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 (I)[d]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 Peter 4:1 I.e., suffered death
- 1 Peter 4:1 I.e., suffered death
- 1 Peter 4:3 Lit having gone in
- 1 Peter 4:4 Or reckless abandon
- 1 Peter 4:6 I.e., preached in their lifetimes
- 1 Peter 4:7 Lit has come near
- 1 Peter 4:7 Lit prayers
- 1 Peter 4:10 Or manifold
- 1 Peter 4:11 Lit from
- 1 Peter 4:11 Or power
- 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 4
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Good Stewards of God’s Grace
4 Since, therefore, Christ suffered in the flesh,[a] arm yourselves also with the same intention (for whoever has suffered in the flesh has finished with sin),(A) 2 so as to live for the rest of your time in the flesh no longer by human desires but by the will of God.(B) 3 You have already spent enough time in doing what the gentiles like to do, living in debauchery, passions, drunkenness, revels, carousing, and lawless idolatry.(C) 4 They are surprised that you no longer join them in the same excesses of dissipation, and so they blaspheme.[b](D) 5 But they will have to give an accounting to him who stands ready to judge the living and the dead.(E) 6 For this is the reason the gospel was proclaimed even to the dead, so that, though they had been judged in the flesh as everyone is judged, they might live in the spirit as God does.
7 The end of all things is near;[c] therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers.(F) 8 Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins.(G) 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaining. 10 Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.(H) 11 Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.(I)
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.(J) 14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory,[d] which is the Spirit of God,[e] is resting on you.[f](K) 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, a criminal, or even as a mischief maker.[g](L) 16 Yet if any of you suffers as a Christian, do not consider it a disgrace, but glorify God because you bear this name.[h] 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?(M) 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.
Footnotes
- 4.1 Other ancient authorities add for us or for you
- 4.4 Or they malign you
- 4.7 Or is at hand
- 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
1 Peter 4
Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition
4 Christ therefore having suffered in the flesh, be you also armed with the same thought: for he that hath suffered in the flesh, hath ceased from sins:
2 That now he may live the rest of his time in the flesh, not after the desires of men, but according to the will of God.
3 For the time past is sufficient to have fulfilled the will of the Gentiles, for them who have walked in riotousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and unlawful worshipping of idols.
4 Wherein they think it strange, that you run not with them into the same confusion of riotousness, speaking evil of you.
5 Who shall render account to him, who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
6 For, for this cause was the gospel preached also to the dead: that they might be judged indeed according to men, in the flesh; but may live according to God, in the Spirit.
7 But the end of all is at hand. Be prudent therefore, and watch in prayers.
8 But before all things have a constant mutual charity among yourselves: for charity covereth a multitude of sins.
9 Using hospitality one towards another, without murmuring,
10 As every man hath received grace, ministering the same one to another: as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
11 If any man speak, let him speak, as the words of God. If any man minister, let him do it, as of the power, which God administereth: that in all things God may be honoured through Jesus Christ: to whom is glory and empire for ever and ever. Amen.
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.
1 Peter 4
The Message
Learn to Think Like Him
4 1-2 Since Jesus went through everything you’re going through and more, learn to think like him. Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way. Then you’ll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want.
3-5 You’ve already put in your time in that God-ignorant way of life, partying night after night, a drunken and profligate life. Now it’s time to be done with it for good. Of course, your old friends don’t understand why you don’t join in with the old gang anymore. But you don’t have to give an account to them. They’re the ones who will be called on the carpet—and before God himself.
6 Listen to the Message. It was preached to those believers who are now dead, and yet even though they died (just as all people must), they will still get in on the life that God has given in Jesus.
7-11 Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he’ll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!
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.
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