Passage Resources Hebrew/Greek Your Content
Previous Next
Add parallel Print Page Options
Close EXB

1 Peter 4
Expanded Bible

Change Your Lives

4 [L Therefore] Since Christ suffered while he was in his ·body [T flesh], ·strengthen [arm] yourselves with the same ·way of thinking Christ had [intention; attitude; resolve]. [L Because] The person who has suffered in the ·body [T flesh] ·is finished with sin [or has broken from the power of sin]. 2 ·Strengthen [Arm] yourselves so that you will live ·here on earth [L the rest of the time in the flesh] doing ·what God wants [the will of God], ·not the evil things people want [or not pursuing your own human desires]. 3 ·In the past you wasted too much time [or For you have spent enough time in the past] doing what ·nonbelievers [Gentiles; pagans] enjoy. You were guilty of sexual sins, evil desires, drunkenness, wild and drunken parties, and ·hateful [lawless; detestable] idol worship. 4 ·Nonbelievers [The Gentiles/pagans] think it is ·strange [surprising] that you do not ·do the many wild and wasteful things they do [L run with them into the same flood/excess of debauchery], so they ·insult you [abuse/slander you; or blaspheme]. 5 But they will have to ·explain [T give account of] this to God, who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this reason the ·Good News [Gospel] was preached to those who are now dead. Even though they were judged ·like all people [L according to human beings in the flesh], the Good News was preached to them so they could live ·in the spirit as God lives [or in the Spirit as God lives; L according to God in the spirit/Spirit; C though Christians will die physically, because of the Good News they will live forever with God].

Use God’s Gifts Wisely

7 The ·time is near when all things will end [T end of all things is near]. So ·think clearly [be serious/alert] and ·control [discipline] yourselves so you will be able to pray. 8 Most importantly, love each other ·deeply [earnestly], because love ·will cause people to forgive each other for many sins [L covers a multitude of sins; Prov. 10:12; Luke 7:46–47]. 9 ·Open your homes [Be hospitable] to each other, without ·complaining [grumbling]. 10 Each of you has received a gift to use to serve others. Be good ·servants [stewards; managers] of God’s various gifts of grace [Rom. 5:15–16; 6:23]. 11 Anyone who speaks should speak ·words from God [or oracles from God; or as one bringing God’s message]. Anyone who serves should serve with the strength God gives so that in everything God will be ·praised [glorified] through Jesus Christ. Glory and power belong to him forever and ever [Col. 3:17]. Amen.

Suffering as a Christian

12 ·My friends [Beloved], do not be surprised at the ·terrible trouble [fiery ordeal; Zech. 13:9; Mal. 3:1–3] which now comes to test you. Do not think that something strange is happening to you. 13 But ·be happy [rejoice] that you are sharing in Christ’s sufferings so that you will ·be happy and full of joy [L rejoice exulting/joyously] ·when Christ comes again in glory [L at the revelation of his glory]. 14 When people ·insult [ridicule] you ·because you follow Christ [L for the name of Christ], you are blessed, because the glorious Spirit, the Spirit of God, ·is with [rests on] you [Is. 11:1–2]. 15 Do not suffer for murder, theft, or any other crime, nor ·because you trouble other people [as a meddler/troublemaker]. 16 But if you suffer because you are a Christian, do not be ashamed. ·Praise [Glorify] God ·because you wear that name [or because you are called by his name; L in that name]. 17 [L For] It is time for judgment to begin with ·God’s family [T the household of God; 2:4–5]. And if that judging begins with us, what will ·happen to [L be the end for] those people who do not obey the ·Good News [Gospel] of God?

18 “If it is very hard for a ·good [righteous] person to be saved,
    ·the wicked person and the sinner will surely be lost! [or What will happen to the wicked person and the sinner?; Prov. 11:31]”

19 So those who suffer ·as God wants [or because God has allowed it; L according to the will of God] should trust their souls to the faithful Creator as they continue to do what is ·right [good].

Listen to 1 Peter 4
Close HCSB

1 Peter 4
Holman Christian Standard Bible

Following Christ

4 Therefore, since Christ suffered[a] in the flesh,[b] equip[c] yourselves also with the same resolve[d]—because the one who suffered in the flesh has finished(A) with sin[e]— 2 in order to live the remaining time in the flesh, no longer for human desires,[f] but for God’s will.(B) 3 For there has already been enough time spent in doing what the pagans choose to do:[g] carrying on in unrestrained behavior, evil desires,(C) drunkenness, orgies,(D) carousing, and lawless idolatry. 4 So they are surprised that you don’t plunge with them into the same flood[h] of wild living—and they slander 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,(F) so that, although they might be judged by men in the fleshly(G) realm,[i] they might live(H) by God in the spiritual realm.[j]

End-Time Ethics

7 Now the end of all things is near;(I) therefore, be serious and disciplined(J) for prayer. 8 Above all, maintain an intense love(K) for each other, since love covers a multitude of sins.(L)[k] 9 Be hospitable(M) to one another without complaining. 10 Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others,(N) as good managers of the varied grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, it should be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, it should be from the strength God provides,(O) 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

12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal[l] 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 the Messiah,(Q) so that you may also rejoice with great joy at the revelation(R) of His glory. 14 If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ,(S) you are blessed, because the Spirit(T) of glory and of God rests on you.[m] 15 None of you, however, should suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a meddler.[n] 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(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?(W)[o]

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

Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 4:1 Other mss read suffered for us
  2. 1 Peter 4:1 The phrase “in the flesh” probably means in human experience.
  3. 1 Peter 4:1 Or arm
  4. 1 Peter 4:1 Or perspective, or attitude
  5. 1 Peter 4:1 Or the one who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin
  6. 1 Peter 4:2 Lit for desires of human beings
  7. 1 Peter 4:3 Or Gentiles
  8. 1 Peter 4:4 Lit you don’t run with them into the same pouring out
  9. 1 Peter 4:6 Or in the flesh
  10. 1 Peter 4:6 Or in the spirit
  11. 1 Peter 4:8 Pr 10:12
  12. 1 Peter 4:12 Lit the burning
  13. 1 Peter 4:14 Other mss add He is blasphemed because of them, but He is glorified because of you.
  14. 1 Peter 4:15 Or as one who defrauds others
  15. 1 Peter 4:18 Pr 11:31 LXX
Next
1 Peter 3
1 Peter 5
Next
dropdown
Expanded Bible (EXB)

The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.