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1 Peter 4
Amplified Bible

Keep Fervent in Your Love

4 Therefore, since [a]Christ suffered in the flesh [and died for us], arm yourselves [like warriors] with the same purpose [being willing to suffer for doing what is right and pleasing God], because whoever has suffered in the flesh [being like-minded with Christ] is done with [intentional] sin [having stopped pleasing the world], 2 so that he can no longer spend the rest of his natural life living for human appetites and desires, but [lives] for the will and purpose of God. 3 For the time already past is [more than] enough for doing what the [unsaved] Gentiles like to do—[b]living [unrestrained as you have done] in a course of [shameless] sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and wanton idolatries. 4 In [connection with] all this, they [the unbelievers] are resentful and surprised that you do not [think like them, value their values and] run [hand in hand] with them into the same excesses of dissipation and immoral freedom, and they criticize and abuse and ridicule you and make fun of your values. 5 But they will [have to] give an account to Him who is ready to judge and pass sentence on the living and the dead. 6 For this is why the good news [of salvation] was preached [in their lifetimes] even to those who are dead, that though they were judged in the flesh as men are, they may live in the spirit according to [the will and purpose of] God.

7 The end and culmination of all things is near. Therefore, be sound-minded and self-controlled for the purpose of prayer [staying balanced and focused on the things of God so that your communication will be clear, reasonable, specific and pleasing to Him.] 8 Above all, have [c]fervent and unfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins [it overlooks unkindness and unselfishly seeks the best for others].(A) 9 Be [d]hospitable to one another without complaint. 10 Just as each one of you has received a special gift [a spiritual talent, an ability graciously given by God], employ it in serving one another as [is appropriate for] good stewards of God’s multi-faceted grace [faithfully using the diverse, varied gifts and abilities granted to Christians by God’s unmerited favor]. 11 Whoever speaks [to the congregation], is to do so as one who speaks the oracles (utterances, the very words) of God. Whoever serves [the congregation] is to do so as one who serves by the strength which God [abundantly] supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified [honored and magnified] through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Share the Sufferings of Christ

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test you [that is, to test the quality of your faith], as though something strange or unusual were happening to you. 13 But insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, keep on rejoicing, so that when His glory [filled with His radiance and splendor] is revealed, you may rejoice with great joy. 14 If you are insulted and reviled for [bearing] the name of Christ, you are blessed [happy, with life-joy and comfort in God’s salvation regardless of your circumstances], because the Spirit of glory and of God is resting on you [and indwelling you—He whom they curse, you glorify].(B) 15 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or a thief, or any sort of criminal [in response to persecution], or as a troublesome meddler interfering in the affairs of others; 16 but if anyone suffers [ill-treatment] as a [e]Christian [because of his belief], he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God [because he is considered worthy to suffer] in this name. 17 For it is the time [destined] for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not respect or believe or obey the gospel of God? 18 And if it is difficult for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the godless and the sinner?(C) 19 Therefore, those who are ill-treated and suffer in accordance with the will of God must [continue to] do right and commit their souls [for safe-keeping] to the faithful Creator.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 4:1 See 3:18.
  2. 1 Peter 4:3 Lit having gone.
  3. 1 Peter 4:8 This Greek word was used to describe the taut, stretched muscles of a runner winning his race.
  4. 1 Peter 4:9 During times of persecution of the early church mutual support was often critical for the survival of fellow believers.
  5. 1 Peter 4:16 “Christian” occurs only here and in Acts 11:26; 26:28. It was first used as a derogatory word to describe believers.
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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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1 Peter 4
Legacy 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)he who has [b]suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin— 2 (D)so as to no longer live (E)the rest of the time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the (F)will of God. 3 For (G)the time already past is sufficient for you to have worked out the desire of the Gentiles, [c](H)having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and [d]abominable idolatries. 4 In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of (I)dissipation, (J)maligning you, 5 but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge (K)the living and the dead. 6 For to this (L)the gospel has been [e]proclaimed even to those who are now dead, so that though they were judged in the flesh as men, they live in the spirit according to the will of God.

7 (M)The end of all things is at hand; therefore, (N)be of sound thinking and sober spirit for the purpose of [f]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)grumbling. 10 (S)As each one has received a gift, employ it in serving one another as good (T)stewards of the manifold grace of God— 11 (U)whoever speaks, [g]as one speaking the (V)oracles of God; whoever serves, as one serving [h](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 might forever and ever. Amen.

Sharing the Suffering of Christ

12 (Z)Beloved, do not be surprised at the (AA)fiery trial among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you. 13 But to the degree you are (AB)sharing the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the (AC)revelation of His glory (AD)you may rejoice with exultation. 14 If you are insulted [i](AE)for the name of Christ, (AF)you are blessed, (AG)because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 Make sure that (AH)none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a [j](AI)troublesome meddler; 16 but if anyone suffers as a (AJ)Christian, he is not to be put to shame, but is to (AK)glorify God in this name. 17 For it is time for judgment (AL)to begin [k]with (AM)the house of God; and if it (AN)begins 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, [l]what will become of the (AR)godless man and the sinner? 19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to (AS)the will of God must entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing good.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 4:1 Suffered death
  2. 1 Peter 4:1 Suffered death
  3. 1 Peter 4:3 Lit having gone in
  4. 1 Peter 4:3 Lit lawless
  5. 1 Peter 4:6 Proclaimed in their lifetimes
  6. 1 Peter 4:7 Lit prayers
  7. 1 Peter 4:11 Lit as utterances
  8. 1 Peter 4:11 Lit from
  9. 1 Peter 4:14 Lit in
  10. 1 Peter 4:15 Lit one who oversees others’ affairs
  11. 1 Peter 4:17 Lit from
  12. 1 Peter 4:18 Lit where will appear
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