Genesis 18:24

Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city.

Appeal is now made that the city shall be spared on account of. righteous few. He certainly hopes that at least fifty righteous persons may be found, and names this as the number. He does not merely plead that the righteous may be saved, but pleads that the place may be saved, on account of the righteous. He earnestly desires to avert even the fate of the impenitent. It will be observed that Abraham appeals to, and the Lord admits,. principle that runs through all the government of God. The righteous are the salt of the earth. They literally save it. If it were not for the influence of the righteous, however few, mankind would become so wicked as to be delivered over to destruction. God bears with the wicked because of the righteous who are mingled among them. Were all the righteous removed from our most ungodly cities, they would then be delivered over to destruction. Had not the family of Noah stood alone the Flood would have been stayed.