and if He rescued LotLot was the nephew of Abraham and lived in the city of Sodom, known for its wickedness. His rescue is a testament to God's ability to deliver the righteous from judgment. This event is recorded in
Genesis 19, where angels lead Lot and his family out of Sodom before its destruction. Lot's rescue prefigures the deliverance of believers from God's coming judgment, highlighting God's mercy and justice. It also serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness to His promises, as Lot was spared due to Abraham's intercession (
Genesis 18:23-33).
a righteous man
Lot is described as righteous, which may seem surprising given his later actions and choices. However, his righteousness is attributed to his faith and relationship with God, not his moral perfection. This aligns with the biblical theme that righteousness is imputed by faith, as seen in Abraham's example (Genesis 15:6). Lot's righteousness is further evidenced by his distress over the sinfulness of Sodom, indicating a heart aligned with God's values.
distressed by the depraved conduct
Lot's distress highlights the internal conflict experienced by believers living in a sinful world. His soul was tormented by the rampant immorality around him, reflecting a sensitivity to sin that characterizes the righteous. This mirrors the experience of believers today, who are called to be in the world but not of it (John 17:14-16). Lot's distress serves as a call to maintain spiritual integrity and a godly perspective amidst moral decay.
of the lawless
The term "lawless" refers to those who live in blatant disregard for God's commands. Sodom's inhabitants exemplified such lawlessness, engaging in acts that were abhorrent to God (Genesis 19:4-5). This lawlessness is contrasted with the righteousness of Lot, underscoring the biblical theme of the righteous versus the wicked. The destruction of Sodom serves as a warning of the consequences of living without regard for God's law, a theme echoed throughout Scripture (e.g.,Romans 1:18-32).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
LotA nephew of Abraham, Lot is described as a "righteous man" who lived in the city of Sodom. Despite the wickedness surrounding him, Lot is noted for his distress over the immoral behavior of the people in Sodom.
2.
SodomAn ancient city known for its extreme wickedness and immorality. It was ultimately destroyed by God due to its sinfulness, as recounted in Genesis.
3.
God's RescueThe event of God rescuing Lot from Sodom before its destruction is a demonstration of divine intervention and mercy towards those deemed righteous.
Teaching Points
Righteousness Amidst WickednessLot's example teaches us that it is possible to maintain righteousness even when surrounded by pervasive immorality. Believers are called to be in the world but not of it, standing firm in their faith and values.
Distress Over SinLot's distress over the depraved conduct around him serves as a model for Christians to be sensitive to sin and to grieve over the moral decay in society. This sensitivity should drive us to prayer and action.
God's DeliveranceThe rescue of Lot underscores God's faithfulness to deliver the righteous from judgment. It reassures believers of God's protection and the ultimate triumph of righteousness.
Judgment and MercyThe destruction of Sodom alongside Lot's rescue illustrates the dual aspects of God's character: His justice in judging sin and His mercy in saving the righteous. Christians are reminded of the importance of living in a way that honors God.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 2 Peter 2:7?
2.How does 2 Peter 2:7 illustrate God's deliverance of the righteous from trials?
3.What can we learn from Lot's example about living in a sinful society?
4.How does Lot's rescue connect to God's protection promises in Psalm 34:17?
5.In what ways can we remain righteous amidst today's moral challenges?
6.How can we support others struggling with "the conduct of the lawless"?
7.How does 2 Peter 2:7 define righteousness in the context of Lot's actions?
8.Why was Lot considered righteous despite living in Sodom?
9.What does 2 Peter 2:7 reveal about God's judgment and mercy?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Peter 2?
11.Why is Lot considered righteous in biblical texts?
12.Was the flood worldwide or confined to one area?
13.What does lasciviousness mean?
14.Why is Lot considered righteous in biblical texts?What Does 2 Peter 2:7 Mean
and if He rescued LotGod’s past rescue of Lot anchors Peter’s assurance that He will likewise deliver believers today (Genesis 19:15-16;2 Peter 2:9). The same Lord who rained fire on Sodom safely escorted Lot beyond the city’s borders, proving two unshakable realities:
• Judgment truly falls on the ungodly (Luke 17:28-29).
• Grace just as surely shields the righteous (Psalm 34:19).
a righteous manPeter calls Lot “righteous,” not because Lot lived flawlessly, but because God declared him so and treated him accordingly (Romans 4:3;2 Corinthians 5:21). In Sodom’s midnight, Lot’s allegiance to the Lord still distinguished him:
• He welcomed the visiting angels when no one else would (Genesis 19:1-3).
• He grieved over sin instead of celebrating it (Proverbs 14:9).
God counts such trust and obedience as righteousness, even when mingled with human weakness.
distressedThe word pictures a continual, aching burden. Lot was “tormented in his righteous soul day after day” (2 Peter 2:8). He did not grow numb; the corruption around him wore on his heart like sandpaper:
• Similar anguish marked Jeremiah over Jerusalem’s rebellion (Jeremiah 9:1).
• Paul felt “great sorrow and unceasing anguish” for Israel’s lostness (Romans 9:2).
God’s people do not merely spot sin; they feel its sting.
by the depraved conductSodom’s behavior had rotted past all restraint—sexual perversion (Genesis 19:4-11), pride and callousness toward the poor (Ezekiel 16:49-50), and open hostility toward God (Jude 1:7). Lot’s grief sprang from witnessing:
• Normalization of evil (Isaiah 5:20).
• Violent rejection of righteousness (John 3:19-20).
When society celebrates what God condemns, the righteous inevitably ache.
of the lawless“The lawless” are those who cast off God’s moral authority (1 John 3:4). Peter sets them in stark contrast to Lot: one man governed by God’s law amid a city governed by none. Their disregard invited swift judgment (2 Peter 2:6;Proverbs 29:1). Believers today still live among the lawless, yet God’s promise holds: He knows how “to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment” (2 Peter 2:9).
summary2 Peter 2:7 spotlights God’s faithful pattern: He intertwines judgment and deliverance. While the lawless rush toward destruction, the Lord singles out the righteous, counts them His, feels their pain, and pulls them to safety. Lot’s rescue assures every modern believer that no darkness is too thick, no culture too corrupt, for God to reach in, lift out, and preserve those who belong to Him.
(7)
And delivered just Lot.--Better,
righteous Lot; it is the same adjective as occurs twice in the next verse. These repetitions of the same word, of which there are several examples in this Epistle ("destruction" thrice,
2Peter 2:1-3; various repetitions,
2Peter 3:10-12; "look for" thrice,
2Peter 3:12-14, &c), and which have been stigmatised as showing poverty of language, are perfectly natural in St. Peter, and not like the laboured efforts of a writer endeavouring to personate him. A person writing under strong emotion does not stop to pick his words; he uses the same word over and over again if it expresses what he means and no other word at once occurs to him. This is still more likely to be the case when a person is writing in a foreign language. The fact that such repetitions are frequent in the Second Epistle, but not in the First, is not only fully explained by the circumstances, but, as being so entirely in harmony with them, may be regarded as a mark of genuineness. "Delivered righteous Lot." Here, as in the case of the Flood (
2Peter 2:5), the destruction of the guilty suggests the preservation of the innocent. Is it fanciful to think that these lights in a dark picture are characteristic of one who had himself "denied the Master who bought him," and yet had been preserved like Noah and rescued like Lot? This brighter side is wanting in Jude, so that in the strictly historical illustrations this Epistle is more full than the other (see Note on
2Peter 2:15); it is where apocryphal books seem to be alluded to that St. Jude has more detail.
The filthy conversation.--Literally,behaviour in wantonness (comp.2Peter 2:2;2Peter 2:18)--i.e.,licentious mode of life. The word for "conversation," or "behaviour," is a favourite one with St. Peter--six times in the First Epistle, twice in this (2Peter 3:11); elsewhere in the New Testament only five times. . . .
Verse 7. -
And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked; literally,
and delivered righteous Lot, who was being worn out (
καταπονούμενον; comp.
Acts 7:24, the only other place of the New Testament where the word occurs)
with the behaviour of the lawless in licentiousness. The word translated "lawless" (
ἀθέσμων) is found only in one other place of the New Testament (
2 Peter 3:17); but it is near akin to the
ἀθεμίτοις ("abominable") of
1 Peter 4:3.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.[if] He rescuedἐρρύσατο(errysato)Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4506:To rescue, deliver (from danger or destruction).Lot,Λὼτ(Lōt)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3091:(Hebrew), Lot, nephew of Abraham. Of Hebrew origin; Lot, a patriarch.a righteous [man]δίκαιον(dikaion)Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1342:From dike; equitable; by implication, innocent, holy.distressedκαταπονούμενον(kataponoumenon)Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2669:From kata and a derivative of ponos; to labor down, i.e. Wear with toil.byὑπὸ(hypo)Preposition
Strong's 5259:A primary preposition; under, i.e. of place, or with verbs; of place (underneath) or where (below) or time (when).theτῆς(tēs)Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.depravedἀσελγείᾳ(aselgeia)Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 766:From a compound of a and a presumed selges; licentiousness.conductἀναστροφῆς(anastrophēs)Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 391:Dealing with other men, conduct, life, behavior, manner of life. From anastrepho; behavior.of theτῶν(tōn)Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.lawlessἀθέσμων(athesmōn)Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 113:Lawless, unrestrained, licentious. Lawless, i.e. criminal.
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NT Letters: 2 Peter 2:7 And delivered righteous Lot who was very (2 Pet. 2P iiP ii Pet) 
