2 Peter 2:5

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;

And {G2532} spared {G5339} not {G3756} the old {G744} world {G2889}, but {G235} saved {G5442} Noah {G3575} the eighth {G3590} person, a preacher {G2783} of righteousness {G1343}, bringing in {G1863} the flood {G2627} upon the world {G2889} of the ungodly {G765};

And he did not spare the ancient world; on the contrary, he preserved Noach, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, and brought the Flood upon a world of ungodly people.

if He did not spare the ancient world when He brought the flood on its ungodly people, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, among the eight;

and spared not the ancient world, but preserved Noah with seven others, a preacher of righteousness, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;

Context

Second Peter chapter 2 serves as a stark warning against false teachers who infiltrate the church, much like the false prophets of old. To underscore God's unwavering commitment to both judgment and salvation, Peter draws upon historical examples of divine intervention. Verse 5 specifically recalls the devastating global flood, a pivotal event from the Old Testament, demonstrating God's past actions. This example, alongside the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (2 Peter 2:6), sets the stage for Peter's concluding point in 2 Peter 2:9: "The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished."

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment: The verse vividly portrays God's severe judgment on the "old world" due to its pervasive wickedness, as detailed in Genesis 6:5. The flood serves as a powerful testament to God's intolerance for sin and His ultimate authority over creation.
  • Divine Preservation: Amidst universal destruction, God "saved Noah the eighth [person]." This highlights God's faithfulness to His righteous remnant. Noah, his wife, his three sons, and their wives (eight individuals in total) were spared, demonstrating that God always provides a way of escape for those who are faithful. This theme of preservation is central to understanding God's character.
  • The Role of Righteousness: Noah is specifically identified as "a preacher of righteousness." This indicates that Noah was not merely a passive recipient of God's grace but actively proclaimed God's truth and warnings to a corrupt generation, living out his faith in obedience (Hebrews 11:7). His righteousness stood in stark contrast to the ungodliness of the world around him, making him an example for believers.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Noah the eighth" (Greek: ὄγδοον Νῶε - ogdoon Nōe) literally means "Noah, eighth," emphasizing his unique position as one of the eight individuals preserved from the flood. The KJV adds "[person]" for clarity. The term "preacher" (Greek: κῆρυξ - kēryx) refers to a herald or proclaimer, suggesting that Noah not only lived righteously but also actively announced God's will and impending judgment to a world that refused to listen. This paints a picture of Noah as an active evangelist rather than just a quiet observer.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder for believers today. Firstly, it reaffirms God's justice and His ultimate judgment on sin. No matter how widespread ungodliness becomes, God will act. Secondly, it offers immense encouragement regarding God's commitment to saving the righteous. Just as Noah was preserved, those who trust in God's righteousness through Christ will find salvation. Lastly, Noah's example as a "preacher of righteousness" challenges believers to not only live righteously but also to boldly proclaim God's truth in a world that often rejects it. Our lives and words can be a testimony, even when we feel like a small minority.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Hebrews 11:7

    By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

  • 2 Peter 3:6

    Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:

  • Jude 1:14

    And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,

  • Jude 1:15

    ¶ To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard [speeches] which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

  • Luke 17:26

    And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.

  • Luke 17:27

    They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.

  • Genesis 7:1

    ¶ And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.
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