Suffering for Being a Christian

12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you(A) to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice(B) inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ,(C) so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.(D) 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ,(E) you are blessed,(F) for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.(G) 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household;(H) and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?(I) 18 And,

“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
    what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”[a](J)

19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will(K) should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 4:18 Prov. 11:31 (see Septuagint)

Christian Suffering

12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal[a] comes among you to test you as if something unusual were happening to you.(A) 13 Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of the Messiah,(B) so that you may also rejoice with great joy at the revelation(C) of His glory. 14 If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ,(D) you are blessed, because the Spirit(E) of glory and of God rests on you.[b] 15 None of you, however, should suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a meddler.[c] 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(F) to begin with God’s household,(G) 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?(H)[d]

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

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 4:12 Lit the burning
  2. 1 Peter 4:14 Other mss add He is blasphemed because of them, but He is glorified because of you.
  3. 1 Peter 4:15 Or as one who defrauds others
  4. 1 Peter 4:18 Pr 11:31 LXX