1 Peter 4:12-5:14
New American Standard Bible
Share the Sufferings of Christ
12 (A)Beloved, do not be surprised at the (B)fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though something strange were happening to you; 13 but to the degree that you (C)share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that at the (D)revelation of His glory (E)you may also rejoice and be overjoyed. 14 If you are insulted [a](F)for the name of Christ, (G)you are blessed, (H)because the Spirit of glory, and of God, rests upon you. 15 Make sure that (I)none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a [b](J)troublesome meddler; 16 but if anyone suffers as a (K)Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to (L)glorify God in this name. 17 For it is time for judgment (M)to begin [c]with (N)the household of God; and if it (O)begins [d]with us first, what will be the outcome for those (P)who do not obey the (Q)gospel of God? 18 (R)And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, [e]what will become of the (S)godless man and the sinner? 19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to (T)the will of God are to entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.
Serve God Willingly
5 (U)Therefore, I urge elders among you, as your (V)fellow elder and a (W)witness of the sufferings of Christ, and one who is also a [f](X)fellow partaker of the glory that is to be revealed: 2 shepherd (Y)the flock of God among you, exercising oversight, (Z)not under compulsion but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and (AA)not [g]with greed but with eagerness; 3 nor yet as (AB)domineering over [h]those assigned to your care, but by [i]proving to be [j](AC)examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief (AD)Shepherd appears, you will receive the (AE)unfading [k](AF)crown of glory. 5 (AG)You [l]younger men, likewise, (AH)be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with (AI)humility toward one another, because (AJ)God is opposed to the proud, but He gives grace to the humble.
6 Therefore (AK)humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7 having cast all your (AL)anxiety on Him, because He cares about you. 8 (AM)Be of sober spirit, (AN)be on the alert. Your adversary, (AO)the devil, prowls around like a roaring (AP)lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 [m](AQ)So resist him, (AR)firm in your faith, knowing that (AS)the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your [n]brothers and sisters who are in the world. 10 After you have suffered (AT)for a little while, the (AU)God of all grace, who (AV)called you to His (AW)eternal glory in Christ, will Himself (AX)perfect, (AY)confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 (AZ)To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.
12 Through (BA)Silvanus, our faithful brother [o](for so I regard him), (BB)I have written to you briefly, [p]exhorting and testifying that this is (BC)the true grace of God. (BD)Stand firm in it! 13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, and so does my son, (BE)Mark. 14 (BF)Greet one another with a kiss of love.
(BG)Peace be to you all who are in Christ.
Footnotes
- 1 Peter 4:14 Lit in
- 1 Peter 4:15 Lit one who oversees others’ affairs
- 1 Peter 4:17 Lit from
- 1 Peter 4:17 Lit from
- 1 Peter 4:18 Lit where will appear
- 1 Peter 5:1 Or partner in
- 1 Peter 5:2 Or for dishonest gain
- 1 Peter 5:3 Lit the allotments
- 1 Peter 5:3 Or becoming examples
- 1 Peter 5:3 Or role models
- 1 Peter 5:4 Lit wreath
- 1 Peter 5:5 Or young people
- 1 Peter 5:9 Lit Whom resist
- 1 Peter 5:9 Lit fellowship
- 1 Peter 5:12 Lit (as I consider)
- 1 Peter 5:12 Or encouraging
1 Peter 4:12-5:14
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Suffering as a Christian
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed.(A) 14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory,[a] which is the Spirit of God,[b] is resting on you.[c](B) 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, a criminal, or even as a mischief maker.[d](C) 16 Yet if any of you suffers as a Christian, do not consider it a disgrace, but glorify God because you bear this name.[e] 17 For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God; if it begins with us, what will be the end for those who do not obey the gospel of God?(D) 18 And
“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
19 Therefore, let those suffering in accordance with God’s will entrust their lives to a faithful Creator, while continuing to do good.
Tending the Flock of God
5 Now as an elder myself and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you(E) 2 to tend the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight,[f] not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have you do it,[g] not for sordid gain but eagerly.(F) 3 Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock.(G) 4 And when the chief shepherd appears, you will win the crown of glory that never fades away.(H) 5 In the same way, you who are younger must be subject to the elders.[h] And all of you must clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for
“God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble.”(I)
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.(J) 8 Discipline yourselves; keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour.(K) 9 Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.(L) 10 And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ,[i] will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you.(M) 11 To him be the power[j] forever and ever. Amen.
Final Greetings and Benediction
12 Through Silvanus, whom I consider a faithful brother, I have written this short letter to encourage you and to testify that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.(N) 13 Your sister church[k] in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, and so does my son Mark. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love.
Peace to all of you who are in Christ.[l](O)
Footnotes
- 4.14 Other ancient authorities add and of power
- 4.14 Or spirit of glory and of God
- 4.14 Other ancient authorities add On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified
- 4.15 Meaning of Gk uncertain
- 4.16 Other ancient authorities read in this respect
- 5.2 Other ancient authorities lack exercising the oversight
- 5.2 Or in a godly manner; other ancient authorities lack as God would have you do it
- 5.5 Or of those who are older
- 5.10 Other ancient authorities read Christ Jesus
- 5.11 Other ancient authorities read glory and power
- 5.13 Gk She who is
- 5.14 Other ancient authorities add Jesus or Amen or Jesus. Amen
1 Peter 4:12-5:14
Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition
12 Dearly beloved, think not strange the burning heat which is to try you, as if some new thing happened to you;
13 But if you partake of the sufferings of Christ, rejoice that when his glory shall be revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
14 If you be reproached for the name of Christ, you shall be blessed: for that which is of the honour, glory, and power of God, and that which is his Spirit, resteth upon you.
15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or a railer, or a coveter of other men's things.
16 But if as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.
17 For the time is, that judgment should begin at the house of God. And if first at us, what shall be the end of them that believe not the gospel of God?
18 And if the just man shall scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
19 Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God, commend their souls in good deeds to the faithful Creator.
5 The ancients therefore that are among you, I beseech, who am myself also an ancient, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ: as also a partaker of that glory which is to be revealed in time to come:
2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking care of it, not by constraint, but willingly, according to God: not for filthy lucre's sake, but voluntarily:
3 Neither as lording it over the clergy, but being made a pattern of the flock from the heart.
4 And when the prince of pastors shall appear, you shall receive a never fading crown of glory.
5 In like manner, ye young men, be subject to the ancients. And do you all insinuate humility one to another, for God resisteth the proud, but to the humble he giveth grace.
6 Be you humbled therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in the time of visitation:
7 Casting all your care upon him, for he hath care of you.
8 Be sober and watch: because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, goeth about seeking whom he may devour.
9 Whom resist ye, strong in faith: knowing that the same affliction befalls your brethren who are in the world.
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us into his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little, will himself perfect you, and confirm you, and establish you.
11 To him be glory and empire for ever and ever. Amen.
12 By Sylvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I think, I have written briefly: beseeching and testifying that this is the true grace of God, wherein you stand.
13 The church that is in Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you: and so doth my son Mark.
14 Salute one another with a holy kiss. Grace be to all you, who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
1 Peter 4:12-5:14
The Message
Glory Just Around the Corner
12-13 Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.
14-16 If you’re abused because of Christ, count yourself fortunate. It’s the Spirit of God and his glory in you that brought you to the notice of others. If they’re on you because you broke the law or disturbed the peace, that’s a different matter. But if it’s because you’re a Christian, don’t give it a second thought. Be proud of the distinguished status reflected in that name!
17-19 It’s judgment time for God’s own family. We’re first in line. If it starts with us, think what it’s going to be like for those who refuse God’s Message!
If good people barely make it,
What’s in store for the bad?
So if you find life difficult because you’re doing what God said, take it in stride. Trust him. He knows what he’s doing, and he’ll keep on doing it.
He’ll Promote You at the Right Time
5 1-3 I have a special concern for you church leaders. I know what it’s like to be a leader, in on Christ’s sufferings as well as the coming glory. Here’s my concern: that you care for God’s flock with all the diligence of a shepherd. Not because you have to, but because you want to please God. Not calculating what you can get out of it, but acting spontaneously. Not bossily telling others what to do, but tenderly showing them the way.
4-5 When God, who is the best shepherd of all, comes out in the open with his rule, he’ll see that you’ve done it right and commend you lavishly. And you who are younger must follow your leaders. But all of you, leaders and followers alike, are to be down to earth with each other, for—
God has had it with the proud,
But takes delight in just plain people.
6-7 So be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you; he’ll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you.
He Gets the Last Word
8-11 Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does.
12 I’m sending this brief letter to you by Silas, a most dependable brother. I have the highest regard for him.
I’ve written as urgently and accurately as I know how. This is God’s generous truth; embrace it with both arms!
13-14 The church in exile here with me—but not for a moment forgotten by God—wants to be remembered to you. Mark, who is like a son to me, says hello. Give holy hugs all around! Peace to you—to all who walk in Christ’s ways.
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