1 Peter 3:20
Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
Original Language Analysis
ἐξεδέχετο
waited
G1551
ἐξεδέχετο
waited
Strong's:
G1551
Word #:
5 of 24
to accept from some source, i.e., (by implication) to await
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
8 of 24
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
μακροθυμία
the longsuffering
G3115
μακροθυμία
the longsuffering
Strong's:
G3115
Word #:
9 of 24
longanimity, i.e., (objectively) forbearance or (subjectively) fortitude
ἡμέραις
the days
G2250
ἡμέραις
the days
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
11 of 24
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
κατασκευαζομένης
was a preparing
G2680
κατασκευαζομένης
was a preparing
Strong's:
G2680
Word #:
13 of 24
to prepare thoroughly (properly, by external equipment; whereas g2090 refers rather to internal fitness); by implication, to construct, create
εἰς
wherein
G1519
εἰς
wherein
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
15 of 24
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
ἣν
G3739
ἣν
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
16 of 24
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ὀλίγαι,
few
G3641
ὀλίγαι,
few
Strong's:
G3641
Word #:
17 of 24
puny (in extent, degree, number, duration or value); especially neuter (adverbially) somewhat
ἔστιν
G2076
ψυχαί
souls
G5590
ψυχαί
souls
Strong's:
G5590
Word #:
21 of 24
breath, i.e., (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from g4151, wh
διεσώθησαν
were saved
G1295
διεσώθησαν
were saved
Strong's:
G1295
Word #:
22 of 24
to save thoroughly, i.e., (by implication or analogy) to cure, preserve, rescue, etc
Cross References
Hebrews 11:7By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.2 Peter 2:5And 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;Genesis 6:3And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.Genesis 6:5And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.Genesis 8:18And Noah went forth, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him:Matthew 7:14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.Genesis 7:13In the selfsame day entered Noah, and Shem, and Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and Noah's wife, and the three wives of his sons with them, into the ark;
Historical Context
Genesis flood narrative demonstrated God's justice and mercy—judgment on wickedness, salvation for righteousness. Peter uses this as type of Christian salvation through baptism (v.21). Noah's 120-year ark-building accompanied preaching (2 Peter 2:5, "Noah, a preacher of righteousness"). Despite long warning, only eight believed. This sobering ratio shows human hardness—divine patience doesn't guarantee repentance. Early church saw flood as judgment prototype, warning of final judgment. The 'eight saved' minority theme encourages persecuted believers—few find narrow way (Matthew 7:14), but God preserves remnant.
Questions for Reflection
- What does God's 'longsuffering' during Noah's time teach about His current patience with sinful world?
- How should the sobering reality that only eight believed despite 120-year warning affect evangelistic urgency?
Analysis & Commentary
Peter specifies which spirits: those "which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing" (apeithēsasin pote, hote apexedecheto hē tou theou makrothymia en hēmerais Nōe kataskeuazomenēs kibōtou). These were antediluvian people who rejected Noah's preaching during ark's 120-year construction (Genesis 6-7). God's "longsuffering" (makrothymia) showed patience, delaying judgment while Noah warned. Few responded: "wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water" (eis hēn oligai, tout' estin oktō psychai, diesōthēsan di' hydatos). Only Noah's family (eight total) survived flood's judgment. This illustrates God's patience and judgment—He waits, warns, but eventually judges unrepentance.