1Peter 4:17-19 For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER? Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.
Chapter 4 of 1Peter began with the suffering of Christ and ends with the honor we have as His children to suffer for His glory. These last three verses continue to expand on the blessings of being God’s children, and even though difficulties may arise because of our faith, the outcome is our righteousness in Christ. But what about those who are not of the household of God? Our hearts should be moved towards compassion. God allows His children to be disciplined through adversity yet continues to care for them; those who are not His will suffer far more, facing eternal destruction.
For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God. We are to expect judgment. The Greek word used is krima, meaning a decision - the function or the effect, for or against; avenge, condemned, condemnation, damnation, and judgment. “… the severe trial which would determine character”, … “trials test the value of our profession”, Barnes. If we are not guilty, having trusted in the work of Christ on the cross, then the trials we face will be used for our correction and instruction, to strengthen our faith and trust in God, for our sanctification.
1Corinthians 11:32 But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world.
1Peter 1:7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
… and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
To those who are guilty, having rejected Jesus, the trials that come upon them are for their ultimate destruction resulting in condemnation for eternity. Compare the outcome for both the saved and unsaved:
1Peter 4:13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.
2Thessalonians 1:8-9 dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,
The choice – eternal blessing or endless pain and suffering.
“What shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? How miserable, how dreadful will be the end of all those that would not obey the gospel! Implying, that they shall be in a much worse condition if God take them in hand. If he spare not his children, much less will he his enemies. If the one sip of the cup of God's wrath, the other shall wring out the dregs, and drink them”, Ps 75:8. Matthew Poole’s Commentary.
Consider. Judgment will happen. Will we be approved by God, having a genuine faith and trust in Jesus? Or will our ‘faith’ be discredited, showing us to be hypocrites, disobedient to God’s word?
Romans 2:5-10 But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS: to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation. There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Matthew 25:32-34 "All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left. "Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
Consider. A good parent would not allow their child to be undisciplined. They would correct their mistakes, punish their sin, and bring to notice their unyielding ways. All because the parents know that their loving guidance will prove to help them in the future. Think how much more our perfect loving Father will correct his children who wander off the path of righteousness. There is solace in knowing that Jesus paid the price for our sin. Even through trials, we are assured that God’s hand will hold us secure, that His love is victorious, and we can endure in His strength.
There is no lasting security in anything other than the name of Jesus.
1Peter 4:18 AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER?
Peter uses a quote from Proverbs 11:31, If the righteous will be rewarded in the earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner!
The Christians were to travel through many perils, and the circumstances around them would render difficulties at every turn, yet those who prevailed would be saved because of God’s perfect plan. Think of Jesus life, death, and resurrection. Only through His suffering could any be called righteous. Think of your own testimony and the circumstances which led you to accept Jesus as your Savior. Often, it is through problems which seem heavier than a mere human can possibly bear. If it is through so much trial that those who are inclined to truth are saved, imagine the suffering that will come upon those who reject Jesus.
Acts 14:22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, "Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God."
1Peter 4:12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;
Read this remark penned by Spurgeon, “A solemn question! Answer it, each one of you, if you are still unsaved. Where will you appear? Oh, be wise, and fly to Jesus; enlist beneath his banner, cost you what it may. May the Lord lead you to do so”.
1Peter 5:8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
1Corinthians 10:12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.
The bottom line: For those who insist on following sin there is awaiting eternal condemnation. But for those seeking to follow God, even though tested, they can trust in His perfect plan.
1Peter 4:19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.
Psalm 31:5 Into Your hand I commit my spirit; you have ransomed me, O LORD, God of truth.
2Timothy 1:12 For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.
Psalm 37:5-6 Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He will do it. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light and your judgment as the noonday.
Are you confident in God’s faithfulness, that He will guide you through all difficulties for His glory?
1Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
Going back to the beginning of this Chapter, Christians are to expect trouble yet also can expect the protection of God’s hand on their lives here on earth and for eternity. In the meantime, we are to love one another, encourage one another, be hospitable towards one another, and serve one another with the gifts and strengths God has given, knowing this is God’s plan and His will prevails. We are to make certain our speech glorifies God and even through trials we are to keep on rejoicing, looking to God’s future glory and the promise of our salvation. We will suffer difficulties because of our union with Christ but we are to make certain our suffering is not of our own sin and waywardness.
“In this great work, watchfulness, prayer; faith, and obedience, are indispensably necessary. He who does not walk with God here cannot see nor enjoy him hereafter”, Adam Clarke’s Commentary.
Carefully read 1Peter 4:19 again –
Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.
When I read this, I am reminded that I simply do not need to understand everything – the why, the what, the how or even how come. Where I need to put my energy and thoughts is in trusting that God not only has all things in His hands but that He is doing, and will do, everything according to His plan, at the perfect time, in the perfect way, for His ultimate glory and our good. So often we can get caught up in thinking things should be a certain way; we become discouraged because something didn’t happen like we wanted, or we are surprised because circumstances seem unfair or overwhelming. We forget God’s perfect love for us in providing all that is needed for our sake and His glory.
Matthew 7:9-11 “Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? “Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give a snake, will he? “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!
Romans 8:28;31 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. … What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
Psalm 56:10-11 In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise, in God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?
2Corinthians 5:5-7 Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge. Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord-- for we walk by faith, not by sight--
To entrust our souls to God means that we present ourselves to Him for protection. The KJV reads, “commit the keeping of their souls”. This is a continuous action – keep on committing, and is a banking term as in ‘to deposit’. This same term is used in 1Timothy 1:18, 2Timothy 2:2, and Luke 23:46.
1Timothy 1:18-19 This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith.
2Timothy 2:2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
Luke 23:46 And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, "Father, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT." Having said this, He breathed His last.
Be reminded of who it is you are trusting – your faithful Creator. Jesus’ example was to trust the Father.
When I read this, calm enters my soul. Rest, peace, and assurance flood out any thoughts of confusion, anxiousness, and fear. Our faithful Creator, our Father, the One who knows us best and died for us because He loves us more than we can imagine, is taking care of us. We are unable to save ourselves; we are unable to save our souls; God alone is able.
We can place ourselves confidently in our Creator’s hands. God will always fulfill His promises to those who are seeking to follow Him. As we continue trying to do what is right, serving one another in His strength, we can be certain God will take care of the rest.
“As our Creator we may come to him, and look to him for his protection and care. He made us. He had a design in our creation. He so endowed us that we might live for ever, and so that we might honour and enjoy him. He did not create us that we might be miserable; nor does he wish that we should be. He formed us in such a way that, if we choose, we may be eternally happy. In that path in which he has appointed us to go, if we pursue it, we may be sure of his aid and protection. If we really aim to accomplish the purposes for which we were made, we may be certain that he will show himself to be a "faithful Creator;" one in whom we may always confide”, Albert Barnes’ NT Commentary.
“A faithful creator; able and willing to sustain, comfort, and bless them under all trials, and in due time to save them with an everlasting salvation”, Family Bible Notes.
John Wesley’s Notes gives a good summary of 1Peter 4:19 –
Let them that suffer according to the will of God- Both for a good cause, and in a right spirit.
Commit to him their souls- (Whatever becomes of the body) as a sacred depositum.
In well doing- Be this your care, to do and suffer well: He will take care of the rest.
As unto a faithful Creator- In whose truth, love, and power, ye may safely trust.
Lord, keep us from sin, help us to remain focused on doing Your will through serving others well, let us not become distracted by sin around us or the ill-meaning of others, preserve us in holiness for Your glory. Whatever we may suffer here on earth, let us remember it is temporary; our eternal home awaits.
“Observe here, 1. A cautionary direction given, that in all our sufferings we take care that we suffer according to the will of God: that is, for what is according to God's will, either to be believed or practised by us, for asserting and maintaining the purity of the Christian doctrine and worship; and when our patience under such sufferings is as extensive and intensive as God requires, when our patience is as large and as lasting as our troubles, then may we be said to suffer according to the will of God.
Observe, 2. The special privilege allowed to such sufferers as suffer according to the will of God: they may commit the keeping of their souls to God in well-doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
Learn hence, 1. That when men suffer really and truly for well-doing, they may with confidence and great assurance commit their lives, and all that is dear unto them, to the special care of the divine providence; either God will keep us from, or support us under, trials, when we thus commit ourselves to him”, William Burkitt New Testament.
