Matthew Henry Commentary Genesis 6:1-7

"And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the ground, and daughters were born unto them, that the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all that they chose. And Jehovah said, My spirit shall not strive with man for ever, for that he also is flesh: yet shall his days be a hundred and twenty years. The Nephilim were in the earth in those days, and also after that, when the sons of God came unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them: the same were the mighty men that were of old, the men of renown. And Jehovah saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented Jehovah that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And Jehovah said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the ground; both man, and beast, and creeping things, and birds of the heavens; for it repenteth me that I have made them." — Genesis 6:1-7 (ASV)

The most remarkable thing about the old world is its destruction by the deluge, or flood. We are told of the abounding iniquity of that wicked world: God's just wrath and His holy resolution to punish it. In all ages, there has been a peculiar curse of God upon marriages between professors of true religion and its avowed enemies. The evil example of the ungodly party corrupts or greatly hurts the other.

Family religion is put an end to, and the children are trained according to the worldly maxims of the parent who is without the fear of God. If we profess to be the sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty, we must not marry without His consent. He will never give His blessing if we prefer beauty, wit, wealth, or worldly honors to faith and holiness. The Spirit of God strove with people by sending Enoch, Noah, and perhaps others to preach to them; by waiting to be gracious, despite their rebellions; and by arousing alarm and convictions in their consciences.

But the Lord declared that His Spirit should not strive with people in this way always; He would leave them to be hardened in sin and ripened for destruction. This He determined, because man was flesh: not only frail and feeble but carnal and depraved, having misused the noble powers of his soul to gratify his corrupt inclinations. God sees all the wickedness that is among the children of men; it cannot be hidden from Him now, and if it is not repented of, it will be made known by Him shortly.

The wickedness of a people is great indeed when noted sinners are renowned men among them. Much sin was committed in all places by all sorts of people. Anyone might see that the wickedness of man was great; but God saw that every imagination, or purpose, of the thoughts of man's heart was only evil continually. This was the bitter root, the corrupt spring.

The heart was deceitful and desperately wicked; the principles were corrupt; the habits and dispositions evil. Their designs and devices were wicked. They did evil deliberately, contriving how to do mischief. There was no good among them. God saw man's wickedness as one injured and wronged by it.

He saw it as a tender father sees the folly and stubbornness of a rebellious and disobedient child, which grieves him and makes him wish he had been childless. The words used here are remarkable; they are used after the manner of men and do not mean that God can change or be unhappy. Does God hate our sin in this way? And should we not be grieved to the heart for it?

Oh, that we may look on Him whom we have grieved, and mourn! God repented that He had made man, but we never find Him repent that He redeemed man. God resolves to destroy man: the original word is very striking, I will wipe off man from the earth, as dirt or filth is wiped off from a place that should be clean and is thrown to the dunghill, its proper place. God speaks of man as His own creature when He resolves upon his punishment.

Those forfeit their lives who do not fulfill the purpose of their living. God speaks of His resolution concerning people, after His Spirit had been long striving with them in vain. None are punished by the justice of God but those who hate to be reformed by the grace of God.