2 Peter 2:7
What does 2 Peter 2:7 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Peter 2:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Peter 2:7 means
Amid Sodom’s destruction, God delivered “righteous Lot,” who was deeply distressed by the unrestrained sexual immorality around him. Though Lot’s story in Genesis shows mixed choices, Peter emphasizes God’s evaluation: Lot was righteous and inwardly tormented by the city’s lawlessness. The Lord’s rescue of such a man shows his mercy toward those who grieve over sin and do not share in it, even when they live among it. It also shows that proximity to wickedness need not mean participation; God can draw out and spare the troubled righteous.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and delivered righteous Lot, sore distressed by the lascivious life of the wicked
KJV
King James Version · 1611And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and delivered righteous Lot, sore distressed by the lascivious life of the wicked
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And kept safe Lot, the upright man, who was deeply troubled by the unclean life of the evil-doers
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and righteous Lot, worn down by the conduct in lasciviousness of the impious, He did rescue,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And delivered just Lot, oppressed by the injustice and lewd conversation of the wicked:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and saved righteous Lot, distressed with the abandoned conversation of thegodless,
Context
This verse begins the counterbalance to judgment: within the very scene of Sodom’s ruin stands a rescued man. Verse 8 elaborates on Lot’s inner anguish to underline his righteousness. These details are important, because verse 9 will gather them up into a rule for believers: the Lord is both deliverer and judge. Having shown deliverance (Noah and Lot) alongside judgment (angels, Flood, Sodom), Peter will soon pivot back to describing the particular crimes of the false teachers.
v.6and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, having made them an example unto those that should live ungodly;
v.7This passage
v.8(for that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their lawless deeds):
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Peter 3:17
Ye therefore, beloved, knowing these things beforehand, beware lest, being carried away with the error of the wicked, ye fall from your own stedfastness.
- Genesis 13:13
Now the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners against Jehovah exceedingly.
- Psalms 120:5
Woe is me, that I sojourn in Meshech, That I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
- Genesis 19:7
And he said, I pray you, my brethren, do not so wickedly.
- Jeremiah 9:1
Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!
- Genesis 19:22
Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do anything till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.
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