1 Peter 4:17-19 asks since judgment will come soon for the church, what will happen to those who have not believed in Christ? God will reward the righteous; He will also condemn the sinner. So believers who suffer for being faithful to God should rest on God’s faithful promises as we do what is right.
1 Peter 4:17-191 Peter 4:17-19 commentary highlights the extreme importance that believers live each day with an objective to have a good report when they stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Peter has been talking about the reward of glory that will come to those who suffer the sufferings of Christ. Now he turns to an emphasis on the seriousness of the judgment all believers will experience, when their deeds are judged to determine what rewards they receive for their service to Jesus while living on earth in this life.
Peter explains: For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? (v.17).
The for links verse 17 with verse 16, which says believers who suffer for the name of Christ should not be ashamed but to glorify God. Peter connects this statement with a statement of fact: For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God.
Translators differ on how to handle this verse. A literal rendering from Young’s Literal Translation is “because it is the time of the beginning of the judgment from the house of God, and if first from us, what the end of those disobedient to the good news of God?” What is clear is that God will judge disobedience and the judgment begins with believers.
This could refer to God’s divine disciplining judgment on Christians who sin. Scripture asserts that God disciplines His children, those whom He loves (Hebrews 12:5-6Hebrews 12:5-6 commentary). He seems to take greater care to discipline those who are His children, because He loves them and desires their best.
For example, God judged Ananias and Saphira for their sin of deception about financial giving by taking their life (Acts 5:3-5Acts 5:3-5 commentary, 7-107-10 commentary). The believers within the Corinthian church were judged for their abuse of the Lord’s Supper and as a result, “many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep” (1 Corinthians 11:28-301 Corinthians 11:28-30 commentary). This occurred in the early formation of the church while God was teaching the believers important lessons about sin.
The judgment that will begin with the household of God can also refer to the looming judgment of Christ in the next age. Peter referred to this in 1 Peter 4:71 Peter 4:7 commentary when he said, “the end of all things is near.” Since the end of all things is near, that means the judgment of God upon all people is also near. Peter then asks: If it (the judgment) begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
The condition, if, assumes a fact that is true. The pronoun, it, refers to judgment. The phrase, begins with us first, refers back to the church as the household of God. This would indicate that believers stand before the judgement seat of Christ prior to unbelievers being judged, as we see in Matthew 24:41Matthew 24:41 commentary. Based on this truth, Peter asks a very penetrating question, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
The outcome contains the idea of a termination or end. It is the same word used in 1 Peter 4:71 Peter 4:7 commentary where it is translated “end.” The phrase, for those who do not obey, could refer to believers who are disobedient or to those who never believe in Jesus. Peter uses the Greek word translated do not obey four other times in this letter (1 Peter 2:71 Peter 2:7 commentary, 88 commentary, 3:13:1 commentary, 2020 commentary). It is translated “disbelieve” in 1 Peter 2:71 Peter 2:7 commentary and commentary “disobedient” in 1 Peter 2:81 Peter 2:8 commentary, 3:13:1 commentary, 2020 commentary.
In context, those who do not obey appears to refer to those who do not believe in Jesus, the godless man and the sinner as opposed to the righteous (v. 18). Their eventual destination is the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15Revelation 20:15 commentary). However, since Peter’s audience are all believers and his goal is to exhort them to live faithfully—enduring persecution as a faithful witness—it would seem that his point here is to assert that living in a manner that brings judgment is a bad idea.
Those who never believe are consumed in judgment fire. But those who are believers and live unfaithfully can experience the loss of rewards in judgment fire (1 Corinthians 3:14-151 Corinthians 3:14-15 commentary). The application Peter seems to be making is “Since God judges His people first, why would you think it is a good idea to copy the practices of those who will be consumed in fire?”
The phrase gospel of God refers to the good news coming from God on how to enter an eternal relationship with Him by believing in His Son, Jesus Christ, as the one who died for our sins and rose from the dead to give us forgiveness of our sins and the gift of eternal life (John 3:16John 3:16 commentary, commentary1 Corinthians 15:1-41 Corinthians 15:1-4 commentary).
The gospel of God also includes the good news that through walking by faith believers can be in daily fellowship with God. And by walking in the Spirit and living as a faithful witness, believers can be restored to their original design and reign with Christ as stewards and servant leaders (Hebrews 2:5-10Hebrews 2:5-10 commentary, commentaryRevelation 3:21Revelation 3:21 commentary). Through faith in Christ, and walking in the Spirit of Christ, believers can live out the righteousness they received by faith (Romans 1:16-17Romans 1:16-17 commentary).
The original glory God crown humanity with has been restored in Christ, through the “suffering of death” because Jesus has been granted all authority (Hebrews 2:9Hebrews 2:9 commentary, commentaryMatthew 28:18Matthew 28:18 commentary). Rewards will be determined for each believer at the judgment seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:102 Corinthians 5:10 commentary). Those who overcome will reign with Christ (Revelation 3:21Revelation 3:21 commentary). But to overcome as Jesus overcame is difficult. It is difficult to walk in God’s ways, enduring rejection from the world (Matthew 7:14Matthew 7:14 commentary).
Thus, in answer to the question raised in verse 17 about what the outcome of judgment would be for those who succumb to the world and live in the flesh, or perhaps for unbelievers, it appears Peter loosely quotes Proverbs 11:31Proverbs 11:31 commentary:
And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner? (V. 18).
The idea of with difficulty refers to the fiery trials of suffering that believers (the righteous) endure for doing the right thing for the cause of Christ while living on earth. The righteous are saved from the negative influences of the world with great difficulty. Jesus said to be saved from the world’s ways and be His disciple requires taking up our cross daily and following Him, forsaking the world (Luke 14:27Luke 14:27 commentary, 3333 commentary).
Although the Gift of salvation is free to us, Jesus endured the suffering of death to pay for our sins. Although believers are secure in being in God’s family through Christ, it is with great difficulty that believers live in a manner that is righteous. That has been Peter’s point, that we should expect that living righteously brings rejection and persecution from the world.
Peter introduced this concept for believers in the first part of the letter, saying in 1 Peter 1:7-91 Peter 1:7-9 commentary that we gain the “salvation of our souls” or lives through enduring trials and proving our faith. The salvation he has in mind is to be delivered or saved from the negative consequences of sin, both in our daily walk and at the judgment.
Suffering faithfully through trials hones our faith such that we are saved or delivered from the adverse consequences of sin through the difficulty of walking by faith. Peter also noted the difficulty with which Noah was saved from the flood (1 Peter 3:201 Peter 3:20 commentary).
Peter continues, and if this is true, that being saved from the adverse consequence of sin is difficult for the righteous, which Peter assumes it is, What will become of the godless man and sinner? The presumed answer to this rhetorical question is “It will be impossible for them to be saved.” The words will become translates the word “phaneitai” meaning “will appear,” which likely points to a time in the future where the godless man and the sinner will appear for judgment.
For the godless man and sinner who have not obeyed the gospel by believing in Jesus Christ as the payment for their sin, they will experience certain judgment (compensation) of eternal suffering in the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:11-14Revelation 20:11-14 commentary).
Having talked about the positive reward of the believer for enduring unjust suffering during his life on earth in contrast to the negative reward of the unbeliever (the godless man and the sinner), Peter concludes this section with an application for believers who are experiencing suffering on earth: Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right (v. 19).
It makes sense for believers to entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right because He has promised that He will greatly reward those who are faithful in trusting Him and following His ways. Peter’s particular interest is in exhorting believers to entrust their souls to the One who made them (our Creator) when enduring the difficulty of unjust suffering. Believers can entrust their souls or lives to God because He is faithful and will keep His promises.
Verse 19 breaks down as follows:
Therefore - draws a conclusion and application from what has been written to exhort believers to expect difficulty and rejoice when they endure fiery trials. This is a theme of the entire letter, having been introduced at the very beginning (1 Peter 1:6-71 Peter 1:6-7 commentary). The immediate context began in 1 Peter 4:121 Peter 4:12 commentary where Peter said to expect trials. But much of 1 Peter 3:141 Peter 3:14 commentary through the end of Chapter 4 focuses on the topic of choosing a proper perspective on enduring unjust suffering. This verse could be viewed as providing a summary statement.
According to the will of God - qualifies that this refers to believers who are suffering like Jesus did (1 Peter 4:12-131 Peter 4:12-13 commentary) and suffering for the cause of Christ (1 Peter 4:141 Peter 4:14 commentary), as a Christian (1 Peter 4:161 Peter 4:16 commentary). This does not apply to those suffering due to self-inflicted consequences from a sinful lifestyle (1 Peter 4:151 Peter 4:15 commentary). It is the faithful that will inherit the rewards God promises (Colossians 3:23-24Colossians 3:23-24 commentary).
Shall entrust - refers to giving over stewardship, in this case to God, for care and protection. It is having faith that God will provide. Paul uses this word in 2 Timothy 2:22 Timothy 2:2 commentary, commentary exhorting Timothy to “entrust” the teaching he learned to “faithful men.”
their souls - a translation of the Greek “psyche” which, in this context, refers to their physical lives (see Matthew 16:25-26Matthew 16:25-26 commentary where “psyche” is translated “life” in v. 25 and “soul” in v. 26).
To a faithful Creator - God is our Creator; He made us (Genesis 1:27Genesis 1:27 commentary, commentaryPsalm 139:13-16Psalm 139:13-16 commentary). God is faithful, meaning trustworthy and dependable (1 Corinthians 1:91 Corinthians 1:9 commentary, 10:1310:13 commentary, Hebrews 10:23Hebrews 10:23 commentary, commentary2 Timothy 2:132 Timothy 2:13 commentary). The inference is that God knew what He was doing when He made us, so we can trust that if we do His will, it will work out for our best. This is because God is always faithful to His promises (Deuteronomy 7:9Deuteronomy 7:9 commentary).
In doing the right thing - the translation of a single Greek word “agathopoiia” which combines two words “agathos” meaning good and right and “poieo” meaning to do. Peter uses this root word six times (1 Peter 2:141 Peter 2:14 commentary, 1515 commentary, 2020 commentary, 3:63:6 commentary, 1717 commentary, 4:194:19 commentary). God promises that if believers do the right thing He will greatly reward us (Galatians 6:9Galatians 6:9 commentary).
The Creator designed and made the world. He made it with cause-effect. He tells believers that if we trust Him, He will see that we are greatly rewarded for it. Since the world is in a fallen state, we should not be surprised that we get negative feedback for doing the right thing. 1 John 2:15-161 John 2:15-16 commentary describes the world as being filled with lust. It is often the case that doing the wrong thing is rewarded in this world (Jeremiah 12:1Jeremiah 12:1 commentary).
But God promises great blessings to those who do the right thing according to His will. We can entrust our souls/lives to a Creator who is faithful to fulfill His promises. The Apostle Paul spoke of this sort of entrusting near the end of his life on earth:
“For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.” (2 Timothy 1:122 Timothy 1:12 commentary)
Paul paints a picture of making a deposit in heaven for doing the right thing, trusting that God would “guard” his deposit and reward him in due time (1 Peter 5:61 Peter 5:6 commentary). Peter likewise exhorts believers to live in such a manner that we are continually doing the right thing. The promise is that if we are doing the right thing then we will reap great rewards (1 Corinthians 2:91 Corinthians 2:9 commentary, commentary2 Timothy 2:122 Timothy 2:12 commentary, commentary1 Peter 4:131 Peter 4:13 commentary).
Next, Peter will make specific application of adopting this mindset to the elders of the church.
Set to dark mode
1 Peter 4:17-19 meaning
1 Peter 4:17-191 Peter 4:17-19 commentary highlights the extreme importance that believers live each day with an objective to have a good report when they stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Peter has been talking about the reward of glory that will come to those who suffer the sufferings of Christ. Now he turns to an emphasis on the seriousness of the judgment all believers will experience, when their deeds are judged to determine what rewards they receive for their service to Jesus while living on earth in this life.
Peter explains: For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? (v.17).
The for links verse 17 with verse 16, which says believers who suffer for the name of Christ should not be ashamed but to glorify God. Peter connects this statement with a statement of fact: For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God.
Translators differ on how to handle this verse. A literal rendering from Young’s Literal Translation is “because it is the time of the beginning of the judgment from the house of God, and if first from us, what the end of those disobedient to the good news of God?” What is clear is that God will judge disobedience and the judgment begins with believers.
This could refer to God’s divine disciplining judgment on Christians who sin. Scripture asserts that God disciplines His children, those whom He loves (Hebrews 12:5-6Hebrews 12:5-6 commentary). He seems to take greater care to discipline those who are His children, because He loves them and desires their best.
For example, God judged Ananias and Saphira for their sin of deception about financial giving by taking their life (Acts 5:3-5Acts 5:3-5 commentary, 7-107-10 commentary). The believers within the Corinthian church were judged for their abuse of the Lord’s Supper and as a result, “many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep” (1 Corinthians 11:28-301 Corinthians 11:28-30 commentary). This occurred in the early formation of the church while God was teaching the believers important lessons about sin.
The judgment that will begin with the household of God can also refer to the looming judgment of Christ in the next age. Peter referred to this in 1 Peter 4:71 Peter 4:7 commentary when he said, “the end of all things is near.” Since the end of all things is near, that means the judgment of God upon all people is also near. Peter then asks: If it (the judgment) begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
The condition, if, assumes a fact that is true. The pronoun, it, refers to judgment. The phrase, begins with us first, refers back to the church as the household of God. This would indicate that believers stand before the judgement seat of Christ prior to unbelievers being judged, as we see in Matthew 24:41Matthew 24:41 commentary. Based on this truth, Peter asks a very penetrating question, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
The outcome contains the idea of a termination or end. It is the same word used in 1 Peter 4:71 Peter 4:7 commentary where it is translated “end.” The phrase, for those who do not obey, could refer to believers who are disobedient or to those who never believe in Jesus. Peter uses the Greek word translated do not obey four other times in this letter (1 Peter 2:71 Peter 2:7 commentary, 88 commentary, 3:13:1 commentary, 2020 commentary). It is translated “disbelieve” in 1 Peter 2:71 Peter 2:7 commentary and commentary “disobedient” in 1 Peter 2:81 Peter 2:8 commentary, 3:13:1 commentary, 2020 commentary.
In context, those who do not obey appears to refer to those who do not believe in Jesus, the godless man and the sinner as opposed to the righteous (v. 18). Their eventual destination is the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15Revelation 20:15 commentary). However, since Peter’s audience are all believers and his goal is to exhort them to live faithfully—enduring persecution as a faithful witness—it would seem that his point here is to assert that living in a manner that brings judgment is a bad idea.
Those who never believe are consumed in judgment fire. But those who are believers and live unfaithfully can experience the loss of rewards in judgment fire (1 Corinthians 3:14-151 Corinthians 3:14-15 commentary). The application Peter seems to be making is “Since God judges His people first, why would you think it is a good idea to copy the practices of those who will be consumed in fire?”
The phrase gospel of God refers to the good news coming from God on how to enter an eternal relationship with Him by believing in His Son, Jesus Christ, as the one who died for our sins and rose from the dead to give us forgiveness of our sins and the gift of eternal life (John 3:16John 3:16 commentary, commentary 1 Corinthians 15:1-41 Corinthians 15:1-4 commentary).
The gospel of God also includes the good news that through walking by faith believers can be in daily fellowship with God. And by walking in the Spirit and living as a faithful witness, believers can be restored to their original design and reign with Christ as stewards and servant leaders (Hebrews 2:5-10Hebrews 2:5-10 commentary, commentary Revelation 3:21Revelation 3:21 commentary). Through faith in Christ, and walking in the Spirit of Christ, believers can live out the righteousness they received by faith (Romans 1:16-17Romans 1:16-17 commentary).
The original glory God crown humanity with has been restored in Christ, through the “suffering of death” because Jesus has been granted all authority (Hebrews 2:9Hebrews 2:9 commentary, commentary Matthew 28:18Matthew 28:18 commentary). Rewards will be determined for each believer at the judgment seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:102 Corinthians 5:10 commentary). Those who overcome will reign with Christ (Revelation 3:21Revelation 3:21 commentary). But to overcome as Jesus overcame is difficult. It is difficult to walk in God’s ways, enduring rejection from the world (Matthew 7:14Matthew 7:14 commentary).
Thus, in answer to the question raised in verse 17 about what the outcome of judgment would be for those who succumb to the world and live in the flesh, or perhaps for unbelievers, it appears Peter loosely quotes Proverbs 11:31Proverbs 11:31 commentary:
And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved,
what will become of the godless man and the sinner? (V. 18).
The idea of with difficulty refers to the fiery trials of suffering that believers (the righteous) endure for doing the right thing for the cause of Christ while living on earth. The righteous are saved from the negative influences of the world with great difficulty. Jesus said to be saved from the world’s ways and be His disciple requires taking up our cross daily and following Him, forsaking the world (Luke 14:27Luke 14:27 commentary, 3333 commentary).
Although the Gift of salvation is free to us, Jesus endured the suffering of death to pay for our sins. Although believers are secure in being in God’s family through Christ, it is with great difficulty that believers live in a manner that is righteous. That has been Peter’s point, that we should expect that living righteously brings rejection and persecution from the world.
Peter introduced this concept for believers in the first part of the letter, saying in 1 Peter 1:7-91 Peter 1:7-9 commentary that we gain the “salvation of our souls” or lives through enduring trials and proving our faith. The salvation he has in mind is to be delivered or saved from the negative consequences of sin, both in our daily walk and at the judgment.
Suffering faithfully through trials hones our faith such that we are saved or delivered from the adverse consequences of sin through the difficulty of walking by faith. Peter also noted the difficulty with which Noah was saved from the flood (1 Peter 3:201 Peter 3:20 commentary).
Peter continues, and if this is true, that being saved from the adverse consequence of sin is difficult for the righteous, which Peter assumes it is, What will become of the godless man and sinner? The presumed answer to this rhetorical question is “It will be impossible for them to be saved.” The words will become translates the word “phaneitai” meaning “will appear,” which likely points to a time in the future where the godless man and the sinner will appear for judgment.
For the godless man and sinner who have not obeyed the gospel by believing in Jesus Christ as the payment for their sin, they will experience certain judgment (compensation) of eternal suffering in the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:11-14Revelation 20:11-14 commentary).
Having talked about the positive reward of the believer for enduring unjust suffering during his life on earth in contrast to the negative reward of the unbeliever (the godless man and the sinner), Peter concludes this section with an application for believers who are experiencing suffering on earth: Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right (v. 19).
It makes sense for believers to entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right because He has promised that He will greatly reward those who are faithful in trusting Him and following His ways. Peter’s particular interest is in exhorting believers to entrust their souls to the One who made them (our Creator) when enduring the difficulty of unjust suffering. Believers can entrust their souls or lives to God because He is faithful and will keep His promises.
Verse 19 breaks down as follows:
The Creator designed and made the world. He made it with cause-effect. He tells believers that if we trust Him, He will see that we are greatly rewarded for it. Since the world is in a fallen state, we should not be surprised that we get negative feedback for doing the right thing. 1 John 2:15-161 John 2:15-16 commentary describes the world as being filled with lust. It is often the case that doing the wrong thing is rewarded in this world (Jeremiah 12:1Jeremiah 12:1 commentary).
But God promises great blessings to those who do the right thing according to His will. We can entrust our souls/lives to a Creator who is faithful to fulfill His promises. The Apostle Paul spoke of this sort of entrusting near the end of his life on earth:
“For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.”
(2 Timothy 1:122 Timothy 1:12 commentary)
Paul paints a picture of making a deposit in heaven for doing the right thing, trusting that God would “guard” his deposit and reward him in due time (1 Peter 5:61 Peter 5:6 commentary). Peter likewise exhorts believers to live in such a manner that we are continually doing the right thing. The promise is that if we are doing the right thing then we will reap great rewards (1 Corinthians 2:91 Corinthians 2:9 commentary, commentary 2 Timothy 2:122 Timothy 2:12 commentary, commentary 1 Peter 4:131 Peter 4:13 commentary).
Next, Peter will make specific application of adopting this mindset to the elders of the church.