The Lord knoweth how (οιδεν κυριος). The actual apodosis of the long protasis begun in verse 2. Peter 2:4. God can deliver his servants as shown by Noah and Lot and he will deliver you. The idiomatic use of οιδα and the infinitive (ρυεσθα present middle and see verse 2. Peter 2:7) for knowing how as in Matthew 7:11; James 4:17.

The godly (ευσεβεις). Old anarthrous adjective (from ευ and σεβομα, to worship), in N.T. only here and Acts 10:2; Acts 10:7 (by Peter). For temptation (πειρασμου) see James 1:2; James 1:12; 1. Peter 1:6.

To keep (τηρειν). Present active infinitive of τηρεω after οιδεν.

Unrighteous (αδικους). As in 1. Peter 3:18.

Under punishment (κολαζομενους). Present passive participle of κολαζω, old verb (from κολος, lopped off), in N.T. only here and Acts 4:21. Present tense emphasises continuity of the punishment. See κολασιν αιωνιον in Matthew 25:46.