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1 Peter 1:17 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)
¹⁷And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves with fear during the time of your temporary residence.

And if you call on him as Father. That is if you are a true Christian or truly devout—righteous person, represented in the Scriptures as calling on God or as the worship of God. Comp. Acts 9:11; Gen. 4:26; 1 Kings 18:24; Psa. 116:17; 2 Kings 5:11; 1 Chron. 16:8; Joel 2:32; Rom. 10:13; Zeph. 3:9; 1 Cor. 1:2; Acts 2:21. The word ‘Father’ here is used evidently not to denote the Father in contradistinction to the Son, but as referring to God as the Father of the universe. See ver. 14—‘As obedient children.’ God is often spoken of as the Father of the intelligent beings whom he has made. Christians worship him as a Father—as one having all the feelings of a kind and tender parent towards them. Comp. Psa. 103:13, seq.

Who judges impartially according to each one’s work. Impartiality. Who is not influenced in his treatment of men by a regard to rank, wealth, beauty, or any external distinction. (See Acts 10:34 and Rom. 2:11.) He judges each one according to his character; or to what he has done, Rev. 22:12. See 2 Cor. 5:10. The meaning is, ‘You worship a God who will judge every man according to his real character, and you should therefore lead such lives as he can approve.’

Conduct yourselves with fear during the time of your temporary residence. This is not your permanent home, but you are strangers and sojourners.’ See Heb. 11:13; Phil. 2:12; Heb. 12:28. In fear. With true reverence or veneration for God and his law. Religion is often represented as the reverent fear of God, Deut. 6:2. 13, 24; Prov. 1:7; 3:13; 14:26, 27, et sæpe al.

By Albert Barnes and Edward D. Andrews