Suffering as a Christian

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at (A)the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice (B)insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad (C)when his glory is revealed. 14 (D)If you are insulted (E)for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory[a] and of God rests upon you. 15 But (F)let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or (G)as a meddler. 16 Yet (H)if anyone suffers as a (I)Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God (J)in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment (K)to begin at the household of God; and (L)if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who (M)do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And

(N)“If the righteous is scarcely saved,
    what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”[b]

19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will (O)entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

Shepherd the Flock of God

So I exhort the elders among you, (P)as a fellow elder and (Q)a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: (R)shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight,[c] (S)not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you;[d] (T)not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not (U)domineering over those in your charge, but (V)being examples to the flock. And when (W)the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the (X)unfading (Y)crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. (Z)Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for (AA)“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

(AB)Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, (AC)casting all your anxieties on him, because (AD)he cares for you. (AE)Be sober-minded; (AF)be watchful. Your (AG)adversary the devil (AH)prowls around (AI)like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (AJ)Resist him, (AK)firm in your faith, knowing that (AL)the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And (AM)after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, (AN)who has called you to his (AO)eternal glory in Christ, will himself (AP)restore, (AQ)confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 (AR)To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 4:14 Some manuscripts insert and of power
  2. 1 Peter 4:18 Greek where will the ungodly and sinner appear?
  3. 1 Peter 5:2 Some manuscripts omit exercising oversight
  4. 1 Peter 5:2 Some manuscripts omit as God would have you

Christian Suffering

12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal[a] comes among you to test you as if something unusual were happening to you.(A) 13 Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of the Messiah,(B) so that you may also rejoice with great joy at the revelation(C) of His glory. 14 If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ,(D) you are blessed, because the Spirit(E) of glory and of God rests on you.[b] 15 None of you, however, should suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a meddler.[c] 16 But if anyone suffers as a “Christian,” he should not be ashamed but should glorify God in having that name. 17 For the time has come for judgment(F) to begin with God’s household,(G) and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God?

18 And if a righteous person is saved with difficulty,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?(H)[d]

19 So those who suffer according to God’s will should, while doing what is good, entrust themselves(I) to a faithful Creator.

About the Elders

Therefore, as a fellow elder and witness(J) to the sufferings of the Messiah and also a participant in the glory about to be revealed,(K) I exhort the elders among you: Shepherd God’s flock among you,(L) not overseeing[e] out of compulsion but freely, according to God’s will;[f] not for the money but eagerly; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd(M) appears, you will receive the unfading crown(N) of glory.

In the same way, you younger men, be subject to the elders. And all of you clothe yourselves with[g] humility toward one another, because

God resists the proud
but gives grace to the humble.(O)[h]

Humble(P) yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand(Q) of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time,[i] casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you.(R)

Conclusion

Be serious!(S) Be alert!(T) Your adversary the Devil(U) is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Resist him(V) and be firm in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world.

10 Now the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory(W) in Christ Jesus, will personally[j] restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little.[k] 11 The dominion[l] belongs to Him forever.[m] Amen.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 4:12 Lit the burning
  2. 1 Peter 4:14 Other mss add He is blasphemed because of them, but He is glorified because of you.
  3. 1 Peter 4:15 Or as one who defrauds others
  4. 1 Peter 4:18 Pr 11:31 LXX
  5. 1 Peter 5:2 Other mss omit overseeing
  6. 1 Peter 5:2 Other mss omit according to God’s will
  7. 1 Peter 5:5 Lit you tie around yourselves
  8. 1 Peter 5:5 Pr 3:34 LXX
  9. 1 Peter 5:6 Lit in time
  10. 1 Peter 5:10 Lit Himself
  11. 1 Peter 5:10 Or a little while, or to a small extent
  12. 1 Peter 5:11 Other mss read dominion and glory; other mss read glory and dominion
  13. 1 Peter 5:11 Other mss read forever and ever