1 Peter 4:17

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? Another consolation. All must pass under God's judgment: God's own household first, their chastisement being here, for which they 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, [ ho (G3588) kairos (G2540)] - 'fit time.' JUDGMENT MUST BEGIN AT THE HOUSE OF GOD - the Church of living believers. Peter has in mind Ezekiel 9:6: cf....

17_For the time is come, _or, _Since also the time is come_. He amplifies the consolation, which the goodness of the cause for which we suffer brings to us, while we are afflicted for the name of Christ. For this necessity, he says, awaits the whole Church of God, not only to be subject to the common miseries of men, but especially and mainly to be chastised by the hand of God. Then, with more submission, ought persecutions for Christ to be endured. For except we desire to be blotted out from the number of the faithful, we must submit our backs to the scourges of God. Now, it is a sweet consolation, that God does not execute his judgments on us as on others, but that he makes us the representatives of his own Son, when we do not suffer except for his cause and for his name. Moreover, Peter took this sentence from the common and constant teaching of Scripture; and this seems more probable...

12-19 By patience and fortitude in suffering, by dependence on the promises of God, and keeping to the word the Holy Spirit hath revealed, the Holy Spirit is glorified; but by the contempt and reproaches cast upon believers, he is evil spoken of, and is blasphemed. One would think such cautions as these were needless to Christians. But their enemies falsely charged them with foul crimes. And even the best of men need to be warned against the worst of sins. There is no comfort in sufferings, when we bring them upon ourselves by our own sin and folly. A time of universal calamity was at hand, as foretold by our Saviour, Matthew 24:9; Matthew 24:10. And if such things befall in this life, how awful will the day of judgment be! It is true that the righteous are scarcely saved; even those who endeavour to walk uprigh...

Verse 17. _JUDGMENT MUST BEGIN AT THE HOUSE OF GOD_] Our Lord had predicted that, previously to the destruction of Jerusalem, his own followers would have to endure various calamities; see Matthew 24:9; Matthew 24:21; Matthew 24:22; Mark 13:12; Mark 13:13; John 16:2, c. Here his true disciples are called _the house or family of God_. That the converted Jews suffered much from their own brethren, the _zealots_, or _factions_ into which the Jews were at that t...

FOR THE TIME IS COME - That is, this is now to be expected. There is reason to think that this trial will now occur, and there is a propriety that it should be made. Probably the apostle referred to some indications then apparent that this was about to take place. THAT JUDGMENT MUST BEGIN - The word “judgment” here (κρίμα krima) seems to mean “the severe trial which would determine character.” It refers to such calamities as would settle the question whether there was any religion, or would test the value of that which was professed. It was to “begin” at the house of God, or be applied to the church first, in order that the nature and worth of religion might be seen. The reference is, doubtless, to some fearful calamity which would primarily fall on the “house of God;” that is, to some form of persecution which was to be let loose upon the church.

EXPOSITIONS 1 PETER 4:1 FORASMUCH THEN AS CHRIST HATH SUFFERED FOR US IN THE FLESH. St. Peter returns, after the digression of 1 Peter 3:19, to the great subject of Christ's example. The words "for us" are omitted in some ancient manuscripts; they express a great truth already dwelt upon in 1 Peter 2:1. and 3. Here the apostle is insisting upon the example of Christ, not on the atoning efficacy of his death. Arm yourselves likewise with the same mind. The word rendered "mind" (ἔννοια) is more exactly "thought" (comp. Hebrews 4:12, the only other place where it occurs in the New Testam

FOR THE TIME IS COME THAT JUDGMENT MUST BEGIN AT THE HOUSE OF GOD,.... By the house of God is either meant the temple at Jerusalem, which is often so called, because it was built for God, and where were the symbol of his presence, and his worship; and now the time was come, or at hand, that God would begin at his sanctuary, and leave this house desolate, and not one stone should be left upon another, as Christ had foretold: or else the church of God, which is frequently called the house of God, because it is of his building, where he dwells, and grants his gracious presence, and which he beautifies, fills, repairs, and defends; and so may design believers in Christ, those that are of the household and family of God: and by judgment is meant, not punishment for sin, strictly speaking, because Christ has endured this in the room and stead of his church and people, and therefore in justice...

1 Peter 4:1. _Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind:_ Accepting this great truth, that it is well that the flesh should die that the spirit may triumph, even as it was with Christ. 1 Peter 4:1. _For he that bath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;_ If he has indeed died with Christ, and the power of Christ's sufferings has made him dead to sin, he has ceased from it. 1 Peter 4:2. That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the,will of God for the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness,

IV. THE COMFORT IN THE MIDST OF TRIALS AND SUFFERING CHAPTER 3:10-4:19 _ 1. The comfort in suffering (1 Peter 3:10)_ 2. Few saved as illustrated by Noah's preaching (1 Peter 3:18) 3. The new life in its transforming power (1 Peter 4:1) 4. Suffering and glory (1 Peter 4:12) 1 Peter 3:10 The words which stand in the beginning of this section are quoted from Psalms 34:12. It is interesting to note that the Spirit of

The section repeats ideas that have already appeared (1 Peter 2:18; 1 Peter 3:13), only they are emphasized by the imminence (1 Peter 4:17) of severe trial. 1 PETER 4:15. A MEDDLER: the original word seems to be a coinage of the writer, and its exact significance is difficult to define. It may be used politically as a revolutionary or as a stirrer up of strife in the home or society of the Christians. Again, it may be used of conformity to pagan practice, but this is unlikely in the context. 1 Peter 4:16. There may here be still the