What does "corrupt" reveal about us?
What does "corrupt in the sight of God" reveal about humanity's condition?

The verse in context

“Now the earth was corrupt in the sight of God, and full of violence.” — Genesis 6:11

“God looked upon the earth and saw that it was corrupt; for all living creatures on the earth had corrupted their ways.” — Genesis 6:12


Key observations about “corrupt”

• The Hebrew word carries the idea of ruin, decay, moral spoilage.

• “In the sight of God” highlights God’s perfect standard as the measuring line.

• The term is used of the entire earth, showing universality, not an isolated fault.


What this reveals about humanity’s condition

• Totally pervasive — corruption touches “all living creatures.”

• Morally ruined — not merely imperfect but spiritually rotten.

• Public and visible — God “saw” it; nothing is hidden from Him.

• Violent in expression — inner decay spills into outward harm.

• Self–inflicted — people “corrupted their ways”; the blame lies with humanity, not with God.


Roots of corruption

• Rejection of God’s authority first modeled in Adam’s disobedience.

• Unchecked sin nature passing from generation to generation.

• Collective reinforcement: society normalizes and multiplies evil deeds.


Results of corruption

• Broken fellowship with God.

• Breakdown of human relationships, illustrated by widespread violence.

• Destruction of creation’s intended harmony.

• Deserving of righteous judgment, as the flood narrative soon shows.


God’s response to corruption

• He observes and evaluates with perfect holiness.

• He acts decisively (the coming flood) to restrain evil and preserve a remnant.

• He provides grace—Noah “found favor,” pointing to God’s willingness to save.


Hope beyond corruption

• The flood narrative foreshadows greater salvation through Christ, who reverses ruin by bearing sin’s penalty.

• Regeneration by the Holy Spirit brings new life, replacing decay with righteousness.

• Final restoration is promised: a new heaven and new earth “in which righteousness dwells.”


Takeaways for today

• Sin is not a light flaw but a deep‐rooted corruption measured by God’s perfect standard.

• Every person shares this condition and needs divine rescue, not self‐improvement.

• God’s justice and mercy operate together—He judges sin yet offers grace.

• Trusting God’s provided rescue in Christ is the only cure for humanity’s corruption.

How does Genesis 6:11 describe the state of the earth before the flood?
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