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editing

NT

1 Peter 4:17-18

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mine

For

See #2 below: This "for" means this following verses are the ground for the preceding v 16. That is the ground for why we should pursue purity and authenticity of faith in suffering.

it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God;

See #1 below: This judgement is for believers which is a purifying one, not a condemning one.

The time for this judgement begins when Christ came,

and if it begins with us,

See #3 below: There are two rhetorical questions which show that the ungodly and sinners will not be saved, their end will be terrible

what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

And “If the righteous is scarcely saved,

See #4 below. 4:17 d is an allusion. 4:18 a-b is a quotation. Main idea is whether the suffering is the enormous end time suffering alluded to in 4:17d, or the suffering that occurs in the course of daily ordinary life as proverbially observed in the quotation of 4:18, God saves His people in suffering. And we are not to feel singled out.

what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

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Notes

Refer to following webpages: www.desiringgod.org/labs/how-will-christians-be-judged www.desiringgod.org/labs/god-is-working-in-your-suffering www.desiringgod.org/labs/your-suffering-is-not-eternal www.desiringgod.org/labs/saved-through-the-fire-of-suffering #1 JUDGMENT 1 Peter 4:6 Judgment something God does on His own people not for their destruction but or their life. 1 Peter 1:17 Judgement that includes christians 1 Peter 4:17-18 the judgement of the ungodly and sinner is to not be saved What is the judgement for believers in 1 Peter 4:17-18? 1 Peter 1:6-7 Judgement is the various trials for purification not condemnation These trials could result in our death Household of God: 1 Peter 2:15 spiritual house=household of people people of God "time for judgement to begin": Referring to the coming of Christ 1 Peter 4:7 Jesus ushers in the end of all things. John 9:39 Jesus comes for judgement. Depending on how a person responds to Jesus, that person is judged accordingly. Luke 2:34 Jesus is the great dividing person John 3:17 Jesus did not come to condemn but in Him the world is divided John 5:24 The judgement for believers is not one who takes away eternal life. It is a purifying judgement. Judgement has two parts also in 1 Peter 4:18 -- the saved and the not saved. The judgement for believers is to purify not to condemn. Judgement for ungodly and sinners is to wait until the Day of Christ's return - a sign of God's great patience. #2 GROUND (For) FOR - three reasons to pursue purity and authenticity of faith See 1 Peter 4:16-17 Christians are suffering and this is part of the judgment of God 1) God is at work here in this suffering not just man. Man is not in charge 2) God uses His enemies to purify His people 2 Cor 12:7-10 3) God's purpose is purification not condemnation. Purification of faith 1 Peter 1:7, and life and sin, 1 Peter 4:1-2 Therefore join God in the pursuit of purity, authenticity in our suffering. #3 RHETORICAL QUESTIONS 1 Peter 4:17b-18 2 rhetorical questions: The statement behind question 1: The outcome of those who do not obey the gospel is terrible. See 2 Thess 1:7-9 those who do not obey the gospel, will suffer eternal destruction, away from presence and glory and might of the LORD. Statement behind question 2: Ungodly and sinners will not be saved. Christians have to suffer so much suffering, that it seems as if they got plucked out of this kind of judgement, scarcely said. Question 2 is OT allusion to Prov 11:31 1) Warnings to believers are needed and useful 2) Pity is awakened for unbelievers because of how terrible it's going to be for them 3) God is not to be trifled with 4) therefore, let our suffering as a believer seem light and short compared to eternal suffering #4 OT REFERENCES OT Allusions " if judgement begins with us..." "what will become of the ungodly" Ezekiel 9:4-6 , Jeremiah 25:29 Picture of big historical at the end. Disaster begins at the city of God or the sanctuary of God There is an end time focus OT Quotation: Prov 11:31 Proverbial wisdom, observation in the world Righteous people are repaid for discipline, how much more the sinners and wicked. Main idea: We are to see same end time truth in a proverb Summation: In end time global judgment, and in proverbial daily wisdom, God saves His people through suffering. Therefore if we are one of these sufferers, in daily ordinary experience or big end time judgment, both are in Peter's view. It is God who saves His people in suffering. We shouldn't feel singled out but should glorify God. If anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed but let him glorify God in that Name.

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