The Salvation of the Righteous Difficult
1 Peter 4:17-19
For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us…


I. THE CHARACTER OF THE PERSONS HERE SPOKEN OF.

1. The righteous.

(1)  None are such legally (Romans 3:10; Job 9:15).

(2)  They are such as have believed in Christ, are pardoned and justified (Romans 3:25, 26).

2. The ungodly sinner. They are such as remain in their native, unconverted state. Particularly they are such —

(1)  Over whom Satan exercises an uncontrolled dominion (Ephesians 2:2).

(2)  Alienated from the love of God (Ephesians 4:18).

(3)  Rebellion against God (Romans. 28-32).

(4)  Neglecting, perhaps rejecting, the only way of salvation by Jesus Christ (Hebrews 2:3; Hebrews 10:28, 29).

II. THE DIFFICULTY OF THE SALVATION OF THE RIGHTEOUS.

1. The text admits that the righteous shall be saved; their salvation is certain upon their being found faithful unto death.

(1) The testimony of Scripture secures it (2 Timothy 1:12; 2 Timothy 4:17; 1 Peter 1:3-5. This is the purpose of God concerning them (2 Thessalonians 2:13).

(3) It was the ultimate end of Christ's sufferings (Hebrews 2:10).

(4) Of His ascension into heaven (Hebrews 6:20).

(5) God hath promised it (Revelation 2:10).

(6) The work of salvation in the righteous is already begun (Philippians 1:6).

2. Nevertheless, their salvation is here represented as being with difficulty obtained.

(1) This difficulty is not owing to any deficiency in the love of God, which is universal (John 3:16).

(2) Nor in the death and merit of Christ, which are infinite (Hebrews 2:9; 1 John 2:2).

(3) Nor in the influence of the Spirit (John 14:16, 17; John 16:7, 8). But it is owing chiefly —

(4) To the difficulty of the work they have got to do (Titus 2:11-14).

(5) The opposition they meet with from the world.

(6) The influence of evil example which abounds in the world (John 15:19).

(7) The opposition they meet with from Satan (chap. 1 Peter 5:8).

(8) The remains of corruption within.

(9) The instability of some Christians (James 1:8), and the apostasy of others (1 Timothy 1:19, 20).

III. THE CERTAIN AND DREADFUL MISERY THAT AWAITS THE UNGODLY SINNER. The question in the text relating to such may refer —

1. To a time of popular calamity (Luke 21:25, 26).

2. To death (Psalm 9:17).

3. To the day of judgment. Let the wicked tremble for the consequences of their conduct. Should they live and die such, their destruction is inevitable.

(T. Hannam.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

WEB: For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God. If it begins first with us, what will happen to those who don't obey the Good News of God?




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