Bible Strands
1 Peter 4:18
And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Peter writes to Christians enduring unjust suffering, explaining that divine judgment is initiating with God’s own household before extending outward.
The words — The Greek terms δίκαιος (dikaios, righteous) and μόλις (molis, with difficulty) establish a premise about the peril believers face, which the text uses to question the fate of the ungodly and sinner.
The thread — This rhetorical escalation appears in Proverbs 11:31 and Luke 23:31, where a stated condition regarding a lesser case establishes a greater consequence for those facing judgment or destruction.
Why it lands — The text demands that readers recognize the severity of God’s starting point, making the prospect for those who reject the gospel logically and inescapably worse.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
Cross-references
- Proverbs 11:31 If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!
- Ezekiel 18:24 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.
- Luke 23:31 For if men do these things while the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
- 2 Peter 2:5 if He did not spare the ancient world when He brought the flood on its ungodly people, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, among the eight;
- Jude 1:15 to execute judgment on everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of every ungodly act of wickedness and every harsh word spoken against Him by ungodly sinners.”
- 1 Corinthians 10:12 So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall.
- Acts 14:22 strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. “We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.
- Hebrews 10:38 But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he shrinks back, I will take no pleasure in him.”
- Romans 1:18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness.
- 2 Peter 3:7 And by that same word, the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.