2 Peter 2:9-10a: 9The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous for punishment for the day of judgment, 10and especially those who follow after the flesh with passion of defilement and who despise authority.
Peter finally comes to the apodosis (“then”) clause of the long, complex sentence. The protasis is organized into four thoughts, summarized as:
- If fallen angels will be judged . . .
- If Noah’s generation was judged . . .
- If Sodom and Gomorrah were judged . . .
- If God rescued Lot from his depraved environment . . .
. . . then God will both judge the wicked today and rescue the godly from their trials. The history of God’s interactions with people, cities, and nations in the Bible shows how God responds to both the righteous and wicked.
The godly (eusebeis) are those who grow in the image of God described in 1:3-4 by developing the qualities of 1:5-7. They grow in faith and love as they cooperate with God’s empowering presence. Because they seek God’s divine resources, they can endure trials because they have learned to trust in God and not themselves. God provides all they need to make it through difficult times because he has deepened and strengthened their character.
The unrighteous (adikous), however, will face certain judgment for their wicked and rebellious behavior. Their wickedness is described in a grammatically awkward phrase about depraved fleshly desires. Following the wrong teachings (“myths,” 1:16) could lead to depraved thinking, resulting in selfish indulgence. People often think only for the moment of pleasure and do not consider the long-term consequences of their decisions. Sin always leads to some kind of problem. Defilement (miasmou) describes something that corrupts and is shameful. The unrighteous lose moral sensitivity because their consciences have become dull in their rejection of God’s conviction.
Their moral corruption is due in part to their rejection of God’s authority. Authority (kyriotētos) is related to the idea of “lordship.” They reject Jesus as Lord and Savior of their lives and follow after other authorities, particularly themselves and their relativistic worldviews. People are blinded into thinking that truth is determined by whatever they want. They do not live in the fear of God. Sadly, they will face judgment and be held fully accountable for their actions.