1 Peter 4:17

1 Peter 4:17

15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a¹ busybody in other people’s matters.

16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this¹ matter.

17 For the time has come ^afor judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, ^bwhat will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?

18 Now
^a“If the righteous one is scarcely saved,
Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?”

19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God ^acommit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

Commentaries:

Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown

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Another ground of consolation to Christians. All must pass under the judgment of God; God's own household first, their chastisement being here, for which they should glorify Him as a proof of their membership in His family, and a pledge of their escape from the end of those whom the last judgment shall find disobedient to the Gospel.

the time—Greek, "season," "fit time."

judgment must begin at the house of God—the Church of living believers. Peter has in mind Ezekiel 9:6; compare Amos 3:2; Jeremiah 25:29. Judgment is already begun, the Gospel word, as a "two-edged sword," having the double effect of saving some and condemning others, and shall be consummated at the last judgment. "When power is given to the destroyer, he observes no distinction between the righteous and the wicked; not only so, but he begins first at the righteous" [WETSTEIN from Rabbins]. But God limits the destroyer's power over His people.

if . . . at us, what shall the end be of them, etc.—If even the godly have chastening judgments now, how much more shall the ungodly be doomed to damnatory judgments at last.

gospel of God—the very God who is to judge them.

**Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing 1 Peter 4:17:**

Jeremiah 25:18
Jeremiah 25:29
Ezekiel 9:6
Ezekiel 24:25-26
Hosea 8:1
Obadiah 1:16
Zephaniah 2:3
Romans 1:1
Galatians 6:10
1 Timothy 3:15
Titus 1:7
1 Peter 2:8
1 Peter 4:19
1 Peter 4:19

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