1 Peter 1:17
What does 1 Peter 1:17 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Peter 1:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Peter 1:17 means
If believers call on God as Father, they must remember he “judgeth according to each man’s work” without favoritism. Therefore, they should “pass the time of your sojourning in fear”—a reverent awe that takes God seriously. Adoption does not cancel accountability; rather, family relationship heightens responsibility. This godly fear is not terror but humble respect that shapes choices in a world where we are temporary residents. We live before the face of a holy, impartial Father-Judge, mindful that our deeds matter. Such reverence fits those awaiting evaluation at Christ’s revelation and sustains integrity amid pressures to blend in.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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:
KJV
King James Version · 1611And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And if you give the name of Father to him who, judging every man by his acts, has no respect for a man's position, then go in fear while you are on this earth:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and if on the Father ye do call, who without acceptance of persons is judging according to the work of each, in fear the time of your sojourn pass ye,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And if you invoke as Father him who, without respect of persons, judgeth according to every one's work: converse in fear during the time of your sojourning here.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And if ye invoke as Father him who, without regard of persons, judges according to the work of each, pass your time of sojourn in fear,
Context
After grounding holiness in God’s character (vv. 15–16), Peter adds a relational motive: the Father’s impartial judgment. Verses 18–19 will strengthen this appeal by recalling the costly price of redemption—the blood of Christ—while verses 20–21 will show the eternal plan and purpose behind it. The pilgrim theme from verse 1 reappears here, shaping conduct during our sojourn.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ephesians 3:14
For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father,
- Ephesians 6:9
And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, and forbear threatening: knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no respect of persons with him.
- Job 34:19
That respecteth not the persons of princes, Nor regardeth the rich more than the poor; For they all are the work of his hands.
- 2 Corinthians 7:1
Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
- 1 Chronicles 29:15
For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as all our fathers were: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is no abiding.
- 2 Corinthians 5:6
Being therefore always of good courage, and knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord
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