And 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:

1 PETER 1:17KJV
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1 Peter 1:17 (KJV)

What does 1 Peter 1:17 mean?

1 Peter 1:17 tells its readers that calling God “Father” belongs alongside a serious awareness that he judges each person fairly by what they do. Peter urges them to spend their temporary stay in this world with “fear”: a deep regard for the God they address.

The phrase “time of your sojourning” pictures life as a stay away from one’s permanent home. After the call to be holy in verse 16, Peter brings together the closeness of addressing God as Father and the seriousness of God’s judgment.

The Greek behind 1 Peter 1:17

  • “without respect of persons” — ἀπροσωπολήμπτως (aprosōpolēmptōs): This means impartially, without showing favor because of someone’s status. The Greek describes how God judges, not a lack of concern for people.
  • “sojourning” — παροικία (paroikia): This can mean a stay in a place where one is a resident away from home. The word gives Peter’s description of his readers’ time a sense of temporary residence.
  • “fear” — φόβος (phobos): This can mean fear or reverence. Here it is often understood as a serious regard for God in light of his judgment.

Why 1 Peter 1:17 matters

  • Calling God “Father” does not suggest special treatment in judgment. Peter joins that address to the description of God as one who judges “without respect of persons.”
  • The verse places weight on conduct, not social standing. God judges “according to every man’s work,” making each person’s actions the stated measure.
  • The temporary stay has a setting in Peter’s wider description of his readers. Earlier, 1 Peter 1:1 addresses them as people scattered across several regions, giving the image of residence away from home a concrete setting.

Where else these words appear

“sojourning” Greek G3940 · used in 2 verses

  • Acts 13:17 The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it.

“pass” Greek G390 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 17:22 And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:
  • Acts 15:16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:
  • 1 Timothy 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

“on” Greek G1941 · used in 32 verses

  • Matthew 10:3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
  • Acts 10:32 Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.
  • Acts 25:25 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.

“fear” Greek G5401 · used in 44 verses

  • Matthew 14:26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
  • Acts 2:43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
  • 2 Corinthians 7:15 And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.