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
He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.
That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.
But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I …
Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.
For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely …
The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.
The Lord hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of …
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not …