Genesis 6:12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Consider the following. “And the Lord God observed the earth, and it was corrupt.” Notice how the term earth is repeatedly applied. After the text refers to it as earth again and again, it clarifies by stating, “that every flesh hath grown its way upon the earth.” At this point, it does not honor them with the designation of men but refers to them only as flesh to indicate that the discussion pertains not to the physical earth but to humanity, weighed down by their earthly existence. As we have often mentioned, Scripture frequently refers to individuals who are consumed by material desires and neglect higher thoughts, as the esteemed Paul articulates: “those who are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:8). So what does this imply?

One might wonder whether Adam, the first man fashioned by God at the dawn of creation, faced condemnation due to unfaithfulness or sin. In this matter, I see no evidence of disbelief; rather, it was his disobedience that led to his condemnation, and through his actions, all humanity similarly faces judgment. Likewise, Cain was not condemned for lack of faith, but for the act of murdering his brother. Furthermore, the Scriptures reveal that the entire world faced destruction through the flood, not due to disbelief, but as a consequence of wickedness.

As the descendants of Seth married the daughters of Cain, they disregarded their previous partners. This led the latter to abandon the standards of purity and modesty they had previously upheld in their marriages. As this lack of self-control grew among both men and women, Scripture declares, Every flesh has perverted its way.

God surveyed the earth and saw that it was tainted, meaning He could no longer overlook its iniquities through His patience from the gaze of His justice, nor could He present Himself as if He were unaware. All humanity has strayed from its path. Literally translated from the Hebrew, every being has corrupted its way on earth. While some commentators broaden this pollution to encompass all living beings, the term "flesh" more accurately refers to humankind (Deuteronomy 5:23), and is particularly fitting here to denote those who are worldly.

When it is stated that God regarded the decay and pollution of the world, it is not to imply that He became aware of it only now; the All-Knowing had been aware of it for all time. Rather, it indicates that He chose to focus on it in a significant way. The conditions of the fallen world had reached a point where He could no longer be a patient observer. The corruption of the earth and its people had become intolerable, as there were no righteous individuals left, for ‘all flesh has corrupted its way on the earth.’ This signifies that humanity, having fully embraced its sinful nature, had deviated completely from the path of righteousness.