📖WEB · 1 Peter 1:17
What does 1 Peter 1:17 mean?
"If you call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judges according to each man’s work, pass the time of your living as foreigners here in reverent fear:"
— 1 Peter 1:17 (World English Bible)
Surrounding context
as children of obedience, not conforming yourselves according to your former lusts as in your ignorance,
but just as he who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all of your behavior;
because it is written, “You shall be holy; for I am holy.”
If you call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judges according to each man’s work, pass the time of your living as foreigners here in reverent fear:
knowing that you were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from the useless way of life handed down from your fathers,
but with precious blood, as of a lamb without blemish or spot, the blood of Christ;
who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was revealed in this last age for your sake,
Explanation
First Peter 1:17 tells its readers that since they call God "Father," they should live out their earthly lives in reverent fear, mindful that this same Father God impartially judges according to each person's actions. The verse links two ideas that might seem in tension: intimate family language ("Father") and sober accountability before a righteous judge. Peter is saying these are not contradictory—precisely because God is a Father who judges fairly and without favoritism, believers should conduct themselves carefully and reverently during their time on earth.
The letter of 1 Peter was written by the apostle Peter to Christians scattered across regions of Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), many of whom were facing social ostracism, suspicion, and persecution for their faith. These believers were often referred to as "foreigners" or "exiles" both literally, as displaced people, and spiritually, as those whose true citizenship was in heaven while they lived as strangers in a world hostile to their new identity in Christ. Peter writes to encourage them to remain faithful and hopeful despite suffering, reminding them of who they are and to whom they belong. The phrase "pass the time of your living as foreigners here" reinforces this theme running throughout the letter: Christians are not fully at home in the present world system, and their conduct should reflect that temporary, pilgrim status.
Theologically, the verse holds together two truths about God's character: his fatherly love and his impartial justice. God is not swayed by status, wealth, ethnicity, or human hierarchy when he evaluates the actions of his people—"without resp
Compare translations
Go deeper with ScriptureCompanion AI
Ask questions about any verse, follow reading plans, write personal prayers, and track your daily habit — all grounded in verified scripture text.