2 Peter 2:8

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

(For {G1063} that righteous man {G1342} dwelling {G1460} among {G1722} them {G846}, in seeing {G990} and {G2532} hearing {G189}, vexed {G928} his righteous {G1342} soul {G5590} from day {G2250} to {G1537} day {G2250} with their unlawful {G459} deeds {G2041};)

for the wicked deeds which that righteous man saw and heard, as he lived among them, tormented his righteous heart day after day.

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

(for that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their lawless deeds):

Commentary

2 Peter 2:8 KJV describes the internal suffering of Lot, referred to as a "righteous man," while he lived in the notoriously wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. This verse emphasizes the profound moral distress experienced by a person of integrity when constantly exposed to extreme depravity.

Context

This verse is part of Peter's warning against false teachers and their destructive heresies. To illustrate God's certainty in judging the unrighteous while simultaneously preserving the righteous, Peter draws upon historical examples. He first mentions the angels who sinned and the ancient world of Noah, before focusing on the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Verses 6 and 7 detail their judgment and God's rescue of Lot. Verse 8 then elaborates on Lot's personal anguish, reinforcing the idea that even amidst corruption, God recognizes and cares for those who are righteous.

Key Themes

  • Righteousness in Corruption: The verse highlights Lot's inherent righteousness ("righteous man," "righteous soul") despite his problematic choice to dwell in Sodom. This contrasts sharply with the "unlawful deeds" of the surrounding populace.
  • Moral Anguish: Lot's soul was "vexed" (Greek: basanizō), meaning tormented or distressed. This isn't just annoyance but deep, daily suffering caused by the constant exposure to and awareness of profound evil. It speaks to the sensitivity of a righteous conscience.
  • God's Preservation of the Righteous: By detailing Lot's internal pain, Peter underscores why God rescued him. God saw his righteous character and his distress over the surrounding sin, thus justifying his deliverance from judgment. This serves as an assurance that God distinguishes between the righteous and the wicked, as seen in Psalm 34:19.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "vexed" is basanizō, which carries a strong meaning of torment, torture, or severe distress. It is used elsewhere in the New Testament to describe physical pain or mental anguish, indicating that Lot's experience was far beyond mere discomfort; it was a profound, soul-deep suffering caused by the pervasive wickedness he witnessed "from day to day." His "righteous soul" was continually assaulted by the "unlawful deeds" (Greek: athemitos, meaning lawless or abominable) of the Sodomites.

Practical Application

This verse offers powerful insights for believers living in a world that often seems increasingly hostile to biblical values.

  • Empathy for the Righteous: It validates the emotional and spiritual toll that constant exposure to sin and immorality can take on a sensitive conscience. It’s normal for a righteous person to feel distressed by evil.
  • Maintaining Purity: Lot's vexation serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining spiritual discernment and moral purity, even when surrounded by corruption. It encourages believers to be in the world but not of the world.
  • Confidence in God's Justice: Just as God rescued Lot from Sodom, this verse assures us that God sees the distress of His people and will ultimately bring justice upon the unrighteous, while preserving those who are His own. This truth is a source of comfort and hope for those who grieve over the prevalence of sin today.

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Cross-References

  • Psalms 119:158 (6 votes)

    ¶ I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.

  • Ezekiel 9:4 (5 votes)

    And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.

  • Psalms 119:136 (4 votes)

    ¶ Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.

  • Proverbs 25:26 (3 votes)

    ¶ A righteous man falling down before the wicked [is as] a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.

  • Proverbs 28:12 (2 votes)

    ¶ When righteous [men] do rejoice, [there is] great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.

  • Malachi 3:15 (2 votes)

    And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, [they that] tempt God are even delivered.

  • Malachi 3:17 (2 votes)

    And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.