1 Peter 4:17-18

1 Peter 4:17-18 For the time is come for judgment to begin at the house of God: and if it begin first at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the Gospel of God? And if the righteous is scarcely saved where shall the ungodly and sinner appear?

Expanded Translation

For the specific time has come for the judgment (of trial, persecution, or affliction) to begin at the house of God. And if this judgment begins first at us, what shall be the end (ultimate destiny) of the ones who do not believe and obey (yield to) the good tidings of God? And if the righteous is saved accompanied with difficult times (under the disciplining hand of God), where shall the ungodly (irreverent, irreligious) and sinner appear?

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For the time is come for judgment to begin at the house of God

What judgment? The word krima is employed in many different senses in the New Testament. It especially refers to the sentence of God as a judge. Sometimes this meant a condemnatory sentence: 2 Peter 2:3 (sentence), Jude 1:4 (condemnation). But surely this is not the judgment God has in mind for the house of God! It is true that some will be condemned who seem to be in His true house.[16] But the Apostle speaks of their fate in the same verses.

[16] As the Parable of the Dragnet shows, Matthew 13:47-50, and which Paul also confirms, 1 Timothy 5:24-25.

We know Peter did not mean final judgment here, for he stated the time is come. Literally, the forepart of the verse reads, because it is the time of the beginning of the judgment. It was something impending upon the church at that time.

It is the opinion of most commentators that the Holy Spirit is here speaking of a severe trial and time of persecution.*

*Zerr, Lange, Brown, The Pulpit Commentary, Barnes, Wood, etc.

God, the all-wise judge, allows such to come upon Christians to purify and refine them.[17]

[17] Perhaps these were also chastening judgments. Compare the use of krino (the verb) in 1 Corinthians 11:32.

and if it begin first at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the Gospel of God?

Obey not (apeitheo) is a present participle: ... those not yielding to the Gospel. It is defined under 1 Peter 2:8 where we also have a present participle: being disobedient.

The Church is the special object of God's care, concern, and love, yet it is soon to be tried, persecuted, and afflicted! If our merciful and loving Father allows such for His children, how much greater will be the hardship and misery of those who refuse to believe and obey Him? What shall be their outcome?

and if the righteous is scarcely saved

Or, saved with difficulty, or, saved with hardship.[18] (See the Expanded Translation.) God'S strength is not so limited and impotent that He scarcely or barely saves us: 2 Peter 1:10-11; 2 Timothy 1:12, Hebrews 7:25, Isaiah 59:1. Some, it is true, are almost lost before they are saved (Jude 1:23). But this is not because of God's inability.

[18] Compare the use of molis in the Book of Acts: Acts 14:18 (scarce), Acts 27:7-8; Acts 27:16 (with difficulty). The idea of barely is present, but the thought of difficulty seems uppermost.

where shall the ungodly and sinner appear?

What shall be their ultimate destiny? They shall certainly not appear in heaven.
If a Christian is saved under the disciplining and chastening hand of God, what will be true concerning the future life of the unsaved? If there are difficulties involved in saving a Godly and holy man, how much more difficult is it for one to be saved who does not have the reassuring promises of the Gospel? The salvation of such a man is not only difficultit is impossible!