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;

KJV (with Strong's)

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};

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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;

American Standard Version

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;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Peter 2:5 serves as a powerful historical example within Peter's broader argument concerning divine judgment and preservation. It highlights God's unwavering justice in not sparing the ancient, wicked world, yet simultaneously demonstrating His faithfulness by saving Noah, identified as the eighth individual and a herald of righteousness. This verse vividly portrays God's dual nature: His righteous wrath against pervasive ungodliness and His merciful provision for those who walk in obedience, culminating in the cataclysmic flood that purged the earth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within 2 Peter chapter 2, a crucial section where Peter issues a stern warning against false teachers who will infiltrate the church, much as false prophets appeared among God's people in the Old Testament. To underscore God's consistent character of judging the wicked and preserving the righteous, Peter marshals a series of historical precedents. Verse 5, recounting the Noahic flood, is the first in a trio of examples, followed by the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in [2 Peter 2:6](/2_peter/2-6 "2 Peter 2:6 - Judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah") and the deliverance of Lot in [2 Peter 2:7-8](/2_peter/2-7-8 "2 Peter 2:7-8 - Deliverance of Lot"). These examples culminate in Peter's foundational theological assertion in [2 Peter 2:9](/2_peter/2-9 "2 Peter 2:9 - God's Ability to Deliver and Judge"): "The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished." Thus, 2 Peter 2:5 provides the foundational historical evidence for God's pattern of judgment and salvation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "old world" refers to the pre-flood civilization, a period described in [Genesis 6:5-7](/genesis/6-5-7 "Genesis 6:5-7 - The Wickedness of Humanity") as one of profound and pervasive wickedness, where "every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." This was a world steeped in violence, corruption, and moral depravity, contrasting sharply with God's original creation intent. The concept of a global flood as divine judgment was not unique to Israelite tradition, with various ancient Near Eastern cultures (e.g., the Epic of Gilgamesh) possessing their own flood narratives. However, the biblical account uniquely emphasizes the moral reason for the flood—God's righteous response to human sin—and the preservation of a single righteous family. Noah, as a "preacher of righteousness," would have stood in stark contrast to the prevailing culture, his message likely met with scorn and disbelief, highlighting the radical nature of his obedience and faith in a world bent on self-destruction.
* **Key Themes:** The primary themes interwoven in 2 Peter 2:5 are **Divine Judgment** and **Divine Preservation**. The verse vividly illustrates God's unsparing judgment on a world consumed by sin, emphasizing His absolute sovereignty and intolerance for ungodliness. The "flood upon the world of the ungodly" serves as a stark reminder that God will not forever tolerate rebellion against His holy character, a theme echoed throughout the prophetic literature and the New Testament regarding the [Day of the Lord](/isaiah/2 "Isaiah 2 - The Day of the Lord") and final judgment. Simultaneously, the verse highlights God's meticulous **Divine Preservation** of Noah and his family, demonstrating that even in the midst of universal destruction, God faithfully provides a way of escape for His righteous remnant. Noah's designation as "a preacher of righteousness" also introduces the theme of **Active Faith and Witness**, showing that God's chosen ones are not merely passive recipients of grace but are called to proclaim His truth and live out their faith in a corrupt world, as seen in [Hebrews 11:7](/hebrews/11-7 "Hebrews 11:7 - Noah's Faith and Obedience").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Preacher (Greek, _kēryx'_):** From G2783, this term means a herald, one who proclaims or announces, especially divine truth or the Gospel. In the context of Noah, it signifies that he was not merely a righteous man living quietly, but actively proclaimed God's message of impending judgment and the call to repentance to the surrounding world, even in the face of widespread unbelief.
* **Righteousness (Greek, _dikaiosýnē'_):** From G1343, this word denotes equity of character or act, implying conformity to God's moral standard. For Noah, it refers to his uprightness and obedience to God's commands, which set him apart from the pervasive wickedness of his generation. This righteousness was both imputed by faith and demonstrated through his life and actions, such as building the ark.
* **Ungodly (Greek, _asebḗs'_):** From G765, this adjective describes someone as irreverent, impious, or wicked. It characterizes the moral state of the "world" upon which the flood was brought, indicating a profound lack of respect or reverence for God, leading to widespread moral corruption and rebellion against His will.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And spared not the old world,"**: This clause emphasizes God's unyielding justice. Despite the vastness of the pre-flood population, God did not hold back His judgment from a world that had become utterly corrupt and violent, as detailed in [Genesis 6](/genesis/6 "Genesis 6 - The Wickedness of Humanity and God's Grief"). This demonstrates that God's holiness demands a response to sin, and He will not overlook widespread rebellion.
* **"but saved Noah the eighth [person],"**: In stark contrast to the judgment, this clause highlights God's selective salvation. The Greek literally means "Noah, eighth," emphasizing his unique position as one of only eight individuals (Noah, his wife, his three sons, and their wives) preserved from the global catastrophe. This underscores God's faithfulness to His covenant and His ability to deliver a righteous remnant even amidst overwhelming destruction.
* **"a preacher of righteousness,"**: This phrase clarifies Noah's identity and role. He was not merely a passive recipient of grace but an active agent for God. His "righteousness" (his moral uprightness and obedience to God's commands, such as building the ark) was accompanied by a verbal proclamation of God's truth and warnings to a world that refused to listen. This highlights the active nature of his faith and his prophetic calling.
* **"bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;"**: This final clause describes the instrument of God's judgment and its target. The "flood" (Greek: _kataklysmós_) was a cataclysmic inundation, a divine act of cleansing the earth. It was brought specifically "upon the world of the ungodly," reinforcing that the judgment was a direct consequence of humanity's pervasive irreverence and wickedness, not an arbitrary act.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices. **Contrast** is paramount, juxtaposing God's act of "sparing not the old world" with His act of "saving Noah," thereby highlighting the two distinct outcomes of divine judgment and divine preservation. **Allusion** is central, as the verse directly references the well-known biblical narrative of the Noahic flood from [Genesis 6-9](/genesis/6-9 "Genesis 6-9 - The Flood Narrative"), relying on the reader's prior knowledge of this foundational event. Noah himself functions as an **Archetype** or **Type**, representing the righteous individual whom God preserves through judgment. The phrase "Noah the eighth" also contains a form of **Synecdoche** (or perhaps **Merism**), where "the eighth" stands for the eight individuals of his family, emphasizing the smallness of the preserved remnant against the vastness of the destroyed world.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly illustrates God's immutable character as both a righteous judge and a merciful preserver. The flood narrative, as presented here, is not merely a historical account but a theological paradigm demonstrating that God is actively involved in human history, responding to sin with decisive judgment while simultaneously extending grace and salvation to those who walk in righteousness. It foreshadows the ultimate, eschatological judgment that will befall the ungodly, while offering assurance of salvation for those who are "in Christ." Noah's role as a "preacher of righteousness" underscores the importance of witness and obedience in the face of societal depravity, reminding believers that their lives and words are meant to be a testimony to God's truth, even when they are a minority.

* [Genesis 7:23](/genesis/7-23 "Genesis 7:23 - All Life Destroyed Except Noah")
* [Hebrews 11:7](/hebrews/11-7 "Hebrews 11:7 - Noah's Faith and Obedience")
* [Luke 17:26-27](/luke/17-26-27 "Luke 17:26-27 - The Days of Noah as a Sign")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of Noah and the flood in 2 Peter 2:5 offers timeless lessons for believers today. It serves as a stark reminder that God is holy and just, and He will not indefinitely tolerate sin and rebellion. In a world that often seems to disregard divine standards, this verse reaffirms God's ultimate authority and His commitment to righteousness. Yet, it also provides immense comfort and hope: just as God meticulously preserved Noah and his family through a global catastrophe, He is equally faithful to preserve His people today. Our salvation is secure in His hands, even when the world around us appears to be spiraling into ungodliness. Furthermore, Noah's example challenges us to live as "preachers of righteousness"—not necessarily from a pulpit, but through lives that reflect God's character and words that boldly proclaim His truth, even when it is unpopular. We are called to be a light in the darkness, trusting that God will deliver us and use our faithfulness for His purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the account of the flood in 2 Peter 2:5 shape your understanding of God's justice and mercy?**
* **In what ways can you, like Noah, be a "preacher of righteousness" in your daily life and interactions?**
* **What comfort or challenge do you draw from God's promise to "save" His people amidst a world of ungodliness?**

### FAQ
**Was Noah the only righteous person on earth at that time?**

Answer: While the Bible emphasizes Noah's unique righteousness and his family's preservation, the phrase "Noah the eighth [person]" refers to the eight individuals (Noah, his wife, his three sons, and their wives) who were saved on the ark. The text highlights Noah's personal righteousness, stating that he "found grace in the eyes of the Lord" ([Genesis 6:8](/genesis/6-8 "Genesis 6:8 - Noah Finds Grace")), and was "a just man and perfect in his generations" ([Genesis 6:9](/genesis/6-9 "Genesis 6:9 - Noah's Righteousness")). His righteousness was the basis for God's decision to preserve him and his immediate family, making them the sole survivors of the global flood.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Noah in 2 Peter 2:5 finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment, serving as a powerful type and shadow of God's ultimate plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. Noah, as the "preacher of righteousness" and the one through whom humanity was preserved from divine judgment, foreshadows Christ, the ultimate and perfect "righteousness of God" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")). Just as Noah's ark provided the sole means of salvation from the flood, Jesus Christ is the exclusive "way, the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way")) through whom humanity can escape the coming final judgment. The flood itself, a cataclysmic act of divine judgment on the "world of the ungodly," prefigures the eschatological judgment that will usher in a new heaven and a new earth, a judgment from which believers are saved by being "in Christ" ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ")). Furthermore, Peter himself connects the flood to baptism, seeing it as a symbol of salvation through Christ's resurrection ([1 Peter 3:20-21](/1_peter/3-20-21 "1 Peter 3:20-21 - Baptism and Salvation")). Thus, Noah's preservation is a vivid Old Testament illustration of God's unwavering commitment to save His people through a divinely appointed deliverer, culminating in the saving work of Jesus Christ, our Ark of salvation.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.