1 Peter 4:16

“Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, etc.] 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 (<441126>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, (<581202>Hebrews 12:2) but let him glorify God on this behalf: that he bestows this gift upon him to suffer for…”

“a Christian--the name given in contempt first at Antioch. Act 11:26; Act 26:28; the only three places where the term occurs. At first believers had no distinctive name, but were called among themselves "brethren," Act 6:3; "disciples," Act 6:1; "those of the way," Act 9:2; "saints," Rom 1:7; by the Jews (who denied that Jesus was the CHRIST, and so would never originate the name Christian), in contempt, "Nazarenes." At Antioch, where first idolatrous Gentiles (Cornelius, Act 10:1-2, was not an idolater, but a proselyte) were converted, and wide missionary work began, they could be no longer looked on as a Jewish sect, and so the Gentiles designated them by the new name "Christians." The rise…”

“Yet if any man suffer as a Christian - Because he is a Christian; if he is persecuted on account of his religion. This was often done, and they had reason to expect that it might occur in their own case. Compare the notes at 1 Peter 3:17. On the import of the word Christian, and the reasons why the name was given to the disciples of the Lord Jesus, see the notes at Acts 11:26. Let him not be ashamed - Ashamed of religion so as to refuse to suffer on account of it. (2)Ashamed that he is despised and maltreated. He is to regard his religion as every way honorable, and all that fairly results from it in time and eternity as in every respect desirable. He is not to be ashamed to be called a…”

“Let him glorify God - Who giveth him the honour so to suffer, and so great a reward for suffering. 1 Peter 4:17”

“4:16 Although evidence is very fragmentary, it is likely that the label Christian (cp. Acts 11:26) was originally a convenient way of summarizing the alleged superstitious practices and immoral character attributed to Jesus’ followers.”

“as: Pe1 4:19, Pe1 3:17, Pe1 3:18; Act 11:26, Act 26:28; Eph 3:13-15 let him not: Isa 50:7, Isa 54:4; Phi 1:20; Ti2 1:12; Heb 12:2, Heb 12:3 but: Isa 24:15; Act 5:41; Rom 5:2-5; Phi 1:29; Jam 1:2-4 1 Peter 4:17”