1 Peter 4
Big idea: Christ's suffering (3:18) becomes a summons: arm yourselves with the same resolve, for whoever has suffered in the flesh is done with sin. That means a decisive break with the old pagan life and a new orientation to God's will — even though former companions are baffled and abusive. With the end of all things near, the readers are to be sober and prayerful, to love earnestly (love covers a multitude of sins), to be hospitable, and to steward their gifts for God's glory. The chapter climaxes by naming their situation directly: the fiery trial is not strange but a sharing in Christ's sufferings, a cause for joy, since judgment begins at God's household and the faithful entrust their souls to a faithful Creator.
The 'arm yourselves' of 4:1 draws the practical conclusion from 3:18's suffering Christ. The fiery-trial passage (4:12–19) makes explicit what the whole letter has assumed — that the readers suffer as Christians — and hands directly to chapter 5's charge to the elders who must shepherd such a flock.
4:1–6 — Done with sin, alive to God
Because Christ suffered in the flesh, the readers must arm themselves with the same mind: the one who has suffered in the flesh has broken with sin, no longer living by human desires but by God's will. Enough time was already spent in the old life of debauchery and idolatry; former friends are astonished and abusive that the readers no longer join them — but those friends will answer to the Judge of the living and the dead. This is why the gospel was even preached to those now dead: so that, though judged in the flesh as all people are, they might live before God in the spirit.
1 Therefore, 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, 2 that you no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 3 For 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. 4 They think it is strange that you don’t run with them into the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you. 5 They will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For 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.
4:7–11 — The end is near — live it out
Because the end of all things is near, the readers are to be clear-minded and sober for prayer, to keep loving one another earnestly — for love covers a multitude of sins — and to be hospitable without grumbling. Each has received a gift and is to use it to serve, as a good steward of God's manifold grace: whoever speaks, as speaking God's words; whoever serves, by the strength God supplies — so that in everything God is glorified through Christ, to whom belongs glory forever.
7 But the end of all things is near. Therefore be of sound mind, self-controlled, and sober in prayer. 8 And above all things be earnest in your love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms. 11 If 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.
4:12–19 — The fiery trial
Peter names the readers' situation head-on. Don't be surprised at the fiery trial, as though something strange were happening; rejoice, because you share Christ's sufferings and will rejoice at his glory. To be reproached for Christ's name is blessing — the Spirit of glory rests on you. Only make sure you suffer as a Christian, not as a wrongdoer, and glorify God in that name without shame. For judgment begins at God's household; if with us, what of those who reject the gospel? If the righteous are barely saved, where will the ungodly stand? Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while continuing to do good.
12 Beloved, don’t be astonished at the fiery trial which has come upon you to test you, as though a strange thing happened to you. 13 But because you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice, that at the revelation of his glory you also may rejoice with exceeding joy. 14 If 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. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil doer, or a meddler in other men’s matters. 16 But if one of you suffers for being a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this matter. 17 For 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?” 19 Therefore let them also who suffer according to the will of God in doing good entrust their souls to him, as to a faithful Creator.
Scripture text: World English Bible (public domain).