1 Pedro 4:5

Who shall give account. — Perhaps said with a reference to 1 Pedro 3:15, where these very persons call the Christians to give “account” (the Greek word is the same). The side-purpose of the clause (as in the similar threat, 1 Pedro 2:8) is to warn the readers against sharing their fate by sharing their sins.

To him that is ready to judge. — This carries on the history of Jesus Christ a step further still. The last thing was His sitting on the right hand of God. This is the order of the Apostles’ Creed. Bengel wisely remarks: “The Apostles, when they are not expressly treating of the date of Christ’s advent, set forth that advent to their longing and devotion as close at hand. Hence Peter includes the slanderers of his day among the living, as just about to be judged.”