2 Peter 2:6

And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;

2 Peter 2:6 (KJV)

Context

The apostle Peter wrote this letter near the end of his life to warn early Christians about false teachers and their destructive ways. In this chapter, he draws on Old Testament examples to show that God judges the wicked. Here he points to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah as a historical demonstration of God’s attitude toward sin.

Meaning

Peter says God turned those cities into ashes and condemned them with an overthrow. The Greek word for “turning into ashes” (tephrosas) appears nowhere else in the New Testament and means to reduce completely to ashes. The destruction was total and severe, leaving the cities in ruin. God’s judgment was not merely punitive; it was also didactic. The cities became an “ensample,” or example, to all who would later live ungodly lives. This public, historical event warns that ungodliness will not go unpunished.

Biblical connections

The account in Genesis 19 records that Sodom and Gomorrah were cities in the plain of the Jordan, known for their widespread wickedness. God destroyed them with fire and brimstone from heaven. In the following verses of 2 Peter, the same example is connected to the deliverance of righteous Lot, showing that God knows how to rescue the godly from trials while keeping the unrighteous under punishment. This pairing emphasizes both the certainty of judgment and the faithfulness of God to His people.

Application

Peter urges his readers to learn from the past and avoid falling into the same patterns of ungodliness. The destruction of these cities reminds believers that God is not indifferent to sin but acts decisively against it. Christians are called to pursue holiness, turn away from sin, and live godly lives. The same warning applies today: God’s judgment will ultimately prevail, and unrepentant sin has serious consequences.

Reflection

This verse assures believers that God is righteous and will bring judgment on those who persist in unrepentant sin. It also provides comfort to those who have been oppressed or persecuted for their faith, knowing that God’s justice will prevail. The example of Sodom and Gomorrah stands as a lasting reminder that God’s judgment is certain, and His call to godly living is urgent.