1 Peter 4:5

5 They will give an account to the One who stands ready to judge the living and the dead.^[a]

1 Peter 4:5 Meaning and Commentary

1 Peter 4:5

Who shall give account to him
"To God himself", as the Syriac version reads; of all their blasphemies, and hard speeches spoken by them against God, Christ, the Gospel, and good men, and receive their just punishment. This the apostle says, to calm the minds of God's people, and make them to sit easy under all censures, reproaches, and calumnies, and not think of avenging themselves, but commit themselves to him that will judge righteously; even to him,

that is ready to judge the quick and the dead;
that is, all men, such as will be found alive when he comes, and those that have died before, who will then be raised from the dead, to receive their judgment; and by whom is meant the Lord Jesus Christ, to whom all judgment is committed; and who is ordained to be the Judge of quick and dead, and will judge both at his appearing and kingdom; yea, the day is appointed when this judgment will proceed by him, and he is at the door; so that he may be truly said to be ready for it, as he is every way equal to it, and will finish it with righteousness.

1 Peter 4:5 In-Context

3 For there has already been enough time spent in doing the will of the pagans: carrying on in unrestrained behavior, evil desires, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and lawless idolatry.

4 In regard to this, they are surprised that you don't plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation-and they slander you.

5 They will give an account to the One who stands ready to judge the living and the dead.

6 For this reason the gospel was also preached to [those who are now] dead, so that, although they might be judged by men in the fleshly realm, they might live by God in the spiritual realm.

7 Now the end of all things is near; therefore, be clear-headed and disciplined for prayer.

Footnotes

• [a]. Ac 10:42; Rm 14:9; 2 Tm 4:1