1 Peter 4:18
Verse
Context
Sermons
Zac Poonen
St. Augustine
John Gill
Andrew Murray
Charles FinneySummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
And if the righteous scarcely be saved - If it shall be with extreme difficulty that the Christians shall escape from Jerusalem, when the Roman armies shall come against it with the full commission to destroy it, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Where shall the proud Pharisaic boaster in his own outside holiness, and the profligate transgressor of the laws of God, show themselves, as having escaped the Divine vengeance? The Christians, though with difficulty, did escape, every man; but not one of the Jews escaped, whether found in Jerusalem or elsewhere. It is rather strange, but it is a fact, that this verse is the Septuagint translation of Pro 11:31 : Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth; much more the wicked and the sinner. For this the Septuagint and St. Peter have, If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Such a latitude of construction can scarcely be accounted for. The original is this: הן צדיק בארץ ישלם אף כי רשע וחוטא hen tsaddik baarets yeshullam aph ki rasha vechote: "Behold, to the righteous it shall be returned on the earth; and also to the wicked and the transgressor." The Chaldee paraphrast has given this a different turn: Behold, the righteous shall be strengthened in the earth; but the ungodly and the sinners shall be consumed from the earth. The Syriac thus: If the righteous scarcely live, the ungodly and the sinner where shall he stand? The Arabic is nearly the same as the Septuagint and the apostle; the Vulgate follows the Hebrew. I have on several occasions shown that, when Cestius Gallus came against Jerusalem, many Christians were shut up in it; when he strangely raised the siege the Christians immediately departed to Pella in Coele-syria, into the dominions of King Agrippa, who was an ally of the Romans, and there they were in safety; and it appears, from the ecclesiastical historians, that they had but barely time to leave the city before the Romans returned under the command of Titus, and never left the place till they had destroyed the temple, razed the city to the ground, slain upwards of a million of those wretched people, and put an end to their civil polity and ecclesiastical state.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
scarcely--Compare "so as by fire," Co1 3:15; having to pass through trying chastisements, as David did for his sin. "The righteous" man has always more or less of trial, but the issue is certain, and the entrance into the kingdom abundant at last. The "scarcely" marks the severity of the ordeal, and the unlikelihood (in a mere human point of view) of the righteous sustaining it; but the righteousness of Christ and God's everlasting covenant make it all sure. ungodly--having no regard for God; negative description. sinner--loving sin; positive; the same man is at once God-forgetting and sin-loving. appear--in judgment.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And if the righteous scarcely be saved,.... Reference is had to Pro 11:31 where in the Septuagint version are the same words as here: the "righteous" are such, not who are so in their own opinion, or merely in the esteem of others, nor on account of their vility, morality, and external righteousness before men, or by the deeds of the law; but who are made righteous by the righteousness of Christ imputed to them: and such are "scarcely saved"; not as if they were but in part saved, for they are completely saved; Christ has wrought out and finished a complete salvation for them; and they are saved from all enemies, and everything that might hurt them; from sin, Satan, the law, the world, hell, and death; and they are completely justified, and have all their sins pardoned, and shall be perfectly saved: nor as if their salvation was doubtful; for though they are scarcely, yet certainly saved; for they are chosen to salvation, and Christ has obtained it for them, and they have the application of it already made to them by the blessed Spirit; and being justified, or made righteous persons, nothing is more certain than that they shall be glorified: but they are said to be "scarcely" saved, because of the difficulty of it, both with respect to Christ, who met with difficulties in working out their salvation; by reason of the strictness of divine justice, and the demands of the righteous law, which would make no abatement; the sins of his people he had to bear, and make atonement for; the many enemies he had to grapple with, and the accursed death of the cross, he had to undergo; though they were such he was able to surmount, and did: and especially with respect to the saints themselves; for though their salvation is certain and complete, being finished by Christ, yet their enjoyment of it is attended with many difficulties; by reason of the corruptions of nature, a law in their members warring against the law of their minds; the frequent temptations of Satan, who seeks to devour them, and their wrestlings with principalities and powers, which are above their match; and also by reason of various afflictions and persecutions, and many tribulations, which make their way to eternal life a strait way, and through which they must enter into the kingdom of heaven: and if this be their case, as it is, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? the profane sinner, the Christless, impenitent, unbelieving, and unregenerate man; otherwise all men are sinners, in themselves; but here it means such as are destitute of the sanctifying grace of the Spirit, and the justifying righteousness of Christ, and that live and die in their sins: where shall such appear? not in the congregation of the righteous; nor at the right hand of Christ; nor in heaven, into which no defiled sinner shall enter; nor even on earth, among and under the rocks and mountains, which will not be able to hide them from the face of the Judge, and his wrath, when he shall come; but at Christ's left hand, and in hell, and among the devils and damned there.
1 Peter 4:18
Suffering as Christians
17For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God? 18And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Knowing Jesus Personally
By Zac Poonen64059:381PE 4:18
This sermon emphasizes the importance of truly being born again and understanding the seriousness of sin. It highlights the need for personal responsibility in seeking salvation, the difficulty of righteousness, and the significance of repentance. The speaker stresses the need to acknowledge and confess all sins, allowing God to repair every 'hole' in our lives. The message also focuses on the continuous growth in knowing Jesus and living a life that pleases Him.
Salvation Difficult to the Christian, Impossible to the Sinner
By Charles Finney0Spiritual WarfareSalvationMAT 7:14LUK 13:24ROM 7:151PE 4:18Charles Finney emphasizes the stark contrast between the salvation of the righteous and the impossibility of salvation for the sinner, drawing from 1 Peter 4:18. He explains that while the righteous may be saved with difficulty, the sinner faces insurmountable challenges due to their moral state and the nature of God's governance. Finney elaborates on the complexities of human nature, the influence of sin, and the necessity of moral means for conversion, highlighting the profound struggles Christians face in their spiritual journey. He concludes by urging believers to remain vigilant and diligent in their faith, recognizing the significant obstacles that both the righteous and the wicked encounter in their paths to salvation.
Exposition on Psalm 6
By St. Augustine0DEU 13:3ISA 65:24MRK 13:32ACT 1:7ROM 5:14ROM 7:251CO 15:56COL 3:101TH 5:21PE 4:18St. Augustine preaches on Psalm 6, reflecting on the day of judgment and the importance of turning to God in repentance. He delves into the symbolism of the number eight, representing the eternal life attained after the end of this world. Augustine emphasizes the need to let go of worldly desires and turn towards spiritual renewal, symbolized by the transition from living according to the body to living according to the soul. The psalmist's plea for healing and deliverance highlights the soul's struggle with sin and the longing for God's compassion and mercy. Through tears, prayers, and repentance, the soul seeks transformation and restoration, acknowledging its weaknesses and sins.
1 Peter 4:18
By John Gill0SalvationRighteousnessPRO 11:31ROM 8:30EPH 2:81PE 4:18John Gill expounds on 1 Peter 4:18, emphasizing that while the righteous are saved through the imputed righteousness of Christ, their salvation is described as 'scarcely' due to the immense challenges faced both by Christ in securing salvation and by believers in their spiritual journey. He clarifies that this does not imply partial or uncertain salvation, but rather highlights the difficulties and tribulations that accompany the path to eternal life. Gill warns of the fate of the ungodly and unrepentant, who will not share in the glory of the righteous but face judgment and separation from God. The sermon serves as a sobering reminder of the cost of salvation and the seriousness of living a life aligned with Christ.
The Branch
By Andrew Murray0ISA 44:18ROM 1:29ROM 4:5ROM 5:6EPH 2:11TI 1:91PE 4:182PE 2:52PE 3:7JUD 1:4The preacher delves into the meaning of 'ungodly' (asebes), describing it as a lack of interest in God and a lifestyle inconsistent with reverence for Him. The term is used in various contexts in the Bible to highlight the behavior of those who live as if God does not exist. The sermon emphasizes the contrast between the godly and ungodly, pointing out that the ungodly lack reverence and piety towards God, denying His existence and authority. Despite the ungodly nature of humanity, there is hope through faith in Christ, as He died for the ungodly, offering righteousness through belief.
The Salvation of Sinners Impossible
By Charles Finney0SalvationRepentanceMAT 25:321PE 4:18Charles Finney emphasizes the impossibility of salvation for sinners, arguing that while the righteous face difficulties in their salvation, the wicked are unable to cease from sinning and accept God's grace. He explains that God's efforts to persuade sinners are often met with resistance, and that true salvation requires a transformation of heart that they refuse to undergo. Finney warns that without repentance and a change in character, sinners cannot enter heaven, as their unholy state would disrupt the peace of the heavenly realm. Ultimately, he concludes that those who remain unrepentant will face eternal separation from God and be consigned to judgment alongside the damned.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
And if the righteous scarcely be saved - If it shall be with extreme difficulty that the Christians shall escape from Jerusalem, when the Roman armies shall come against it with the full commission to destroy it, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Where shall the proud Pharisaic boaster in his own outside holiness, and the profligate transgressor of the laws of God, show themselves, as having escaped the Divine vengeance? The Christians, though with difficulty, did escape, every man; but not one of the Jews escaped, whether found in Jerusalem or elsewhere. It is rather strange, but it is a fact, that this verse is the Septuagint translation of Pro 11:31 : Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth; much more the wicked and the sinner. For this the Septuagint and St. Peter have, If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Such a latitude of construction can scarcely be accounted for. The original is this: הן צדיק בארץ ישלם אף כי רשע וחוטא hen tsaddik baarets yeshullam aph ki rasha vechote: "Behold, to the righteous it shall be returned on the earth; and also to the wicked and the transgressor." The Chaldee paraphrast has given this a different turn: Behold, the righteous shall be strengthened in the earth; but the ungodly and the sinners shall be consumed from the earth. The Syriac thus: If the righteous scarcely live, the ungodly and the sinner where shall he stand? The Arabic is nearly the same as the Septuagint and the apostle; the Vulgate follows the Hebrew. I have on several occasions shown that, when Cestius Gallus came against Jerusalem, many Christians were shut up in it; when he strangely raised the siege the Christians immediately departed to Pella in Coele-syria, into the dominions of King Agrippa, who was an ally of the Romans, and there they were in safety; and it appears, from the ecclesiastical historians, that they had but barely time to leave the city before the Romans returned under the command of Titus, and never left the place till they had destroyed the temple, razed the city to the ground, slain upwards of a million of those wretched people, and put an end to their civil polity and ecclesiastical state.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
scarcely--Compare "so as by fire," Co1 3:15; having to pass through trying chastisements, as David did for his sin. "The righteous" man has always more or less of trial, but the issue is certain, and the entrance into the kingdom abundant at last. The "scarcely" marks the severity of the ordeal, and the unlikelihood (in a mere human point of view) of the righteous sustaining it; but the righteousness of Christ and God's everlasting covenant make it all sure. ungodly--having no regard for God; negative description. sinner--loving sin; positive; the same man is at once God-forgetting and sin-loving. appear--in judgment.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And if the righteous scarcely be saved,.... Reference is had to Pro 11:31 where in the Septuagint version are the same words as here: the "righteous" are such, not who are so in their own opinion, or merely in the esteem of others, nor on account of their vility, morality, and external righteousness before men, or by the deeds of the law; but who are made righteous by the righteousness of Christ imputed to them: and such are "scarcely saved"; not as if they were but in part saved, for they are completely saved; Christ has wrought out and finished a complete salvation for them; and they are saved from all enemies, and everything that might hurt them; from sin, Satan, the law, the world, hell, and death; and they are completely justified, and have all their sins pardoned, and shall be perfectly saved: nor as if their salvation was doubtful; for though they are scarcely, yet certainly saved; for they are chosen to salvation, and Christ has obtained it for them, and they have the application of it already made to them by the blessed Spirit; and being justified, or made righteous persons, nothing is more certain than that they shall be glorified: but they are said to be "scarcely" saved, because of the difficulty of it, both with respect to Christ, who met with difficulties in working out their salvation; by reason of the strictness of divine justice, and the demands of the righteous law, which would make no abatement; the sins of his people he had to bear, and make atonement for; the many enemies he had to grapple with, and the accursed death of the cross, he had to undergo; though they were such he was able to surmount, and did: and especially with respect to the saints themselves; for though their salvation is certain and complete, being finished by Christ, yet their enjoyment of it is attended with many difficulties; by reason of the corruptions of nature, a law in their members warring against the law of their minds; the frequent temptations of Satan, who seeks to devour them, and their wrestlings with principalities and powers, which are above their match; and also by reason of various afflictions and persecutions, and many tribulations, which make their way to eternal life a strait way, and through which they must enter into the kingdom of heaven: and if this be their case, as it is, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? the profane sinner, the Christless, impenitent, unbelieving, and unregenerate man; otherwise all men are sinners, in themselves; but here it means such as are destitute of the sanctifying grace of the Spirit, and the justifying righteousness of Christ, and that live and die in their sins: where shall such appear? not in the congregation of the righteous; nor at the right hand of Christ; nor in heaven, into which no defiled sinner shall enter; nor even on earth, among and under the rocks and mountains, which will not be able to hide them from the face of the Judge, and his wrath, when he shall come; but at Christ's left hand, and in hell, and among the devils and damned there.