1 Peter 4:5 Study Bible: who will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

◄ 1 Peter 4:5 ►

But they will have to give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

But they will have to give an account
This phrase emphasizes the inevitability of divine judgment. The Greek word for "give an account" is "apodidomi," which implies a formal reckoning or settlement. In the context of 1 Peter, this serves as a reminder that all actions, especially those of the ungodly who persecute believers, will be scrutinized by God. Historically, this reflects the early Christian understanding that earthly injustices would be rectified by divine justice. The phrase encourages believers to remain steadfast, knowing that God’s judgment is certain and just.

to Him who is ready
The readiness of God to judge underscores His omnipresence and omniscience. The Greek word "etoimos" conveys a sense of preparedness and immediacy. This readiness is not a passive state but an active, ongoing readiness to execute justice. It reassures believers that God is not distant or indifferent but is actively engaged in the moral order of the world. This readiness also serves as a warning to the unrepentant, emphasizing the urgency of repentance and faith.

to judge
The act of judging, "krino" in Greek, involves discerning, separating, and making a decision. In the biblical context, it is not merely about punishment but about the establishment of righteousness and truth. This judgment is comprehensive, taking into account the heart and actions of individuals. For believers, this is a source of comfort, knowing that God’s judgment is fair and righteous. It also serves as a call to live holy lives, reflecting the character of Christ.

the living and the dead
This phrase highlights the universality and totality of God’s judgment. It encompasses all humanity, transcending time and space. The living refers to those currently alive, while the dead includes all who have passed away. This reflects the early Christian belief in the resurrection and the final judgment, where all will stand before God. It serves as a powerful reminder of the eternal perspective that should govern a believer’s life, encouraging them to live with the awareness of eternal consequences.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Peter
The apostle and author of this epistle, writing to encourage and instruct believers facing persecution.

2. God
The ultimate judge who will hold everyone accountable, both the living and the dead.

3. The Living and the Dead
Refers to all humanity, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of God's judgment.

4. Early Christian Communities
The recipients of Peter's letter, who were experiencing trials and needed reassurance of God's justice.

5. Judgment Day
The future event when God will judge all people, a central theme in Christian eschatology.

Teaching Points

Accountability Before God
Every person will stand before God to give an account of their life. This should inspire a life of integrity and faithfulness.

The Certainty of Judgment
God's judgment is certain and impartial. Believers should live with an eternal perspective, knowing that their actions have eternal consequences.

Encouragement in Persecution
For those facing trials, the promise of God's just judgment provides hope and reassurance that wrongs will be righted.

Living with Purpose
Understanding that we will give an account should motivate us to live purposefully, aligning our lives with God's will.

Evangelistic Urgency
The reality of judgment should compel believers to share the gospel, knowing that everyone will face God’s judgment.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the certainty of God's judgment influence your daily decisions and actions?

2. In what ways can the promise of divine justice provide comfort during times of personal injustice or persecution?

3. How can understanding that we will give an account to God motivate us to live more purposefully?

4. What are some practical ways to maintain an eternal perspective in a world focused on the here and now?

5. How can the reality of God's judgment inspire us to share the gospel with urgency and compassion?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Romans 14:10-12
Paul also speaks about everyone giving an account to God, reinforcing the idea of personal responsibility before God.

2 Timothy 4:1
Paul mentions Christ as the judge of the living and the dead, similar to Peter's message, highlighting the certainty of divine judgment.

Hebrews 9:27
This verse speaks of judgment following death, aligning with Peter's assertion of accountability for both the living and the dead.

Acts 10:42
Peter himself, in Acts, speaks of Jesus as the appointed judge, showing consistency in his teaching.

Revelation 20:12
Describes the final judgment, where the dead are judged according to their deeds, echoing Peter's message.

Sermons

Cardinal Truths	J. J. S. Bird.	1 Peter 4:1-6
Christ the Grand Necessity of Man	D. Thomas, D. D.	1 Peter 4:1-6
Christ's Sufferings	D. Thomas, D. D.	1 Peter 4:1-6
Coming to Judgment	R. Finlayson	1 Peter 4:1-6
Conformity with Christ	Abp. Leighton.	1 Peter 4:1-6
Ecce Homo	A. Rowland, LL. B.	1 Peter 4:1-6
God's Win		1 Peter 4:1-6
Living to God's Will	U. R. Thomas.	1 Peter 4:1-6
Men's Lusts Opposed to God's Will	John Rogers.	1 Peter 4:1-6
Sin Pierced	J. Trapp.	1 Peter 4:1-6
The Flesh Rightly Used	G. Calthrop.	1 Peter 4:1-6
The Rest of His Time in the Flesh	F. B. Meyer, B. A.	1 Peter 4:1-6
The Right Use of the Residue of Our Time	D. Thomas, D. D.	1 Peter 4:1-6
The Time in the Flesh	Homilist	1 Peter 4:1-6
The Will of God	F. B. Meyer, B. A.	1 Peter 4:1-6
Will of God	John Bate.	1 Peter 4:1-6
The Persecuted Christian Reminded of the Necessity of Suffering for Righteousness	C. New	1 Peter 4:1-7
A Sinner Changed by Grace	G. Burder.	1 Peter 4:3-5
Amusements	D. Thomas, D. D.	1 Peter 4:3-5
Christian Consistency	The Evangelist	1 Peter 4:3-5
Counteracting the Good	H. F. Kohlbrugge, D. D.	1 Peter 4:3-5
Departed Years	D. Thomas, D. D.	1 Peter 4:3-5
Excess of Riot	C. Wordsworth.	1 Peter 4:3-5
Pleasure	T. Adams.	1 Peter 4:3-5
The Consideration of Misspent Time an Incentive to Repentance	John Rogers.	1 Peter 4:3-5
The Old Year and the New	H. W. Beecher.	1 Peter 4:3-5
The Pleasures of a Holy Life Inexplicable to the Ungodly	J. Spencer.	1 Peter 4:3-5
The Voice of the Past	A London Suburban Minister	1 Peter 4:3-5
Living to the Will of God	U.R. Thomas	1 Peter 4:3-6

People

Peter

Places

Asia, Bithynia, Cappadocia, Galatia, Pontus

Topics

Account, Dead, Judge, Judgement, Pronounce, Quick, Ready, Render, Stands, Themselves

Dictionary of Bible Themes

1 Peter 4:5

     1310   God, as judge
     5052   responsibility, to God
     8329   readiness
     9105   last things
     9210   judgment, God's
     9240   last judgment

1 Peter 4:1-5

5832 desire

1 Peter 4:3-5

5979 waste
8438 giving, of time

1 Peter 4:4-5

5556 stewardship

Library

Christian Asceticism
'Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin. 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. 3. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: 4. Wherein they think it …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John

June the Twenty-Sixth Crucifying the Flesh
"Arm yourselves likewise with the same mind." --1 PETER iv. 1-8. Let not the body be dominant, but the soul. Let me study the example and counsel of the Apostle Paul. "I keep my body under." Literally, I pummel it! If it is obtrusive and aggressive, its appetites clamouring for supremacy, I pummel it! Paul was not afraid of severe measures where carnality was concerned. He would fast a whole day in order to put the flesh in its place. And so should it be with all the Lord's children. We are …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

Personal Experience
In conclusion I desire to add my humble testimony of a personal experience of the glorious work of entire sanctification. At the age of seventeen years I was converted. All who were acquainted with me had no reason to doubt the genuine, inwrought grace of pardon and the new life which at once began to bring forth fruit unto God. But the one to whom this mighty change seemed the most marvelous was myself. My poor soul, which for several years had been held under the terrible bondage and darkness of …
J. W. Byers—Sanctification

The Old Man and the New.
"That we being dead unto sin should live unto righteousness."--1 Peter iv. 24. The Psalmist sings: "They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God." (Psalm lxxxiv. 7) We must maintain this glorious testimony, altho our own experience often seems to contradict it. Not experience, but the Scripture, teaches us divine truth; nor is it as tho the procedure of the divine operation in our own heart could differ from the testimony of the Sacred Scripture, but that our …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Man's Chief End
Q-I: WHAT IS THE CHIEF END OF MAN? A: Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever. Here are two ends of life specified. 1: The glorifying of God. 2: The enjoying of God. I. The glorifying of God, I Pet 4:4: That God in all things may be glorified.' The glory of God is a silver thread which must run through all our actions. I Cor 10:01. Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.' Everything works to some end in things natural and artificial; …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

A Battle with Smallpox
Soon after we began work in the city, my brother George went out to assist in a meeting at Edgewood, Iowa. A mother desired prayer for her little girl, so my brother and another minister laid hands on her and prayed for her healing. The mother said that some one thought her child was taking smallpox, but that she was sure it was a mistake. The ministers saw a few little pimples on the child's lip and asked her if the same breaking-out was on other parts of her body. The mother's answer was, "None …
Mary Cole—Trials and Triumphs of Faith

A Nickname Accepted
'The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch' --ACTS xi. 26. Nations and parties, both political and religious, very often call themselves by one name, and are known to the outside world by another. These outside names are generally given in contempt; and yet they sometimes manage to hit the very centre of the characteristics of the people on whom they are bestowed, and so by degrees get to be adopted by them, and worn as an honour. So it has been with the name 'Christian.' It was given …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

Of Avoiding of Curious Inquiry into the Life of Another
"My Son, be not curious, nor trouble thyself with vain cares. What is that to thee? Follow thou Me.(1) For what is it to thee whether a man be this or that, or say or do thus or thus? Thou hast no need to answer for others, but thou must give an answer for thyself. Why therefore dost thou entangle thyself? Behold, I know all men, and I behold all things which are done under the sun; and I know how it standeth with each one, what he thinketh, what he willeth, and to what end his thoughts reach. …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

Some Other Writers of the New Testament
[Illustration: (drop cap L) Ancient engraving of man reading scroll] Let us now look at the rest of the books which make up the New Testament. In the days when Paul preached at Athens, the old capital of Greece, much of the ancient splendour and power of the Greek people had passed away, for the Romans had conquered their country, and they were no longer a free nation. Yet, although the Greeks had been forced to yield to Rome, their conquerors knew that the Grecian scholars and artists were far …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making

John Bunyan on the Terms of Communion and Fellowship of Christians at the Table of the Lord;
COMPRISING I. HIS CONFESSION OF FAITH, AND REASON OF HIS PRACTICE; II. DIFFERENCES ABOUT WATER BAPTISM NO BAR TO COMMUNION; AND III. PEACEABLE PRINCIPLES AND TRUE[1] ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. Reader, these are extraordinary productions that will well repay an attentive perusal. It is the confession of faith of a Christian who had suffered nearly twelve years' imprisonment, under persecution for conscience sake. Shut up with his Bible, you have here the result of a prayerful study of those holy …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Wilderness State
"Ye now have sorrow: But I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you." John 16:22. 1. After God had wrought a great deliverance for Israel, by bringing them out of the house of bondage, they did not immediately enter into the land which he had promised to their fathers; but "wandered out of the way in the wilderness," and were variously tempted and distressed. In like manner, after God has delivered them that fear him from the bondage of sin and Satan; …
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions

Of the Power of the Church in Articles of Faith. The Unbridled Licence of the Papal Church in Destroying Purity of Doctrine.
1. The marks and government of the Church having been considered in the seven previous chapters, the power of the Church is now considered under three heads--viz. Doctrine, Legislation, Jurisdiction. 2. The authority and power given to Church-officers not given to themselves, but their office. This shown in the case of Moses and the Levitical priesthood. 3. The same thing shown in the case of the Prophets. 4. Same thing shown in the case of the Apostles, and of Christ himself. 5. The Church astricted …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

The Disciple, -- what is the Meaning and Purpose of the Cross...
The Disciple,--What is the meaning and purpose of the cross, and why do pain and suffering exist in the world? The Master,--1. The cross is the key to heaven. At the moment when by My baptism I took the cross upon My shoulders for the sake of sinners, heaven was opened, and by means of My thirty-three years bearing of the cross and by death upon it, heaven, which by reason of sin was closed to believers, was for ever opened to them. Now as soon as believers take up their cross and follow Me they …
Sadhu Sundar Singh—At The Master's Feet

Seasonable Counsel: Or, Advice to Sufferers.
BY JOHN BUNYAN. London: Printed for Benjamin Alsop, at the Angel and Bible in the Poultry, 1684. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. THIS valuable treatise was first published in a pocket volume in 1684, and has only been reprinted in Whitfield's edition of Bunyan's works, 2 vols. folio, 1767. No man could have been better qualified to give advice to sufferers for righteousness' sake, than John Bunyan: and this work is exclusively devoted to that object. Shut up in a noisome jail, under the iron hand of …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Links

1 Peter 4:5 NIV
1 Peter 4:5 NLT
1 Peter 4:5 ESV
1 Peter 4:5 NASB
1 Peter 4:5 KJV

1 Peter 4:5 Commentaries

Bible Hub