be as it was in Noah's day when He returned (Matthew 24:36–44). Peter will also describe that day before the end of this letter.
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