2 Peter - Verse-by-Verse Biblical Exegesis

LWB 2 Peter 2:5 Likewise, He did not spare the ancient [antediluvian] world
[corrupted by the Nephilim], but preserved Noah, the eighth person, a
communicator of imputed righteousness [not a herald of mere morality, but of a
relationship with God], when He brought the flood [deluge] upon the world of the
ungodly.
KW 2 Peter 2:5 And did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah as the eighth
person [to be preserved], a proclaimer of righteousness, having let loose the deluge upon
the world of those who were destitute of reverential awe towards God,
KJV 2 Peter 2:5 And 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;
TRANSLATION HIGHLIGHTS
Peter’s second example from the OT is when God did not spare (Gnomic Aorist tense)
the antediluvian world that was corrupted by the Nephilim. This was the occasion of the
angels who cohabited with the daughters of men and produced children who were halfangel,
half-man. This was a satanic attempt to corrupt the physical line of the future
Messiah. God protected Noah, the eighth of eight persons to survive the Great Flood.
Noah was a communicator of imputed righteousness. Why do I say imputed
righteousness? He was not a herald of mere morality; unbelievers can be moral yet still
reject Christ. The righteousness Noah preached was the righteousness of God, not man.
God preserved Noah when He brought the flood (Dramatic Aorist tense) upon the world
of the ungodly. In other words, there were only eight believers left on planet earth at that
time. Some commentators think these eight may have been the only “pure” humans left,
meaning all the rest of the inhabitants were part angel. I don’t necessarily agree with this
theory, but it is interesting nevertheless.
RELEVANT OPINIONS
Whether the flood was universal or local is not relevant at this point. Of importance is
that God pronounced judgment upon the ungodly world and destroyed it with the waters
of the flood … The construction of a boat on dry ground afforded numerous opportunities
to preach righteousness to the wicked inhabitants of the world. For 120 years Noah built
the ark and exhorted the people to repent. Yet no one accepted his teaching, for everyone
perished … The seven included Noah’s wife, three sons, and their wives. God spared
their lives because they were righteous in His sight. These eight people continued the
human race … Yet as God protected believing Noah and his household, so He will spare
believers who remain true to the teaching of Scripture. In other words, Peter’s message is
designed to exhort and encourage the readers of this epistle. (S. Kistemaker) Men
multiplied on the earth for sixteen or seventeen centuries, and then the Flood swept them
away as though they had never been. (R. Finlayson)
Noah was a preacher of righteousness to the antediluvians, but seemingly with little
effect. (A. Pink) Do false teachers today think they can escape God’s judgment because