1 Peter 4 18

1 Peter 4:18 kjv

And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

1 Peter 4:18 nkjv

Now "If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?"

1 Peter 4:18 niv

And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"

1 Peter 4:18 esv

And "If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"

1 Peter 4:18 nlt

And also, "If the righteous are barely saved,
what will happen to godless sinners?"

1 Peter 4 verses

1 Peter 4 18 Meaning

The verse 1 Peter 4:18 is a profound rhetorical question underscoring the severity of divine judgment and the nature of salvation. It states that if even the righteous person, despite God's grace and their walk of faith, navigates salvation with great difficulty, what, then, will be the inescapable fate of those who are impious and rebellious against God? It highlights that true salvation, as a process and a destiny, is not an easy or casual attainment, but demands a genuine, often arduous, perseverance in faith, especially amidst suffering. If the journey for the believer is fraught with trials that serve to purify, then the future for the ungodly and the sinner, who reject God's truth, is utterly bleak and without hope of escape from His justice.

1 Peter 4 18 Context

This verse (1 Pet 4:18) forms the culminating point of Peter's preceding exhortations regarding Christian suffering and divine judgment (1 Pet 4:12-19). Peter prepares his audience, dispersed Christians facing various forms of social ostracism and emerging persecution, for the "fiery trial" (1 Pet 4:12). He urges them not to be surprised but to rejoice in their participation in Christ's sufferings, for this suffering purifies and glorifies them (1 Pet 4:13). He then declares that judgment "begins with the household of God" (1 Pet 4:17). This indicates that God first purges and refines His own people, testing their faith and removing impurities, which for Peter's audience would manifest as their trials. If God's people undergo such a refining judgment, the rhetorical question of verse 18 underscores the infinitely more severe and destructive judgment awaiting those who are ungodly and do not obey the Gospel. The broader context of 1 Peter emphasizes a living hope amidst suffering, a call to holy living, and patient endurance, grounded in the ultimate salvation and the certainty of Christ's return and final judgment.

1 Peter 4 18 Word analysis

• And if: Links to the previous thought (1 Pet 4:17) that judgment begins with God’s household. It posits a condition for an inevitable consequence.
• the righteous: Greek dikaios (δίκαιος). Refers to those who have been declared just through faith in Christ, and who strive to live righteously according to God's will. This status is granted by God's grace and maintained by obedient perseverance.
• scarcely: Greek molis (μόλις). Means "with difficulty," "hardly," or "barely." This does not imply uncertainty of salvation for the truly righteous or that God struggles to save them. Rather, it signifies the arduous nature of the journey of faith and discipleship, the struggles against sin and the world, and the endurance through suffering that marks the path of genuine salvation leading to glorification. It speaks of the process, not the potential failure of divine purpose.
• be saved: Greek sōizetai (σῴζεται). Refers to the holistic, ongoing, and consummated act of salvation: deliverance from sin, preservation through trials, and final glorification and deliverance from judgment at Christ's return. Given the context of suffering and judgment, it points to the believer’s final and secure escape from the wrath to come.
• where shall: A rhetorical question implying there is no place for them to "appear" favorably or to find refuge. It leads to the inevitable and dreadful conclusion.
• the ungodly: Greek asebēs (ἀσεβής). Describes those who are impious, irreverent, or godless; lacking respect or fear for God. This signifies an active disregard for divine authority and truth, often characterized by a rejection of the Gospel message and a life contrary to God's ways.
• and the sinner: Greek hamartōlos (ἁμαρτωlός). Refers to one who transgresses God's law, one who misses the mark of God's perfect standard. Used here to broaden the category of the condemned, emphasizing those whose lives are defined by sin, whether by direct opposition or habitual disobedience to God.
• appear?: Greek phaneitai (φανεῖται). Implies "to be manifested" or "to be seen," often in a judicial sense, "to appear before a tribunal." It suggests standing before God for final judgment with no advocate and no hope of vindication.
• Words-group Analysis:
• "And if the righteous scarcely be saved": This clause sets up a challenging premise, based on the principle found in Proverbs 11:31 (LXX). It affirms that even for those in covenant with God, the path to final salvation is not facile but requires enduring discipline, self-denial, and steadfastness in faith amidst tribulations. It is not about uncertainty in God's power to save, but the rigorous purification of character that marks the true journey of faith.
• "where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?": This is the inescapable logical conclusion. If God's children endure such rigorous discipline to be truly saved, then what utterly terrible outcome awaits those who actively defy God (the "ungodly") and persistently live in rebellion against His will (the "sinner")? The rhetorical nature emphasizes the absence of any favorable outcome or refuge for them in the day of judgment.

Commentary

First Peter 4:18 functions as a stark and urgent warning, buttressing the call to persevere in faith despite suffering. It reveals that the path of the righteous is one of purification, trial, and patient endurance, a "scarcely" or "difficult" journey. This "difficulty" is not an indictment of God's saving power or a question mark over the believer's security, but a sober reality of the Christian life in a fallen world. Suffering and divine discipline serve as the crucible through which faith is refined and preserved. The verse draws a sharp, ultimate distinction between the destiny of the redeemed and the lost. If God’s judgment, understood here as a refining process, begins with His own people (as stated in the preceding verse), then the future for those outside of Christ, those defined by ungodliness and habitual sin, is far more dreadful and without any hope of escape. It underlines the infinite importance of repentance and faith, urging the listener to a serious consideration of their eternal state.

Bonus section

The rhetorical question posed in 1 Peter 4:18 directly alludes to the Septuagint (LXX) translation of Proverbs 11:31, which reads, "If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!" Peter's use adapts this Old Testament wisdom to the New Testament context of Christ's suffering and final judgment. The verse primarily emphasizes the severity and certainty of the eschatological judgment for the unrighteous, rather than raising doubts about the ultimate salvation of believers. It powerfully contrasts the meticulous discipline God applies to His own—a purifying, refining process often involving suffering—with the decisive, absolute destruction that awaits those who stand outside His covenant. This profound contrast underscores the gravity of rejecting the Gospel and reinforces the need for genuine commitment and perseverance among believers.

1 Peter 4 18 Bonus section

1 Peter 4 18 Commentary