1 Peter 4
World English Bible
WEB1Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind; for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2that you no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 3For we have spent enough of our past time doing the desire of the Gentiles, and having walked in lewdness, lusts, drunken binges, orgies, carousings, and abominable idolatries. 4They think it is strange that you don’t run with them into the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you. 5They will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6For to this end the Good News was preached even to the dead, that they might be judged indeed as men in the flesh, but live as to God in the spirit. 7But the end of all things is near. Therefore be of sound mind, self-controlled, and sober in prayer. 8And above all things be earnest in your love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins. 9Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms. 11If anyone speaks, let it be as it were the very words of God. If anyone serves, let it be as of the strength which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 12Beloved, don’t be astonished at the fiery trial which has come upon you to test you, as though a strange thing happened to you. 13But because you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice, that at the revelation of his glory you also may rejoice with exceeding joy. 14If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified. 15But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil doer, or a meddler in other men’s matters. 16But if one of you suffers for being a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this matter. 17For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God. If it begins first with us, what will happen to those who don’t obey the Good News of God? 18“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will happen to the ungodly and the sinner?” 19Therefore let them also who suffer according to the will of God in doing good entrust their souls to him, as to a faithful Creator.
World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org
Overview
1 Peter Chapter 4 addresses the theme of suffering for the sake of Christ and encourages believers to live in a manner that reflects their new identity in Him. The chapter begins by urging Christians to arm themselves with the same mindset as Christ, who suffered in the flesh. This suffering is not in vain; it signifies a break from sin and a commitment to live for the will of God. The apostle Peter reminds the readers that they have spent enough time in the past pursuing sinful desires, and now they are called to live according to God's purpose, which may lead to misunderstanding and persecution from those who do not share their faith (#suffering, #persecution).
The chapter continues by emphasizing the importance of love among believers, stating that love covers a multitude of sins. Peter encourages the church to use their spiritual gifts to serve one another, as each believer has received a gift from God. This service should be done with the strength that God provides, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. The chapter concludes with a reminder that suffering for being a Christian is a blessing, as it connects believers to the sufferings of Christ and assures them of the hope of glory. Peter encourages the faithful to rejoice in their sufferings, knowing that they are participating in God's redemptive plan (#spiritualgifts, #love, #glory).
Referenced by
- Proverbs 10:12v8Proverbs 10:12 states that love covers all sins, a concept reiterated in 1 Peter 4:8, which emphasizes that love covers a multitude of sins.
- Proverbs 17:9v8Proverbs 17:9 emphasizes the importance of covering offenses to promote love, which is echoed in 1 Peter 4:8, where love is said to cover a multitude of sins.
- Jeremiah 25:29v17Jeremiah 25:29 declares that judgment begins with the city called by God's name, similar to 1 Peter 4:17, which states that judgment begins with the household of God, emphasizing the principle of accountability for those closest to God.
- Ezekiel 9:6v17Ezekiel 9:6 emphasizes judgment beginning at the sanctuary, which parallels 1 Peter 4:17 where judgment begins with the household of God.
- 1 Corinthians 4:1v101 Corinthians 4:1 speaks of being stewards of the mysteries of God, which is echoed in 1 Peter 4:10 where believers are called to be good stewards of God's grace.
Topics in this chapter
- Suffering
- Community
- Holiness
- Judgment
- Spiritual Gifts
- Love
- Sanctification
- Service
- Persecution
- Perseverance
- Accountability
- Apostle
- Christlikeness
- Eschatology
- Forgiveness
- Glorifying God
- Glory
- Holy Spirit
- Peter
- Prayer
- Refinement of Biblical Topics
- Rejoice in Suffering
- Suffering for Christ
- Altruism
- Babylon
- Body of Christ
- Christ
- Christian Charity
- Christian Living
- Christian Martyrdom
- Christlike Attitude
- Christlike Mindset
- Commitment
- Discipleship
- Discipline
- Doxa
- Doxology
- Early Church
- Empowerment
- Encouragement
- End Times
- Epistles
- Eternal Glory
- Eternal Perspective
- Example Book
- Exile
- Faith
- Fellowship
- Fiery Trial
- Freedom from Sin
- Generosity
- Glory to God
- God's Will
- Grace
- Hope
- Hospitality
- House of God
- Hymn
- Intercession
- Joy
- Joy in Trials
- Justice
- Lifestyle
- Living for God
- Love Covers All
- Mercy
- Mindset
- Pascha (Easter)
- Phronema
- Pneuma
- Praise
- Purification
- Redemption
- Service to Others
- Spiritual Growth
- Stewardship
- The Spirit
- The Will of God
- Transformation
- Trials
- Union with Christ
- Vigilance
- Watchfulness
Related chapters
- Matthew 25Service to OthersChristian CharityWatchfulness
- Romans 12Spiritual GiftsBody of ChristChristian Living
- 1 Corinthians 4Suffering for ChristChristlikenessExample Book
- 1 Corinthians 12Spiritual GiftsBody of ChristEmpowerment
- Romans 8PneumaEpistlesEternal Perspective
- Mark 13WatchfulnessTrialsPeter
- Philippians 1Suffering for ChristChristian LivingEternal Perspective
- Hebrews 13Christian CharityExample BookHospitality
- 1 Peter 1Joy in TrialsEpistlesRefinement of Biblical Topics
- James 1Joy in TrialsEpistlesTrials
- Hebrews 12DisciplineEncouragementEschatology
- Philippians 2Christlike MindsetMindsetChristlikeness
Your study
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