1 Peter 4
4
Following Christ
1Therefore, since Christ suffered # Other mss read suffered for us in the flesh, # The phrase “in the flesh” probably means in human experience. equip # Or arm yourselves also with the same resolve # Or perspective, or attitude — because the one who suffered in the flesh has finished # Rm 6:10; Heb 4:15; 7:26; 9:28 with sin # Or the one who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin — 2in order to live the remaining time in the flesh, no longer for human desires, # Lit for desires of human beings but for God’s will. # Mk 3:35; Rm 6:11; 12:2 3For there has already been enough time spent in doing what the pagans choose to do: # Or Gentiles carrying on in unrestrained behavior, evil desires, # Mk 7:22 drunkenness, orgies, # Rm 13:13; Gl 5:21 carousing, and lawless idolatry. 4So they are surprised that you don’t plunge with them into the same flood # Lit you don’t run with them into the same pouring out of wild living — and they slander you. 5They will give an account to the One who stands ready to judge the living and the dead. # Ac 10:42; Rm 14:9; 2Tm 4:1 6For this reason the gospel was also preached to those who are now dead, # Jn 5:25 so that, although they might be judged by men in the fleshly # 1Pt 3:18 realm, # Or in the flesh they might live # Php 1:21 by God in the spiritual realm. # Or in the spirit
End-Time Ethics
7Now the end of all things is near; # Rm 13:11-12; Heb 9:26; Jms 5:8; 1Jn 2:18; Rv 1:3 therefore, be serious and disciplined # 1Pt 5:8 for prayer. 8Above all, maintain an intense love # 1Pt 1:22 for each other, since love covers a multitude of sins. # Pr 10:12; Jms 5:20 # Pr 10:12 9Be hospitable # 1Tm 3:2; Ti 1:8 to one another without complaining. 10Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others, # 1Co 12:7 as good managers of the varied grace of God. 11If anyone speaks, it should be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, it should be from the strength God provides, # Rm 12:6-8; 1Co 15:58 so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To Him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
Christian Suffering
12Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal # Lit the burning comes among you to test you as if something unusual were happening to you. # 1Pt 1:6-7 13Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of the Messiah, # Gl 5:24; Php 3:10 so that you may also rejoice with great joy at the revelation # 1Co 1:7; Eph 1:17; 2Th 1:7; 1Pt 1:7,13 of His glory. 14If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ, # Ps 89:50-51; Ac 5:41; 1Pt 2:20 you are blessed, because the Spirit # Ac 4:33; Rv 3:22 of glory and of God rests on you. # Other mss add He is blasphemed because of them, but He is glorified because of you. 15None of you, however, should suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a meddler. # Or as one who defrauds others 16But if anyone suffers as a “Christian,” he should not be ashamed but should glorify God in having that name. 17For the time has come for judgment # Mk 12:40; Jn 5:22; Heb 10:27; 13:4 to begin with God’s household, # Gl 6:10; Eph 2:19; 1Tm 3:15; Heb 3:2 and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God?
18And if a righteous person is saved with difficulty,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner? # Pr 11:31 # Pr 11:31 LXX
19So those who suffer according to God’s will should, while doing what is good, entrust themselves # Ps 10:14; 2Co 1:9 to a faithful Creator.
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1 Peter 4: HCSB
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