The Apostle Peter uses the strong word "deliberately" here, suggesting these false teachers aren't simply ignorant, but are actively choosing to ignore the obvious evidence of God's creation. This isn't a minor oversight; it's a willful rejection of the foundational truth that the entire universe, earth and sky, owes its existence to God's spoken command.
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, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter's addressing folks who are mocking the idea of Jesus' return, claiming nothing has changed since creation. He reminds them God's powerful act of creation, where He formed the earth from water by His word, proves He can also bring judgment and renewal. This sets up his argument that the flood, a watery judgment, is a precedent for the coming fiery judgment.
Ever met someone who just refuses to believe what's right in front of them? Peter calls this out, and it has huge implications for how we understand the world.
Peter uses a strong phrase here: "deliberately overlook." This isn't about honest confusion or a lack of information. It's a willful act of ignoring reality. These false teachers knew God created the heavens and the earth, but they chose to pretend it didn't happen.
Why Would Someone Do This?
The way the earth was formed isn't just a scientific detail; it's a divine announcement of God's power and purpose.
Peter highlights two key elements in creation: water and the Word.
Formed Out of Water and Through Water
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By the Word of God
Understand the original words
rhēma · Greek Noun
The spoken decree of God, which possesses inherent power to create, sustain, govern, and transform reality.
kataklystheis · Greek Verb (participle)
Refers to the historic flood in the days of Noah, serving as a prototype of divine judgment upon a sinful world. It signifies God's sovereign authority to cleanse the earth through watery judgment.
This passage describes the very creation of the heavens and the earth out of the watery chaos, directly echoing the formation described in 2 Peter.
Psalm 33:6This psalm powerfully states that the heavens and all their host were made by the word of the Lord, reinforcing the creative power of God's spoken word mentioned in Peter's letter.
Hebrews 1:10This New Testament passage also attributes the creation of the heavens and the earth to the Lord, emphasizing His eternal nature and sovereign power over all creation.
John 1:3This verse highlights that all things were made through Jesus (the Word), providing a profound theological connection to the 'word of God' as the active agent in creation.
The Apostle Peter uses the strong word "deliberately" here, suggesting these false teachers aren't simply ignorant, but are actively choosing to ignore the obvious evidence of God's creation. This isn't a minor oversight; it's a willful rejection of the foundational truth that the entire universe, earth and sky, owes its existence to God's spoken command.
Peter's addressing folks who are mocking the idea of Jesus' return, claiming nothing has changed since creation. He reminds them God's powerful act of creation, where He formed the earth from water by His word, proves He can also bring judgment and renewal. This sets up his argument that the flood, a watery judgment, is a precedent for the coming fiery judgment.
Peter's addressing folks who are mocking the idea of Jesus' return, claiming nothing has changed since creation. He reminds them God's powerful act of creation, where He formed the earth from water by His word, proves He can also bring judgment and renewal. This sets up his argument that the flood, a watery judgment, is a precedent for the coming fiery judgment.
"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, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and peri…" — The Apostle Peter uses the strong word "deliberately" here, suggesting these false teachers aren't simply ignorant, but are actively choosing to ignore the obvious evidence of God's creation. This is…
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Last reviewed October 2026
