Who is Peter talking about in 1 Peter 4:18?
I seriously want to know what does it mean that the righteous will scarcely make into Heaven? What did he really mean when he said this?
1 Peter 4:18
ESV - 18 And "If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?
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Asked January 11 2014
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Abel Lewis
Supporter
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Jim New
Supporter
Peter is speaking about true Believers here! Believers who are Spirit filled! It is Peter’s view that persecution is a test. It is a test in a double sense. A man’s devotion to a principle can be measured by his willingness to suffer for it; therefore, any kind of persecution is a test of a man’s faith. But it is equally true that it is only the real Christian who will be persecuted. The Christian who compromises with the world will not be persecuted. In a double sense persecution is the test of the reality of a man’s faith.
JD Abshire
Supporter
The book of 1 Peter deals primarily with Christian suffering, persecution and how we should react and respond to fiery trials. The house of God (body of Christ) is chastened here on earth. If we are chastened (whom the Lord loves) in contrast, what shall be the end judgment of those who are lost! V.17. If the righteous (believers) are saved with much difficulty (only by the grace of God) where will the ungodly sinner stand in the day of judgment? V.17-18. "Wherefore" (the summary, conclusion) those who are suffering according to God's will in doing what is good should also entrust themselves to him, who is a faithful creator v. 19. The Bible teaches that the believer's sins were paid in full upon the death, burial and resurrection of The Lord Jesus Christ. Our eternal destiny was sealed when we became saved, born again, born from above. Strong's concordance defines the word "scarcely" in v. 18 as: I. with difficulty, hardly II. not easily, i.e. scarcely, very rarely. If we use "difficulty" and "not easily" It makes a lot of sense to me. Consider that The Lord Jesus according to John 1:3, Colossians 1:16 and other passages created the heavens, the earth and its inhabitants in just seven days. He did this by merely willing it so and speaking the Word. Yet look at the terrible cost he paid to redeem just one sinner (the righteous). If the Lord Jesus Christ did all this to redeem mankind can anyone imagine the pain, agony and suffering the ungodly and sinner will experience throughout eternity who reject him?
Kelvin Garner
Supporter
Peter is talking about the ones who say they are children of God and are professing the name of Christ Jesus.
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