II Peter 2:9
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if all this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
knoweth how--He is at no loss for means, even when men see no escape. out of--not actually from. temptations--trials. to be punished--Greek, "being punished": as the fallen angels (Pe2 2:4), actually under sentence, and awaiting its final execution. Sin is already its own penalty; hell will be its full development.
Open source ↗The apostle, having in the foregoing chapter exhorted them to proceed and advance in the Christian race, now comes to remove, as much as in him lay, what he could not but apprehend would hinder their complying with his exhortation. He therefore gives them fair warning of false teachers, by whom they might be in danger of being seduced. To prevent this, I. He describes these seducers as impious in themselves, and very pernicious to others (Pe2 2:1-3). II. He assures them of the punishment that shall be inflicted on them (Pe2 2:3-6). III. He tells us how contrary the method is which God takes with those who fear him (Pe2 2:7-9). IV. He fills up the rest of the chapter with a further description of those seducers of whom he would have them beware.
Open source ↗2:9 the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials: As illustrated by Noah’s family (2:5) and Lot (2:7), the Lord is faithful to his own people. Peter’s readers needed assurance that their struggles to live godly lives in the face of false teaching and the world’s scorn would be rewarded.
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it.
Because you have kept My command to persevere, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
And by that same word, the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
The LORD has made everything for His purpose— even the wicked for the day of disaster.
He will rescue you from six calamities; no harm will touch you in seven.
He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
For if God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but cast them deep into hell, placing them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment;
Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for Himself; the LORD hears when I call to Him.
But because of your hard and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.