Contradiction with Romans 10:13
This verse says "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved," implying that salvation is accessible to all who call on God, whereas 1 Peter 4:18 implies that even the righteous are barely saved.
Romans 10:13: For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Contradiction with Ephesians 2:8-9
These verses emphasize salvation by grace through faith, not works, which could contrast with the implied difficulty of being saved in 1 Peter 4:18.
Ephesians 2:8-9: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:
Contradiction with John 3:16
This verse states that whoever believes in Jesus will have eternal life, suggesting a more assured and easier path to salvation than implied in 1 Peter 4:18.
John 3:16: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Contradiction with Titus 3:5
It mentions that salvation is not due to righteous acts but due to God’s mercy, potentially contrasting with the notion of difficulty for the righteous to be saved in 1 Peter 4:18.
Titus 3:5: Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Paradox #1
1 Peter 4:18 raises questions about the difficulty of salvation for the righteous. This could conflict with the belief in God's grace and mercy being freely available to all, suggesting instead that even the good face challenges in being saved. This tension might seem inconsistent with other biblical teachings that emphasize salvation as a gift rather than something hard to attain.
Paradox #2
1 Peter 4:18 poses a challenge between the idea of God's grace and mercy versus the strictness of judgment. Some might see a conflict between the idea that God is loving and forgiving, yet also holds people to a very high standard that few can meet on their own. It raises questions about how salvation is accessible through grace, while also suggesting that even the "righteous" might struggle to be saved, potentially causing confusion about the nature of divine justice and mercy.
Paradox #3
1 Peter 4:18 raises concern because it suggests that even righteous people might find salvation difficult. This could seem inconsistent with the idea of a loving and forgiving God, who is supposed to offer salvation to those who genuinely try to live righteously. It might create a moral conflict for those who believe that living a good, faithful life should naturally lead to salvation.