2 Peter 2:4

2. The certainty of their punishment maintained from three historic precedents, 2 Peter 2:4-12.

a. First case The fallen angels.

4. Angels that sinned When, why, how, or how many, we are nowhere informed. We only know that some angels “kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation,” (Jude 1:6,) and that they sinned. Inasmuch as sin is transgression, it follows that they were living under law, and were therefore in a state of probation. By their sin they fell under God’s displeasure and into swift punishment.

Cast… to hell Literally, Thrust down to Tartarus. Only here is the word found in the New Testament. In the Greek mythology, Tartarus is the lowest part of Hades. Hesiod ( Theog. 721,) speaks of it as the place below the earth where the rebellious Titans are enchained and the souls of the wicked are confined; and Homer ( Il. 8:14-16) describes it as a deep gulf within the earth, with iron gates and a brazen entrance. Note Ephesians 4:10. Whatever be its real locality, St. Peter’s use of the word shows the remoteness from heaven to which the fallen angels were driven, and the hopeless wretchedness into which they were plunged.

Delivered As prisoners.

Chains of darkness Chains made of darkness, expressive of the impossibility of regaining that world of light from which they were cast down. Tregelles and Alford read, caverns of darkness.

Reserved Kept in custody unto the day of final judgment.

God spared them not And the case shows his rule of punishment of sin.