1 Peter 4
New Catholic Bible
Chapter 4
1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh, you should arm yourselves also with the same intention. For anyone who has suffered in the flesh has finished with sin 2 and for the remainder of life on earth must be ruled not by human passions but by the will of God.
3 You have already spent enough time in doing what the Gentiles like to do, pursuing a life of debauchery, licentiousness, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and sacrilegious idolatry. 4 They are surprised that you no longer join them in a life of dissipation, and they revile you as a result. 5 However, they will have to render an account to him who stands ready to judge[a] the living and the dead.
6 And this is the reason why the gospel was preached even to the dead, so that, although they might be judged in the flesh like men, they might enjoy the life of God in the spirit.
Qualities of a Christian Community Waiting for Christ.[b] 7 The end of all things is near. Therefore, lead disciplined lives and be watchful in prayer. 8 Above all, maintain the fervor of your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.
9 Be hospitable to one another without complaining. 10 Like good stewards of the varied graces of God, use whatever gift each one of you has received to serve one another.
11 Whoever speaks should do so as one who is speaking the very words of God. Whoever serves should do so with the strength that God provides. In all things, let God be glorified through Jesus Christ, for to him belong all glory and power forever and ever. Amen.
12 Courage and Joy in Suffering.[c] Beloved, do not be surprised that you are being tested by a fiery ordeal,[d] as though it were something extraordinary. 13 But rejoice insofar as you are sharing in the sufferings of Christ, so that your joy will be without limit when his glory is revealed.
14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, consider yourself blessed, for upon you rests the Spirit of glory[e] and of God. 15 [f]However, let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, or any other kind of criminal, or as one who meddles in another person’s business. 16 Let it be because you are a Christian,[g] not considering it a disgrace, but glorifying God because you bear this name.
17 The time has come for the judgment of the household of God to begin. If it begins with us, how will it end for those who refuse to obey the gospel of God?
18 And:
“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the godless and those who are sinners?”
19 And so, those who suffer in accordance with God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator, while continuing to do good.
Footnotes
- 1 Peter 4:5 Him who stands ready to judge: the New Testament assigns judgment to both the Father and the Son on the last day (see Jn 5:27; Acts 17:31). The living and the dead: i.e., those who are alive as well as those who have died when the last day arrives.
- 1 Peter 4:7 Living in expectation of the Lord’s Second Coming, Christian communities are characterized by a serious atmosphere, by relationships of responsibility and fraternity, and by concern for prayer and the Liturgy.
- 1 Peter 4:12 Hostility seems to be unleashed against the communities. We will always be astounded by the conviction of the first Christian generations in the face of persecution. They do not regard it as a strange fate but as something that indicates the arrival of a new age, that of the last times of history. It announces a change in the course of the things of the world. The destiny of Christ is not only an example to consider but a mystery to share in these conditions. However, the persecution in question must be a real one against the faith and not a reaction against the abuses committed by Christians themselves. Concerning the necessity of persecution and the meaning of the announcement of a change, see Mt 5:11-12; Lk 6:22-23; 21:12-19.
- 1 Peter 4:12 Fiery ordeal: literally, “fire for testing.” Suffering is a source of purification.
- 1 Peter 4:14 Spirit of glory: because the Spirit bestows glory after trials.
- 1 Peter 4:15 There is suffering that believers bring down upon themselves by their own sins and weaknesses and suffering that God allows to afflict them. In both instances, they should entrust themselves to God and offer their sufferings to him.
- 1 Peter 4:16 Christian: this word occurs only here and in Acts 11:26; 26:28 in the New Testament.
1 Peter 4
Names of God Bible
4 Since Christ has suffered physically, take the same attitude that he had. (A person who has suffered physically no longer sins.) 2 That way you won’t be guided by sinful human desires as you live the rest of your lives on earth. Instead, you will be guided by what God wants you to do. 3 You spent enough time in the past doing what unbelievers like to do. You were promiscuous, had sinful desires, got drunk, went to wild parties, and took part in the forbidden worship of false gods. 4 Unbelievers insult you now because they are surprised that you no longer join them in the same excesses of wild living. 5 They will give an account to the one who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 After all, the Good News was told to people like that, although they are now dead. It was told to them so that they could be judged like humans in their earthly lives and live like God in their spiritual lives.
7 The end of everything is near. Therefore, practice self-control, and keep your minds clear so that you can pray. 8 Above all, love each other warmly, because love covers many sins. 9 Welcome each other as guests without complaining. 10 Each of you as a good manager must use the gift that God has given you to serve others. 11 Whoever speaks must speak God’s words. Whoever serves must serve with the strength God supplies so that in every way God receives glory through Yeshua Christ. Glory and power belong to Yeshua Christ forever and ever! Amen.
Share Christ’s Sufferings
12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised by the fiery troubles that are coming in order to test you. Don’t feel as though something strange is happening to you, 13 but be happy as you share Christ’s sufferings. Then you will also be full of joy when he appears again in his glory. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed because the Spirit of glory—the Spirit of God—is resting on you.
15 If you suffer, you shouldn’t suffer for being a murderer, thief, criminal, or troublemaker. 16 If you suffer for being a Christian, don’t feel ashamed, but praise God for being called that name. 17 The time has come for the judgment to begin, and it will begin with God’s family. If it starts with us, what will be the end for those who refuse to obey the Good News of God? 18 If it’s hard for the person who has God’s approval to be saved, what will happen to the godless sinner? 19 Those who suffer because that is God’s will for them must entrust themselves to a faithful creator and continue to do what is good.
The Names of God Bible (without notes) © 2011 by Baker Publishing Group.