2 Peter 2:4-10

2 Peter 2:4-10

[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  the cities  of Sodom  and  Gomorrha  into ashes  condemned  them with an overthrow,  making  them an ensample  unto those that after should  [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;)  [9] The Lord  knoweth  how to deliver  the godly  out of  temptations,  and  to reserve  the unjust  unto  the day  of judgment  to be punished:  [10] But  chiefly  them that walk  after  the flesh  in  the lust  of uncleanness,  and  despise  government.  Presumptuous  are they, selfwilled,  they are not  afraid  to speak evil  of dignities. 

What does 2 Peter 2:4-10 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Peter next described the consequences that follow false teaching to help his readers see the importance of avoiding it.
"Verses4-10a form one long, complex conditional sentence; 2 Peter 2:4-8 form the conditional statement, and 2 Peter 2:9-10 a the conclusion. This long sentence skillfully combines the different aspects involved in God"s judicial dealings with mankind." [1]
"Now Peter will give us three examples of apostates in the past. His first example is of the angels who sinned ( 2 Peter 2:4), and it is an example of how the Devil works. His second example is that of the world of Noah"s day ( 2 Peter 2:5), and it is the example of the world. The third example ( 2 Peter 2:6) is the turning of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, and that is the example of the flesh." [2]