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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Peter 4:18 And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_peter/4-18.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/60_1Pe_04_18.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Peter 4:18 - Suffering as Christians" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And, If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/1_peter/4-18.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/1_peter/4-18.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/1_peter/">1 Peter</a> > <a href="/1_peter/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 18</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad18.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_peter/4-17.htm" title="1 Peter 4:17">◄</a> 1 Peter 4:18 <a href="/1_peter/4-19.htm" title="1 Peter 4:19">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/1_peter/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/1_peter/4.htm">New International Version</a> And, &#8220If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?&#8221 <a href="/nlt/1_peter/4.htm">New Living Translation</a> And also, “If the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to godless sinners?” <a href="/esv/1_peter/4.htm">English Standard Version</a> And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” <a href="/bsb/1_peter/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” <a href="/blb/1_peter/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And, "If the righteous one is saved with difficulty, where will appear the ungodly and sinner?" <a href="/kjv/1_peter/4.htm">King James Bible</a> And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? <a href="/nkjv/1_peter/4.htm">New King James Version</a> Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” <a href="/nasb_/1_peter/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER? <a href="/nasb/1_peter/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER? <a href="/nasb77/1_peter/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER? <a href="/lsb/1_peter/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER? <a href="/amp/1_peter/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> AND IF IT IS DIFFICULT FOR THE RIGHTEOUS TO BE SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS AND THE SINNER? <a href="/csb/1_peter/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> And if a righteous person is saved with difficulty, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner? <a href="/hcsb/1_peter/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> And if a righteous person is saved with difficulty, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner? <a href="/asv/1_peter/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> And if the righteous is scarcely saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear? <a href="/cev/1_peter/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> "If good people barely escape, what will happen to sinners and to others who don't respect God?" <a href="/erv/1_peter/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> And if the righteous is scarcely saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear? <a href="/gwt/1_peter/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> If it's hard for the person who has God's approval to be saved, what will happen to the godless sinner? <a href="/gnt/1_peter/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> As the scripture says, "It is difficult for good people to be saved; what, then, will become of godless sinners?" <a href="/isv/1_peter/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> "If it is hard for the righteous person to be saved, what will happen to the ungodly and sinful person?" <a href="/msb/1_peter/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> And, ?If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?? <a href="/net/1_peter/4.htm">NET Bible</a> And if the righteous are barely saved, what will become of the ungodly and sinners? <a href="/nheb/1_peter/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> And "If the righteous is delivered with difficulty, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?" <a href="/wbt/1_peter/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And if the righteous is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear? <a href="/wey/1_peter/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> And if it is difficult even for a righteous man to be saved, what will become of irreligious men and sinners? <a href="/web/1_peter/4.htm">World English Bible</a> “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will happen to the ungodly and the sinner?” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_peter/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And if the righteous man is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and sinner appear? <a href="/blb/1_peter/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And, "If the righteous one is saved with difficulty, where will appear the ungodly and sinner?" <a href="/ylt/1_peter/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And if the righteous man is scarcely saved, the ungodly and sinner -- where shall he appear? <a href="/slt/1_peter/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And if the just one with difficulty be saved, where shall the irreligious and sinful appear.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_peter/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And if the just man shall scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? <a href="/cpdv/1_peter/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And if the just man will scarcely be saved, where will the impious and the sinner appear? <a href="/nabre/1_peter/4.htm">New American Bible</a> “And if the righteous one is barely saved, where will the godless and the sinner appear?” <a href="/nrsvce/1_peter/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> And “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinners?”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_peter/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And if the righteous scarcely be saved, how shall the wicked and the sinner stand judgment? <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/1_peter/4.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And if the righteous have life in hardship, where is an evil man and a sinner found?<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/1_peter/4.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> And if the righteous man is hardly saved, where shall the ungodly man and the sinner appear? <a href="/godbey/1_peter/4.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> And if the righteous is scarcely saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? <a href="/haweis/1_peter/4.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> And if the righteous man is hardly saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? <a href="/mace/1_peter/4.htm">Mace New Testament</a> if the virtuous escape with difficulty, what will become of impious transgressors? <a href="/wey/1_peter/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> And if it is difficult even for a righteous man to be saved, what will become of irreligious men and sinners? <a href="/worrell/1_peter/4.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And, if the righteous, with difficulty, is saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear? <a href="/worsley/1_peter/4.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> And if the righteous be saved with difficulty, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? <a href="/parallel/1_peter/4-18.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1h9-AlUcaGE?start=873" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_peter/4.htm">Suffering as Christians</a> …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? 18<a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">And,</a> <a href="/greek/1487.htm" title="1487: Ei (Conj) -- If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.">“If</a> <a href="/greek/3433.htm" title="3433: molis (Adv) -- With difficulty, hardly, scarcely. Probably by variation for mogis; with difficulty.">it is hard for</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/1342.htm" title="1342: dikaios (Adj-NMS) -- From dike; equitable; by implication, innocent, holy.">righteous</a> <a href="/greek/4982.htm" title="4982: sōzetai (V-PIM/P-3S) -- To save, heal, preserve, rescue. From a primary sos; to save, i.e. Deliver or protect.">to be saved,</a> <a href="/greek/4226.htm" title="4226: pou (Adv) -- Genitive case of an interrogative pronoun pos otherwise obsolete; as adverb of place; at what locality.">what</a> <a href="/greek/5316.htm" title="5316: phaneitai (V-FIM-3S) -- Prolongation for the base of phos; to lighten, i.e. Show.">will become of</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/765.htm" title="765: asebēs (Adj-NMS) -- Impious, ungodly, wicked. Irreverent, i.e. impious or wicked.">ungodly</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/268.htm" title="268: hamartōlos (Adj-NMS) -- Sinning, sinful, depraved, detestable. From hamartano; sinful, i.e. A sinner.">the sinner?”</a> 19So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should entrust their souls to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/proverbs/11-31.htm">Proverbs 11:31</a> If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner! <a href="/luke/23-31.htm">Luke 23:31</a> For if men do these things while the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” <a href="/matthew/7-13.htm">Matthew 7:13-14</a> Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. / But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it. <a href="/romans/5-7.htm">Romans 5:7-8</a> Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. / But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. <a href="/hebrews/12-25.htm">Hebrews 12:25</a> See to it that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if the people did not escape when they refused Him who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject Him who warns us from heaven? <a href="/ezekiel/18-24.htm">Ezekiel 18:24</a> But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and practices iniquity, committing the same abominations as the wicked, will he live? None of the righteous acts he did will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness and sin he has committed, he will die. <a href="/matthew/19-25.htm">Matthew 19:25-26</a> When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” / Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” <a href="/luke/13-23.htm">Luke 13:23-24</a> “Lord,” someone asked Him, “will only a few people be saved?” Jesus answered, / “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able. <a href="/romans/9-27.htm">Romans 9:27-29</a> Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the Israelites is like the sand of the sea, only the remnant will be saved. / For the Lord will carry out His sentence on the earth thoroughly and decisively.” / It is just as Isaiah foretold: “Unless the Lord of Hosts had left us descendants, we would have become like Sodom, we would have resembled Gomorrah.” <a href="/isaiah/1-9.htm">Isaiah 1:9</a> Unless the LORD of Hosts had left us a few survivors, we would have become like Sodom, we would have resembled Gomorrah. <a href="/amos/9-9.htm">Amos 9:9-10</a> “For surely I will give the command, and I will shake the house of Israel among all the nations as grain is sifted in a sieve; but not a pebble will reach the ground. / All the sinners among My people will die by the sword—all those who say, ‘Disaster will never draw near or confront us.’” <a href="/jeremiah/25-29.htm">Jeremiah 25:29</a> For behold, I am beginning to bring disaster on the city that bears My Name, so how could you possibly go unpunished? You will not go unpunished, for I am calling down a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, declares the LORD of Hosts.’ <a href="/matthew/24-22.htm">Matthew 24:22</a> If those days had not been cut short, nobody would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, those days will be cut short. <a href="/romans/11-5.htm">Romans 11:5-6</a> In the same way, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. / And if it is by grace, then it is no longer by works. Otherwise, grace would no longer be grace. <a href="/isaiah/10-22.htm">Isaiah 10:22-23</a> Though your people, O Israel, be like the sand of the sea, only a remnant will return. Destruction has been decreed, overflowing with righteousness. / For the Lord GOD of Hosts will carry out the destruction decreed upon the whole land.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?if.<a href="/1_peter/5-8.htm">1 Peter 5:8</a> Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:<a href="/proverbs/11-31.htm">Proverbs 11:31</a> Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.<a href="/jeremiah/25-29.htm">Jeremiah 25:29</a> For, lo, I begin to bring evil on the city which is called by my name, and should ye be utterly unpunished? Ye shall not be unpunished: for I will call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, saith the LORD of hosts.where.<a href="/psalms/1-4.htm">Psalm 1:4,5</a> The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away… <a href="/romans/1-18.htm">Romans 1:18</a> For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;<a href="/romans/5-6.htm">Romans 5:6</a> For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.the sinner.<a href="/genesis/13-13.htm">Genesis 13:13</a> But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.<a href="/1_samuel/15-18.htm">1 Samuel 15:18</a> And the LORD sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed.<a href="/luke/15-1.htm">Luke 15:1</a> Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/hebrews/11-3.htm">Appear</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-25.htm">Chance</a> <a href="/hebrews/5-11.htm">Difficult</a> <a href="/luke/18-24.htm">Difficultly</a> <a href="/acts/27-16.htm">Difficulty</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-16.htm">Godless</a> <a href="/1_peter/4-17.htm">Good</a> <a href="/1_peter/4-3.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/1_timothy/1-9.htm">Impious</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-16.htm">Irreligious</a> <a href="/james/1-27.htm">Religion</a> <a href="/1_peter/3-18.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-2.htm">Salvation</a> <a href="/1_peter/3-20.htm">Saved</a> <a href="/romans/5-7.htm">Scarcely</a> <a href="/james/5-20.htm">Sinner</a> <a href="/1_peter/3-18.htm">Sinners</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-16.htm">Ungodly</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_peter/5-4.htm">Appear</a> <a href="/genesis/18-24.htm">Chance</a> <a href="/genesis/18-14.htm">Difficult</a> <a href="/luke/18-24.htm">Difficultly</a> <a href="/genesis/35-16.htm">Difficulty</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-7.htm">Godless</a> <a href="/1_peter/4-19.htm">Good</a> <a href="/2_peter/3-16.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-6.htm">Impious</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/6-1.htm">Irreligious</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-2.htm">Religion</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-7.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/2_peter/3-15.htm">Salvation</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-5.htm">Saved</a> <a href="/genesis/27-30.htm">Scarcely</a> <a href="/1_john/2-1.htm">Sinner</a> <a href="/jude/1-15.htm">Sinners</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-5.htm">Ungodly</a><div class="vheading2">1 Peter 4</div>1. <a href="/1_peter/4-1.htm">He exhorts them to cease from sin and live fore God,</a> 12. <a href="/1_peter/4-12.htm">and comforts them against persecution.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_peter/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_peter/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_peter/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved This phrase acknowledges the challenges faced by believers in maintaining their faith and righteousness. The early Christian community, to whom Peter was writing, often faced persecution and trials, which tested their faith. The concept of salvation being "hard" for the righteous can be linked to Jesus' teachings in <a href="/matthew/7-14.htm">Matthew 7:14</a>, where He describes the path to life as narrow and difficult. This difficulty is not due to a lack of God's grace but rather the opposition from the world, the flesh, and the devil. The righteous are those who have been justified by faith, yet they must endure and persevere in their faith journey.what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” This rhetorical question emphasizes the severity of judgment for those who reject God. In the context of 1 Peter, the "ungodly and the sinner" refers to those outside the covenant community who live in opposition to God's will. The phrase echoes Old Testament themes, such as in <a href="/psalms/1-5.htm">Psalm 1:5</a>, where the wicked will not stand in the judgment. It serves as a warning and a call to repentance, highlighting the stark contrast between the fate of the righteous and the unrighteous. The ultimate destiny of the ungodly is separation from God, as seen in passages like <a href="/revelation/20-15.htm">Revelation 20:15</a>, which speaks of the final judgment. This underscores the urgency of the gospel message and the need for evangelism.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/peter.htm">Peter</a> The apostle Peter, one of Jesus' closest disciples, is the author of this epistle. He writes to encourage and instruct believers facing persecution. 2. <a href="/topical/r/righteous.htm">Righteous</a> Refers to those who are in right standing with God through faith in Jesus Christ. They strive to live according to God's will. 3. <a href="/topical/u/ungodly.htm">Ungodly</a> Those who live without regard for God, often characterized by a lifestyle contrary to His commands. 4. <a href="/topical/s/sinner.htm">Sinner</a> A term used to describe those who live in habitual sin, not having accepted the salvation offered through Christ. 5. <a href="/topical/e/early_christian_church.htm">Early Christian Church</a> The recipients of Peter's letter, who were experiencing trials and persecution for their faith.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_challenge_of_righteousness.htm">The Challenge of Righteousness</a> Living a righteous life is not easy; it requires perseverance and faith amidst trials and temptations. <a href="/topical/t/the_fate_of_the_ungodly.htm">The Fate of the Ungodly</a> The verse serves as a sobering reminder of the eternal consequences for those who reject God. <a href="/topical/g/god's_justice_and_mercy.htm">God's Justice and Mercy</a> God's justice is perfect, and His mercy is available to all who repent and believe in Jesus Christ. <a href="/topical/e/encouragement_in_trials.htm">Encouragement in Trials</a> Believers should find encouragement in knowing that their trials are not in vain and that God is with them. <a href="/topical/c/call_to_evangelism.htm">Call to Evangelism</a> Understanding the fate of the ungodly should motivate Christians to share the Gospel with urgency and compassion.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_peter_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Peter 4</a> <a href="/q/meaning_of_'righteous_scarcely_saved'.htm">What does "righteous scarcely saved" mean in 1 Peter 4:18?</a> <a href="/q/how_often_does_god_forgive_sins.htm">How often will God forgive repeated sins?</a> <a href="/q/does_amos_5_18_contradict_hopeful_texts.htm">Amos 5:18 - If the 'Day of the Lord' is described here as darkness, does this contradict other biblical texts that portray it as a time of hope or victory?</a> <a href="/q/what_are_the_sacred_pillars.htm">What does 'righteous scarcely saved' mean in 1 Peter 4:18?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_peter/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(18) And if the righteous scarcely be saved.--This is a literal quotation, word for word, of <a href="/proverbs/11-31.htm" title="Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.">Proverbs 11:31</a>, according to the LXX. The quotation proves to us St. Peter's perfect familiarity with both the Hebrew original and the Greek version. We have seen how he rejects the LXX. version when it does not suit his meaning (e.g., <a href="/1_peter/2-8.htm" title="And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.">1Peter 2:8</a>): here it suits him (though it differs from the Hebrew), and he accepts it. The "righteous" man here means, apparently, as Leighton says, "he that endeavours to walk uprightly in the ways of God," rather than the man who is then declared finally justified. The fact that they are "scarcely" saved "imports not," according to Leighton, "any uncertainty or hazard in the thing itself to the end, in respect of the purpose and performance of God, but only the great difficulties and hard encounters in the way." This is only partly true. The Apostle is rather thinking of the final judgment than of the life of trial; and he means that there was but little margin left: a very few more falls, a few more refusals to follow the calls of grace, and they would have been lost. Doubtless, when the best of us looks back, in the light of the last day, upon all that he has been through, he will be amazed that he ever could be saved at all. Yet Bengel well calls us to see the other side of the picture in <a href="/2_peter/1-11.htm" title="For so an entrance shall be ministered to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.">2Peter 1:11</a>.The ungodly and the sinner.--This is the Gentile character. "Ungodly" denotes open irreligion--contempt of God and all that belongs to His worship. "Sinner" goes more to the moral side of the nature, pointing most of all to sins of the flesh. (Comp., for instance, <a href="/luke/7-37.htm" title="And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,">Luke 7:37</a>.) "Sinners" was almost a synonym for "Gentiles." (See, e.g., <a href="/luke/6-32.htm" title="For if you love them which love you, what thank have you? for sinners also love those that love them.">Luke 6:32</a>; <a href="/luke/24-7.htm" title="Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.">Luke 24:7</a>; <a href="/galatians/2-15.htm" title="We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,">Galatians 2:15</a>.) The question "Where shall he appear?" imagines some scene such as that of <a href="/matthew/25-32.htm" title="And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats:">Matthew 25:32</a> : "Where shall we see him? where will he have to stand?" . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_peter/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 18. - And if the righteous scarcely be saved. St. Peter is quoting the Septuagint Version of <a href="/proverbs/11-31.htm">Proverbs 11:31</a>. That version departs considerably from the Hebrew, which is accurately represented by the Authorized Version, "Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth; much more the wicked and the sinner." Probably the word rendered" recompensed," which is neutral in its meaning, is best understood here, not of the good deeds of the righteous, but of the sin which still cleaves to all human righteousness. The righteous shall be requited in the earth, that is, chastised for his transgressions. So it would be now, St. Peter says; judgment must begin at the house of God. He adopts the inexact Septuagint translation for its substantial truth, as we now sometimes use versions which are sufficient for practical purposes, though we know them to be critically inaccurate. We observe again the absence of marks of quotation, as often in St. Peter. Bengel well remarks that the awful "scarcely" (μόλις σώζεται) is softened by <a href="/2_peter/1-11.htm">2 Peter 1:11</a>. Where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? The" ungodly "are the impious, scoffers, and blasphemers; the" sinners" are men of profligate and dissolute lives. But the words are (probably) included under one article in the Greek; the men were the same; one form of evil led to the other (comp. <a href="/psalms/1-5.htm">Psalm 1:5</a>; see also <a href="/matthew/19-25.htm">Matthew 19:25</a>). <a href="/commentaries/1_peter/4-18.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>And, καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. “If Εἰ (Ei) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1487.htm">Strong's 1487: </a> If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. it is hard for μόλις (molis) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3433.htm">Strong's 3433: </a> With difficulty, hardly, scarcely. Probably by variation for mogis; with difficulty. the ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. righteous δίκαιος (dikaios) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1342.htm">Strong's 1342: </a> From dike; equitable; by implication, innocent, holy. to be saved, σώζεται (sōzetai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4982.htm">Strong's 4982: </a> To save, heal, preserve, rescue. From a primary sos; to save, i.e. Deliver or protect. what ποῦ (pou) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_4226.htm">Strong's 4226: </a> Genitive case of an interrogative pronoun pos otherwise obsolete; as adverb of place; at what locality. will become of φανεῖται (phaneitai) Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5316.htm">Strong's 5316: </a> Prolongation for the base of phos; to lighten, i.e. Show. the ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. ungodly ἀσεβὴς (asebēs) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_765.htm">Strong's 765: </a> Impious, ungodly, wicked. Irreverent, i.e. impious or wicked. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. [the] sinner?” ἁμαρτωλὸς (hamartōlos) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_268.htm">Strong's 268: </a> Sinning, sinful, depraved, detestable. From hamartano; sinful, i.e. A sinner. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_peter/4-18.htm">1 Peter 4:18 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_peter/4-18.htm">1 Peter 4:18 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_peter/4-18.htm">1 Peter 4:18 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_peter/4-18.htm">1 Peter 4:18 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_peter/4-18.htm">1 Peter 4:18 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_peter/4-18.htm">1 Peter 4:18 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_peter/4-18.htm">1 Peter 4:18 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_peter/4-18.htm">1 Peter 4:18 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_peter/4-18.htm">1 Peter 4:18 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_peter/4-18.htm">1 Peter 4:18 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_peter/4-18.htm">NT Letters: 1 Peter 4:18 If it is hard for the righteous (1 Pet. 1P iP i Pet) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_peter/4-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Peter 4:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Peter 4:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_peter/4-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Peter 4:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Peter 4:19" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>