“The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:”
My Notes
What Does 2 Peter 2:9 Mean?
Peter declares God's demonstrated ability: the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations. The knowing is experiential — God has done this before. He knows the method. He has the track record.
The parallel: and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished. God knows how to do both: deliver the godly and reserve the unjust. The deliverance and the judgment are exercised by the same God with the same competence.
Peter has just cited two examples (v.4-8): the fallen angels and Sodom and Gomorrah for judgment, and Noah and Lot for deliverance. The track record includes both: those who were faithful were rescued. Those who were wicked were judged. Both happened. Both prove God's ability.
"Knoweth how" — this is not uncertainty. It is demonstrated competence. God has delivered the godly before. He has judged the unjust before. He knows how. And he will do it again.
Reflection Questions
- 1.How do Noah and Lot demonstrate God's 'knowing how' to deliver the godly?
- 2.What does 'reserving the unjust' mean — and how is it different from ignoring them?
- 3.Where do you need confidence that the Lord knows how to deliver you?
- 4.How does God's proven track record in both deliverance and judgment strengthen your trust?
Devotional
The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations. He knows how. This is not a God who is figuring it out as he goes. He has delivered Noah from the flood. He has delivered Lot from Sodom. The method is proven. The ability is established.
And to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished. The same God who delivers also reserves. The unjust are not getting away with anything. They are being reserved — held, kept, stored up — for a day of reckoning that is certain.
The Lord knoweth how. Both directions. He knows how to deliver — the righteous who are suffering will be rescued. He knows how to reserve — the wicked who are prospering will be judged. Both abilities are demonstrated. Both are active.
If you are godly and in temptation — struggling, pressured, tested beyond what feels bearable — the Lord knows how to deliver you. Not might. Knows how. The method exists. The competence is proven. Noah survived the flood. Lot escaped the fire. You will be delivered.
If you are watching the unjust prosper — wondering whether justice will ever arrive — the Lord knows how to reserve them. The judgment is not forgotten. It is reserved. Held for the right day. The unjust are not escaping. They are being stored up.
The Lord knows how. For both. Trust the one who has proven his competence in deliverance and judgment.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
That "fear him", as the Syriac version renders it; or that "rightly worship", as the Arabic; such as Noah and Lot, men…
The Lord knoweth ... - That is, the cases referred to show that God is able to deliver his people when tempted, and…
The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly - The preservation and deliverance of Lot gave the apostle occasion to remark,…
When God sends destruction on the ungodly, he commands deliverance for the righteous; and, if he rain fire and brimstone…
the godly … the unjust Both adjectives are in the Greek without the article.
out of temptations The word includes the…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture