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I. THE LORD'S KNOWLEDGE IN REFERENCE TO CHARACTER.

1. He knows the godly —

(1)  Under trial, when they are not known to others.

(2)  Under temptation, when scarcely known to themselves.

2. He knows the unjust —

(1)  Though they make loud professions of piety.

(2)  Though they may be honoured for their great possessions.

II. THE LORD'S KNOWLEDGE IN REFERENCE TO THE GODLY. He knows how to let them suffer, and yet to deliver them in the most complete and glorious manner.

1. His knowledge answers better than theirs would do.

2. His knowledge of their case is perfect.

3. He knows in every case how to deliver them.

4. He knows the most profitable way of deliverance.

5. His knowledge should cause them to trust in Him with holy confidence, and never to sin in order to escape.

III. THE LORD'S KNOWLEDGE IN REFERENCE TO THE UNJUST.

1. They are unjust in all senses, for they are —

(1)  Not legally just by keeping the law.

(2)  Nor evangelically just through faith in Jesus.

(3)  Nor practically just in their daily lives.

2. The Lord knows best —

(1)  How to deal with them from day to day.

(2)  How to reserve them under restraints. He makes it possible to reprieve them, and yet to maintain law and order.

(3)  How to punish them with unrest and fears even now.

(4)  How and when to strike them down when their iniquities are full.

(5)  How to deal with them in judgment, and throughout the future state. The mysteries of eternal doom are safe in His hand.

(C. H. Spurgeon.)

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KJV: For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;

WEB: For if God didn't spare angels when they sinned, but cast them down to Tartarus, and committed them to pits of darkness, to be reserved for judgment;