For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
Another consolation. All must pass under God's judgment: God's own household first, their chastisement being here, for which they glorify Him as a proof of their membership in His family, and a pledge of their escape from the end of those whom the last judgment shall find disobedient to the Gospel.
The time, х ho (G3588) kairos (G2540)] - 'fit time.'
Judgment must begin at the house of God - the Church of living believers. Peter has in mind Ezekiel 9:6: cf. Jeremiah 25:29; Amos 3:2. Judgment is already begun-the Gospel, as a "two-edged sword," having the double effect of saving some and condemning others-and shall be consummated at the last. God limits the destroyer's temporarily permitted power over His people.
If at us what shall the end be of them If even the godly have chastening judgments now how much If ... at us, what shall the end be of them ... If even the godly have chastening judgments now, how much more shall the ungodly be doomed to damnatory judgments at last!
Gospel of God - the God who is to judge them.