2 Peter 2:9
The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
Study Note
Study Note
'The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment' — the verse draws the positive and negative conclusions from the examples of Noah and Lot (2 Peter 2:5–8) to articulate a general principle of divine governance. The 'knows how' (oiden kyrios) implies not only divine capacity but divine wisdom in timing rescue — God's deliverance is not merely possible but discerningly enacted. The preservation of the unrighteous 'under punishment until judgment' (kolazomenous terein) raises questions about interim punishment between death and final judgment, a topic addressed differently in various New Testament texts. The verse offers pastoral encouragement to communities experiencing persecution by locating their suffering within a divine pattern of judgment-and-rescue visible throughout sacred history.
Other Translations
the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment unto the day of judgment;
The Lord hath known to rescue pious ones out of temptation, and unrighteous ones to a day of judgment, being punished, to keep,
The Lord is able to keep the upright safe in the time of testing, and to keep evil-doers under punishment till the day of judging;
Cross References
That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.
He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.
The Lord hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust …
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in …
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, …
But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire …
For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains …
To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which …
And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his …