1 Peter 4:15

15 If you suffer, you shouldn't suffer for being a murderer, thief, criminal, or troublemaker.

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 but be happy as you share Christ's sufferings. Then you will also be full of joy when he appears again in his glory.

14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed because the Spirit of glory--the Spirit of God--is resting on you.

15 If you suffer, you shouldn't suffer for being a murderer, thief, criminal, or troublemaker.

16 If you suffer for being a Christian, don't feel ashamed, but praise God for being called that name.

17 The time has come for the judgment to begin, and it will begin with God's family. If it starts with us, what will be the end for those who refuse to obey the Good News of God?