2 Peter 2:6
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
2 Peter 2:6
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;
Chapter Context
2 Peter 2 is a polemical epistle chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of righteousness, judgment, truth. Written during shortly before Peter's death (c. 65-68 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: False teachers exploited Christian freedom for immoral purposes and denied divine judgment.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-22: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it reveals key aspects of God's character through divine actions and declarations. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within 2 Peter and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
2 Peter 2:6
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;
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. 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.
Historical 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
- How does contemporary cultural celebration of sexual immorality mirror Sodom's trajectory toward judgment?
- In what ways might you be tempted to compromise biblical sexual ethics to avoid cultural disapproval?
- How can churches maintain both biblical faithfulness and compassionate ministry to those caught in sexual sin?
Cross-References
- Kingdom: Isaiah 13:19
- References God: Jeremiah 50:40, Zephaniah 2:9
- Parallel theme: Genesis 19:28, Numbers 26:10, Deuteronomy 29:23, 1 Corinthians 10:11, Jude 1:7