King James Version

What Does 2 Peter 2:6 Mean?

2 Peter 2:6 in the King James Version says “And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto t... — study this verse from 2 Peter chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;

2 Peter 2:6 · KJV


Context

4

For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

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;

6

And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;

7

And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:

8

(For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly. Peter's third historical judgment example: Sodom and Gomorrah. "Turning... into ashes" (tephrōsas, τεφρώσας) literally means "reducing to ashes"—total destruction by fire. "Condemned them with an overthrow" (katastrophē katekrinen, καταστροφῇ κατέκρινεν) uses legal terminology: divine verdict executed through catastrophic judgment (Gen 19).

"Making them an ensample" (hypodeigma tetheikas, ὑπόδειγμα τεθεικώς) means "setting them as a pattern" or "example." The cities' destruction serves as visual, historical warning to "those that after should live ungodly" (mellontōn asebein, μελλόντων ἀσεβεῖν). Asebein (ἀσεβεῖν) denotes active ungodliness—willful rejection of God's authority and standards, precisely characterizing the false teachers.

This third example completes Peter's trilogy: fallen angels (supernatural judgment), Noah's flood (universal judgment), Sodom/Gomorrah (localized but total judgment). All demonstrate God's consistent pattern—certain judgment on unrepentant evil. The cities' ongoing archaeological desolation testifies to divine judgment's reality. False teachers ignore this testimony to their peril.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Sodom and Gomorrah became proverbial in Jewish and Christian teaching as examples of divine judgment on sexual immorality and social injustice (Isa 1:9-10; 3:9; Jer 23:14; 49:18; 50:40; Lam 4:6; Ezek 16:46-56; Amos 4:11; Matt 10:15; 11:23-24; Luke 10:12; 17:29; Rom 9:29; Jude 7; Rev 11:8). The cities' sins included prideful abundance while ignoring the poor (Ezek 16:49) and notorious sexual perversion (Gen 19:4-9; Jude 7).

Ancient and modern archaeology has sought the cities' location, with various sites proposed around the Dead Sea region showing evidence of catastrophic destruction consistent with biblical accounts. Whether supernatural fire-and-brimstone or divinely-timed natural disaster (earthquake igniting petroleum deposits), the biblical emphasis is theological: God judged flagrant, persistent wickedness. Lot's rescue demonstrates God's mercy toward the righteous even amid comprehensive judgment on the wicked.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does contemporary cultural celebration of sexual immorality mirror Sodom's trajectory toward judgment?
  2. In what ways might you be tempted to compromise biblical sexual ethics to avoid cultural disapproval?
  3. How can churches maintain both biblical faithfulness and compassionate ministry to those caught in sexual sin?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 12 words
καὶ1 of 12

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

πόλεις2 of 12

the cities

G4172

a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)

Σοδόμων3 of 12

of Sodom

G4670

sodoma (i.e., sedom), a place in palestine

καὶ4 of 12

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

Γομόῤῥας5 of 12

Gomorrha

G1116

gomorrha (i.e., amorah), a place near the dead sea

τεφρώσας6 of 12

into ashes

G5077

to incinerate, i.e., consume

καταστροφῇ7 of 12

them with an overthrow

G2692

an overturn ("catastrophe"), i.e., demolition; figuratively, apostasy

κατέκρινεν8 of 12

condemned

G2632

to judge against, i.e., sentence

ὑπόδειγμα9 of 12

them an ensample

G5262

an exhibit for imitation or warning (figuratively, specimen, adumbration)

μελλόντων10 of 12

unto those that after should

G3195

to intend, i.e., be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probabili

ἀσεβεῖν11 of 12

live ungodly

G764

to be (by implied act) impious or wicked

τεθεικώς12 of 12

making

G5087

to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from g2476, which pr


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Peter. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Peter 2:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Peter 2:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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