2 Peter 2:4-11 (NKJV) For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; 5 and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; 6 and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; 7 and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked 8 (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)— 9 then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, 10 and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries, 11 whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring a reviling accusation against them before the Lord.
V4 “For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment…” These angels were the holy angels who rebelled against God and His kingdom (Ezekiel 28:15, Jude 1:6, and Matthew 25:41). They knew by seeing, understanding, and experiencing God and His authority, yet rejected it for their supposed autonomy. The Greek word for “spare” is (G5339) φείδομαι pheidomai, which means to spare and treat tenderly, here it implies forgiveness. God did not spare/forgive those sinning angels. There is no salvation for them. Theses angels were sent to hell, literally, (G5020) ταρταρόω tartaroō. Tartarus is defined as lower than Hades. In those days many believed that hell is a multi-floored compartment. Hades is the top with the lesser torments (Luke 16:23), then Tartarus, then the Abyss or the bottomless pit (Luke 8:31 and Romans 10:7). Many believe that Gehenna is the same as Tartarus. The Lake of Fire is a different place and for final judgment. God’s command was to throw them into hell, not just drop them. God’s wrath is very real and to be avoided. Believers in Christ are saved/delivered from God’s wrath. The abyss is merely an holding cell until judgment and the sentence.
Some believe the angel’s sin was raping women (Genesis 6:1-2). However, angels are not able to make human male sperm and have no apparatus to impregnate a human woman. God’s law is to breed according to their kind, so a bull can impregnate a cow but not a horse.
Delivered is to turn over, so God turned these sinful angels into the abyss.
Chains of darkness refers to literal chains capable of securing these fallen angels.
This judgment is the great White Throne judgment (Revelation 20:10).
Many sinner angels were thrown into Tartarus but not all. Demons are angels who sinned but are still roaming the earth serving the devil. The devil is a cherub who sinned. What angels are these and what was their particular sin. A similar passage is Jude 1:6. It is possible that all evil angels were condemned but some were exceedingly evil enough so that God put them in a holding tank until judgment.
V5 “…and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly…” In the same sense, God did not spare judgment on these fallen angels, so He did not spare those who lived before Noah’s flood. Sin has consequences. The paycheck for sin is death (Romans 6:23)–physical, spiritual, and eternal torment. Noah is noted here to be one of 8 who were spared (because of faith), a preacher of righteousness (the message of judgment and how to be saved), and experienced the world-wide flood. The ones who died were ungodly. Noah was a sinner, too, but he believed God, which met God’s conditions to be saved from God’s wrath. It is the same today.
V6 “…and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly…” Sodom and Gommorrah broke all of God’s laws, for they appear to be totally lawless (verse 8). Their judgment was fire from heaven, their destruction, and destruction of all they owned. This judgment is a reminder of God’s wrath. Here are two warning examples for all to heed. The day of salvation is not always open. Death is the door through which all must go, then the choice to believe or not believe cannot be changed.
V7 “…and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked…” Yes, Lot was righteous in God’s eyes, though his life was a very poor testimony and evidently without any beneficial effect. What is the purpose for living? Is earthly comfort, financial comfort, and social comfort one’s priority? Then, they are saved but have little or no rewards for faithful service. What is our choice?
V8 “…(for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)…” Lot hated the sin and lawlessness but stayed. Why? Who knows. Nevertheless, even if one has a poor testimony, their soul is saved from God’s wrath because of their faith.
V9 “…then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment…” The Greek word for “knows” is (G1492) εἴδω eidō, which means to see with perception (Word Study Dictionary), so God knows how to deliver godly people. God proves this ability by delivering Noah and Lot. The Greek word for “temptation” is (G3986) πειρασμός peirasmós, which means (Wuest Word Studies):
“Strachan says: “The idea here is primarily of those surroundings that try a man’s fidelity and integrity, and not of the inward; inducement to sin, arising from the desires. Both Noah and Lot were in the midst of mockers, and unbelievers. This Peirasmos (testing, temptation) is the atmosphere in which faith is brought to full development. It was a condition even in the life of Jesus (Luk 22:28). It is the word used by St. Luke of the Temptation (Luk 4:13). On the one hand Peirasmos is not to be lightly sought (Luk 11:4) nor entered into carelessly (Mrk 14:38); the situation of Peirasmos may itself be the result of sin (1Ti 6:9). On the other hand, it is a joyous opportunity for the development of spiritual and moral strength (Jas 1:2; Jas 1:12). Peirasmos becomes sin only when it ceases to be in opposition to the will.” The word originally meant “a test,” and by use, came also to mean “a temptation,” in the sense of a solicitation to do evil. “To be punished” is a present participle in the Greek text. It presents continuous action.”
The Greek word for “reserve” is (G5083) τηρέω tēréō, which means to watch closely. It is used as guard, watch, and obey. The ungodly are under a guard. The ungodly cannot avoid judgment. They cannot escape God’s judgment, for God’s eyes are on them. Judgment day for the ungodly is the White Throne judgment, then they are cast into the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:11-15).
V10 “…and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries…” There are only two ways-of-life–God’s way or the devil’s way. We are all born with a sin nature, so live the devil’s way with some more evil then others. When one believes in the Lord Jesus, it is expected that we would live according to the spirit (Galatians 5:25, Romans 8:4-14, Colossians 3:1-2, and 1 John 2:6). There are five sins mentioned here: 1) lust of uncleanness, 2) despise authority, 3) presumptuous, 4) self-willed, and 5) speak evil of dignitaries. The lust of uncleanness is usually associated with sexual sins. Presumptuous refers to a belief that they are too smart to be caught and punished. They are self-willed instead of God willed. Compare Philippians 2:3, Ephesians 5:21, and Philippians 2:5-8.
V11 “…whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring a reviling accusation against them before the Lord.” Then contrast a sinful lifestyle with the holy angels. Holy angels do not, but false teachers do. What we should be doing is Jude 1:9 (NKJV) Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”
We learn:
- Sin has consequences both immediate and eternally.
- God knows how to reserve deserving evil people for judgment
- Not to bring unhinged criticism of others.