Vexed with the filthy conversation - Καταπονουμενον ὑπο της των αθεσμων εν ασελγεια αναστροφης· Being exceedingly pained with the unclean conduct of those lawless persons. What this was, see in the history, Genesis 19., and the notes there. read more
Verse 4 4.For if. We have stated how much it behoves us to know that the ungodly, who by their mischievous opinions corrupt the Church, cannot escape God’s vengeance; and this he proves especially by three remarkable examples of God's judgment, — that he spared not even angels, that he once destroyed the whole world by a deluge, that he reduced Sodom to ashes, and other neighboring cities. But Peter thought it sufficient to take as granted what ought to be never doubted by us, that is, that God... read more
Verse 5 5.The old world. The import of what he says is, that God, after having drowned the human race, formed again as it were a new world. This is also an argument from the greater to the less; for how can the wicked escape the deluge of divine wrath, since the whole world was once destroyed by it? For by saying that eight only were saved, he intimates that a multitude would not be a shield against God to protect the wicked; but that as many as sin shall be punished, be they few or many in... read more
Verse 6 6The cities of Sodom. This was so memorable an example of Divine vengeance, that when the Scripture speaks of the universal destruction of the ungodly, it alludes commonly to this as the type. Hence Peter says, that these cities were made an example. This may, indeed, be truly said of others; but Peter points out something singular, because it was the chief and a lively image; yea, rather, because the Lord designed that his wrath against the ungodly should be made known to all ages; as... read more
For if God spared not the angels that sinned; rather, angels when they sinned ; there is no article. St. Peter is giving proofs of his assertion that the punishment of the ungodly lingereth not. The first is the punishment of angels that sinned. He does not specify the sin, whether rebellion, as in Revelation 12:7 ; or uncleanness, as apparently in Jud Revelation 1:6 , Revelation 1:7 , and Genesis 6:4 . Formally, there is an anacoluthon here, but in thought we have the apodosis in ... read more
And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person; rather, as in the Revised Version, the ancient world, but preserved Noah with seven others. "The eighth" is a common classical idiom (generally with the pronoun αὐτός ) for a with seven others." Mark the close parallelism with 1 Peter 3:20 , where, as here, the apostle impresses upon his readers the fewness of the saved. A preacher of righteousness. The Old Testament narrative does not directly assert this; but "a... read more
And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow. The striking word τεφρώσας , turning into ashes, occurs nowhere else in the New Testament; and the word for "overthrow" ( καταστροφή ) only in 2 Timothy 2:14 . It is used in the Septuagint Version of Genesis 19:29 of this same judgment. Perhaps "to an overthrow" is a better translation (comp. Luke 17:26-29 ; Jud Luke 1:7 ). Making them an ensample unto those that after should live... read more
And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked; literally, and delivered righteous Lot, who was being worn out ( καταπονούμενον ; comp. Acts 7:24 , the only other place of the New Testament where the word occurs) with the behaviour of the lawless in licentiousness. The word translated "lawless" ( ἀθέσμων ) is found only in one other place of the New Testament ( 2 Peter 3:17 ); but it is near akin to the ἀθεμίτοις ("abominable") of 1 Peter... read more
For if God spared not the angels that sinned - The apostle now proceeds to the proof of the proposition that these persons would be punished. It is to be remembered that they had been, or were even then, professing Christians, though they had really, if not in form, apostatized from the faith 2 Peter 2:20-22, and a part of the proofs, therefore, are derived from the cases of those who had apostatized from the service of God. He appeals, therefore, to the case of the angels that had revolted.... read more
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Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 2:6
The cities of Sodom and Gomorrha - See the notes on Genesis 19 (note), for an account of the sin and punishment of these cities. Making them an ensample - These three words, ὑποδειγμα, παραδειγμα , and δειγμα , are used to express the same idea; though the former may signify an example to be shunned, the second an example to be followed, and the third a simple exhibition. But these differences are not always observed. read more