2 Peter 3:5

KJV

For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} this {G5124} they {G846} willingly {G2309} are ignorant of {G2990}, that {G3754} by the word {G3056} of God {G2316} the heavens {G3772} were {G2258} of old {G1597}, and {G2532} the earth {G1093} standing out {G4921} of {G1537} the water {G5204} and {G2532} in {G1223} the water {G5204}:

Complete Jewish Bible

But, wanting so much to be right about this, they overlook the fact that it was by God’s Word that long ago there were heavens, and there was land which arose out of water and existed between the waters,

Berean Standard Bible

But they deliberately overlook the fact that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water,

American Standard Version

For this they wilfully forget, that there were heavens from of old, and an earth compacted out of water and amidst water, by the word of God;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 2 Peter 3:5, the Apostle Peter confronts a deliberate and culpable ignorance among those who scoff at the promise of Christ's return. He asserts that their skepticism stems not from a lack of evidence, but from a willful disregard for God's past, undeniable acts of creation and judgment. Peter reminds his readers that the heavens and the earth were formed "by the word of God," with the earth emerging from and sustained by water, a clear allusion to both the initial creation and the subsequent global flood, which serves as a powerful precedent for God's future intervention and judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a direct counter-argument to the scoffers introduced in the preceding verses of [2 Peter 3](/2_peter/3 "2 Peter 3 - The Day of the Lord"). Peter has just described their mocking question, "[Where is the promise of his coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.](/2_peter/3-4 "2 Peter 3:4 - The Scoffers' Question")" (2 Peter 3:4). Verse 5 begins with "For this they willingly are ignorant of," directly addressing the intellectual and spiritual posture of these mockers. Peter then immediately points to God's past actions – creation and the flood – as irrefutable evidence against their uniformitarian worldview, setting the stage for his argument in [2 Peter 3:6-7](/2_peter/3-6-7 "2 Peter 3:6-7 - The World Perished by Water, and the Future Judgment by Fire") that just as God judged the world by water, He will judge it by fire. The passage serves as a foundational defense of the certainty of Christ's second coming and the final judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Peter is writing to a diverse group of early Christians, likely facing internal doubts and external pressures from those who challenged the core tenets of their faith, including the parousia (Christ's return). The concept of "scoffers" (ἐμπαῖκται, _empaiktai_) implies a deliberate, derisive rejection of Christian hope, possibly influenced by Epicurean philosophies that denied divine intervention or a general skepticism born from the delay of Christ's return. The Old Testament narratives of creation ([Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account")) and the global flood ([Genesis 6-8](/genesis/6-8 "Genesis 6-8 - The Great Flood")) were foundational to Jewish and early Christian understanding of God's power and sovereignty. Peter leverages these well-known historical events, which were understood as direct divine interventions, to dismantle the scoffers' argument that "all things continue as they were." The reference to "the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water" would immediately evoke these foundational accounts for his audience.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within [2 Peter](/2_peter "The Second Epistle of Peter"). Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Power**, emphasizing that God is not a distant observer but an active agent in history, capable of both creation and judgment through His powerful word, as seen in [Psalm 33:6](/psalm/33-6 "Psalm 33:6 - By the Word of the Lord"). Secondly, it underscores the theme of **Willful Ignorance vs. Divine Revelation**. Peter asserts that the scoffers' error is not intellectual but volitional; they _choose_ to ignore the clear evidence of God's past interventions, a stark contrast to the divine knowledge Peter encourages believers to pursue throughout his epistle (e.g., [2 Peter 1:3](/2_peter/1-3 "2 Peter 1:3 - God's Divine Power and Knowledge")). Thirdly, the verse establishes a crucial link between **Past Judgment and Future Judgment**. By recalling the creation and the flood, Peter lays the groundwork for the argument that God's past acts of judgment (by water) are a precedent and guarantee for His future judgment (by fire), as explicitly stated in [2 Peter 3:7](/2_peter/3-7 "2 Peter 3:7 - Future Judgment by Fire"). This reinforces the **Reliability of God's Promises**, demonstrating that His word is not idle but has always been, and will always be, effective in bringing about His purposes.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Willingly (Greek, _thelō_):** This word (G2309) signifies a deliberate choice, an active desire, or a conscious intention. It indicates that the scoffers' ignorance is not accidental or due to a lack of information, but rather a preference or a decision to disregard certain truths. It highlights the moral culpability of their skepticism; they _want_ to be ignorant of these facts because they contradict their desired worldview or lifestyle.
* **Are ignorant of (Greek, _lanthánō_):** This verb (G2990) means "to lie hid," "to escape notice," or "to be hidden from." When combined with "willingly," it forms a powerful phrase conveying a deliberate act of forgetting or ignoring. It's not merely that the facts are unknown to them, but that they actively suppress or choose not to acknowledge what should be obvious, effectively making themselves "hidden from" the truth.
* **Word (Greek, _lógos_):** This term (G3056) is highly significant, referring to something said, a divine utterance, or even the mental faculty of reasoning. In this context, "the word of God" refers to God's authoritative, creative command. It emphasizes that creation was not an accidental or natural process, but a direct, intentional act of God's powerful speech, demonstrating His absolute sovereignty over the material world.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For this they willingly are ignorant of,"**: This opening clause immediately points to the core issue: the scoffers' ignorance is not passive but active and intentional. They have chosen to suppress or disregard a truth that is readily available and historically evident. This sets a moral framework for their disbelief, implying a rejection of God's authority rather than a simple intellectual misunderstanding.
* **"that by the word of God the heavens were of old,"**: Peter here provides the first foundational truth that the scoffers ignore: the origin of the cosmos. He asserts that the heavens (sky, universe) were not eternal or self-existent but were brought into being "of old" (from a long time ago) by the direct, creative "word of God." This echoes the Genesis creation account where God speaks and creation comes into existence ([Genesis 1:3, 6, 9](/genesis/1-3-6-9 "Genesis 1:3,6,9 - God Speaks and Creation Happens")). It underscores God's omnipotence and His role as the sovereign Creator.
* **"and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:"**: This phrase alludes to two distinct but related aspects of God's interaction with water in creation and judgment. "Standing out of the water" refers to the initial separation of dry land from the waters during creation ([Genesis 1:9-10](/genesis/1-9-10 "Genesis 1:9-10 - Separation of Land and Water")), demonstrating God's power to form and order the world. "And in the water" likely refers to the waters above and below the earth (the "waters above the firmament" and subterranean waters), which were instrumental in the global flood. This dual reference to water serves as a bridge, connecting creation to the flood, setting up the argument in the next verse about the world perishing by water. It highlights water as both an element of creation and an instrument of divine judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Peter employs several literary devices to make his argument forceful. The central device is **Allusion**, specifically to the **Creation Account** in [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account") and the **Global Flood Narrative** in [Genesis 6-8](/genesis/6-8 "The Flood Account"). By referencing "the heavens were of old" and "the earth standing out of the water and in the water," Peter implicitly calls upon his audience's knowledge of these foundational Old Testament events, which serve as irrefutable historical precedents for God's direct intervention in the natural order. This is a powerful **Argument from History**, where past divine actions are used to validate future divine promises. Furthermore, Peter utilizes **Contrast** by juxtaposing the scoffers' "willing ignorance" with the clear, undeniable evidence of God's creative and destructive power. There is also an element of **Irony** in the scoffers' position; they claim to be rational, yet they deliberately ignore the most fundamental historical truths about the world's origin and God's past judgments.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The theological implications of 2 Peter 3:5 are profound, establishing a robust defense of God's sovereignty, the reliability of His word, and the certainty of future judgment. By grounding his argument in the historical acts of creation and the flood, Peter emphasizes that God is not bound by human expectations or natural uniformitarianism. His word, which brought the cosmos into existence and subsequently judged it by water, remains eternally potent and trustworthy. This divine power, demonstrated in the past, serves as the ultimate guarantee for the future promise of Christ's return and the new heavens and new earth. The scoffers' "willing ignorance" is thus a rejection of God's demonstrated character and His revealed truth, highlighting the moral dimension of unbelief.

* [Psalm 33:6](/psalm/33-6 "Psalm 33:6 - By the word of the LORD were the heavens made")
* [Hebrews 11:3](/hebrews/11-3 "Hebrews 11:3 - By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God")
* [Genesis 7:11](/genesis/7-11 "Genesis 7:11 - The fountains of the great deep and the windows of heaven were opened")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers today, 2 Peter 3:5 serves as a crucial reminder to guard against the insidious trap of "willing ignorance." In a world increasingly prone to skepticism and the dismissal of biblical truth, we are called to actively remember and affirm God's past actions. Our faith in Christ's promised return and the ultimate consummation of all things is not a blind hope but is firmly rooted in the historical reality of God's creative power and His justice demonstrated through events like the global flood. This verse challenges us to diligently study and recall God's interventions in history, allowing them to shape our worldview and strengthen our confidence in His future plans. It encourages us to live with an expectant readiness, grounded in the unshakeable truth of God's word, rather than being swayed by the prevailing doubts or secular narratives of our age. Our awareness of God's past acts should fuel our present obedience and future hope.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be "willingly ignorant" of God's truth, perhaps because it challenges my comfort or desires?**
* **How does remembering God's power in creation and the flood strengthen my faith in His promises for the future?**
* **What practical steps can I take to deepen my understanding of God's historical interventions and their relevance to today?**
* **How can I lovingly and effectively address the skepticism of others, pointing them to the historical evidence of God's power and faithfulness?**

### FAQ

**What does "willingly are ignorant of" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "willingly are ignorant of" (Greek: `lanthánō thelontas`) signifies a deliberate, intentional, and culpable suppression of truth. It's not a mere lack of information or an accidental oversight, but an active choice to disregard or forget facts that contradict one's desired worldview or lifestyle. The scoffers in Peter's day chose to ignore the clear historical evidence of God's creative and judgmental power, preferring a uniformitarian view that denied divine intervention. This highlights the moral dimension of their unbelief, suggesting a rebellion against God's authority rather than a simple intellectual deficiency. Peter implies that they knew, or should have known, these truths, but actively suppressed them.

**How do creation and the flood relate to the promise of Christ's return?**

Answer: Peter uses creation and the flood as powerful historical precedents to affirm the certainty of Christ's second coming and the final judgment. The scoffers argued that "all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation" ([2 Peter 3:4](/2_peter/3-4 "2 Peter 3:4 - The Scoffers' Question")), implying that God does not intervene in history. Peter refutes this by pointing to two monumental interventions:
1. **Creation:** God, by His powerful "word," brought the heavens and earth into existence "of old" ([Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account")). This demonstrates His absolute power to initiate and transform the cosmos.
2. **The Flood:** The earth, formed "out of the water and in the water," was subsequently "perished" by water in the global flood ([2 Peter 3:6](/2_peter/3-6 "2 Peter 3:6 - The World Perished by Water")). This demonstrates God's willingness and power to judge humanity and drastically alter the physical world.
These past acts of divine intervention serve as a guarantee that God is capable and willing to intervene again, bringing about Christ's promised return and the ultimate judgment by fire ([2 Peter 3:7](/2_peter/3-7 "2 Peter 3:7 - The Future Judgment by Fire")). The consistency of God's character and power across history validates His future promises.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Peter 3:5 primarily focuses on God the Father's creative and judgmental power, its implications find profound **Christ-centered fulfillment** in the person and work of Jesus. The "word of God" by which the heavens and earth were created is none other than the pre-existent Christ, the **Logos** of God, through whom all things were made ([John 1:1-3](/john/1-1-3 "John 1:1-3 - The Word Was God and Creator"); [Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - All things were created through Him and for Him"); [Hebrews 1:2](/hebrews/1-2 "Hebrews 1:2 - God spoke to us by His Son, through whom He made the universe")). Thus, the very power that brought the cosmos into being and judged the world by water is intrinsically linked to the Son. Furthermore, just as God intervened in the past, Christ Himself is the promised intervention for the future. He is the one who will return in power and glory to judge the living and the dead ([Acts 17:31](/acts/17-31 "Acts 17:31 - God has fixed a day when He will judge the world by the Man He has appointed"); [2 Timothy 4:1](/2_timothy/4-1 "2 Timothy 4:1 - Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead")). The "new heavens and new earth" that Peter anticipates ([2 Peter 3:13](/2_peter/3-13 "2 Peter 3:13 - New Heavens and New Earth")) are ultimately established by Christ, the Alpha and Omega, who makes all things new ([Revelation 21:1-5](/revelation/21-1-5 "The New Heaven and New Earth")). Therefore, the historical acts of creation and judgment, which scoffers willfully ignore, point forward to the ultimate and decisive intervention of God through His Son, Jesus Christ, who is both the agent of creation and the coming judge and restorer.

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 11:3

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

Genesis 1:9

¶ And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry [land] appear: and it was so.

Psalms 24:2

For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.

Genesis 1:6

¶ And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.

Psalms 136:6

To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.

Psalms 33:6

By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

John 3:19

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.