2 Peter 2:7 kjv

And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:

2 Peter 2:7 nkjv

and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked

2 Peter 2:7 niv

and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless

2 Peter 2:7 esv

and if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked

2 Peter 2:7 nlt

But God also rescued Lot out of Sodom because he was a righteous man who was sick of the shameful immorality of the wicked people around him.

2 Peter 2 verses

2 Peter 2 7 Meaning

Second Peter chapter 2, verse 7 explains how God intervened to save Lot from the destructive judgment on Sodom. It highlights God's discerning eye that recognized Lot as righteous, implying a moral distinction between him and the inhabitants of Sodom. Lot's rescue was a direct consequence of his profound internal suffering caused by the depraved and unrestrained immorality of the city's inhabitants. This act demonstrates God's consistent ability to protect those who are His, even when surrounded by overwhelming evil, while simultaneously pouring out judgment upon the wicked.

2 Peter 2 7 Context

This verse is part of Peter's sustained argument in 2 Peter chapter 2, warning believers against the danger of false teachers. The chapter systematically details the character and inevitable judgment awaiting these deceptive individuals, contrasting them with God's unwavering ability to protect His true followers. Peter employs three historical examples of divine judgment – the fallen angels, the Flood (saving Noah), and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (saving Lot) – to demonstrate God's consistent practice of punishing the unrighteous while preserving the righteous. Specifically, verse 7 focuses on Lot as a concrete illustration of God rescuing a just man who suffered deep moral distress from the prevalent depravity around him. The "sensual conduct of unprincipled men" directly reflects the specific vices of Sodom mentioned in Genesis and provides a parallel to the licentious behavior of the false teachers Peter condemns, who similarly lived "according to the flesh in the passion of defiling desire" (2 Pet 2:10). This serves as a polemic against any notion that one can embrace such immorality and escape divine judgment, or that God is indifferent to the plight of the righteous amidst wickedness.

2 Peter 2 7 Word analysis

• and delivered (καὶ ἐρρύσατο, kai errhysato):

  • καὶ (kai): "and", a conjunction, connecting this action with the previous act of judgment and preservation (the flood/Noah). It indicates a continuation of God's pattern.
  • ἐρρύσατο (errhysato): Aorist active indicative of ῥύομαι (rhyomai), meaning "to draw/snatch to oneself," "to rescue," "to deliver from danger," "to preserve." It implies active, decisive intervention. This word signifies a forceful rescue from a dangerous or harmful situation. God is the clear agent of deliverance. It underscores divine protection and timely intervention.

• righteous Lot, (δίκαιον Λὼτ, dikaion Lōt):

  • δίκαιον (dikaion): Accusative masculine singular of δίκαιος (dikaios), meaning "righteous," "just," "equitable," "observing divine laws." This is a crucial theological designation. It indicates Lot's standing before God relative to the Sodomites, not necessarily his perfect moral record (as seen in Gen 19). Peter likely understands Lot's "righteousness" in relation to his distress over the surrounding sin and his willingness to welcome angels, contrasting sharply with Sodom's profound unrighteousness. His spiritual integrity was preserved despite his environment.
  • Λὼτ (Lōt): "Lot," a proper noun. Refers to the biblical figure from Genesis 11-19, Abraham's nephew, who chose to live in the fertile Jordan valley, near Sodom. His narrative provides the specific historical illustration.

• greatly distressed (καταπονούμενον, kataponoumenon):

  • Present passive participle, accusative masculine singular of καταπονέω (kataponeō), meaning "to oppress greatly," "to exhaust with toil," "to burden," "to be worn out," "to be tormented." This vividly portrays Lot's internal suffering and anguish. He wasn't merely inconvenienced but morally and spiritually crushed by the constant assault of ungodliness. The passive voice indicates he was being oppressed, indicating an ongoing state. It implies his character was genuinely burdened, showing his conscience was active and aligned with God's standards.

• by the sensual conduct (ὑπὸ τῆς ἀσελγείᾳ, hypo tēs aselgeia):

  • ὑπὸ (hypo): "by," indicating the agent causing the distress.
  • τῆς ἀσελγείᾳ (tēs aselgeia): Dative feminine singular of ἀσέλγεια (aselgeia), meaning "sensuality," "licentiousness," "debauchery," "wantonness," "shameless excess," "unbridled lust." It describes blatant, unrestrained immorality, often sexual, and implies a public lack of moral restraint or decency. This is the root cause of Lot's anguish and defines the nature of Sodom's sin. It reflects a complete disregard for divine and human moral boundaries.

• of unprincipled men (τῶν ἀθέσμων, tōn athesmōn):

  • Genitive masculine plural of ἄθεσμος (athesmos), meaning "lawless," "unprincipled," "without divine or human law/ordinance," "rejecting moral order." It emphasizes the nature of the Sodomites' wickedness: a rejection of fundamental moral principles. These men lived outside all legitimate restraint, demonstrating total moral anarchy. This characteristic makes them fit examples of the false teachers described throughout 2 Peter, who similarly disregarded God's commands and moral order.

Words-group analysis:

• "and delivered righteous Lot": This phrase immediately establishes God's power and intent to preserve His own. The juxtaposition of "delivered" and "righteous" shows that Lot's character, distinct from his environment, was the basis for divine intervention. This highlights God's justice and His ability to distinguish between individuals even within a corrupt populace.
• "greatly distressed by the sensual conduct": This emphasizes the psychological and spiritual burden placed upon Lot by his surroundings. His "righteousness" wasn't passive acceptance but an active, internal repugnance to sin. This distress is what God recognized and acted upon. It illustrates how the righteous often suffer emotional and spiritual pain from witnessing the unbridled wickedness around them.
• "sensual conduct of unprincipled men": This grouping provides a precise description of the sin Peter is addressing. "Sensual conduct" points to blatant immorality and licentiousness, while "unprincipled men" indicates a deeper, fundamental rejection of all law or moral order. This identifies a core characteristic of the false teachers Peter warns against, making the Sodom example highly relevant. The root cause of the behavior is a lawless disposition.

2 Peter 2 7 Bonus section

The specific choice of the term aselgeia ("sensual conduct" or "debauchery") for Sodom's sin by Peter is significant. While Genesis emphasizes hospitality and then an attempt at gang rape, Jewish tradition (and often Paul's epistles) broadens the scope of Sodom's sin to include pride, excess, and social injustice (Ezek 16:49), along with gross sexual immorality. Peter's emphasis on aselgeia links Sodom's depravity directly to the characteristics of the false teachers he is warning against, who promise freedom but deliver only bondage to corruption (2 Pet 2:19), characterized by sensuality and defiance of authority (2 Pet 2:10-14). This verse subtly refutes any idea that spiritual liberty allows for moral license; true godliness is demonstrated by righteous distress over sin and separation from lawless conduct. It is a powerful affirmation of God's holy character and His unwavering commitment to both justice and rescue.

2 Peter 2 7 Commentary

Second Peter 2:7 powerfully illustrates God's steadfast justice and precise discernment amidst universal judgment. Lot's inclusion in Peter's list of those delivered from divine wrath serves to reassure believers that God "knows how to rescue the godly from trials" (2 Pet 2:9). Lot, though imperfect (as Genesis shows), was designated "righteous" by God, indicating that his heart condition, evidenced by his internal revulsion at the public, unbridled licentiousness of Sodom, set him apart. His distress was not merely inconvenience but a deep moral agony and spiritual torment (kataponoumenon) caused by the outrageous sin (aselgeia) and profound lawlessness (athesmos) pervading his city.

This verse offers a crucial insight: while God utterly condemns active, unprincipled wickedness, He is intimately aware of the suffering of His righteous ones, even those caught within corrupt systems. Lot's rescue, alongside Noah's preservation from the flood, serves as irrefutable evidence that God separates the righteous from the wicked and will inevitably bring justice. For believers facing moral decay or deceptive teachers who twist grace into a license for sensuality, Lot's story is a vivid reminder that God neither ignores nor condones immorality. Instead, He honors the genuine conscience that is tormented by evil and ensures the deliverance of those He deems righteous, even as judgment descends upon the defiant. This highlights the importance of internal purity and a sorrow for sin, even if one is unable to escape a corrupt environment entirely.