1 Peter 4 17

1 Peter 4:17 kjv

For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

1 Peter 4:17 nkjv

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

1 Peter 4:17 niv

For it is time for judgment to begin with God's household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

1 Peter 4:17 esv

For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

1 Peter 4:17 nlt

For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God's household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God's Good News?

1 Peter 4 verses

1 Peter 4 17 Meaning

First Peter 4:17 conveys a profound truth about divine judgment, stating that it has reached an appointed time to commence with God's own people, the church. This "judgment" for believers is understood not as ultimate condemnation but as a purifying, refining, and disciplinary process. The verse then poses a rhetorical question, highlighting a stark contrast: if even those belonging to God must undergo such a scrutinizing trial, what incomparably severe destiny awaits those who deliberately reject and refuse to obey the good news of God, His Gospel? It emphasizes God's righteousness and the different natures of judgment for believers (disciplinary) and unbelievers (condemnatory).

1 Peter 4 17 Context

First Peter, especially chapter 4, addresses suffering endured by Christians for their faith. Peter urges believers to live holy lives (v. 2) and to use their spiritual gifts to serve one another (v. 10). The broader context of 1 Peter 4:17 flows from earlier statements about sharing in Christ's sufferings (v. 13) and glorifying God even amidst being reproached for the name of Christ (v. 16). The preceding verses declare "the end of all things is at hand" (v. 7), establishing an eschatological urgency that underscores the verse's meaning of imminent divine assessment. The immediate context of suffering as a Christian (v. 16) transitions to the idea that this suffering is part of a purificatory judgment beginning with believers, a prelude to a greater judgment for the ungodly. Historically, Peter's audience was scattered throughout Asia Minor, facing emerging societal hostility and imperial pressures against their burgeoning faith. They needed encouragement and a theological framework to understand their hardship.

1 Peter 4 17 Word analysis

• For (γάρ, gar): A conjunction introducing a causal explanation. It connects this verse to the preceding discussion on suffering as a Christian, providing a theological rationale for such trials.
• the time (καιρός, kairos): Refers to a definite, appointed, and opportune period, distinct from chronos (chronological time). It signals that this "judgment" is not random but divinely purposed and occurring at God's chosen moment.
• has come (ἐνάρξασθαι, enarxasthai): From enarxomai, meaning "to begin" or "to start." The perfect tense in Greek emphasizes a present reality initiated at a specific point, implying the commencement of this judgment process.
• for judgment (κρίμα, krima): This Greek term refers to a divine judgment or decision, encompassing both the act and the result of judging. In this specific context, when applied to believers, it is primarily disciplinary and purificatory, leading to refinement and sanctification, not eternal condemnation. For unbelievers, it refers to a final, damning verdict.
• to begin (see "has come").
• at the house of God (ἀπὸ τοῦ οἴκου τοῦ θεοῦ, apo tou oikou tou theou): Literally "from the house of God." This term unequivocally refers to God's people, the Church, or the community of believers, not a physical temple. This concept resonates with Old Testament ideas of God's covenant people (Israel) being His "house" (Num 12:7, Heb 3:1-6). The prepositions often imply "at" or "from" where something starts.
• and if it begins with us (εἰ δὲ πρῶτον ἀφ᾽ ἡμῶν, ei de prōton aph' hēmōn): The "if" introduces a logical inference, not doubt. "Us" explicitly refers to the Christian community to whom Peter is writing. It reiterates the point of judgment commencing within the household of faith.
• what will be the end (τί τὸ τέλος, ti to telos): A rhetorical question concerning the ultimate outcome or destiny. The "end" refers to the final fate or consummation.
• for those who do not obey (τοῖς ἀπειθοῦσιν, tois apeithousin): Describes those who are disobedient, unbelieving, or refuse to be persuaded. This implies active resistance or persistent rejection of the truth of the Gospel.
• the gospel of God (τῷ τοῦ θεοῦ εὐαγγελίῳ, tō tou theou euangelio): Refers to the good news that originates from God, centers on God's redemptive work in Christ, and brings God's salvation.

Words-Group analysis:

• "For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God": This phrase establishes the immediate, current, and divinely ordained nature of this purifying process. It asserts God's sovereignty over these events and indicates that His judgment follows a logical, divinely ordered progression. The "house of God" beginning the judgment first underscores that God deals justly and meticulously, starting with those who claim His name, scrutinizing them before the final reckoning of the world.
• "and if it begins with us, what will be the end for those who do not obey the gospel of God?": This second part forms a powerful a fortiori argument. If believers, by virtue of their relationship with God, undergo suffering and refining judgment, then the fate of those who outright reject God's gracious invitation in the Gospel will be far more terrible. It highlights the severity of unbelief and the catastrophic finality of ultimate judgment for the ungodly, while implicitly offering comfort to believers in their present trials by contrasting it with a worse alternative.

1 Peter 4 17 Bonus section

The suffering mentioned throughout 1 Peter, which precipitates this "judgment" for believers, often includes persecution, social ostracization, slander, and general hardship for professing Christ. It's not a punitive judgment for specific sins in the same way that an unbeliever faces eternal wrath for their unrepentant sin, but rather a sifting or testing of faith to prove its genuineness and to remove what is impure or unfitting for God's holy dwelling. This judgment reveals the sincerity of one's faith and conformity to Christ. It also acts as a prophetic witness to the world, demonstrating that God is impartial and His standards are absolute, foreshadowing His future universal judgment. The phrase "house of God" as the church highlights Peter's strong ecclesiology, viewing the community of believers as God's spiritual temple and household, a concept he introduces earlier in 1 Pet 2:5-9.

1 Peter 4 17 Commentary

First Peter 4:17 serves as both a sobering warning and a source of profound comfort for Christians. It clarifies the purpose of the suffering that Peter's audience was enduring: it was not arbitrary or a sign of divine displeasure, but a necessary process of purification, a disciplinary judgment initiating within God's own people. This "judgment" (κρίμα, krima) for believers is restorative, meant to refine faith, purge impurities, and draw them closer to God, much like a refiner's fire cleanses gold (Mal 3:3). It serves to ensure that only true, refined faith will stand on the Day of Judgment.

The phrase "the time has come" underscores the urgency and divine appointment of this period. God, in His perfect justice and order, always starts His dealings at home, scrutinizing those closest to Him first. This reflects Old Testament patterns where divine judgment often began with Israel for their disobedience before extending to the nations (Ezek 9:6, Jer 25:29). The suffering of Christians is therefore a witness to God's active, righteous work in the world.

The rhetorical question about "those who do not obey the gospel of God" emphasizes the terrifying contrast. If even the beloved children of God undergo rigorous examination, how much more severe will be the ultimate condemnation for those who actively resist and reject the life-saving message of Christ? Their judgment is not a refinement but a final, irrevocable verdict of separation from God. This verse provides perspective, framing Christian suffering as a privileged though painful pathway to holiness, distinguishing it sharply from the eternally damning consequences faced by the willfully disobedient. It powerfully calls Christians to perseverance, purity, and sober living in light of God's perfect justice for all.