Answer
In 1 Peter 4:12–19, the apostle Peter urges fellow believers not to be surprised or ashamed if they suffer painful trials because of their faith in Jesus Christ. Indeed, Peter frames suffering not as something unintentional or shameful but as part of God’s purpose for our lives. Suffering is often the Lord’s refining or testing instrument to purify, strengthen, and develop us (see Romans 5:3–5; Malachi 3:1–3; James 1:3). Within this context, Peter states, “For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And,
‘If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?’” (1 Peter 4:17–18).
Tyndale Bible Dictionary defines obedience as the act of “submitting to the restraint or command of an authority.” The believer’s authority is God the Father (Romans 9:19–21; 13:1–2), and His command is the gospel, which, in a nutshell, is the good news of God’s redemption plan for humanity contained in Scripture. To obey the gospel is to act in accordance with God’s will (Romans 14:7–8; Ephesians 1:11).what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?’” (1 Peter 4:17–18).
The gospel is the good news that Jesus died for our sins and rose again the third day (1 Corinthians 15:1–4). To obey the gospel is to believe it, to accept that Jesus is the Savior. Peter speaks of those who do not believe the gospel, that is, those who in obstinate unbelief reject the message that God revealed through His Son. Peter says that the judgment faced by unbelievers will be harsh. “Whoever does not believe stands condemned” (John 3:18).
In the city of Rome, Emperor Nero was brutally persecuting Christians, dragging their bodies through tar and burning them at the stake. Peter would later be tortured and killed himself. Obedience to the gospel would require unyielding commitment and patient endurance. Believers must never give up as they wait patiently for the Lord’s return. At that time, they will stand in His presence, face to face, and share in His glory (1 Peter 4:13; 2 Corinthians 4:16—5:4).
When Peter mentioned judgment, he was referring to both God’s refining judgment and future judgment at Christ’s return. No matter how painful the trials become, if we obey the gospel and live for Jesus, we can be confident that God’s future judgment will validate our present suffering (Romans 8:18). Peter quotes Proverbs 11:31 to support this idea from the perspective of ungodly sinners. Unbelievers (those who do not obey the gospel) do not experience God’s refining, purifying judgment as believers do. Thus, Peter reflects on how much worse the outcome will be for them.
Obeying the gospel begins with believing in God the Father (Hebrews 11:6; John 10:38; John 11:25–27; 14:8–11) and all that He has done for us in Jesus Christ (John 3:14–16). It means putting our faith and trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior: “And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment” (John 3:36, NLT; see also John 20:31; Romans 10:9–10). It involves repenting from sin (Acts 3:17–20; 8:22; 20:21; James 4:8–10).
For the rest of our lives, we obey the gospel through discipleship—by following Christ’s example in everything (John 13:14–15; Philippians 2:5; 1 Peter 2:21). Out of love for Him, we submit to Him and obey His Word (John 14:15, 21, 23; 15:10; 1 John 2:3–6; 3:21–24; 5:3).
To obey the gospel, we must daily die to our selfish desires (2 Corinthians 5:15; Galatians 2:20; 1 Peter 4:2). Jesus told His disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24, NLT). We humbly serve others, loving them sacrificially (John 13:12–17; 15:9–14; 1 John 4:7–21). We are willing to suffer for the sake of Christ (Acts 14:21–22; Philippians 1:29; 2 Timothy 3:10–12; James 1:2; 1 Peter 3:14). We obey the gospel when we live for Christ—when we make it our aim to do His will and please Him in everything (Romans 14:7–8; 2 Corinthians 5:9, 15; 1 Peter 4:2).
When the Lord returns, believers will be vindicated because they obeyed the gospel despite many afflictions in this life. But unbelievers will stand before God as their judge and face punishment through His fiery wrath. The apostle Paul affirms, “And God will use this persecution to show his justice and to make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering. In his justice he will pay back those who persecute you. And God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus” (2 Thessalonians 1:5–8, NLT).
