The opening “if” (ei), to be taken with verses 4–8,1 does not imply doubt but assumes the reality of the occurrences of divine judgment depicted. The announced judgment upon the false teachers is in keeping with God’s dealings with evil in the past. Peter’s three examples, cited in chronological order, establish that neither rank, strength, nor numbers shield rebellious evil from God’s vengeance. Each example is in the form of a double statement.
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