Gen 6:1-5 | MHM | STEP | Genesis 6:1-2: Depravity of the World These verses show how people turned away from God before the flood. As the human population grew, people became more sinful and forgot about God. God’s punishment by the flood was not just an act of power, but a necessary act to keep the honor of His rule. There were two main reasons for the world’s great wickedness: the rapid increase of people and the mixing of godly and ungodly families through marriage. These problems led to more sin and greater corruption in the world. v. 1 : The number of people on earth increased quickly. This was because of God's blessing to Adam and Eve to “be fruitful and multiply” ( ch. i. 28 ). But instead of using this blessing in a good way, people became more sinful as they multiplied. As Proverbs says, When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth (Prov. xxix. 16 ). More people meant more sin, and people influenced each other to do wrong.

‏ Genesis 6:1-5

Genesis 6:1-2: Depravity of the World

These verses show how people turned away from God before the flood. As the human population grew, people became more sinful and forgot about God. God’s punishment by the flood was not just an act of power, but a necessary act to keep the honor of His rule. There were two main reasons for the world’s great wickedness: the rapid increase of people and the mixing of godly and ungodly families through marriage. These problems led to more sin and greater corruption in the world.

v. 1: The number of people on earth increased quickly. This was because of God's blessing to Adam and Eve to “be fruitful and multiply” (ch. i. 28 ^a). But instead of using this blessing in a good way, people became more sinful as they multiplied. As Proverbs says, When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth (Prov. xxix. 16 ^b). More people meant more sin, and people influenced each other to do wrong.

v. 2: The “sons of God” (those who worshipped God, like the family of Seth) started to marry the “daughters of men” (women from families who did not follow God, like Cain’s descendants). These marriages were not good because the godly people did not keep themselves separate. They chose wives only for their beauty, not for their faith or character. They followed their own desires and did not ask God for guidance. This led to believers being “unequally yoked with unbelievers” (2 Cor. vi. 14 ^c), which God later forbade for Israel (Deut. vii. 3, 4 ^d). Mixed marriages like this caused trouble for Solomon (1 Kings xi. 1-4 ^e) and for the Jews after returning from Babylon (Ezra ix. 1, 2 ^f). Those who say they belong to God should be careful to marry believers, because it is easier for bad people to drag good people down than for good people to lift bad people up.

Genesis 6:3: God’s Warning to a Sinful World

In this verse, God shows His anger at the people who were marrying those who did not follow Him. Because of these choices, God warns that He will not let His Spirit continue to work with people forever. When people ignore God’s warnings and follow their own desires, God may stop trying to guide them. This is a very serious judgment. God also gives the people 120 more years before the flood comes, showing both His patience and His justice.

v. 3: God says, “My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be a hundred and twenty years.” This means God’s Spirit had been working in people’s hearts, warning them through their conscience and through Noah’s preaching (1 Pet. iii. 19, 20 ^g). But most people refused to listen. God will not continue to warn people forever (Hos. iv. 17 ^h). If people keep resisting the Holy Spirit, He will eventually stop warning them, and they will be ready for judgment.

Reason for God’s Decision: God says, “for that he also is flesh.” This means people had become very sinful and only cared about their own desires. Everyone was corrupt. When people keep choosing sin over God, the Holy Spirit will stop working in their hearts. People lose the Spirit’s help only after they keep rejecting Him.

God’s Patience and Time Limit: Even though people deserved punishment right away, God gave them 120 more years before the flood. This was a chance for them to repent and change. God’s mercy delayed judgment, but not forever. God’s patience is great, but it has a limit. He gives people time to turn back, but if they do not, punishment will come after the time is up.

Genesis 6:4-5: Corruption and Wickedness Before the Flood

These verses explain how the world became more and more evil before the flood. When the “sons of God” married the “daughters of men,” God patiently waited to see what kind of people their children would become. Sadly, these children followed the bad example instead of the good one. The people became known for their strength and fame, but not for their faith or goodness. God saw how deeply evil people had become—both in their actions and their hearts.

v. 4: There were giants on earth in those days, and also mighty men who were famous. These were the children of the “sons of God” and “daughters of men.” Because of their size and strength, they were able to control others and do what they wanted, like the sons of Anak in Num. xiii. 33 ⁱ. Their power made them proud and led them to do violence. They cared more about making a name for themselves than about doing right. This shows that great power can lead people to sin if they do not have self-control.

v. 5: God saw that the wickedness of humans was very great. People were openly sinning everywhere, and even those who were honored in society were often the worst offenders. When evil people become famous and respected, the whole society becomes even more wicked. God also looked deeper—He saw that every thought and desire in people’s hearts was always evil (Ps. xiv. 1-3 ^j). Their hearts and plans were bad all the time, not just sometimes. This deep corruption in their hearts led to all the violence and sin in the world (Jam. i. 15; Matt. xv. 19 ^k). God sees all sin, not just the actions but also the thoughts and designs behind them.