Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 2 Peter 2:9

"the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment unto the day of judgment;" — 2 Peter 2:9 (ASV)

Peter now states the main point. It is one of abiding comfort: “The Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials.” Suffering Christians anywhere and at any time can find consolation in the fact that their Lord knows all about their plight. Moreover, “the Lord knows how... to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment” (italics mine). Immediate judgment of sinners is only the beginning. Temporal judgments, death, and “being in torment” in Hades do not exhaust the divine wrath. A great Judgment is yet future (Revelation 20:11–15), followed by the “second death” of fire (Revelation 20:14).