2 Peter 3:5
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)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The verse points out that these people aren't just ignorant, they deliberately overlook – they choose to ignore – the clear evidence of God's creative power in the universe. It's a powerful reminder that sometimes disbelief isn't about a lack of information, but a willful turning away from what's evident.
Peter is addressing scoffers who deny Christ's return, claiming things have always been the same. He reminds his readers that God’s powerful, creative word brought the universe into existence, even forming the earth from primordial waters. This act of creation is the foundation for Peter’s argument that God is more than capable of bringing about the prophesied destruction and renewal of the current heavens and earth.
Ever notice how some people just refuse to see what's right in front of them? Peter calls out this exact behavior.
Peter uses the strong phrase "deliberately overlook." This isn't about simple forgetfulness or a genuine lack of knowledge. It's an active, willful decision to ignore clear evidence. The false teachers he's addressing knew the truth about creation, but they chose to disregard it because it didn't fit their agenda or lifestyle. They were not ignorant; they were intentionally blind.
This is a powerful warning for us too. Are there truths about God, His Word, or His character that we find inconvenient or challenging? We might not be denying the existence of the heavens and the earth, but we can "deliberately overlook" the implications of God's sovereign power and authority in our lives.
How did the world begin? This verse gives us a stunningly concise, yet profound, picture of God's creative power.
Peter reminds his readers of the foundational truth of creation: the heavens and the earth weren't always here, and they weren't formed by chance. He highlights two key elements:
This foundational truth grounds our faith. If God spoke the universe into existence, He certainly has the power to sustain us and fulfill His promises.
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 describes the very beginning of creation, emphasizing how God's word brought order out of the watery chaos, directly supporting the assertion that the earth was formed by God's word out of water.
Psalm 33:6This psalm directly attributes creation to God's spoken word, stating that the heavens were made and all their host by the breath of his mouth, mirroring 2 Peter's emphasis on the creative power of God's word.
Hebrews 11:3This verse speaks of the worlds being framed by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible, reinforcing the idea that God's spoken command brought the physical universe into existence.
John 1:1-3This passage highlights Jesus (the Word) as the agent through whom all things were made, providing a deeper theological perspective on 'the word of God' that Peter references, pointing to Christ's role in creation.
The verse points out that these people aren't just ignorant, they deliberately overlook – they choose to ignore – the clear evidence of God's creative power in the universe. It's a powerful reminder that sometimes disbelief isn't about a lack of information, but a willful turning away from what's evident.
Peter is addressing scoffers who deny Christ's return, claiming things have always been the same. He reminds his readers that God’s powerful, creative word brought the universe into existence, even forming the earth from primordial waters. This act of creation is the foundation for Peter’s argument that God is more than capable of bringing about the prophesied destruction and renewal of the current heavens and earth.
Peter is addressing scoffers who deny Christ's return, claiming things have always been the same. He reminds his readers that God’s powerful, creative word brought the universe into existence, even forming the earth from primordial waters. This act of creation is the foundation for Peter’s argument that God is more than capable of bringing about the prophesied destruction and renewal of the current heavens and earth.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about 2 Peter 3:5 is available in the Sola app.
"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," — The verse points out that these people aren't just ignorant, they deliberately overlook – they choose to ignore – the clear evidence of God's creative power in the universe. It's a powerful remin…
