1 Peter 4:5

5 But they will have to give an account of themselves to him who is ready to be the judge of the living and the dead.

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 Because for long enough, in times past, we have been living after the way of the Gentiles, given up to the desires of the flesh, to drinking and feasting and loose behaviour and unclean worship of images;

4 And they are wondering that you no longer go with them in this violent wasting of life, and are saying evil things of you:

5 But they will have to give an account of themselves to him who is ready to be the judge of the living and the dead.

6 For this was the reason why the good news of Jesus was given even to the dead, so that they might be judged as men in the flesh, but might be living before God in the spirit.

7 But the end of all things is near: so be serious in your behaviour and keep on the watch with prayer;