The Bible — World English Bible

1 Peter 4

In brief

1 Peter 4 draws the consequences of Christ's suffering for daily life. Believers are called to break with their old way of living and to live for the will of God. Since the end is near, Peter urges prayer, fervent love, hospitality and the service of others with the gift each one has received. He then speaks of the fiery trial: do not be surprised by it, share in the sufferings of Christ, do not be ashamed of it, and entrust your life to the faithful Creator.

The chapter in 4 parts

  1. v. 1-6Armed with the mind of Christ: breaking with the old life
  2. v. 7-11While waiting for the end: prayer, love, hospitality and service
  3. v. 12-16The fiery trial: suffering as a Christian without shame
  4. v. 17-19Judgment begins with the household of God: trust in the faithful Creator

1Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind; for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,

2that you no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.

3For we have spent enough of our past time doing the desire of the Gentiles, and having walked in lewdness, lusts, drunken binges, orgies, carousings, and abominable idolatries.

4They think it is strange that you don’t run with them into the same excess of riot, blaspheming.

5They will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

6For to this end the Good News was preached even to the dead, that they might be judged indeed as men in the flesh, but live as to God in the spirit.

7But the end of all things is near. Therefore be of sound mind, self-controlled, and sober in prayer.

8And above all things be earnest in your love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins.

9Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.

10As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms.

11If anyone speaks, let it be as it were the very words of God. If anyone serves, let it be as of the strength which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

12Beloved, don’t be astonished at the fiery trial which has come upon you to test you, as though a strange thing happened to you.

13But because you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice, that at the revelation of his glory you also may rejoice with exceeding joy.

14If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed; because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified.

15For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil doer, or a meddler in other men’s matters.

16But if one of you suffers for being a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this matter.

17For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God. If it begins first with us, what will happen to those who don’t obey the Good News of God?

18“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will happen to the ungodly and the sinner?”

19Therefore let them also who suffer according to the will of God in doing good entrust their souls to him, as to a faithful Creator.

Key verses

Verse 7
But the end of all things is near. Therefore be of sound mind, self-controlled, and sober in prayer.

Waiting for the end of time does not lead to panic but to wisdom, self-control and prayer. The time that remains is a time to use well.

Verse 10
As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms.

Every believer has received a gift, and it is not for them alone: it is to be used in serving others, as a manager of God's grace in its various forms.

Verse 12-13
Beloved, don’t be astonished at the fiery trial which has come upon you to test you, as though a strange thing happened to you. But because you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice, that at the revelation of his glory you also may rejoice with exceeding joy.

Peter urges us not to be astonished by the trial, as if it were abnormal. The fiery trial is part of the road, and the share believers have in Christ's sufferings points to joy at the revelation of his glory.

Verse 19
Therefore let them also who suffer according to the will of God in doing good entrust their souls to him, as to a faithful Creator.

Whoever suffers according to the will of God is called to keep on doing good and to entrust their life to the faithful Creator, without bitterness or revenge.

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What the sermons say

Who Can Stand Against Pharaoh? (Exodus 5-6)On Exodus 5 and 6, the sermon cites verse 12: opposition should not surprise us. God does not promise a life without trials, but his presence in the middle of them.Read the summary →Redeem the Time: The Wisdom That Seizes Every OpportunityPastor Albert Koffi leans on verse 7: the end is near, so we must be wise and sober, seize opportunities and set aside time for prayer.Read the summary →That Christ Be Formed in Me: The Tests That Prepare the Son's ImageVerse 10 is cited as a concrete way of doing good: serving the body of Christ with what we have received, without waiting for a spectacular gift.Read the summary →Ephesians 4: Leaders in the Body, Building the Church TogetherEric Lehrmann places 1 Peter 4:10-11 among the texts on gifts given to individuals: each person uses theirs for the whole body of the Church.Read the summary →Co-heir with Christ: Your Identity, Your InheritanceIn a series on identity in God, verses 12 to 14 illustrate the theme of suffering with him to reign with him: the fiery trial is a share in the sufferings of Christ.Read the summary →

Frequently asked questions about 1 Peter 4

What does 1 Peter 4:12 mean by the fiery trial that has come upon you?

The fiery trial means hardship, especially the persecution and mockery suffered because of faith. Peter says not to be astonished by it as if it were strange: it is part of a disciple's life. It serves to test faith, and it is tied to a promised joy when the glory of Christ appears.

What does “love covers a multitude of sins” mean in 1 Peter 4:8?

Peter calls believers to a fervent love for one another. This love does not look for ways to expose the faults of others: it forgives, is patient and encourages reconciliation. The verse does not say that love itself erases sins before God, which only the work of Christ accomplishes.

What is the main message of 1 Peter 4?

Since Christ suffered, the believer is called to live differently, to love and serve others with their gift, and to keep trust in the midst of trials. Even when a Christian is misunderstood or rejected, they can glorify God and entrust their life to the faithful Creator by continuing to do good.

Articles quoting 1 Peter 4

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World English Bible translation — public domain.