2 Peter 2:4-9 NIV

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 2:4

For if God spared not the angels - The angels were originally placed in a state of probation; some having fallen and some having stood proves this. How long that probation was to last to them, and what was the particular test of their fidelity, we know not; nor indeed do we know what was their sin; nor when nor how they fell. St. Jude says they kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation; which seems to indicate that they got discontented with their lot, and aspired to higher... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 2:5

Spared not the old world - The apostle's argument is this: If God spared not the rebellious angels, nor the sinful antediluvians, nor the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha, he will not spare those wicked teachers who corrupt the pure doctrines of Christianity. Saved Noah the eighth - Some think that the words should be translated, Noah the eighth preacher of righteousness; but it seems most evident, from 1 Peter 3:20 , that eight persons are here meant, which were the whole that were saved... read more

Adam Clarke

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 2:7

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 2:8

That righteous man dwelling among them - Lot, after his departure from Abraham, A. M. 2086, lived at Sodom till A. M. 2107, a space of about twenty years; and, as he had a righteous soul, he must have been tormented with the abominations of that people from day to day. The word εβασανιζεν , tormented, is not less emphatic than the word καταπονουμενον , grievously pained, in the preceding verse, and shows what this man must have felt in dwelling so long among a people so abandoned. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 2:9

The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly - The preservation and deliverance of Lot gave the apostle occasion to remark, that God knew as well to save as to destroy; and that his goodness led him as forcibly to save righteous Lot, as his justice did to destroy the rebellious in the instances already adduced. And the design of the apostle in producing these examples is to show to the people to whom he was writing that, although God would destroy those false teachers, yet he would powerfully... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 2:4

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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 2:5

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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 2:6

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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 2:8

Verse 8 8.In seeing and hearing. The common explanation is, that Lot was just in his eyes and ears, because all his senses abhorred the crimes of Sodom. However, another view may be taken of his seeing and hearing, so as to make this the meaning, that when the just man lived among the Sodomites, he tormented his soul by seeing and hearing; for we know that he was constrained to see and hear many things which greatly vexed his mind. The purport of what is said then is, that though the holy man... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 2:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 2:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 2:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 2:7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 2:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 2:9

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 2:4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 2:5

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 2:6

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 2:8

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