“But these, like unreasoning animals, born as creatures of instinct to be captured and killed (phthorá), reviling where they have no knowledge, will in the destruction (phthorá) of those creatures also be destroyed phtheiro,” (2 Peter 2:12).

Those who hold to conditionalism often quote this verse in support of their position. The verse says that these people, like unreasoning animals, will be destroyed. But, the nature of the destruction is not specified. Is it destruction in eternal hellfire, or is it nonexistence? Conditionalists will assume it means nonexistence, but nothing in the context requires that interpretation. However, they could say that the phrase “like unreasoning animals” designates the kind of destruction; namely, nonexistence because “unreasoning animals” are destroyed and don’t exist anymore. But notice the text does not say that they are destroyed in the same way and have the same end as unreasoning animals. It says “like” them, they are destroyed. How far do we carry this likeness?

The Greek word for ‘killed’ and ‘destruction’ is phthora, φθορά.  The Greek word for ‘destroyed’ is phtheiro, φθείρω.  They have a variety of meanings in different contexts in the New Testament.  Here are two examinations of how the two words are used taken from two articles on CARM: Word study on phthora, destruction and Word study on phtheiro, corrupt.

phthora, destruction

Summary of the meaning of the Greek word phthora, destruction, in all verses where it occurs in the New Testament.

1. Corruption, 4 occurrences
   1. Rom. 8:21, creation set free from its slavery to corruption
   2. Gal. 6:8, moral corruption
   3. 2 Pet. 1:4, moral corruption
   4. 2 Pet. 2:19, moral corruption
2. Perishable, 3 occurrences
   1. 1 Cor. 15:42, our mortal parties are perishable
   2. 1 Cor. 15:50, our mortal bodies are perishable
   3.  Col. 2:22, referring to cleanliness laws
3. Physical and/or spiritual death, 2 occurrences
   1. 2 Pet. 2:12, physical death and/or spiritual death

As you can see, the word phthora has a variety of meanings in different contexts. However, we do not want to take the meaning of the word in one context and transfer it to another. That is the fallacy of interpretation known as illegitimate totality transfer. We have to let words speak in their context. But again, the context of 2 Peter 2:12 does not specify the existence or nonexistence in regard to destruction.

phtheiro, corrupt

Summary of the meaning of the Greek word phtheiro, corrupt, in all verses where it occurs in the New Testament.

1. Corruption, 4 occurrences
   1. 1 Cor. 15:33, bad company corrupts good morals
   2. 2 Cor. 7:2, we corrupted and took advantage of no one
   3. Eph. 4:22, the old self is being corrupted
   4. Rev. 19:2, the harlot who was corrupting the earth
2. Led astray, 1 occurrence
   1. 2 Cor. 11:3, don’t let your minds be led astray
3. Physical and/or spiritual death, 3 occurrences
   1. 1 Cor. 3:17, if a man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him
   2. 2 Pet. 2:12, evil people will in the destruction of those wicked, will also be destroyed
   3. Jude 10, people are destroyed like unreasoning animals

Conclusion

concerning the wicked people means nonexistence as the conditionalists assert or eternal conscious torment as the traditionalists assert. Therefore, this verse cannot be used to support the annihilationist position since it is not specific enough.

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