1 Peter 4
English Standard Version
Stewards of God's Grace
4 Since therefore (A)Christ suffered in the flesh,[a] (B)arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for (C)whoever has suffered in the flesh (D)has ceased from sin, 2 (E)so as to live for (F)the rest of the time in the flesh (G)no longer for human passions but (H)for the will of God. 3 For the time that is past (I)suffices (J)for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. 4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of (K)debauchery, and (L)they malign you; 5 but they will give account to him who is ready (M)to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is why (N)the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.
7 (O)The end of all things is at hand; therefore (P)be self-controlled and sober-minded (Q)for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since (R)love covers a multitude of sins. 9 (S)Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 (T)As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, (U)as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks (V)oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves (W)by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything (X)God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. (Y)To him belong glory and (Z)dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Suffering as a Christian
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at (AA)the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice (AB)insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad (AC)when his glory is revealed. 14 (AD)If you are insulted (AE)for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory[b] and of God rests upon you. 15 But (AF)let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or (AG)as a meddler. 16 Yet (AH)if anyone suffers as a (AI)Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God (AJ)in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment (AK)to begin at the household of God; and (AL)if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who (AM)do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And
19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will (AO)entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
Footnotes
- 1 Peter 4:1 Some manuscripts add for us; some for you
- 1 Peter 4:14 Some manuscripts insert and of power
- 1 Peter 4:18 Greek where will the ungodly and sinner appear?
1 Peter 4
Lexham English Bible
The Time for Behaving Like the Gentiles is Past
4 Therefore, because[a] Christ suffered in the flesh, you also equip yourselves with the same way of thinking, because the one who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 in order to live the remaining time in the flesh no longer for human desires, but for the will of God. 3 For the time that has passed was sufficient to do what the Gentiles desire to do[b], having lived in licentiousness, evil desires, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and wanton idolatries, 4 with respect to which they are surprised when[c] you do not run with them into the same flood of dissipation, and so they[d] revile you. 5 They[e] will give an account to the one who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 Because for this reason also the gospel was preached to those who are dead, so that they were judged by human standards[f] in the flesh, but they may live in the spirit by God’s standards[g].
Serving to the Glory of God
7 Now the end of all things draws near. Therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for your prayers. 8 Above all, keep[h] your love for one another constant, because love covers a large number of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaining. 10 Just as each one has received a gift, use it for serving one another, as good stewards of the varied grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let it be as the oracles of God; if anyone serves, let it be as by the strength that God provides, so that in all things God will be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom is the glory and the power forever and ever[i]. Amen.
Sharing the Sufferings of Christ
12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, when it[j] takes place to test you, as if something strange were happening to you. 13 But to the degree that you share in the sufferings of Christ, rejoice, so that also at the revelation of his glory you may rejoice and be glad. 14 If you are reviled on account of the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 By all means do not let anyone of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 But if someone suffers as a Christian, he must not be ashamed, but must glorify God with this name. 17 For it is the time for the judgment to begin out from the household of God. But if it begins out from us first, what will be the outcome for those who are disobedient to the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous are saved with difficulty, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner[k]?[l] 19 So then also those who suffer according to the will of God must entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing good.
Footnotes
- 1 Peter 4:1 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“suffered”) which is understood as causal
- 1 Peter 4:3 Literally “to do the intention of the Gentiles”
- 1 Peter 4:4 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“run with”) which is understood as temporal
- 1 Peter 4:4 Here “and so” is supplied as a component of the participle (“revile”) which is understood as result
- 1 Peter 4:5 Literally “who”
- 1 Peter 4:6 Literally “according to men”
- 1 Peter 4:6 Literally “according to God”
- 1 Peter 4:8 Literally “having”
- 1 Peter 4:11 Literally “for the ages of the ages”
- 1 Peter 4:12 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“takes place”) which is understood as temporal
- 1 Peter 4:18 Literally “the ungodly and sinner where will he appear”
- 1 Peter 4:18 This verse contains a quotation from Prov 11:31
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