The term expresses a decisive, often divinely wrought reversal that ends in ruin—whether moral, doctrinal, or physical—standing in stark contrast to the stability granted to those who walk in truth.

Occurrences in the New Testament

2 Timothy 2:14 warns against doctrinal squabbles that “do no good but only lead to the ruin of the hearers”, depicting spiritual devastation inside the church.

2 Peter 2:6 recalls Sodom and Gomorrah, where God “condemned the cities … to destruction, reducing them to ashes and making them an example of what is coming on the ungodly”, portraying physical annihilation that foreshadows final judgment.

Together the passages span present spiritual harm to future eschatological destruction.

Intertextual Links to the Old Testament

The Septuagint uses the noun for the overthrow of Sodom (Genesis 19:29; Deuteronomy 29:23; Isaiah 13:19; Jeremiah 49:18). Peter’s allusion invites readers to treat that historical event as a prophetic model, affirming God’s consistent pattern: persistent sin culminates in irreversible catastrophe, yet His warnings aim to awaken repentance (Jeremiah 18:7-8; Jonah 3:4-10).

Doctrinal Implications

1. Divine Justice: God acts decisively against ungodliness, both temporally and eternally (Matthew 10:15; Jude 7).
2. Danger of False Teaching: Paul likens doctrinal deviation to catastrophic ruin, underscoring the necessity of sound teaching (Ephesians 4:14).
3. Certainty of Final Judgment: Historical precedent guarantees future reckoning; the church confidently proclaims both judgment and salvation (Acts 17:31).

Pastoral and Ministry Applications

• Guard the pulpit: avoid word-wars; proclaim truth that builds up.
• Cultivate accountability: confront error before it ruins hearers (Titus 1:9-11).
• Preach judgment and mercy together: Lot’s rescue (2 Peter 2:7) shows refuge in Christ amid catastrophe (John 3:16-18).
• Disciple with eternity in view: awareness of outcomes motivates holiness (2 Peter 3:11-13).

Historical Usage Outside the New Testament

In classical Greek drama the word marked the plot’s catastrophic turning point. New Testament writers harness this nuance to stress the finality of divine judgment.

Related Themes and References

Sodom and Gomorrah: Genesis 18–19; Luke 17:28-30

False Teachers and Destruction: Matthew 7:15; Galatians 1:8-9; Jude 4-13

Final Judgment: Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:11-15

Contrast with Restoration: Acts 3:21; 1 Peter 5:10