1 Peter 1:17 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

And if ye call on the Father With an expectation of being heard; or, as you desire or expect audience and acceptance at God's hands; who, without respect of persons Which can have no place with God; see note on Romans 2:11; judgeth according to every man's work According to the tenor of his life and conversation; pass the time of your sojourning The short season of your abode on earth; in fear In the reverential and awful fear of God, in an humble and loving fear of offending him, in a watchful fear of your spiritual enemies, and in a jealous fear of yourselves, lest a promise being left you of entering into his rest, you should, through lukewarmness, sloth, and indolence, or through levity, carelessness, and negligence, after all, come short of it. This fear is a proper companion and guard of hope. The word παροικια, here rendered sojourning, properly signifies the stay which travellers make in a place while finishing some business. The term, therefore, is applied with great propriety to the abode of the children of God in the present world, as it signifies that this earth is not their home, and that they are to remain in it only a short time. See on Hebrews 11:13.