1 Peter Chapter 4

New Testament Epistle (General) 19 Verses

What is 1 Peter 4 about?

Suffering and hope — instructions for a scattered, persecuted church living as strangers in a hostile world. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1Forasmuch then as Christ suffered in the flesh, arm ye yourselves also with the same mind; for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
2that ye no longer should live the rest of your time in flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
3For the time past may suffice to have wrought the desire of the Gentiles, and to have walked in lasciviousness, lusts, winebibbings, revellings, carousings, and abominable idolatries:
4wherein they think strange that ye run not with [them] into the same excess of riot, speaking evil of [of]:
5who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the living and the dead.
6For unto this end was the gospel preached even to the dead, that they might be judged indeed according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
7But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore of sound mind, and be sober unto prayer:
8above all things being fervent in your love among yourselves; for love covereth a multitude of sins:
9using hospitality one to another without murmuring:
10according as each hath received a gift, ministering it among yourselves, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God;
11if any man speaketh, [speaking] as it were oracles of God; is any man ministereth, [ministering] as of the strength which God supplieth: that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, whose is the glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
12Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial among you, which cometh upon you to prove you, as though a strange thing happened unto you:
13but insomuch as ye are partakers of Christ`s sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory also ye may rejoice with exceeding joy.
14If ye are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed [are ye]; because the [Spirit] of glory and the Spirit of God resteth upon you.
15For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil-doer, or as a meddler in other men`s matters:
16but if [a man suffer] as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name.
17For the time [is come] for judgment to begin at the house of God: and if [it begin] first at us, what [shall be] the end of them that obey not the gospel of God?
18And if the righteous is scarcely saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear?
19Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God commit their souls in well-doing unto a faithful Creator.

What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh. etc.] The apostle having finished his digression concerning Christ's preaching in the ministry of Noah, to men whose spirits were now in prison, and concerning the salvation of Noah's family in the ark, by water, and concerning its antitype, baptism, its nature and effect, returns to the sufferings of Christ he had before made mention of; and argues from thence to holiness of life, and patience in sufferings, after this manner; seeing then Christ, the eternal Son of God, the Lord of glory, the holy and Just One, suffered such indignities, reproaches, and…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“LIKE THE RISEN CHRIST, BELIEVERS HENCEFORTH OUGHT TO HAVE NO MORE TO DO WITH SIN. (1Pe. 4:1-19) for us--supported by some oldest manuscripts and versions, omitted by others. in the flesh--in His mortal body of humiliation. arm-- (Eph 6:11, Eph 6:13). the same mind--of suffering with patient willingness what God wills you to suffer. he that hath suffered--for instance, Christ first, and in His person the believer: a general proposition. hath ceased--literally, "has been made to cease," has obtained by the very fact of His having suffered once for all, a cessation from sin, which had heretofore lain on Him (Rom…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh - Since he as a man has died for us. See the notes at 1 Peter 3:18. The design was to set the suffering Redeemer before them as an example in their trials. Arm yourselves likewise with the same mind - That is, evidently, the same mind that he evinced - a readiness to suffer in the cause of religion, a readiness to die as he had done. This readiness to suffer and die, the apostle speaks of as armour, and having this is represented as being armed. Armour is put on for offensive or defensive purposes in war; and the idea of the apostle here is, that that…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 1
“Arm yourselves with the same mind - Which will be armour of proof against all your enemies. For he that hath suffered in the flesh - That hath so suffered as to he thereby made inwardly and truly conformable to the sufferings of Christ. Hath ceased from sin - Is delivered from it. 1 Peter 4:2”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“4:1-6 Peter urges Christians to decisively turn their backs on the former sinful way of life from which Christ in his suffering delivered us. 4:1 since Christ suffered physical pain: Peter introduced this idea in 3:18; he now indicates its significance in Christian experience. In our own physical sufferings, we are to imitate Christ’s attitude (see 2:21-24). Our suffering with Christ shows that we have identified with him (see Rom 8:17). Those who identify with Christ experience the victory over the power of sin that he won on the cross (Rom 6:1-10).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“Christ: Pe1 3:18 arm: Rom 13:12-14; Phi 2:5; Heb 12:3 for: Rom 6:2, Rom 6:7, Rom 6:11; Gal 2:20, Gal 5:24; Col 3:3-5 ceased: Isa 1:16; Eze 16:41; Heb 4:10 1 Peter 4:2”
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