1 Peter 4
New Matthew Bible
He exhorts people to cease from sin, to spend no more time in vice, to be sober, to be fit and ready to pray, to love each other, and to be patient in trouble – and to beware that no one suffer as an evil-doer, but only as Christian; and not to be ashamed.
4 Inasmuch as Christ has suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind. For he who suffers in the flesh, ceases from sin, 2 that he henceforward should live as much time as remains in the flesh, not after the lusts or desires of men, but after the will of God. 3 For it is enough for us that we have spent the time that is past of our life after the will of the Gentiles, walking in wantonness, lusts, drunkenness; in eating, drinking, and in abominable idolatry.
4 And it seems to them a strange thing that you run not also with them to the same excess of disorder, and therefore they speak evil of you. 5 But they will give accounts to him who is ready to judge the quick and the dead. 6 For to this purpose was the gospel preached to the dead: that they should be judged like other men in the flesh, but should live before God in the spirit.
7 The end of all things is at hand. Be therefore discreet and sober, so that you may be fit for prayer. 8 But above all things, have fervent love among you. For love covers the multitude of sins.
9 Be ready to take one another into your homes, and that without grudging. 10 As each one has received the gift, minister the same to one another, as good ministers of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him do so as though he spoke the words of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as of the ability that God gives to him, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever and while the world stands. Amen.
12 Dearly beloveds, be not troubled in this heat that has now come among you to try you, as if some strange thing had happened to you. 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ’s passions, so that when his glory appears, you may be merry and glad. 14 If you are railed upon for the name of Christ, happy are you. For the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified.
15 See that none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief or an evil-doer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. 16 If anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in the matter. 17 For the time has come that judgment must begin at the house of God. If it first begins at us, what shall the end be of those who do not believe the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous are scarcely saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to him with well-doing, as to a faithful Creator.
1 Peter 4
Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
Good Stewards of God’s Grace
4 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh,[a] arm yourselves with the same thought, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,[b] 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer by human passions but by the will of God. 3 Let the time that is past suffice for doing what the Gentiles like to do, living in licentiousness, passions, drunkenness, revels, carousing, and lawless idolatry. 4 They are surprised that you do not now join them in the same wild profligacy, and they abuse you; 5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to the dead, that though judged in the flesh like men, they might live in the spirit like God.
7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore keep sane and sober for your prayers. 8 Above all hold unfailing your love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Practice hospitality ungrudgingly to one another. 10 As each has received a gift, employ it for one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who utters oracles of God; whoever renders service, as one who renders it by the strength which God supplies; in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Suffering as a Christian
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which comes upon you to prove you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice in so far as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory[c] and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or a wrongdoer, or a mischief-maker; 16 yet if one suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but under that name let him glorify God. 17 For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And
“If the righteous man is scarcely saved,
where will the impious and sinner appear?”
19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will do right and entrust their souls to a faithful Creator.
Footnotes
- 1 Peter 4:1 Other ancient authorities add for us; some for you
- 4.1 ceased from sin: Peter means that a continual acceptance of suffering is incompatible with a proneness to sin.
- 1 Peter 4:14 Other ancient authorities insert and of power
1 Peter 4
King James Version
4 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.
6 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.
16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
Copyright © 2016 by Ruth Magnusson (Davis). Includes emendations to February 2022. All rights reserved.
The Revised Standard Version of the Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1965, 1966 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.