Genesis 6:11 - Meaning and Application

The wickedness of that generation is mentioned again here, partly to set off Noah’s godliness. He was righteous and blameless when the whole earth had become corrupt. It also serves to justify God’s decision to destroy the world, which he was about to reveal to Noah, his servant.

All kinds of sin were found among them. Genesis 6:11 says the earth was corrupt before God. That means they had failed in the worship of God. Either they worshiped other gods, worshiped the true God through images, or lived in open rebellion against God, mocking and defying him. The earth was also filled with violence and injustice toward people. There was no order or stable government. No one was safe in what clearly belonged to him, not even innocent life. Murders, assaults, and robbery filled the land.

Wickedness is a shame to human nature, and it also destroys human society. Take away conscience and the fear of God, and people become like beasts and devils to one another, like fish in the sea where the bigger ones eat the smaller ones. Sin fills the earth with violence and turns the world into a wilderness, even into a battlefield.

The proof of this was plain. God looked at the earth, and he saw the corruption for himself, as already noted in Genesis 6:5. The righteous Judge bases all his judgments on his perfect and certain knowledge. Nothing escapes his sight (Psalm 33:13).

What made the matter worst was that the corruption had spread everywhere. All flesh had corrupted its way. This was not limited to a few cities or nations, but covered all humankind. There was no one who did good, not even one, except Noah. When wickedness becomes common everywhere, ruin is close. As long as there is a faithful remnant in a nation to hold back judgment, God’s wrath may be delayed for a long time. But when everyone is busy tearing down the moral barriers by sin, and no one stands in the gap to repair the damage, what else should be expected except a flood of judgment?