2 Peter 2:8 kjv

(For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)

2 Peter 2:8 nkjv

(for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)?

2 Peter 2:8 niv

(for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)?

2 Peter 2:8 esv

(for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard);

2 Peter 2:8 nlt

Yes, Lot was a righteous man who was tormented in his soul by the wickedness he saw and heard day after day.

2 Peter 2 verses

2 Peter 2 8 Meaning

The verse describes the continuous internal distress experienced by Lot, identified as a righteous man in 2 Peter 2:7. Living immersed within the pervasive wickedness of Sodom, Lot was deeply grieved and anguished in his righteous inner being by the rampant and egregious disregard for divine law and moral order (their lawless deeds) that he daily witnessed and heard. It highlights that true righteousness is not immune to, but profoundly sensitive to and tormented by, unrighteousness in its surroundings.

2 Peter 2 8 Context

This verse is part of Peter's warning against false teachers who are active within the Christian community. In 2 Peter 2, Peter draws upon historical examples of divine judgment (fallen angels, Noah's flood, Sodom and Gomorrah) to assure his readers that God certainly knows how to punish the unrighteous and rescue the righteous. The mention of Lot in verses 7 and 8 serves as a specific illustration of God's capacity to deliver a righteous person from an environment saturated with gross immorality and lawlessness, even while bringing judgment upon that very environment. The historical context relates directly to the account of Lot in Genesis 18-19, where Lot chose to live in Sodom and was consequently exposed to its wickedness, leading to his rescue by angels before its destruction. Peter uses Lot's experience to highlight the stark contrast between true righteousness and the "sensual conduct" (2 Pet 2:7) and "lawless deeds" that marked the people of Sodom, thereby serving as a strong polemic against the similar moral depravity promoted by the false teachers Peter condemns.

2 Peter 2 8 Word analysis

• for: Greek "γάρ" (gar). This conjunction introduces the reason or explanation for the preceding statement in 2 Peter 2:7, which states that God rescued Lot. It explains why Lot was rescued by highlighting his distressed condition due to Sodom's depravity.
• by what he saw: Greek "βλέμμασι" (blemmasi), plural noun "sights," from "βλέπω" (blepō, to see). This indicates sensory experience. Lot wasn't merely aware of the wickedness but directly observed it. The continuous nature of the visual input is implied.
• and heard: Greek "ἀκοαῖς" (akoais), plural noun "hearings," from "ἀκούω" (akouō, to hear). This complements "saw." Lot was exposed to the immoral conversation, boasts, and practices of the Sodomites, not just their actions. The combined sensory assault contributed to his distress.
• that righteous man: Greek "δίκαιος" (dikaios). This adjective is a key descriptor for Lot, emphasized twice in this context (2 Pet 2:7, 2:8). It signifies being just, upright, conforming to God's standard of right conduct. This righteousness made him sensitive to sin, unlike the unrighteous.
• living among them: Greek "ἐγκατοικοῦντα" (engkatoikounta), a present participle from "ἐγκατοικέω" (enkatoikeō), meaning "dwelling among," "living in." It portrays Lot's settled presence and prolonged residence in Sodom. He was immersed in their culture and environment.
• day after day: Greek "ἐξ ἡμέρας εἰς ἡμέραν" (ex hēmeras eis hēmeran), literally "from day to day." This phrase highlights the relentless and continuous exposure Lot experienced. His torment was not a one-time event but a persistent reality. It emphasizes the weariness and sustained anguish.
• was tormented: Greek "ἐβασάνιζεν" (ebasanizen), imperfect active indicative of "βασανίζω" (basanizō). This verb means "to torture," "to afflict with grievous pain," "to torment." The imperfect tense suggests an ongoing, habitual, or repeated action. It was not merely discomfort but profound mental and emotional anguish. This strong term reflects deep suffering.
• in his righteous soul: Greek "ψυχῇ δικαίᾳ" (psychē dikaia), literally "by/to/in soul righteous." The "ψυχή" (psychē) refers to the seat of feelings, desires, affections, and will; the inner self. The torment was internal, affecting his very essence. His "righteous" soul, by its very nature, was antithetical to the "lawless deeds," causing intense conflict and suffering.
• by their lawless deeds: Greek "ἀθέσμοις ἔργοις" (athesmois ergois), "lawless works/deeds." "ἄθεσμος" (athesmos) means "without law," "contrary to law or custom." These are actions that disregard divine moral law and fundamental principles of conduct. This is the direct cause of Lot's torment. It underscores the severity and rebellious nature of Sodom's sin.

Words-group Analysis

• "by what he saw and heard, that righteous man": This phrase highlights Lot's direct sensory and personal experience. It grounds his spiritual anguish in concrete daily encounters, making his suffering tangible. His righteousness, unlike those comfortable in sin, rendered him susceptible to this deep emotional pain.
• "living among them day after day": This phrase emphasizes the unrelenting nature of Lot's exposure. It was a constant barrage, not an occasional glimpse. The sustained immersion magnified the internal torment, illustrating the burden of a righteous person in a corrupt environment.
• "was tormented in his righteous soul by their lawless deeds": This is the core of the verse, explaining the specific kind of suffering and its cause. The use of "tormented" shows acute distress, far beyond annoyance. His "righteous soul" is contrasted with "lawless deeds," establishing an internal conflict where moral alignment causes anguish in the face of rampant evil. This internal agony signifies authentic spiritual sensitivity, absent in those who partake in such lawlessness.

2 Peter 2 8 Bonus section

• Purpose in Peter's Argument: Peter's description of Lot's torment strengthens his warning against false teachers. These teachers encourage a life of sensual indulgence (similar to Sodom's practices). By showing Lot's anguish, Peter implicitly challenges those within the church who might be tempted to embrace lax morality; their indifference to sin suggests a soul that is not "righteous" in the same vein as Lot's. It contrasts a conscience dulled by sin with a conscience quickened by the Holy Spirit.
• Implication for Believers: This verse serves as a litmus test for the spiritual health of believers today. If one's heart is not grieved by the rampant lawlessness and wickedness in the world, or even within certain spheres of the church, it suggests a desensitization that may indicate a departure from genuine righteousness. True love for God’s law entails pain when that law is openly defied.
• Divine Deliverance and Human Righteousness: The focus on Lot's "righteous soul" is not to commend his perfection but to underscore God's unwavering commitment to deliver those who are truly His, even from the most depraved environments. Lot's "righteousness" qualified him for divine intervention and protection, setting him apart from the general population marked for judgment.

2 Peter 2 8 Commentary

2 Peter 2:8 beautifully illustrates the inherent tension a truly righteous person experiences when immersed in widespread sin. Lot, though not flawless in all his life's aspects (as shown later in Genesis), is highlighted by Peter specifically as "righteous" in contrast to the inhabitants of Sodom. His daily existence involved a continuous, internal "torment" not just from inconvenience, but from profound anguish felt deep in his "soul." This distress arose directly from the "lawless deeds" he perpetually "saw and heard"—acts completely contrary to divine and natural order.

This verse teaches that genuine righteousness involves a sensitivity and aversion to sin, to the point of spiritual suffering when confronted by its prevalence. Unlike the false teachers Peter condemns, who comfortably wallow in "lawless deeds," Lot's example shows that true piety grieves over such things. This sensitivity serves as a distinguishing mark: those who are truly God's people do not find comfort or pleasure in unrighteousness, but are deeply troubled by it. It implies that a lack of such distress in the face of blatant sin may indicate a deficiency in one's own righteousness.