1 Peter 1:17

And if ye call on the Father Better, as the Greek noun has no article, if ye call upon a Father, i.e. if you worship not an arbitrary Judge, but one of whom Fatherhood is the essential character. The sequel shews that this attribute of Fatherhood is not thought of as excluding the idea of judgment, but gives assurance that the judgment will be one of perfect equity.

who without respect of persons We note the prominence of this thought, derived originally from the impression by our Lord's words and acts (Matthew 22:16), as presenting a coincidence (1) with the Apostle's own words in Acts 10:34; and (2) as in other instances, with the teaching of St James (James 2:1-4).

pass the time of your sojourning here in fear The verb for "pass" is that from which is derived the noun for "conversation" or "conduct." The connexion of thought may be indicated, in the English as in the Greek, by rendering conduct yourselves during the time of your sojourning. The latter word connects itself with the "strangers" of 1 Peter 1:1, and yet more with the "strangers and sojourners" of ch. 1 Peter 2:11. The "fear" which is urged upon them, is not the terror of slaves, but the reverential awe of sons, even the true fear of the Lord which is "the beginning of wisdom." (Psalms 111:10; Proverbs 1:7.) Comp. also Luke 12:4-5.