1 Peter 4:5 kjv
Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.
1 Peter 4:5 nkjv
They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
1 Peter 4:5 niv
But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
1 Peter 4:5 esv
but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
1 Peter 4:5 nlt
But remember that they will have to face God, who stands ready to judge everyone, both the living and the dead.
1 Peter 4 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jn 5:22 | "For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son..." | Christ designated by the Father as judge. |
| Acts 10:42 | "And He commanded us... that He is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead." | Christ specifically appointed judge of all. |
| Acts 17:31 | "He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed..." | God appointed a specific day and judge. |
| Rom 14:10 | "...for we will all stand before the judgment seat of God." | Universal judgment before God. |
| Rom 14:12 | "So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God." | Every person is accountable to God. |
| 2 Cor 5:10 | "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds..." | All stand before Christ for recompense of deeds. |
| Rev 20:12 | "And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne... and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books..." | Final judgment of all, based on actions. |
| Heb 9:27 | "And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment..." | Death is followed by judgment for all humanity. |
| Lk 16:2 | "Give an account of your management..." | Concept of being called to justify actions. |
| Heb 13:17 | "...they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account..." | Leaders' accountability for their spiritual care. |
| Gen 18:25 | "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" | God's inherent justice as the universal judge. |
| Ps 7:11 | "God is a righteous judge, and a God who shows indignation every day." | God's continual and righteous judgment. |
| Ps 9:7-8 | "But the Lord abides forever; He has established His throne for judgment, and He will judge the world in righteousness..." | God's eternal throne ensures global justice. |
| Deut 32:35 | "'Vengeance is Mine, and retribution, in due time their foot will slip...'" | God's certain and timely execution of justice. |
| 2 Pet 3:7 | "But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment..." | God's word reserves creation for future judgment. |
| Ps 37:12-13 | "The wicked plots against the righteous... but the Lord laughs at him, for He sees that his day is coming." | Comfort in persecution; God sees the end of the wicked. |
| 2 Thess 1:6-7 | "For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give relief to you who are afflicted..." | God's justice involves repayment for suffering caused. |
| Mal 4:1 | "For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and every evildoer will be chaff..." | Prophetic image of severe judgment for evildoers. |
| Lk 12:4-5 | "...do not be afraid of those who kill the body... but fear the One who, after killing, has authority to cast into Gehenna..." | Fear God, who judges both body and soul eternally. |
| Rom 12:19 | "'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord." | God reserves divine retribution for Himself. |
| Eph 5:6 | "Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience." | God's wrath falls on the disobedient. |
| Phil 2:10-11 | "...that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow... and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord..." | Universal acknowledgment of Christ's authority implies judgment. |
1 Peter 4 verses
1 Peter 4 5 Meaning
This verse declares that those who currently slander believers and live in sinful excess will surely render an account of their deeds to God. This God is presented as being fully prepared and ready to execute His righteous judgment on all humanity, encompassing both those who are alive and those who have died. It serves as a profound assurance for those who suffer for Christ and a solemn warning to those who oppose them.
1 Peter 4 5 Context
This verse appears in a section of 1 Peter (chapter 4, verses 1-5) where the Apostle urges believers to cease living in their former sinful ways, mirroring the world's excessive and depraved behaviors. Peter reminds them that Christ suffered in the flesh to end sin's power in their lives. He notes that the change in believers' lives causes surprise and slander from those who still engage in profligate pagan practices. Verse 5 is the divine response to this slander and mockery (mentioned in verse 4), assuring Christians that while they are currently slandered, their persecutors are ultimately accountable to a sovereign God. This assurance of coming judgment strengthens believers to endure present suffering and persecution, reminding them that ultimate justice belongs to the Lord. It anticipates the larger theme of the imminence of the end times and the need for sobriety and prayer that follows in 1 Peter 4:7.
1 Peter 4 5 Word analysis
- who (
οἳ- hoi): This pronoun refers back to the ungodly people mentioned in the previous verse (1 Pet 4:4), who slander believers for not participating in their excessive lifestyle. It signifies that these specific individuals, despite their present apparent impunity, are indeed the subject of the coming judgment. - will give account (
ἀποδώσουσι λόγον- apodōsousi logon): This phrase means "they will render an account" or "they will give an explanation/report."ἀποδώσουσι(apodōsousi): Fromapodidōmi, meaning "to give back," "to pay," "to render." The future tense signifies the absolute certainty and inevitability of this event. It implies a debt to be paid or a full justification to be presented for one's actions.λόγον(logon): Meaning "account," "word," or "reason." In this legalistic context, it refers to a full disclosure or justification of one's conduct, as demanded by a superior authority.
- to Him who is ready (
τῷ ἑτοίμως ἔχοντι- tō hetoimōs echonti): This describes God, the ultimate Judge.τῷ(tō): The dative definite article, referring to God, who is the recipient of the account.ἑτοίμως(hetoimōs): An adverb meaning "readily," "promptly," "preparedly," "in readiness." It highlights God's absolute preparedness, willingness, and perfect capability to carry out judgment. It's not a reluctant or delayed action, but one that is perfectly poised and certain. This readiness underscores divine sovereignty and control.ἔχοντι(echonti): A participle meaning "having." God "has" this readiness; it's an inherent quality and state of being for Him concerning judgment.
- to judge (
κρῖναι- krinai): An infinitive meaning "to judge," "to determine," "to pronounce judgment," or "to discern." This encompasses the full process of divine scrutiny, assessment, and sentencing. - the living and the dead (
ζῶντας καὶ νεκρούς- zōntas kai nekrous): This common biblical phrase denotes the totality of humanity without exception. No person, regardless of their status or whether they are alive at the time of judgment or have already passed away, will escape this final divine reckoning. It emphasizes the comprehensiveness and universality of God's justice.
1 Peter 4 5 Bonus section
- The phrase "give an account" (ἀποδώσουσι λόγον) functions as a legal term, reminiscent of a financial steward giving a report or a prisoner being interrogated, emphasizing the absolute accountability everyone will have before the divine courtroom.
- The New Testament often associates the judgment of "the living and the dead" directly with Christ, implying that while God is ultimately the Judge, He carries out this judgment through His Son (Acts 10:42; 2 Tim 4:1).
- This verse counters contemporary Greco-Roman thought that might have questioned divine involvement in human affairs, or fatalism that dismissed individual responsibility. Peter asserts an actively engaged, sovereign God who holds individuals fully accountable.
1 Peter 4 5 Commentary
First Peter 4:5 offers a powerful dual message: a stark warning for the ungodly and profound comfort for the persecuted. The individuals who currently ridicule and revile believers for their distinct, holy lifestyle are assured that their actions do not go unrecorded. They will face a mandatory reckoning before God. The emphasis on God's "readiness" highlights His absolute control and certainty over the final judgment; there is no hesitation or lack of preparedness on His part. This ensures that justice, though delayed from a human perspective, is never denied. Furthermore, the declaration that judgment will cover "the living and the dead" removes any notion of escape based on one's physical state. Every human being will ultimately stand before the Almighty to give an account of their lives. For the suffering Christian, this verse solidifies their hope in divine vindication, encouraging perseverance in righteousness despite worldly opposition. It is an affirmation that God is the supreme Judge who will right all wrongs, validate faithful endurance, and justly recompense every deed.