Following Christ

Therefore, since Christ suffered[a] in the flesh,[b] equip[c] yourselves also with the same resolve[d]—because the one who suffered in the flesh has finished(A) with sin[e] in order to live the remaining time in the flesh, no longer for human desires,[f] but for God’s will.(B) For there has already been enough time spent in doing what the pagans choose to do:[g] carrying on in unrestrained behavior, evil desires,(C) drunkenness, orgies,(D) carousing, and lawless idolatry. So they are surprised that you don’t plunge with them into the same flood[h] of wild living—and they slander you. They will give an account to the One who stands ready to judge the living and the dead.(E) For this reason the gospel was also preached to those who are now dead,(F) so that, although they might be judged by men in the fleshly(G) realm,[i] they might live(H) by God in the spiritual realm.[j]

End-Time Ethics

Now the end of all things is near;(I) therefore, be serious and disciplined(J) for prayer. Above all, maintain an intense love(K) for each other, since love covers a multitude of sins.(L)[k] Be hospitable(M) to one another without complaining. 10 Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others,(N) as good managers of the varied grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, it should be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, it should be from the strength God provides,(O) so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To Him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

Christian Suffering

12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal[l] comes among you to test you as if something unusual were happening to you.(P) 13 Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of the Messiah,(Q) so that you may also rejoice with great joy at the revelation(R) of His glory. 14 If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ,(S) you are blessed, because the Spirit(T) of glory and of God rests on you.[m] 15 None of you, however, should suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a meddler.[n] 16 But if anyone suffers as a “Christian,” he should not be ashamed but should glorify God in having that name. 17 For the time has come for judgment(U) to begin with God’s household,(V) and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God?

18 And if a righteous person is saved with difficulty,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?(W)[o]

19 So those who suffer according to God’s will should, while doing what is good, entrust themselves(X) to a faithful Creator.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 4:1 Other mss read suffered for us
  2. 1 Peter 4:1 The phrase “in the flesh” probably means in human experience.
  3. 1 Peter 4:1 Or arm
  4. 1 Peter 4:1 Or perspective, or attitude
  5. 1 Peter 4:1 Or the one who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin
  6. 1 Peter 4:2 Lit for desires of human beings
  7. 1 Peter 4:3 Or Gentiles
  8. 1 Peter 4:4 Lit you don’t run with them into the same pouring out
  9. 1 Peter 4:6 Or in the flesh
  10. 1 Peter 4:6 Or in the spirit
  11. 1 Peter 4:8 Pr 10:12
  12. 1 Peter 4:12 Lit the burning
  13. 1 Peter 4:14 Other mss add He is blasphemed because of them, but He is glorified because of you.
  14. 1 Peter 4:15 Or as one who defrauds others
  15. 1 Peter 4:18 Pr 11:31 LXX

Keep Fervent in Your Love

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, (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. 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. In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them in the same excesses of [d](I)debauchery, and they (J)slander you; but they will give an account to Him who is ready to judge (K)the living and the dead. 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.

(M)The end of all things [f]is near; therefore, (N)be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of [g]prayer. Above all, (O)keep fervent in your love for one another, because (P)love covers a multitude of sins. (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. 1 Peter 4:1 I.e., suffered death
  2. 1 Peter 4:1 I.e., suffered death
  3. 1 Peter 4:3 Lit having gone in
  4. 1 Peter 4:4 Or reckless abandon
  5. 1 Peter 4:6 I.e., preached in their lifetimes
  6. 1 Peter 4:7 Lit has come near
  7. 1 Peter 4:7 Lit prayers
  8. 1 Peter 4:10 Or manifold
  9. 1 Peter 4:11 Lit from
  10. 1 Peter 4:11 Or power
  11. 1 Peter 4:14 Lit in
  12. 1 Peter 4:15 Lit one who oversees others’ affairs
  13. 1 Peter 4:17 Lit from
  14. 1 Peter 4:17 Lit from
  15. 1 Peter 4:18 Lit where will appear