1 Peter Chapter 4 Part Two

 

1 Peter Chapter 4 Part Two

Suffering as a Christian

1 Peter 4:12 "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:"

the fiery trial... Greek: purosis , burning. Here; Rev. 18:9, 18:18. Peter probably wrote this letter shortly before or after the burning of Rome and at the beginning of the horrors of a 200 year period of Christian persecution.

Peter explains that 4 attitudes are necessary in order to be triumphant in persecution:

1. Expect it (verse 12).

2. Rejoice in it (verses 13-14).

3. Evaluate its cause (verses 15-18).

4. Entrust it to God (verse 19).

some strange thing... Meaning to fall by chance. A Christian must not think that his persecution is something that happened accidentally. God allowed it and designed it for the believer’s testing, purging, and cleansing.

We know there are trials that face us all. It is not how many trials we have or even how bad the trials are that counts, it is how we handle the trials. If you look through the Bible at all of the prophets and men and women of God, you will find they all faced trials. It is not unusual for trying times to come. It rains on the just and on the unjust. It is important how we handle that problem.

Christlike Faith

Anticipating hardships the believers in Asia Minor were about to undergo, Peter encouraged his readers to endure suffering with Christlike faith so that they might be further identified with Christ, receive a blessing, and trust God completely.

Peter warned his readers about the coming of a more intense period of persecution. He again stressed mental readiness (cf. 1Pet. 1:13; 4:7): Do not be surprised (xenizesthe, “amazed”; cf. 1Pet. 4:4) at the painful trial you are suffering. The NASB translates this last phrase “the fiery ordeal among you.” Literally rendered it could read “the among you burning.” The verb pyrōsei is from pyroo4, “to burn.” The meaning may be metaphorical as in 1Pet. 1:7 where the context is quite similar. However, the verse could also be aptly applied to the historical reality of the Neronian persecution. Christians were blamed for the burning of Rome. Some were covered with pitch and used as living torches to light the imperial gardens at night. Peter may have believed that the provincial officials were likely to follow their emperor’s example and stake-burn Christians in Asia Minor. Such persecution should not take the Christians by surprise as though something strange (xenou) were befalling them.


1 Peter 4:13 "But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy."

But rejoice, inasmuch... The 6th and last New Testament prophecy in 1 Peter (1Pet. 4:13, unfulfilled). See Ten Rewards below.

partakers of Christ’s... Christian Suffering:

Eight Facts about Christian Suffering:

1. Suffering is not strange or unusual for Christians (1Pet. 4:12; 2Tim. 3:12).

2. One should rejoice when a partaker of the sufferings of Christ (1Pet. 4:13; Mat. 5:10).

3. The greater the suffering the greater the joy and glory (1Pet. 4:13; Rom. 8:17-18).

4. Besides the greater glory to come the Christian has the Holy Spirit upon him now to enable him to endure (1Pet. 4:14; Rom. 8:26-27).

5. Christian sufferings glorify God (1Pet. 4:14; Rom. 8:17-18).

6. It is an honor, not a shame, to suffer as a Christian (1Pet. 4:16).

7. Though sufferings begin with Christians, they end in an eternal weight of damnation to the ungodly (1Pet. 4:17-18).

8. Sufferings should be borne by Christians, in patience as in the will of God, realizing that God is always faithful to His own in their sufferings (1Pet. 4:19; 1Cor. 10:13).

Ten Rewards for Christian Suffering:

1. Greater glory in heaven (2Cor. 4:17)

2. Eternal consolation (2Cor. 1:7)

3. Making Jesus known (2Cor. 4:11)

4. Life to others (2Cor. 4:12)

5. Making grace manifest (2Cor. 4:15)

6. Guarantee of judgment (2Thes. 1:5)

7. Reign with Christ (2Tim. 2:12)

8. Spirit upon us (1Pet. 4:14)

9. Glory to God (1Pet. 4:16)

10. Great joy (1Pet. 4:13-14)

Christian suffering does not consist of:

1. Suffering for murder (1Pet. 4:15)

2. Suffering as a thief (1Pet. 4:15)

3. Suffering for being an evildoer

4. Suffering for being a busybody (1Pet. 4:15)

5. Suffering for any crime listed in Rom. 1:18-32; 1Cor. 6:9-11; Gal. 5:19-21

Christian suffering does consist of:

1. Persecution for righteousness (Mat. 5:10; 13:21; Mark 10:30; John 15:20)

2. Revilings and slander (Mat. 5:11-12; 10:25; Acts 13:45; 1Pet. 4:4)

3. False accusations (Mat. 10:17-20)

4. Scourgings for Christ (Mat. 10:17)

5. Rejection by people (Mat. 10:14)

6. Hatred by the world (Mat. 10:22; John 15:18-21)

7. Hatred by relatives (Mat. 10:21-36)

8. Martyrdom's (Mat. 10:28; Act_7:58)

9. Temptations (Luke 8:13; Jas. 1:2-16)

10. Shame for His name (Acts 5:41)

11. Imprisonments (Acts 4:3; 5:18; 12:4)

12. Tribulations (Acts 14:22; 2Thes. 1:4)

13. Stonings (Acts 14:19; 2Cor. 11:25)

14. Beatings (Acts 16:23; 2Cor. 11:24-25)

15. Being a spectacle to people (1Cor. 4:9)

16. Misunderstanding, necessities, defamation, and despisings (1Cor. 4:10-13)

17. Trouble, affliction, distresses, tumults, labors, watchings, fastings, and evil reports (2Cor. 6:8-10; 2Cor. 11:26-28)

18. Reproaches (Heb. 13:13; 1Pet. 4:14)

19. Trials (1Pet. 1:7; 4:12)

20. Satanic opposition (Eph. 4:27; 6:12)

21. Groaning and travailing because of the curse (Rom. 8:17-26)

The Christian who is persecuted for his faith is a partner in the same kind of suffering Jesus endured – suffering for doing what is right (Mat. 5:10-12; Gal. 6:17; Phil. 1:29; 3:10; Col. 1:24).

when his glory... Believers who are persecuted for their faith are partakers of the same kind of suffering the Savior endured for obeying and serving God with faithfulness, loyalty and love. When Christ returns, we shall “appear with him in glory” (Col. 3:4). While Jesus is presently glorified in heaven, His glory is not yet fully revealed on earth.

All will rejoice, but especially those who have been persecuted and martyred will more fully understand “that the sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18).

glad also with... That is, exult and rejoice with a rapturous joy (Jas. 1:2). A Christian who is persecuted for righteousness in this life will have overflowing joy in the future because of his reward. Such an awareness of future joy enables him also to “rejoice” at the present time (Luke 6:22).

These are problems that come from serving the Lord, spoken of here. Paul thought it an honor to suffer for Christ. We should feel the same way. God cannot trust all of us with suffering for Him. Some would fold up under great trials. Others get stronger in that trial.

When the suffering is in the name of the Lord, it should thrill us that God can trust us with that big a problem.



But rejoice that you participate (koinōneite, from koinōneō, “to share”; related nouns are koinōnia, “communion, fellowship, close relationship,” and koinōnos, “sharer”; cf. 1Pet. 5:1). Suffering for Christ’s sake should cause rejoicing because through suffering Christians further identify with Christ. Sharing in the sufferings of Christ results in (a) joy with Christ (the word overjoyed is trans. “rejoice” in 1Pet. 1:6), (b) fellowship with Him (Phlp. 3:10), (c) being glorified with Him (Rom. 8:17), and (d) reigning with Him (2Tim. 2:12). The New Testament is clear that those who take part in the suffering of Christ also will take part in His glory, when it is revealed (apokalypsei; cf. 1Pet. 1:7; 5:1). Peter presented this truth as a cause for future hope and present rejoicing while enduring persecution.

1 Peter 4:14 "If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy [are ye]; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified."


reproached for the... Insulted and treated unfairly for being a representative of all that Christ is, and for the public proclamation of the name of Christ (Acts 4:12; 5:42; 9:15-16; 15:26).

happy are ye... Not a general, nondescript happiness so much as a specific benefit, in the suffering triumphantly for Christ shows God’s approval.

This is speaking of being persecuted for the fact that you are a Christian, or because you are working for Christ. We find that when we love God enough to be persecuted for Him, He will greatly reward us.

spirit of glory... That is, the Spirit who has glory, or who is glorious. In the Old Testament, the glory of God was represented by the Shekinah light, that luminous glow which signified the presence of God (Exo. 33:14 – 34:9).

resteth upon you... When a believer suffers, God’s presence specially rests and lifts him to strength and endurance beyond the physical dimension (Acts 6:8 – 7:60; 2 Cor. 12:7-10).

The suffering of Job, in the Old Testament, was great. He did not turn against God. He became even more faithful in the midst of the problem. We know there was a time when God said, it is enough. God mightily blessed Job; in so much that his later state was better than it had been before all the troubles came. Read the book of Job to get the full impact of this.



Peter again referred to Jesus’ teaching (Mat. 5:11). If a Christian was insulted (cf. 1Pet. 3:9) because of the name of Christ, he should be considered blessed (makarioi; cf. 1Pet. 3:14). Anything that we suffer for the sake of Christ is a privilege, not a penalty. The Spirit of glory and of God (cf. Isa. 11:2; Mat. 3:16) refers to the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence within all who are identified by “the name of Christ” and thus suffer persecution (cf. 1Pet. 4:16).

1 Peter 4:15 "But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or [as] a thief, or [as] an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters."


as a busybody... The inspector of another; meddling in the affairs of others and forgetting his own (Lev. 19:16; Pro. 20:3; 2Thes. 3:11-12; 1Tim. 5:13).

Someone who intrudes into matters that belong to someone else. Peter is dealing with matters that would lead to persecution, such as getting involved in revolutionary, disruptive activity or interfering in the function and flow of government. It might also refer to being a troublesome meddler in the workplace. As a general rule, a Christian living in a non-Christian culture is to do his work faithfully, exalt Jesus Christ, and live a virtuous life, rather than try to overturn or disrupt his culture (2:13-16; 1Thes. 4:11; 2Thes. 3:11).



Peter stressed that persecution was no excuse for lawlessness. Christians were not to retaliate (1Pet. 3:9). Physical violence was not to be met by murder. Confiscation of property was not to be compensated for by theft. No matter what their trials, Christians were to do nothing that would justify punishing them as criminals (cf. 1Pet. 2:19; 3:17). They were not to suffer as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. Even interfering in other people’s affairs is out of place for Christians (cf. 1Tim. 5:13).

1 Peter 4:16 "Yet if [any man suffer] as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf."


as a Christian... Meaning Christ-like. Used only here; Acts 11:26; 26:28. In the early days of the church, “Christian” was a derisive term given to those followers of Christ (Acts. 11:26; 26:28). Eventually, followers of Christ came to love and adopt this name.

let him not... There is no shame in serving God. Even if a person is imprisoned for the cause of Jesus Christ, he should not be ashamed, but count it his duty to uphold Christ. We should count it an honor to be allowed to suffer for Christ.



There is no shame if one suffer(s) as a Christian rather than as a criminal. On the contrary, that name should be a source of praise to God for it identifies the bearer with the blessings of salvation (cf. 1Pet. 4:11). The term “Christian” (Christianos) occurs only three times in the Bible (here and Acts 11:26; 26:28). It may have been used derisively by unbelievers, as an insult.

1 Peter 4:17 For the time [is come] that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if [it] first [begin] at us, what shall the end [be] of them that obey not the gospel of God?


come that judgment... Greek: krima, judgment, damnation, punishment . If the righteous are found sinning He judges them first, and if they are found righteous He delivers them from judgment (Gen. 18:23-32; 19:22; Exo. 14:13-31; Eze. 9:1-11; etc.). The idea here is that if God will punish the righteous when they sin, He will surely punish the ungodly. If the ones who are righteous are scarcely saved, there is no possible hope of sinners being saved. Not condemnation, but the purging, chastening, and purifying of the church by the loving hand of God. It is far better and more important to kingdom work to endure suffering as the Lord purges and strengthens the church, that to endure the eternal sufferings of the unbeliever in the lake of fire. And, if God so strongly and painfully judges His church which He loves, what will be His fury on the ungodly?

house of God... Is speaking of the believers in Christ, or the church. We know that God expects our lives to be clean. Jesus is coming back for a church that is without spot or wrinkle. God will shake the church, so that those who are playing church will be shaken out. Only the true believers in Christ will remain.

We Christians must remember, that to whom much is given, much is required. Christians must separate themselves from the world and its lust. We are to live wholesome lives as an example for the world to follow. God must begin at the church, because we are in full knowledge. God judges his own in the hope they will turn from their evil ways back to Him.

what shall the... Questions 3. The church is the bearer of the Light to the darkened world. If the Light of the world becomes dark, the darkness would become great. We know that the Christians are sons of God. The answer to what the end is for those who do not accept Jesus as Savior is simple but harsh. They are headed for an eternity in hell.



Peter had referred to persecution and suffering as trials that refine and prove one’s faith (1Pet. 1:6-7) if reacted to in the will of God (1Pet. 3:17). Now he added that God allows persecutions as disciplinary judgment to purify the lives of those in the family of God. If believers need disciplinary earthly judgments (if it begins with us, a first-class condition which assumes the reality of the premise), how much more will those who do not obey the gospel (cf. 1Pet. 2:7) the ungodly and the sinner, deserve everlasting judgment?

1 Peter 4:18 "And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?"


And if the... Quoted from the LXX of Prov. 11:31, and reinforces the point that if the justified sinner is saved only with great difficulty, while enduring suffering, pain, and loss – what will be the end of the ungodly? (2Thes. 14:10).

scarcely be saved... The word "scarcely" indicates to me that the Christian has more to do than walk the isle of a church and go and be baptized in water to be saved. Salvation is a daily walk through life with Jesus. The temptations of life must be overcome each day of our life. To be the righteous, you must have, at some time in your life, accepted Jesus as your Savior.

This would cause you to be clothed in the righteousness of Christ. The righteous scarcely being saved, indicates to me, it is possible to walk away from God and not be truly saved. Here is what Jesus said in the parable of the soils: (Mat. 13:20-22).

“But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;” “Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.” “He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.”

and the sinner... Questions 4. The last one in 1 Peter. This does not mean just committing a single sin would cause you to be lost. It means to me turning away from God and choosing to go back into your sinful way of life. The ungodly and the sinner will stand before Jesus to be judged lost.

Again, Peter quoted the Septuagint rendering of Pro. 11:31, If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, to emphasize God’s disciplinary demands on His children. The vicissitudes of life are a part of God’s constant care, yet from a human perspective discipline is always “hard.” Peter is not teaching that salvation is earned through personal trials or works, but simply that those who are saved are not exempt from temporal disciplinary judgments which are the natural consequences of sin. The writer of Hebrews also supports Peter: “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons” (Heb. 12:7).

1 Peter 4:19 "Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls [to him] in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator."


let them that... Let them that suffer for well doing endure it and commit themselves to God who is faithful to avenge all such (Heb. 10:30-31).

commit the keeping... Entrusting which is a banking term meaning “to deposit for safe keeping.”

Many believe inflicting suffering upon themselves is pleasing to God. This is not what this Scripture is saying. This says if you suffer from outside causes for the will of God, you are pleasing the God who created you.

Mark 13:13 "And ye shall be hated of all [men] for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."

There is a battle to be fought. We must fight for Jesus even until death if we are to be a good soldier fit for the kingdom.

a faithful Creator... Peter uses the word “Creator,” to remind the readers of this letter that when they committed their lives to God, they were simply giving back to God what He had created. As Creator, God knows best the needs of His beloved creatures (2:23; 2Tim. 1:2).



Believers could be sure that they were being called on to suffer according to God’s will (cf. 1Pet. 2:15; 3:17; 4:2) if, having committed no crimes, they were suffering solely because they bore Christ’s name. Peter encouraged suffering saints to endure through the exercise of Christlike faith. Just as Christ trusted Himself to His Father who judges justly (1Pet. 2:23), so should believers commit (paratithesthōsan, an accounting term, “to deposit or entrust”) themselves (psychas autōn, lit., “their souls”) to their faithful Creator and continue to do good (cf. 1Pet. 2:15, 2:20).