1 Peter 1:17

3. Fearing God 1:17

1 Peter 1:17 And if ye call on Him as Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to each man's work, pass the time of your sojourning in fear:

Expanded Translation

And in view of the fact you regard God as your Father and therefore call upon Him, who without respecting any man's person (race, color, status, wealth, etc.) judges according to the nature of every man's doings, you must live reverently all the time of your stay here on earth;

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without respect of persons

This phrase is all one word in the originalan adverb describing the manner of God's judgment. His judgment will be without partiality. But man's judgment is often partial (James 2:1-9), and Peter himself had been guilty of this sin at Antioch (Galatians 2:11-14). The over-all meaning of the word before us is respect of persons in the sense of partiality. It is the fault of one who, when called upon to give judgment has respect to the outward circumstances of men and not their intrinsic merits. He therefore prefers, as the more worthy, one who is rich, high-born, influential, or powerful, to another who is destitute of such gifts.

God's judgment is complete, unbiased, thorough, exact, and honestall of which traits are frequently lacking in earthly courts and judges. This truth about the character of God's judgment may either be a consoling and comforting or a fearful and horrifying realization. If our hearts are pure and undefiled, we will not fear the piercing and penetrating judgment of God as He lays bare the thoughts and intents of the heart. But if we are harboring secret sins and hidden crimes of which we have never repented, these words of the Holy Spirit may turn into words of dread! Instead of looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of the day of God (2 Peter 3:12), there is only a certain fearful expectation of judgment (Hebrews 10:27).

according to each man's work

Each man is held responsible for his own actions, thoughts, and words. Perhaps the thought of God's waiting reward is in the mind of the Apostle hereencouraging them to personal fidelity, even in the midst of persecution and trial.

pass the time of your sojourning in fear

The word paroikia (sojourning), is not the same word as sojourners in 1 Peter 1:1. It is from para, beside, and oikeo, to dwell. Thus, literally, to dwell by the side of, that is, by the side of foreigners or strangers. It was used of the stay which travelers made in a place, while finishing some business. Christians, then, are here pictured as temporary residents in this present world. Their home is not herethey are only here a short time to take care of some very specific business: preparing for their eternal home and urging others to do the same! See Hebrews 11:13-16.

IN FEARi.e., of God. Our lives must be lived with a holy awe, reverence, and veneration toward our Heavenly Father (Acts 9:31). In its highest form, it comes to be filial fear of God Himself, and the fear of the day of judgment is cast out (1 John 4:17-18). Did you hear about the two boys who were about to commit some crime? One said, I-'m not going to do it because of what Dad would do to me. But his brother said, I-'m not going to do it because of what it would do to Dad.