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1 Peter 4
Christian Standard Bible

Following Christ

4 Therefore, since Christ suffered[a] in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same understanding[b]—because the one who suffers in the flesh is finished(A) with sin[c]— 2 in order to live the remaining time in the flesh no longer for human desires, but for God’s will.(B) 3 For there has already been enough time spent in doing what the Gentiles choose to do: carrying on in unrestrained behavior, evil desires,(C) drunkenness, orgies,(D) carousing, and lawless idolatry. 4 They are surprised that you don’t join them in the same flood of wild living—and they slander[d] you. 5 They will give an account to the one who stands ready to judge the living and the dead.(E) 6 For this reason the gospel was also preached to those who are now dead,[e](F) so that, although they might be judged in the flesh according to human standards,(G) they might live(H) in the spirit according to God’s standards.

End-Time Ethics

7 The end of all things is near;(I) therefore, be alert and sober-minded(J) for prayer. 8 Above all, maintain constant love(K) for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins.[f](L) 9 Be hospitable(M) to one another without complaining. 10 Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others,(N) as good stewards of the varied grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let it be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, let it be from the strength God provides,(O) so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

Christian Suffering

12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you, as if something unusual were happening to you.(P) 13 Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of Christ,(Q) so that you may also rejoice with great joy when his glory is revealed.(R) 14 If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ,(S) you are blessed, because the Spirit(T) of glory and of God[g] rests on you. 15 Let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a meddler.[h] 16 But if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed but let him glorify God in having that name.[i] 17 For the time has come for judgment(U) to begin with God’s household,(V) 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?[j](W)

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

Footnotes

  1. 4:1 Other mss read suffered for us
  2. 4:1 Or perspective, or attitude
  3. 4:1 Or the one who suffered in the flesh has finished with sin
  4. 4:4 Or blaspheme
  5. 4:6 Or those who are dead
  6. 4:8 Pr 10:12
  7. 4:14 Or God’s glorious Spirit
  8. 4:15 Or as one who defrauds others
  9. 4:16 Other mss read in that case
  10. 4:18 Pr 11:31 LXX
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1 Peter 4
J.B. Phillips New Testament

Following Christ will mean pain

4 1-6 Since Christ had to suffer physically for you, you must fortify yourselves with the same inner attitude that he must have had. You must realise that to be dead to sin inevitably means pain, and you should not therefore spend the rest of your time here on earth indulging your physical nature, but in doing the will of God. Our past life may have been good enough for pagan purposes, though it meant sensuality, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousals and worshipping forbidden gods. Indeed your former companions may think it very queer that you will no longer join with them in their riotous excesses, and accordingly say all sorts of unpleasant things about you. Don’t worry: they are the ones who will have to explain their behaviour before the one who is prepared to judge all men, whether living or dead. (For that is why the dead also had the Gospel preached to them—that it might judge the lives they lived as men and give them also the opportunity to share the eternal life of God in the spirit.)

Your attitude in these last days

7 We are near the end of all things now, and you should therefore be calm, self-controlled men of prayer.

8 Above everything else be sure that you have real deep love for each other, remembering how ‘love will cover a multitude of sins’.

9 Be hospitable to each other without secretly wishing you hadn’t got to be!

10-11 Serve one another with the particular gifts God has given each of you, as faithful dispensers of the magnificently varied grace of God. If any of you is a preacher then he should preach his message as from God. And in whatever way a man serves the Church he should do it recognising the fact that God gives him his ability, so that God may be glorified in everything through Jesus Christ. To him belong praise and power for ever, amen!

Your attitude to persecution

12-16 And now dear friends of mine. I beg you not to be unduly alarmed at the fiery ordeals which come to test your faith, as though this were some abnormal experience. You should be glad, because it means that you are called to share Christ’s sufferings. One day, when he shows himself in full splendour to men, you will be filled with the most tremendous joy. If you are reproached for being Christ’s followers, that is a great privilege, for you can be sure that God’s Spirit of glory is resting upon you. But take care that none of your number suffers as a murderer, or a thief, a rogue or a spy! If he suffers as a Christian he has nothing to be ashamed of and may glorify God in Christ’s name.

17-18 The time has evidently arrived for God’s judgment to begin, and it is beginning at his own House. And if it starts with us, what is it going to mean to those who refuse to obey the Gospel of God? ‘If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?’.

19 And if it is true that we are living in a time of judgment, then those who suffer according to God’s will can only commit their souls to their faithful creator, and go on doing all the good they can.

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1 Peter 4
New American Standard Bible

Keep Fervent in Your Love

4 Therefore, since (A)Christ has [a]suffered in the flesh, (B)arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because (C)the one who has [b]suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 (D)so as to live (E)the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human lusts, but for the (F)will of God. 3 For (G)the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, [c](H)having pursued a course of indecent behavior, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and wanton idolatries. 4 In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them in the same excesses of [d](I)debauchery, and they (J)slander you; 5 but they will give an account to Him who is ready to judge (K)the living and the dead. 6 For (L)the gospel has for this purpose been [e]preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as people, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God.

7 (M)The end of all things [f]is near; therefore, (N)be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of [g]prayer. 8 Above all, (O)keep fervent in your love for one another, because (P)love covers a multitude of sins. 9 (Q)Be hospitable to one another without (R)complaint. 10 (S)As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good (T)stewards of the [h]multifaceted grace of God. 11 (U)Whoever speaks is to do so as one who is speaking (V)actual words of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving [i](W)by the strength which God supplies; so that (X)in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, (Y)to whom belongs the glory and [j]dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Share the Sufferings of Christ

12 (Z)Beloved, do not be surprised at the (AA)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 (AB)share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that at the (AC)revelation of His glory (AD)you may also rejoice and be overjoyed. 14 If you are insulted [k](AE)for the name of Christ, (AF)you are blessed, (AG)because the Spirit of glory, and of God, rests upon you. 15 Make sure that (AH)none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a [l](AI)troublesome meddler; 16 but if anyone suffers as a (AJ)Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to (AK)glorify God in this name. 17 For it is time for judgment (AL)to begin [m]with (AM)the household of God; and if it (AN)begins [n]with us first, what will be the outcome for those (AO)who do not obey the (AP)gospel of God? 18 (AQ)And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, [o]what will become of the (AR)godless man and the sinner? 19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to (AS)the will of God are to entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 4:1 I.e., suffered death
  2. 1 Peter 4:1 I.e., suffered death
  3. 1 Peter 4:3 Lit having gone in
  4. 1 Peter 4:4 Or reckless abandon
  5. 1 Peter 4:6 I.e., preached in their lifetimes
  6. 1 Peter 4:7 Lit has come near
  7. 1 Peter 4:7 Lit prayers
  8. 1 Peter 4:10 Or manifold
  9. 1 Peter 4:11 Lit from
  10. 1 Peter 4:11 Or power
  11. 1 Peter 4:14 Lit in
  12. 1 Peter 4:15 Lit one who oversees others’ affairs
  13. 1 Peter 4:17 Lit from
  14. 1 Peter 4:17 Lit from
  15. 1 Peter 4:18 Lit where will appear
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1 Peter 4
New King James Version

Christ’s Example to Be Followed

4 Therefore, since Christ suffered [a]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 he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, (A)but for the will of God. 3 For we have spent enough of our past [b]lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. 4 In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. 5 They will give an account to Him who is ready (B)to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this reason (C)the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but (D)live according to God in the spirit.

Serving for God’s Glory

7 But (E)the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for (F)“love will cover a multitude of sins.” 9 (G)Be hospitable to one another (H)without grumbling. 10 (I)As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, (J)as good stewards of (K)the manifold grace of God. 11 (L)If anyone speaks, let him speak as the [c]oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that (M)in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the [d]dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Suffering for God’s Glory

12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice (N)to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that (O)when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are [e]reproached for the name of Christ, (P)blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. [f]On their part He is blasphemed, (Q)but on your part He is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a [g]busybody in other people’s matters. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this [h]matter.

17 For the time has come (R)for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, (S)what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 Now

(T)“If the righteous one is scarcely saved,
Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?”

19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God (U)commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 4:1 NU omits for us
  2. 1 Peter 4:3 NU time
  3. 1 Peter 4:11 utterances
  4. 1 Peter 4:11 sovereignty
  5. 1 Peter 4:14 insulted or reviled
  6. 1 Peter 4:14 NU omits the rest of v. 14.
  7. 1 Peter 4:15 meddler
  8. 1 Peter 4:16 NU name
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1 Peter 4
New Living Translation

Living for God

4 So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin.[a] 2 You won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God. 3 You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy—their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols.

4 Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you. 5 But remember that they will have to face God, who stands ready to judge everyone, both the living and the dead. 6 That is why the Good News was preached to those who are now dead[b]—so although they were destined to die like all people,[c] they now live forever with God in the Spirit.[d]

7 The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. 8 Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.

10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 11 Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

Suffering for Being a Christian

12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.

14 If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God[e] rests upon you.[f] 15 If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. 16 But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! 17 For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News? 18 And also,

“If the righteous are barely saved,
    what will happen to godless sinners?”[g]

19 So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.

Footnotes

  1. 4:1 Or For the one [or One] who has suffered physically has finished with sin.
  2. 4:6a Greek preached even to the dead.
  3. 4:6b Or so although people had judged them worthy of death.
  4. 4:6c Or in spirit.
  5. 4:14a Or for the glory of God, which is his Spirit.
  6. 4:14b Some manuscripts add On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified.
  7. 4:18 Prov 11:31 (Greek version).
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