Genesis 19:1–26 recounts the story of Lot, and Peter assumes that Christian believers will be familiar with that narrative. Nowhere does Genesis say that Lot was righteous. It is implied by the fact that Abraham’s prayer was for the righteous to be spared judgment (Genesis 18:16–33) and the fact that Lot, having been saved, must have been righteous in God’s sight.1 This is how the narrative was interpreted in Jewish reflection and tradition (see Wisdom 10:6; Moses 2.10 S57-58).2
This understanding is somewhat surprising given the fact that Lot’s actions in the Genesis narrative do not appear to be particularly righteous. Instead he is portrayed in a negative way—selfish and absent from the promises made by the Lord to Abraham, settling in Sodom rather than land of promise, willing to give up his daughters to the mob rather than protecting them. Even though he shows hospitality to the angels (messengers), he certainly does not come across as a godly man.3 In the context of the letter, however, we can understand Lot’s righteousness as one that comes by faith. Faith in Christ has made Christians righteous in the sight of God (2 Peter 1:1). Noah had faith in God; he built the ark and was found righteous in God’s sight (Genesis 6:22 – 7:1). Lot likewise had faith in the words spoken by the messengers or angels. He went to warn his sons-in-law (Genesis 19:14) and did not look back or stopped on the plains as he fled (Genesis 19:17). He also acted rightly by showing hospitality to foreign visitors and thus inadvertently entertaining angels (Genesis 19:1–3; see also Hebrews 13:2). Certainly he was not perfect, but righteousness comes through faith (see Genesis 15:6; Romans 1:16–17) and his salvation was all of grace (mercy, Genesis 19:16).
7 and if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked