scarcely – Ministry of Grace Church

And if the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?

Truth to Learn

All unbelievers will face a horrific judgment.

Behind the Words

The word translated “scarcely” is the Greek word molis. This is an adverb (it modifies the verb “is saved”) which means “with difficulty.” It carries with it the notion that it almost didn’t happen because of the difficulty.

The word translated “ungodly’” is the Greek word asebēs, which literally means “irreverent” and by extension means “ungodly.”

Meaning Explained

On the surface it may appear that today’s verse is simply a restatement of yesterday’s verse. On closer inspection, however, we can see that what Peter is talking about in today’s verse is slightly, but significantly, different. In the previous verse he referred to God’s day by day work in believers that accomplishes spiritual growth. In theological terms this is known as “progressive sanctification.” It refers to our progress in becoming more holy and more like Christ. In the current verse he calls us righteous, a reference to our legal standing in God’s book that is our “positional sanctification.” From God’s perspective, we are already sanctified (holy and set-apart) and righteous because Christ paid for our sins at the cross.

Today’s verse contains a conditional clause. As we have noted in previous verses, there are at least three (some say four) different conditional class forms in New Testament Greek. This one is the first class condition, which assumes that the protasis (the “if” clause) is true, and can be approximated by substituting “since” in place of “if.”

So, we could paraphrase this verse as: “And since the righteous one is barely saved because of the difficulty of it, where shall the one who is a sinner and is an ungodly disbeliever appear.”

Peter is talking about judgment here, so it is important to note that according to 2 Corinthians 5:10 believers will appear before the Bema (judgment) Seat of Christ where we will receive crowns as rewards for the works we have done for God. We will not appear at the Great White Throne judgment that is talked about in Revelation 20:11-15. This is where unbelievers will appear, and they will all be cast into the lake of fire.

So to answer Peter’s rhetorical question in today’s verse, “where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?” the answer is “The Great White Throne Judgment.”

So, let’s all bear our suffering patiently and glorify God for it, remembering what Peter said in chapter two about Christ, our example,

who, being reviled, did not revile in return; suffering, He did not threaten, but committing Himself to Him who judges righteously; (1Peter 2:23).

Application

Peter’s message in these last few verses is clear. We may very well suffer as Christians. If we do, we should glorify God for it because we are being judged daily in order to make us more Christ-like. The unbelievers, the ungodly, may not be getting judged on this earth like we are, but they will face a far more fearsome and horrific judgment after this life is over, when it is too late for them to make excuses.

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 5:7

For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.

Truth to Learn

It’s not reasonable that anyone would die for us.

Behind the Words

The word “scarcely” is translated from the Greek word molis. It is derived from mōlos, which refers to “the pain produced by hard labor.” Hence, molis refers to something that is painful or difficult. As used in this verse it is often translated as “hardly, or scarcely.”

“Righteous man” is translated from dikios, meaning “one who always does what is right in God’s eyes.”

“Perhaps” is from the Greek word tacha, meaning “probably, possibly, or perhaps.”

The word translated “good man” is the Greek word agathos, meaning “someone possessing general goodness or benevolence.” This word refers to someone who has a reputation for doing good things to and for others.

“Dare” is from the Greek talma, meaning “courage, boldness, or confidence to do something.” It is often used in a negative sense such as, “they did not dare oppose him.”

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse we learned that it was while we were without the ability to do anything for our own justification that Christ died for us. I like the way Matthew Henry put it in his Commentary on the Whole Bible:

He died for the ungodly; not only helpless creatures, and therefore likely to perish, but guilty sinful creatures, and therefore deserving to perish

In this verse Paul is telling us why it is so amazing that Christ would die for us. The Jews made a three-fold division of mankind around the notions of goodness and righteousness:

· A righteous person was one who adhered strictly to the Law of Moses and always did what was demanded of him or her; a person who was respected and looked up to.

· A good person was someone who went beyond a strict adherence to the Law. In addition to being righteous, this person was liberal in giving to others, full of love and compassion. This type of person was not only respected but admired by all.

· A sinner was one who was ungodly and wicked; one who had no regard for godliness or for others.

Paul tells us that it is unlikely that anyone would be willing to give up his own life for someone else, even though that person might be outwardly religious. He goes on to say that it is possible that someone would be willing to give up his life for a good person; someone who in not only outwardly religious but kind, benevolent, and generous. The implication is that it is highly unlikely that anyone would be willing to die for sinful scumbags like you and me.

Application

Christ died for us when we were condemned and powerless to do anything about it. We were, in fact, neither good nor righteous. Do you realize how worthless, helpless, and condemned we are without Christ? Let’s all take a moment to thank God for His great love with which He loves us!

In God’s service, for His glory,

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Tag: scarcely

1 Peter 4:18 – Final Judgment

Romans 5:7 – Unreasonable Sacrifice