1 Peter 4:5

4:1-6 The strongest and best arguments against sin, are taken from the sufferings of Christ. He died to destroy sin; and though he cheerfully submitted to the worst sufferings, yet he never gave way to the least sin. Temptations could not prevail, were it not for man's own corruption; but true Christians make the will of God, not their own lust or desires, the rule of their lives and actions. And true conversion makes a marvellous change in the heart and life. It alters the mind, judgment, affections, and conversation. When a man is truly converted, it is very grievous to him to think how the time past of his life has been spent. One sin draws on another. Six sins are here mentioned which have dependence one upon another. It is a Christian's duty, not only to keep from gross wickedness, but also from things that lead to sin, or appear evil. The gospel had been preached to those since dead, who by the proud and carnal judgment of wicked men were condemned as evil-doers, some even suffering death. But being quickened to Divine life by the Holy Spirit, they lived to God as his devoted servants. Let not believers care, though the world scorns and reproaches them.

1 Peter 4:5 . Ἀποδώσουσι λόγου , shall give account ) in particular of their evil speaking: Judges 1:15 .— τῷ ) to Christ.— ἑτοίμως ἔχοντι , who is ready ) The apostles, when they do not professedly treat of the time of Christ’s coming, set forth that coming as close at hand to their expectation and piety: hence it is that Peter comprehends those who then reviled under the living , as though shortly about to be judged.

Who shall give account to him; of their evil speaking as well as of other sins, Judges 1:15 ; it is a metaphor taken from stewards giving account to their masters, Matthew 18:23 Luke 16:2 . That is ready; not only prepared for it, but at hand to do it, Jam 5:9 . To judge the quick and the dead; those that shall be alive at Christ’s coming, and those that died before, but then shall be raised, and brought to judgment. Hereby he intimates, for their comfort, that though their enemies and ill-willers might outlive them, yet they shall not escape God’s judgment.

1 Peter 4:5 . ἀποδώσουσιν λόγον , will render account —if of their blasphemy, cf. Matthew 12:36 , if of their ἀσωτία (see note) cf. the steward of Luke 16:2 .— τῷ ἑτοίμως κρίνοντι , i.e. , to Christ rather than to God (as 1 Peter 1:17 ). The Christians took over the Jewish doctrine that every man must give an account of his life ( Romans 14:10 ). As already Enoch (lxix. 27 = John 5:22 ; John 5:27 ) taught that this judgment was delegated to Messiah. So St. Peter said at Caesarea this is he that hath been appointed by God judge of living and dead ( Acts 10:43 ). Compare Matthew 25:31 ff. for a more primitive and pictorial statement. The use of ἑτοίμως probably represents עתיד (see 1 Peter 1:5 ) i.e. , the future judge ; Greek readers would understand the imminent judge ( cf. use of ἑτοίμως = ready, sure to come , Homer, Il. , xviii. 96, etc.). The 5., ἑ . ἔχοντι κρῖναι softens the rugged original.

5 . who shall give account ] The phrase is one of the many echoes in this Epistle of our Lord’s teaching ( Luke 16:2 ). The thought of the Final Judgment from which there will be no appeal is made here, as in 1 Corinthians 4:5 , a motive for patience and courage under the false accusations and unjust judgments of men. They who now demand an account (chap. 1 Peter 3:15 ) will one day have to render it. Christ holds Himself in readiness to judge both the living and the dead. There is nothing in the context to lead us to any other than a literal interpretation of the familiar phraseology. Commentators who have taken the words of those who are spiritually living and spiritually dead have been led, for the most part, by their unwillingness to accept the natural meaning of the words that follow.

Verse 5. - Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. The judgment is at hand; the Judge standeth before the door; all men, quick and dead alike, must give account to him. It is better to suffer now for well-doing than then for evil-doing. Men call you to give account now ( 1 Peter 3:15 ); they themselves must give account to God. 1 Peter 4:5

(5) Who shall give account. —Perhaps said with a reference to 1Peter 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, 1Peter 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.”

Who shall give account - That is, they shall not do this with impunity. They are guilty in this of a groat wrong and they must answer for it to God. That is ready to judge - That is, "who is prepared to judge" - τῷ ἑτοίμως ἔχοντι tō hetoimōs echonti. See the phrase used in Acts 21:13; "I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem." 2 Corinthians 12:14; "the third time I am ready to come to you." Compare the word "ready" - ἑτοιμος hetoimos - in Matthew 22:4, Matthew 22:8; Matthew 24:44; Matthew 25:10; Luke 12:40; Luke 22:33; 1 Peter 1:5. The meaning is, not that he was about to do it, or that the day of judgment was near at hand - whatever the apostle may have supposed to be true on that point - but that he was prepared for it; all the arrangements were made with reference to it; there was nothing to hinder it. To judge the quick and the dead - The living and the dead; that is, those who shall be alive when he comes, and those in their graves. This is a common phrase to denote all who shall be brought before the bar of God for judgment. See the Acts 10:42 note; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 notes; 2 Timothy 4:1 note.

The meaning in this connection seems to be, that they should bear their trials and the opposition which they would meet with patiently, not feeling that they were forgotten, nor attempting to avenge themselves; for the Lord would vindicate them when he should come to judgment, and call those who had injured them to an account for all the wrongs which they had done to the children of God.