For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God,
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to skim over the "out of water and through water" part, but Peter is deliberately pointing out that the very elements that could destroy the earth (water, as seen in the flood) are also the stuff God used to create it. This shows us that God's creative power is so absolute, He can even use potential chaos to bring about His perfect designs.
For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter is addressing scoffers who are mocking the promise of Jesus' return, claiming that the world has always been as it is and will continue to be. He reminds them that God's power, which created the universe from water and by His word, is the very power that will bring about the promised judgment and new creation. This understanding of creation is crucial for grasping why the prophesied destruction and renewal of the earth are not only possible but certain.
Some folks just don't want to believe God made the world. But the Bible calls this a deliberate choice, not an accident.
Peter is calling out people who choose to ignore the obvious evidence of God's power. They aren't just uninformed; they are actively pushing away the truth about creation.
The Choice to Forget
This isn't about intellectual disagreement; it's about a rebellious heart that chooses darkness over light.
Did you know the very elements we see were shaped by God's spoken command and the waters? It's a powerful reminder of His unique creative power.
Peter points to the foundational elements of creation to establish God's authority:
The Elements of Authority
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This emphasizes that God is not merely a tinkerer but the sovereign Creator who brought everything into existence by His powerful word.
Understand the original words
rhēma · Greek Noun
The spoken decree of God, which possesses inherent power to create, sustain, govern, and transform reality.
This passage directly describes the initial creation of the heavens and the earth, highlighting the watery state before God's creative word brought order.
Psalm 33:6This Psalm echoes the creation account, emphasizing that the entire host of heaven was made by God's breath and His word, mirroring the power described in 2 Peter.
Proverbs 8:29Wisdom, personified here, declares her presence with God at creation, suggesting the divine plan and word were active from the very beginning.
John 1:1-3This passage identifies Jesus as the Word who was with God in the beginning and through whom all things were made, connecting the creative 'word of God' to the person of Christ.
It's easy to skim over the "out of water and through water" part, but Peter is deliberately pointing out that the very elements that could destroy the earth (water, as seen in the flood) are also the stuff God used to create it. This shows us that God's creative power is so absolute, He can even use potential chaos to bring about His perfect designs.
Peter is addressing scoffers who are mocking the promise of Jesus' return, claiming that the world has always been as it is and will continue to be. He reminds them that God's power, which created the universe from water and by His word, is the very power that will bring about the promised judgment and new creation. This understanding of creation is crucial for grasping why the prophesied destruction and renewal of the earth are not only possible but certain.
Peter is addressing scoffers who are mocking the promise of Jesus' return, claiming that the world has always been as it is and will continue to be. He reminds them that God's power, which created the universe from water and by His word, is the very power that will bring about the promised judgment and new creation. This understanding of creation is crucial for grasping why the prophesied destruction and renewal of the earth are not only possible but certain.
"For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God," — It's easy to skim over the "out of water and through water" part, but Peter is deliberately pointing out that the very elements that could destroy the earth (water, as seen in the flood) are also t…
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Last reviewed October 2026