1 Peter 4:1-11

Stewards of God's Grace

1 Since therefore ¹Christ suffered in the flesh,^[a]2 arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for ³whoever has suffered in the flesh ⁴has ceased from sin,

2 ⁵so as to live for ⁶the rest of the time in the flesh ⁷no longer for human passions but ⁸for the will of God.

3 For the time that is past ⁹suffices ¹⁰for 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 ¹¹debauchery, and ¹²they malign you;

5 but they will give account to him who is ready ¹³to judge the living and the dead.

6 For this is why ¹⁴the 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 ¹⁵The end of all things is at hand; therefore ¹⁶be self-controlled and sober-minded ¹⁷for the sake of your prayers.

8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since ¹⁸love covers a multitude of sins.

9 ¹⁹Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.

10 ²⁰As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, ²¹as good stewards of God's varied grace:

11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks ²²oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves ²³by the strength that God supplies--in order that in everything ²⁴God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. ²⁵To him belong glory and ²⁶dominion forever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 4:1-11 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 PETER 4

In this chapter the apostle goes on to exhort to an holy life and conversation, and to the several duties of religion, and to suffer cheerfully for the sake of Christ. From the consideration of Christ's sufferings, he exhorts the saints to arm themselves with the same mind, and cease from sin, and live no longer to the lusts of men, but to the will of God, 1Pe 4:1,2 the reason, or argument engaging to it, is taken from the past time of life, in which they walked in all manner of sin, and which ought to suffice, though they should be spoken evil of by wicked men, for not continuing therein, 1Pe 4:3,4 and to fortify their minds against such abuses, the apostle takes notice of the general judgment, when such persons must give an account for their evil speaking to the Judge of quick and dead; and that though those to whom the Gospel is preached, and embrace it, suffer death for it, being judged of men in their bodies, yet they live to God in their souls, 1Pe 4:5,6 and seeing the end of all things is near, he exhorts to various things, as to sobriety, watchfulness unto prayer, and especially to fervent charity, since that covers a multitude of sins, 1Pe 4:7,8 and to hospitality, without grudging, and to a communication of all good things, as faithful stewards of them, 1Pe 4:9,10 and particularly to the dispensation of the Gospel, according to the word of God; and to a ministration to the poor, according to a man's ability, with a view to the glory of God, by Christ, 1Pe 4:11 and next, the apostle proceeds to comfort the saints under reproaches and persecutions, and to instruct them how to behave under such circumstances; as that they should not think such things strange, though grievous, since they were for the trial of their graces, 1Pe 4:12 but should rather rejoice, since they were partakers of the sufferings of Christ now, and should share in his glory when revealed, which would make them exceeding glad, 1Pe 4:13 yea, inasmuch as it was for the name of Christ they suffered reproach, they ought to reckon themselves happy persons; since the glorious Spirit of God rested on them, and since the issue of it was, the glorifying of God by them, though he was evil spoken of by those that reproached them, 1Pe 4:14 indeed, they ought not to suffer as persons guilty of capital crimes; should they, they would have reason to be ashamed, but not since they suffered as Christians; but, on the contrary, should give glory to God for it, who had done them so much honour as to call them to it, 1Pe 4:15,16, and to reconcile their minds to sufferings, he observes, that the time was come, that afflictions should begin with the people of God, on account of which, the righteous are scarcely saved, though certainly; and that, therefore, sad must be the state of the disobedient and ungodly, even of their wicked persecutors, 1Pe 4:17,18 wherefore, upon the whole, seeing it was the will of God they should suffer, they ought to suffer patiently, and, in well doing, commit the care of their souls to their faithful Creator, 1Pe 4:19.

Cross References

• 1. 1 Peter 3:18
• 2. [Ephesians 6:13]
• 3. Romans 6:2, 7; Galatians 5:24; Colossians 3:3, 5
• 4. [2 Peter 2:14]
• 5. Romans 6:14; Romans 14:7; 2 Corinthians 5:15
• 6. 1 Peter 1:14
• 7. Titus 2:12; 1 John 2:16
• 8. Romans 6:11
• 9. Ezekiel 44:6; Ezekiel 45:9; Acts 17:30
• 10. Ephesians 4:17-19; 1 Thessalonians 4:5; [1 Corinthians 12:2]
• 11. See Ephesians 5:18
• 12. 1 Peter 2:12; 1 Peter 3:16
• 13. [James 5:9]; See Acts 10:42
• 14. 1 Peter 3:19
• 15. See James 5:8
• 16. See 1 Peter 1:13
• 17. Matthew 26:41; Luke 21:36
• 18. [1 Corinthians 13:5, 6]; See James 5:20
• 19. Hebrews 13:2; [1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8]
• 20. Romans 12:6, 7; 1 Corinthians 4:7; [Matthew 25:15]
• 21. Luke 12:42; 1 Corinthians 4:1, 2; Titus 1:7
• 22. Acts 7:38; Romans 3:2; Hebrews 5:12
• 23. Romans 12:3
• 24. 1 Corinthians 10:31
• 25. See Romans 11:36
• 26. 1 Peter 5:11; Jude 25; Revelation 1:6; Revelation 5:13

Footnotes

• [a]. Some manuscripts add for us; some for you