Genesis 6:5 And the LORD 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.”
In this verse, the wickedness of men is described as deeply rooted in their hearts and thoughts. However, this inclination to evil is not to be understood as a natural state or imposed on man from birth, but as a direct consequence of men’s voluntary and repeated choices to distance themselves from
God and follow their own desires.
God is observing a people who, by their own decisions, have embarked on a path of rebellion and disobedience.
The expression “every thought of their heart” shows that this condition arises from the human mind, which has voluntarily forsaken the ways of God to pursue evil. It is not an innate fatality, but the fruit of human will, exercised contrary to divine principles. God here sees a people who persist in their
evil ways, in spite of His warnings and His patience.
Man voluntarily inclined towards evil:
In Genesis 4:7 God said to Cain, “If you do well, you will lift up your face; but if you do evil, sin will lie at your door; its desire will be for you, but you will rule over it .” This proves that man was created with the ability to
choose between good and evil and that he is called to rule over
sin even after Adam sin.
The state of wickedness described in
Genesis 6:5 is therefore a consequence of man’s refusal to
respond to this call.
The wickedness of men results from their collective refusal to listen to God’s voice and abide by His laws. This consistent choice to ignore divine truth has resulted in widespread corruption of heart.
Genesis 6:9 presents Noah as a righteous and blameless man.
This proves that even in a generation where wickedness predominates, it is possible, by conscious and voluntary choice, to walk in righteousness and find favor in the eyes of God.
Some theological movements, such as those advocating total depravity, argue that this verse shows man’s total inability to choose good. However, a careful reading of the biblical context does not support this idea. Evil here is willfully
cultivated by men, who refuse to listen to God. It is not an
irreversible state imposed on man from birth, but a
consequence of repeated and deliberate choices.
Genesis 6:3 indicates God’s patience:
“My spirit will not always strive with man.” This
divine patience emphasizes that God gives men time to repent and change their ways.
Wickedness is a result, not an inevitability. The text does not say that men are born wicked, but that their thoughts and hearts are voluntarily directed toward evil.
So, Genesis 6:5 highlights man’s moral responsibility. This passage shows that man’s wickedness is the result of his willful and constant choices to reject God and pursue his own selfish desires. God never took away man’s ability to choose between good and evil, and Noah’s example proves that it is
possible to walk righteously, even in a corrupt world. This text is a reminder that sin is not inevitable, but a decision, and that God is constantly calling humanity to return to Him.