1 Peter 4:15

15 But let not one of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evil-doer, or as a spy upon other people's business.

1 Peter 4:15 Meaning and Commentary

1 Peter 4:15

But let none of you suffer as a murderer
The punishment for murder was death by the law of God, ( Genesis 9:6 )

or as a thief;
whose fine or mulct, according to the Jewish law, was a fivefold or fourfold restitution, according to the nature of the thing that was stolen, ( Exodus 22:1 )

or as an evildoer;
a breaker of any of the laws of God or men, which are of a moral nature, and for the good of civil society:

or as a busybody
in other men's matters; "or as a bishop in another man's diocese"; that concerns himself in things he has nothing to do with, and neglects his own affairs, and lives in idleness, and upon the spoil of others; or takes upon him to manage, direct, order, and command other men's servants, or persons that do not belong to him, to do his business, or whatsoever he pleases. The Vulgate Latin version renders it, "a desirer of other's goods"; and the Ethiopic version, "a covetous desirer of other's things"; and so is led on by an insatiable thirst for them, to obtain them in an evil way, either by secret fraud, or open violence and oppression. To suffer in any such cases is scandalous and dishonourable, and unbecoming the character of a Christian. This last clause is left out in the Syriac version.

1 Peter 4:15 In-Context

13 On the contrary, in the degree that you share in the sufferings of the Christ, rejoice, so that at the unveiling of His glory you may also rejoice with triumphant gladness.

14 You are to be envied, if you are being reproached for bearing the name of Christ; for in that case the Spirit of glory-- even the Spirit of God--is resting upon you.

15 But let not one of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evil-doer, or as a spy upon other people's business.

16 If, however, any one suffers because he is a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God for being permitted to bear that name.

17 For the time has come for judgement to begin, and to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the end of those who reject God's Good News?