1 Peter 4-5
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.
5 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock.
4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.
13 The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.
14 Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
1 Peter 4-5
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.
Shepherd the Flock of God
5 So I exhort the elders among you, (AP)as a fellow elder and (AQ)a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 (AR)shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight,[d] (AS)not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you;[e] (AT)not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not (AU)domineering over those in your charge, but (AV)being examples to the flock. 4 And when (AW)the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the (AX)unfading (AY)crown of glory. 5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. (AZ)Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for (BA)“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
6 (BB)Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 (BC)casting all your anxieties on him, because (BD)he cares for you. 8 (BE)Be sober-minded; (BF)be watchful. Your (BG)adversary the devil (BH)prowls around (BI)like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 (BJ)Resist him, (BK)firm in your faith, knowing that (BL)the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And (BM)after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, (BN)who has called you to his (BO)eternal glory in Christ, will himself (BP)restore, (BQ)confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 (BR)To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Final Greetings
12 By (BS)Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, (BT)I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is (BU)the true grace of God. (BV)Stand firm in it. 13 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does (BW)Mark, my son. 14 (BX)Greet one another with the kiss of love.
(BY)Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
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 5:2 Some manuscripts omit exercising oversight
- 1 Peter 5:2 Some manuscripts omit as God would have you
1 Peter 4-5
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.
Chapter 5
Faithful and Humble Leadership.[h] 1 I now exhort the presbyters[i] among you, as a fellow presbyter myself and a witness to the sufferings of Christ, and as one who has shared in the glory that is to be revealed. 2 Be shepherds of the flock of God that has been entrusted to your care. Watch over it, not as a duty, but willingly in accord with the will of God, not for sordid gain, but because you are eager to do so.
3 Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock. 4 Then, when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that never fades away.
Humility and Firm Faith.[j] 5 In the same way, you who are younger must be submissive to those who are older. And all of you should clothe yourselves with humility in your relationships with one another, for
“God opposes the proud,
but he gives grace to the humble.”
6 Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that at the proper time he may exalt you. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares about you.
8 Remain sober and alert, for your enemy the devil is on the prowl like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him and be firm in your faith, for you are well aware that your brethren throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.
10 Promise of Strength and Vindication. After you have suffered for a brief period, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and support you. 11 All power belongs to him forever and ever. Amen.
Conclusion
12 Final Greetings.[k] I have written this brief letter to you through Silvanus, whom I regard as a faithful brother, in order to exhort you and to testify that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.
13 Your sister Church[l] in Babylon sends you greetings, as does my son Mark. 14 Greet one another with a loving kiss.[m]
Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
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 5:1 The presbyters (or elders) exercise responsibilities in the life of communities (see 1 Tim 5:17; Tit 1:5-9). However, authority always experiences the temptation to exercise power for its own profit. This should not be the case in a Christian group. We might recall the word of Jesus: “I am in your midst as one who serves” (Lk 22:27). On this subject, we could also read Paul’s reflection to the elders of the region of Ephesus (see Acts 20:28-35).
- 1 Peter 5:1 Presbyters: the official teachers of the Christian community (see 1 Tim 5:17f; Tit 1:5-8; Jas 5:14). Witness to the sufferings of Christ: Peter had been a witness of all the phases and aspects of Christ’s ministry, including his suffering (see Mt 26:58; Mk 14:54; Lk 22:60-62; Jn 18:10-11, 15-16).
- 1 Peter 5:5 Nothing is more opposed to the Gospel than pretense and pride; hence this Letter insists on attitudes of submissiveness. It also recommends that Christians remain steadfast in the spiritual combat—which is more difficult to do in this context of threats—in order to achieve true victory. It is from God himself that believers await the courage. You who are younger: these may simply be the faithful distinguished from their leaders.
- 1 Peter 5:12 The Letter is doubtless written at Rome, the “Babylon” of the age (see Introduction). Silvanus: one of Paul’s coworkers (see 1 Thes 1:1; 2 Thes 1:1; 2 Cor 1:19) also known by the name of “Silas” (see Acts 15:22; 17:4).
- 1 Peter 5:13 Your sister Church: literally, “Your chosen sister.” Mark: an occasional companion of Paul (see Acts 12:25; 2 Tim 4:11) and probably the author of the second Gospel.
- 1 Peter 5:14 Kiss: on the liturgical kiss, see 1 Cor 16:20. Peace to all of you who are in Christ: in concluding, the author stresses a basic theme of the Letter—the union of believers with Christ.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
