2 Peter 3:6

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

Whereby {G1223}{G3739} the world {G2889} that then was {G5119}, being overflowed {G2626} with water {G5204}, perished {G622}:

and that by means of these things the world of that time was flooded with water and destroyed.

through which the world of that time perished in the flood.

by which means the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:

Commentary

2 Peter 3:6 KJV Commentary

Context of 2 Peter 3:6

This verse is part of the Apostle Peter's urgent admonition to believers in his second epistle, addressing the rise of "scoffers" who would deny the promise of Christ's return and the reality of a future judgment. Peter reminds his readers that these mockers deliberately overlook historical divine interventions. Specifically, in the preceding verse (2 Peter 3:5), he mentions creation by God's word, and then immediately points to a catastrophic event from the past – the great Flood – as undeniable proof of God's power to judge and destroy. This historical event serves as a foundational argument against those who deny God's future intervention.

Key Themes in 2 Peter 3:6

  • Divine Judgment: The verse highlights God's historical precedent of intervening in human affairs with powerful judgment. The "world that then was" refers to the pre-Flood human civilization, which was deemed so corrupt that it warranted destruction. This serves as a stark reminder of God's holiness and justice, emphasizing that God does not overlook sin indefinitely.
  • The Certainty of God's Word: Just as God's word brought creation into being and then brought the Flood to pass, so too will His word bring about the promised future judgment. The Flood, as described in Genesis 7:21-23, stands as a powerful testament to the reliability and power of God's warnings and prophecies.
  • Warning Against Scoffing: By recalling the Flood, Peter directly refutes the scoffers' argument that "all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation." The Noahic Flood was a dramatic, undeniable interruption of the status quo, demonstrating that God is not bound by human expectations and will indeed act according to His righteous will, proving that the world can and will be divinely altered again.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "overflowed with water" comes from the Greek word kataklysmos (κατακλυσμός), from which we derive the English word "cataclysm." This emphasizes the overwhelming, destructive, and all-encompassing nature of the Flood, not just a localized event. The word "perished" (Greek apōleto, ἀπώλετο) signifies utter destruction and ruin, underscoring the completeness of the judgment upon the world of that era, with the notable exception of Noah and his family, who were preserved in the ark (see 1 Peter 3:20).

Practical Application

For believers today, 2 Peter 3:6 serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and His consistent character. If God judged the world once by water, He will surely judge it again, as prophesied, this time by fire (see 2 Peter 3:7). This verse encourages us to live with an awareness of accountability, to take God's warnings seriously, and to not be swayed by those who mock the promise of Christ's return or the reality of future judgment. It underscores the importance of repentance and preparation, as God's patience, while great (2 Peter 3:9), is not indefinite, and His prophecies are sure to be fulfilled.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 24:38

    For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

  • Matthew 24:39

    And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

  • 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;

  • 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 7:10

    And it came to pass after seven days, that the waters of the flood were upon the earth.

  • Genesis 7:23

    And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained [alive], and they that [were] with him in the ark.

  • Genesis 9:15

    And I will remember my covenant, which [is] between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.
← Back