Charles Spurgeon Commentary 1 Peter 4:16-17

"but if [a man suffer] as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name. For the time [is come] for judgment to begin at the house of God: and if [it begin] first at us, what [shall be] the end of them that obey not the gospel of God?" — 1 Peter 4:16-17 (ASV)

Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf for the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God.

Trial and testing must begin there; we must not expect to have our religion taken for granted, and ourselves to be saved simply upon our own warrant. We must be tried: the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. The time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: