1 Peter 4:16

16 However, if you suffer because you are a Christian, don't be ashamed of it, but thank God that you bear Christ's name.

1 Peter 4:16 Meaning and Commentary

1 Peter 4:16

Yet if any man suffer as a Christian
Because he is one, and professes himself to be one. This name was first given to the disciples at Antioch, either by themselves, or by the Gentiles; however, it being agreeable to them, was retained; it is only mentioned here, and in ( Acts 11:26 ) ( 26:28 ) ,

let him not be ashamed;
neither of Christ, and his Gospel, for which he suffers, nor of the name he bears, nor of the punishment he endures, however ignominious and shameful it may be among men; but let him, as his Lord and master did, endure the cross, and despise the shame, ( Hebrews 12:2 )

but let him glorify God on this behalf:
that he bestows this gift upon him to suffer for Christ, as well as to believe in him; and that he does him so much honour to call him to such service, and to strengthen him in it, so as to take it joyfully, and endure it patiently and cheerfully. The Alexandrian copy, and some others, and also the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Ethiopic versions, instead of "in this behalf", read "in this name"; that is, of a Christian.

1 Peter 4:16 In-Context

14 Happy are you if you are insulted because you are Christ's followers; this means that the glorious Spirit, the Spirit of God, is resting on you.

15 If you suffer, it must not be because you are a murderer or a thief or a criminal or a meddler in other people's affairs.

16 However, if you suffer because you are a Christian, don't be ashamed of it, but thank God that you bear Christ's name.

17 The time has come for judgment to begin, and God's own people are the first to be judged. If it starts with us, how will it end with those who do not believe the Good News from God?

18 As the scripture says, "It is difficult for good people to be saved; what, then, will become of godless sinners?"