Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Peter 2:6
And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned [them] with an overthrow, making [them] an example unto those that after should live ungodly;
6. and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes ] The parallelism with Luk 17:26-29 continues and here runs on side by side with Jude (2Pe 2:7), who omits, however, any reference to the deluge, and does not dwell on the deliverance of Lot.
making them an ensample ] St Peter does not see in the supernatural destruction of the cities of the plain an exception to the normal order of the Divine government. It was rather a pattern instance of the judgment sure to fall, sooner or later, on all who were guilty of like sins. It may be noted that that destruction had been used as an illustration by the older prophets (Isa 1:9-10; Eze 16:48-56) as well as by our Lord.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes – Gen 19:24-25. This is a third example to demonstrate that God will punish the wicked. Compare the notes at Jud 1:7. The word here rendered turning into ashes tephrosas, occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It is from tefra, ashes, and means to reduce to ashes, and then to consume or destroy.
Condemned them with an overthrow – By the fact of their being overthrown, he showed that they were to be condemned, or that he disapproved their conduct. Their calamity came expressly on account of their enormous sins; as it is frequently the case now that the awful judgments that come upon the licentious and the intemperate, are as plain a proof of the divine disapprobation as were the calamities that came upon Sodom and Gomorrah.
Making them an ensample … – That is, they were a demonstration that God disapproved of the crimes for which they were punished, and would disapprove of the same crimes in every age and in every land. The punishment of one wicked man or people always becomes a warning to all others.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 6. The cities of Sodom and Gomorrha] See the notes on Gen. 19, for an account of the sin and punishment of these cities.
Making them an ensample] These three words, , and , are used to express the same idea; though the former may signify an example to be shunned, the second an example to be followed, and the third a simple exhibition. But these differences are not always observed.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The cities of Sodom and Gomorrha; which being the chief of the five, include Admah and Zeboim, Zoar, the fifth, being spared for Lots sake, Gen 14:18, compared with Gen 19:25.
Condemned them with an overthrow; i.e. punished them with a total subversion, or brought that destruction upon them to which he had condemned them.
Making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; of his wrath and vengeance ready to be poured out upon others that should live ungodly, to deter them from the imitation of the sins of those that had so miserably perished. The word may be rendered a type, (as it is, Heb 8:5, and Heb 9:23), viz. of hell-fire, which is to be the punishment of wicked men at the last day: Jud 1:7 implies as much. As the deliverance of the Israelites out of Egypt was a kind of type of the deliverance of all Gods people to the end of the world; so the subversion of these cities was so memorable an instance of Divine vengeance, that the Scripture frequently alludes to it, as a type or pattern, when it speaks of the general destruction of the wicked of the world.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
6. with, &c.”TOoverthrow” [ALFORD].
ensample“of (thefate that should befall) those who in after-time should liveungodly.” Compare Jude 7,”set forth for an example.”
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes,…. By raining brimstone and fire upon them from heaven, Ge 19:24 which soon reduced them to ashes, with Admah and Zeboiim, De 29:25, cities delightfully situated, which were as the garden of God, and the land of Egypt, together with the inhabitants of them; and after they had received a signal mercy, in being rescued by Abraham from the kings who had carried them captive; and though Abraham, the friend of God, interceded for them, and righteous Lot dwelt among them. The first of these cities is in the Hebrew language called Sedom; Philo the Jew w calls it Sodoma, as in Ro 9:29 and in the Septuagint on Ge 13:10 here it is said to be a city, and Josephus x always calls it the city of the Sodomites, but in Mt 10:15 we read of the land of Sodom; and so Philo y the Jew speaks of , the region or country of the Sodomites; here the word is of the plural number, as in Mt 10:15 as it is also in the Septuagint in Ge 10:19 and in Philo the Jew z, and so is Gomorrah in some copies of this, place, as in Mt 10:15. Solinus, the historian, gives an account of these cities, in agreement with this;
“a good way off of Jerusalem (he says a) is opened a sorrowful gulf, which the black ground, “in cinerem soluta”, “reduced to ashes”, shows it to be touched by heaven; there were two towns, or cities, the one called Sodom, and the other Gomorrah; where an apple is produced, which, although it has an appearance of ripeness, cannot be eaten; for the outward skin that encompasses it only contains a sort of soot, or embers within, which, ever so lightly squeezed, evaporates into smoke and dust;”
and so the author of the book of Wisdom 10:7 speaking of the five cities, on which fire fell, says,
“of whose wickedness, even to this day, the waste land that smoketh is a testimony; and plants bearing fruit, that never come to ripeness.”
Philo the Jew b says, that
“there are showed to this day in Syria monuments of this unspeakable destruction that happened; as ruins, ashes, sulphur, smoke, and a weak flame, breaking forth as of a fire burning:”
condemned [them] with an overthrow; by this sad “catastrophe” God condemned the sins of those men of Sodom and Gomorrah, and condemned their persons to everlasting damnation; of which their temporal punishment was an emblem and figure; see Jude 1:7, the word “overthrow” is generally used when this destruction is spoken of, De 29:23 and therefore retained by the apostle here:
making them ensamples unto those who after should live ungodly; in the commission of any sins, and be open, bold, and impudent in them, and declare them as they did; and especially that should live in the commission of the same sins, those unnatural lusts and uncleannesses, which to this day go by the name of “sodomy”, and “sodomitical” practices; now the punishment of the inhabitants of these cities was an ensample to such wicked conduct, showing what they must expect, and was a representation of those everlasting burnings, which such sinners, as a righteous retaliation for their burning lusts, shall be cast into. The Jews say c the same of the men of Sodom and Gomorrah as of the old world;
“the men of Sodom have no part in the world to come, as is said Ge 13:13 “but the men of Sodom were wicked, and sinners before the Lord exceedingly”; wicked in this world, and sinners in the world to come;”
[See comments on Jude 1:7].
w De Temulentia, p. 272. x Antiqu. l. 1. c. 8. sect. 3. c. 11. sect. 3. y De Abrahamo, p. 381. z De Temulentia, p. 272. a Polyhistor. c. 48. b De Vifa Mosis, l. 2. p. 662. c Misn. Sanhedrin, c. 11. sect. 3. Vajikra Rabba, sect. 4. fol. 149. 1.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Turning into ashes (). First aorist participle of , late word from , ashes (in Dio Cassius of an eruption of Vesuvius, Philo), here alone in N.T.
The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah ( ). Genitive of apposition after (cities), though it makes sense as possessive genitive, for Jude 1:7 speaks of the cities around these two. The third example, the cities of the plain. See Ge 19:24f.
Condemned them (). First aorist active indicative of , still part of the protasis with .
With an overthrow (). Instrumental case or even dative like with in Mt 20:18. But Westcott and Hort reject the word here because not in B C Coptic.
Having made them (). Perfect active participle of .
An example (). For which see Jas 5:10; John 13:15. Cf. 1Pe 2:21.
Unto those that should live ungodly ( ). Rather, “unto ungodly men of things about to be” (see Heb 11:20 for this use of ). But Aleph A C K L read (present active infinitive) with = (future active participle of ), from which we have our translation.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Turning into ashes [] . Only here in New Testament.
Having made them an example [ ] . Compare 1Pe 2:21. The word for example is condemned as unclassical by the Attic grammarians, and paradeigma is substituted, which means, properly, a sculptor’s or a painter’s model, or an architect’s plan.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes.” Peter, disciple and apostle of the Lord, instructed by Him more than three years, gave testimony to the fact that God destroyed, (tephroras) “covered with ashes,” the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha. It was no fairy tale to him.
2) “Condemned them with an overthrow. (Greek katekrinen) “down-judged or rated” (them) (Greek katastrophe) “by catastrophe” (of disruptive, overturning, boiling, bubbling nature.) Gen 19:24-25.
3) “Making them an ensample.” (Greek hupodeigma mellonton) “an example of (such men) making of them.” God was saying in this judgment act “men you can’t preach and teach and practice wickedness, wrong, and rebellion and escape judgment for it” – “Be sure your sins will find you out.” “out-run or overtake you in judgment.” Num 32:23; Mat 10:15; Mar 6:11.
4) “Unto those that after should live ungodly” To live for self alone is to live ungodly. Selfishness or covetousness, forbidden by the 10th commandment, is the “king of all sins,” the one that broken leads to the breaking of all the others. The residents of Sodom and Gomorrha lived in selfishness, for self alone, ungodly lives. What God did in judging them in such a condition was an example, type, or visual and testamentary warning for any and all who should thereafter (Greek tetheikos) “place or set” (themselves) (Greek asebein) “to live impiously, defiant, or ungodly.” Isa 13:19; Jer 50:40; Heb 1:1-3.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
6 The cities of Sodom. This was so memorable an example of Divine vengeance, that when the Scripture speaks of the universal destruction of the ungodly, it alludes commonly to this as the type. Hence Peter says, that these cities were made an example. This may, indeed, be truly said of others; but Peter points out something singular, because it was the chief and a lively image; yea, rather, because the Lord designed that his wrath against the ungodly should be made known to all ages; as when he redeemed his people from Egypt, he has set forth to us by that one favor the perpetual safety of his Church. Jude has also expressed the same thing, calling it the punishment of eternal fire. [Jud 1:7.]
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
2Pe. 2:6 and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, having made them an example unto those that should live ungodly;
Expanded Translation
and he reduced the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes with a destructive overthrow, having condemned them; by this act having set them forth as an example (sign) to those living ungodly, irreligious and irreverent lives.
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and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow
Either of the above translations of this phrase are possible in the original. For this account, see Gen. 19:1-38, where one notices the historian also terms it the overthrow.
having made them an example unto those that should live ungodly
Here is a third instance where God spared not. (Or, one may regard it as a part of the second, including it along with the preflood people of the ancient world.) An example (hupodeigma) is a sign suggestive of anything, delineation, figure, or copy. Here, their example was bad and, therefore, should serve as a warning to the ungodly. How our whole nation, so filled with vices as vile as sodomy (which sin derives its name from Sodom) could well take heed to what befell these cities!
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(6) And turning. . . .The construction still depends upon the if in 2Pe. 2:4. (See Note on Jud. 1:7.)
Condemned them with an overthrow.Or, perhaps, to an overthrow, like condemn to death in Mat. 20:18. The very word here used for overthrowcatastropheis used by the LXX. of the overthrow of these cities (Gen. 19:29); in the New Testament it occurs in 2Ti. 2:4 only.
An ensample unto those.Literally, an ensample of thosei.e., of the punishment which such sinners must expect. (Comp. Are set forth for an example, Jud. 1:7.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
c. Third case The cities of the plain.
6. Sodom Interceded for by Abraham, but lacking its needed ten righteous men to save it. Gen 18:32. The occasion and the manner of the destruction of these cities is narrated in Genesis 19. They are a standing ensample for ungodly men in all after time, warning them of the doom to which they are exposed. There are a full score of references to it in Scripture.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, having made them an example to those that who live in and ungodly way,’
A third example of God’s judgment were Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19; Jud 1:7; compare Luk 17:28-29; Luk 17:32). They were turned into ashes, and overthrown, and made an example to all who live in an ungodly (i.e. a lascivious) way. They were famed for their sexual misbehaviour.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
2Pe 2:6. And turning the cities, &c. Strabo says, that all the ground thereabouts, was , reduced to ashes or cinders. Condemned is here put for punishment, which commonly follows condemnation, and is no more than a carrying of the sentence into execution. Some read this, condemned them to a total destruction. Doddridge renders the verse, And he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah with destruction, reducing them to ashes, &c.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
2Pe 2:6 . Third example: The overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah; cf. Jud 1:7 .
This verse also is still dependent on . Schott, without any adequate reason, asserts that the author “has even here forgotten the construction of his expression in the protasis with .”
] The gen. as apposition.
] Suidas: equivalent to , : “ by burning them to ashes, by reducing them to ashes .”
] not equal to eversione s. subversione damnavit i. e. unditus evertendo punivit (Gerhard, Dietlein, Schott), but is the dative of reference; see Buttmann, p. 144; cf. . , Mat 20:18 ; Pott correctly: in cineres redigens damnavit ad eversionem; thus also Wahl, de Wette, Wiesinger, Steinfass, Fronmller, Hofmann; only it must be here remarked that includes within it the punishment, the putting into execution of the judgment of condemnation which Hofmann, without reason, denies, cf. Rom 8:3 .
It is incorrect to connect with (Bengel).
, in the N. T. besides here, only in 2Ti 2:14 ; there, however, in a figurative sense; the same word occurs in the narrative of the destruction of the cities of the plain, Gen 19:29 , LXX.
] Jud 1:7 ; with , not equal to “example,” but to “ type ,” cf. Jas 5:10 ; Heb 4:11 , etc. The perf. corresponds with the , Jud 1:7 ; Hofmann correctly: “God has made them, as the perf. shows, a lasting type of those who ever afterwards should live a godless life.” [68]
[68] Hofmann attaches particular importance to the circumstance, that the judgment which was effected by water was followed by another, which was effected by fire.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
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;
Ver. 6. And turning the cities ] Burying them likewise in the Dead Sea, after that he had rained down hell from heaven upon them. See Trapp on “ Gen 19:24 “ See Trapp on “ Gen 19:25 “
Making them an ensample ] Hanging them up in gibbets, as it were, that others might hear and fear.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
6 .] Third historical proof: the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrha , Jud 1:7 . And burning to ashes (Suidas, , , . The aor. part. is contemporary with the aor. following) the cities of (gen. of apposition) Sodom and Gomorrha, condemned ( them ) ( , not imperf., but first aor. as and in the co-ordinate verses above) to (better than “ with :” see reff.: not “eversione damnavit,” “funditus evertendo punivit,” as Gerh.: but “in cineres redigens damnavit ad eversionem,” as Pott, Wahl, Winer, De Wette, Huther) overthrow ( is the word used (ref. Gen.) in the history), laying down an example (cf. , Jud 1:7 ) of (i. e. that which might shew forth the fate of) those that should in after time live ungodly (so the E. V. well, but with “ after ”):
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
2Pe 2:6 . . . Not genitive of apposition, but cities of the district, where Sodom and Gomorrah were situated. cf. Jud 1:7 . . . . is dative of instrument, “condemned them by overthrow”. Gen 19:24-25 seems to imply some further destruction after the fire. Perhaps an earthquake is meant, a common accompanying phenomenon of volcanic disturbance. , “constituting them an example to ungodly persons of things in store for them.” With . cf. Heb 11:20 , Col 2:17 . = “cover up with ashes” (not “reduce to ashes”) found in a description of the eruption of Vesuvius. (Dio. Cass. lxvi. p. 1094).
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
turning . . . into ashes. Greek. tephroo. Only here.
condemned. App-122.
overthrow. Greek. katastrophe. See 2Ti 2:14.
making = having made.
ensample. Greek. hupodeigma. See Joh 13:15.
unto = of.
that after should. Literally about to. live ungodly. Greek. asebeo. Only here and Jud 1:15. Compare 2Pe 2:5.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
6.] Third historical proof: the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrha, Jud 1:7. And burning to ashes (Suidas, , , . The aor. part. is contemporary with the aor. following) the cities of (gen. of apposition) Sodom and Gomorrha, condemned (them) (, not imperf., but first aor. as and in the co-ordinate verses above) to (better than with: see reff.: not eversione damnavit, funditus evertendo punivit, as Gerh.: but in cineres redigens damnavit ad eversionem, as Pott, Wahl, Winer, De Wette, Huther) overthrow ( is the word used (ref. Gen.) in the history), laying down an example (cf. , Jud 1:7) of (i. e. that which might shew forth the fate of) those that should in after time live ungodly (so the E. V. well, but with after):
Fuente: The Greek Testament
2Pe 2:6. , cities) There were therefore sins of the same description in the neighbourhood of Sodom, Gomorrha, etc.- , turning them into ashes with an overthrow) The words and are thus used, Gen 19:25; Gen 19:29, Septuagint.-, placing) [rendering them]. It was an imperishable memorial of God and of the Divine judgment.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
turning: Gen 19:24, Gen 19:25, Gen 19:28, Deu 29:23, Isa 13:19, Jer 50:40, Eze 16:49-56, Hos 11:8, Amo 4:11, Zep 2:9, Luk 17:28-30, Jud 1:7
making: Num 26:10, Deu 29:23, 1Co 10:11
Reciprocal: Gen 13:13 – But the Num 16:38 – a sign Jos 22:20 – General Job 22:20 – the fire Isa 1:9 – we should Jer 20:16 – as Jer 23:14 – Sodom Jer 49:18 – in the Eze 16:46 – thy younger sister Eze 16:50 – therefore Eze 23:48 – that Eze 28:18 – I will bring Eze 31:14 – the end Mar 6:11 – It shall Luk 17:29 – General Luk 19:40 – General Rom 5:6 – ungodly Rom 9:29 – Sodoma 1Co 10:6 – these 1Pe 4:18 – where Rev 11:8 – Sodom
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Pe 2:6. The history of Sodom and Gomorrha is in Genesis 19. Into ashes states the result of the overthrow which was sent on them in the condemnation from God. An example. The punishment of evildoers is not only for their own sakes, but also that the example may be a lesson for warning to others. (See 1Ti 5:20.)
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
2Pe 2:6. and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them with an overthrow, haying made them a type of those that should live ungodly. The term used for the overthrow (=catastrophe) which constituted the punishment in this third historical instance is the one which is employed in the narrative of the event itself in Gen 19:29. In the N. T. it occurs only once again, and there in a figurative sense, viz. in 2Ti 2:14. The brief description here is remarkable for its force and vividness. The word turning into ashes, or, burning to ashes (which occurs only here), is itself a strong and graphic expression. The retribution, too, is exhibited in all its righteous severity as a condemnation to an absolute overthrow. The destruction of the cities of the plain is regarded by the prophets (cf. Isa 1:9-10; Eze 16:48-56), as well as by Peter, as an illustration or typical instance of the judicial principles on which God acts. The scriptural references to these cities and their fate are uncommonly numerous.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
2Pe 2:6-8. And turning the cities of Sodom, &c., into ashes When the inhabitants of those places were sunk into the lowest degeneracy; and condemned them with an overthrow Punished them with utter destruction, both of their persons and habitations; making them an ensample Not an example to be imitated, but an example to be avoided, as the word , here used, signifies. Hence Jude, to express the same idea, uses the word . And delivered just Lot By the miraculous interposition of his providence; vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked Exceedingly grieved by the lewd behaviour of the lawless Sodomites. For that righteous man, dwelling among them Lot appears to have dwelt sixteen years in Sodom, after he parted from Abraham; a long space to abide in one of the lewdest and most outrageously wicked cities in the world, and not be tainted with their vices. Doubtless, as he was so exceedingly grieved with their lewd conduct from day to day, he often earnestly desired to leave the place, but he was directed, it seems, by God, to remain, that he might be an example of the divine goodness and power in delivering the godly from temptation, sin, and punishment. In seeing their base actions, and in hearing their lewd speeches, he vexed , tormented; his righteous soul from day to day For their wickedness was incessant; with their unlawful deeds The cry of which came up at length to heaven, and brought down upon them flaming destruction.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Peter’s third example was the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. God already demonstrated that He would judge ungodly sinners with fire when he destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. The ungodly from then on should not expect to escape the same fate. They too will be subject to fiery judgment. God delivered Lot and his family before He brought fiery judgment on his world (cf. the pretribulation rapture; 1Th 5:9-10).
"Undoubtedly the author sees the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah by fire as a pattern for the fiery judgment of the ungodly at the Parousia (2Pe 3:7)." [Note: Ibid., p. 252.]
"It has well been said that if God spares today’s cities from judgment, He will have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah." [Note: Wiersbe, 2:451.]
All three of Peter’s examples (2Pe 2:4-6) deal with unbelievers. These were the primary focus of Peter’s warning. If there were some believers among the false teachers, Peter undoubtedly intended that they should take these warnings to heart even though they would not suffer the same eternal judgment as unbelievers.