1 Peter 4:1-11

Keep Fervent in Your Love

1 Therefore, since ¹Christ has suffered in the flesh, ²arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because ³he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,

2 ⁴so as to live ⁵the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the ⁶will of God.

3 For ⁷the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, ⁸having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries.

4 In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of ⁹dissipation, and they ¹⁰malign you;

5 but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge ¹¹the living and the dead.

6 For ¹²the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God.

7 ¹³The end of all things is near; therefore, ¹⁴be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.

8 Above all, ¹⁵keep fervent in your love for one another, because ¹⁶love covers a multitude of sins.

9 ¹⁷Be hospitable to one another without ¹⁸complaint.

10 ¹⁹As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good ²⁰stewards of the manifold grace of God.

11 ²¹Whoever * speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the ²²utterances of God; whoever * serves is to do so as one who is serving ²³by the strength which God supplies; so that ²⁴in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, ²⁵to whom belongs the glory and dominion 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 2:21
• 2. Ephesians 6:13
• 3. Romans 6:7
• 4. Romans 6:2; Colossians 3:3
• 5. 1 Peter 1:14
• 6. Mark 3:35
• 7. 1 Corinthians 12:2
• 8. Romans 13:13; Ephesians 2:2; Ephesians 4:17f
• 9. Ephesians 5:18
• 10. 1 Peter 3:16
• 11. Acts 10:42; Romans 14:9; 2 Timothy 4:1
• 12. 1 Peter 3:18
• 13. Romans 13:11; Hebrews 9:26; James 5:8; 1 John 2:18
• 14. 1 Peter 1:13
• 15. 1 Peter 1:22
• 16. Proverbs 10:12; 1 Corinthians 13:4f; James 5:20
• 17. 1 Timothy 3:2; Hebrews 13:2
• 18. Philippians 2:14
• 19. Romans 12:6
• 20. 1 Corinthians 4:1
• 21. 1 Thessalonians 2:4; Titus 2:1, 15; Hebrews 13:7
• 22. Acts 7:38
• 23. Ephesians 1:19; Ephesians 6:10
• 24. 1 Corinthians 10:31; 1 Peter 2:12
• 25. Romans 11:36; 1 Peter 5:11; Revelation 1:6; Revelation 5:13

Footnotes

• [a]. I.e. suffered death
• [b]. I.e. suffered death
• [c]. Lit "having gone in"
• [d]. Lit "lawless"
• [e]. I.e. preached in their lifetimes
• [f]. Lit "has come near"
• [g]. Lit "prayers"
• [h]. Lit "as utterances"
• [i]. Lit "from"