A Commentary of the Book of 1 Peter
By Dr. Barry L. Jenkins
Text Used: Legacy Standard Bible
Bible Study 1 Peter 4: 1-19
Text:
Keep Fervent in Your Love
4 Therefore, since Christ has [a]suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose—because he who has [b]suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin— 2 so as to no longer live the rest of the time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 3 For the time already past is sufficient for you to have worked out the desire of the Gentiles, [c]having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and [d]abominable idolatries. 4 In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, maligning you, 5 but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For to this the gospel has been [e]proclaimed even to those who are now dead, so that though they were judged in the flesh as men, they live in the spirit according to the will of God.
7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be of sound thinking and sober spirit for the purpose of [f]prayer. 8 Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 As each one has received a gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God— 11 whoever speaks, [g]as one speaking the oracles of God; whoever serves, as one serving [h]by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and might forever and ever. Amen.
Sharing the Suffering of Christ
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you. 13 But to the degree you are sharing the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. 14 If you are insulted [i]for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a [j]troublesome meddler; 16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be put to shame, but is to glorify God in this name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin [k]with the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, [l]what will become of the godless man and the sinner? 19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God must entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing good.
Verse by verse commentary:
Verse 1: “Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose—because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin—”
Some advocate that this verse teaches that suffering will build up your character to reduce sin. I believe the better interpretation is that Peter is speaking of the believer’s identification with Christ in His sufferings. While Christ was always sinless, He did take on sinful flesh. However, He remained sinless. Christ “died to sin” in the sense that after His death and Resurrection He was no longer subject to the power of sin and death. That will be our end as well when we lay down our sinful flesh we will no longer be subject to the power of sin and death.
Verse 2: “so as to no longer live the rest of the time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.”
A goal of the Christian’s life is the freedom from sin which comes at death and our glorification. As a result, we should live the remainder of this natural life on earth pursuing the holy will of God, which is our sanctification, rather than the ungodly lusts of the sinful flesh.
Verse 3: “For the time already past is sufficient for you to have worked out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.”
This list of sins closely resembles other passages of Scripture, and is strong evidence for the pagan background of most of Peter’s audience. “Sensuality” means unrestrained indulgence of one’s desires, especially for sexual pleasure. “Lusts” refers to evil desires, often relating to sexual immorality. “Carousing” meant excessive feasting, often in honor of a pagan god. The “drinking parties” were gatherings with an excessive use of alcohol.
Verse 4: “In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, maligning you,”
These first century Christians under severe persecution were pursuing lives of holiness in their everyday walk. The former acquaintances were surprised, offended, and angry because of the Christian’s lack of interest in ungodly sinful pleasures. Today, the church embraces the world, but Peter’s readers were standing for Truth without compromise.
Verse 5: “but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.”
The entire world, the living and the dead, are going to be judged by the Lord Jesus Christ someday. Will He judge believers, too? Yes, but not for salvation, which was eternally secured when they were born again, but He will not look the other way when the believer sins since He is judging the world for sin.
Verse 6: “For to this the gospel has been proclaimed even to those who are now dead, so that though they were judged in the flesh as men, they live in the spirit according to the will of God.
This verse continues with the theme of Divine judgment. The “dead” is a reference to people who were saved earlier and have now died by the time Peter wrote this letter. “Judged in the flesh” refers to the reality of physical death even for believers. Christ has won the victory over death and we will experience that in our glorification in heaven. Theen, we will “live in the spirit.”
Verse 7: ‘The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be of sound thinking and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.”
The Greek word for “end” references not chronological time but rather a goal achieved. Peter calls the Christian to have “sound thinking.” We are to be serious about Kingdom business. About 30 years ago, an event called the Toronto blessing was popular. People laughed, shook uncontrollably, barked like dogs, roared like lions, pretended to be drunk or high on pot and they would pretend to tree the devil like a squirrel. It was madness. I knew people in this movement and they were anything but serious and sober. Christ is coming again and that fact should cause believers to be serious about winning the lost and proclaiming the Gospel message.
Verse 8: “Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.”
Peter emphasizes love for each other as they face severe persecution. This is because love keeps no record of wrongs but forgives in response to God’s forgiveness for our sins.
Verse 9: “Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.”
Being “hospitable” means to have a “love of strangers.” Love is intensely practical, not just emotional. In Peter’s day, love included opening one’s home and caring for other needy Christians, that were traveling away from home.
Verse 10: “As each one has received a gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God—”
There are no benchwarmers in the body of Christ. Everyone has received gifts and talents from the Lord and we are to use them to serve one another. It is evidence that we have received saving grace.
Verse 11: “whoever speaks, as one speaking the oracles of God; whoever serves, as one serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and might forever and ever. Amen.”
Peter is suggesting that there are two types of gifts: speaking gifts and serving gifts. Whatever our gifting, our service to each other should be to bring glory to the Lord Jesus Christ. Glorifying God should be our chief goal in life.
Verse 12: “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you.”
Most likely, Peter wrote this letter shortly before or after the burning of Rome. Over the next few verses, he will give his readers the keys to facing persecution. The first key is to expect it. The closer we draw to God, the more Christlike we become, the more the world and its systems will hate us. They hate Christ and if you represent Him, they will hate you as well.
Verse 13: “But to the degree you are sharing the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.”
In this verse, we learn the second key to facing persecution: keep on rejoicing. When the Christian suffers for doing what is right, he has confidence that at the Second Coming of Christ there will be a time of great rejoicing. A Christian who is persecuted for righteousness in this life will have overflowing joy in the future because of his reward for all eternity with Christ.
Verse 14: “If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.”
When you represent Christ to the world, you can expect to be insulted, canceled, and persecuted. The “blessed” experience is not happiness but assurance that as you suffer for the Lord Jesus Christ His Presence will be with you. That will enable you to continue representing Christ to a Christ rejecting world.
Verse 15: “Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler;”
Peter draws a distinction between suffering for Christ and suffering because you deserve it because of your wrongdoing. The phrase “troublesome meddler” means someone who intrudes into matters that belong to someone else. As a general rule, a Christian that works for a nonbeliever should do his job unto the Lord, not make trouble, and show the love of Christ to the unsaved.
Verse 16: “but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be put to shame, but is to glorify God in this name.”
In the first century, “Christian” was an insulting term given to those followers of Christ. It was anything but a compliment. When one suffers for being a Christian, he can glorify God in the midst of the suffering. This brings great glory to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Verse 17: “For it is time for judgment to begin with the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?”
This “judgment” is not condemnation, but the purging, chastening, and purifying of the church by God. The outcome for Christ rejecters will be disastrous and will end with an eternity in the fires of hell.
Verse 18: “And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner?”
The “difficulty” is not with one’s final salvation which is secure, but that the way through it may be hard with discipline from the Lord. This life is not free of pain and sorrow. In fact, life can be hard when you represent Christ to a world that hates Him. The Godless man and sinner have no hope in the life to come. It will be an eternity of suffering.
Verse 19: “Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God must entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing good.”
“Entrust” is a banking term meaning to deposit for safekeeping. We give our lives to the One Who created us. We give back what He gave to us. This is the best advice when facing persecution and suffering for Christ.
