King James Version

What Does 2 Peter 2:6 Mean?

“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;”

Context

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;

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;

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;

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

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

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Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(6) **And turning. . . .**—The construction still depends upon the “if” in 2Peter 2:4. (See Note on Jude 1:7.) **Condemned them with an overthrow**.—Or, perhaps, *to an overthrow, *like “condemn to death” in Matthew 20:18. The very word here used for “overthrow”—*catastrophe*—is used by the LXX. of the overthrow of these cities (Genesis 19:29); in the New Testament it occurs in 2Timothy 2:4 only. **An ensample unto those.**—Literally, *an ensample of those*—*i.e., *of the punishment which such sinners must expect. (Comp. “Are set forth for an example,” Jude 1:7.)

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

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.