1 Peterchapter 4

A.Arm Yourself With the Mind That Is Done With Sinvv. 1-6

1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourselves with the same resolve, because anyone who has suffered in his body is done with sin. 2 Consequently, he does not live out his remaining time on earth for human passions, but for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles: living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry. 4 Because of this, they consider it strange of you not to plunge with them into the same flood of reckless indiscretion, and they heap abuse on you. 5 But they will have to give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 That is why the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged as men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

B.The End Is at Hand: Serve With the Strength God Suppliesvv. 7-11

7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and sober, so that you can pray. 8 Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without complaining. 10 As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another. 11 If anyone speaks, he should speak as one conveying the words of God. If anyone serves, he should serve with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

C.Do Not Be Surprised at the Firevv. 12-19

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 Indeed, none of you should suffer as a murderer or thief or wrongdoer, or even as a meddler. 16 But if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but glorify God that you bear that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God? 18 And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” 19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should entrust their souls to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

Commentary on this chapter: read the Exposition

← Back: 1 Peter 3 Continue: 1 Peter 5 →

Chapter summary

'Forasmuch then as Christ suffered in the flesh, arm ye yourselves also with the same mind'.

Read the rest, the context and the outline ▾Show less ▴

'Forasmuch then as Christ suffered in the flesh, arm ye yourselves also with the same mind'. The past time suffices to have wrought the desire of the Gentiles, and old friends now 'think it strange that ye run not with them into the same excess of riot.' Then the letter tightens: 'The end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore of sound mind, and be sober unto prayer: above all things being fervent in your love among yourselves; for love covereth a multitude of sins' (4:7-8). 'Think it not strange concerning the fiery trial among you… but insomuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings, rejoice' (4:12-13). 'If a man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed.'

Drawn from Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory, Matthew Henry, Complete Commentary, John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the New Testament and John Calvin, Commentaries.

Context

Epistle · Peter — 1 Peter overview

A. 1–6 Arm Yourself With the Mind That Is Done With Sin
B. 7–11 The End Is at Hand: Serve With the Strength God Supplies
C. 12–19 Do Not Be Surprised at the Fire

Top cross-references8 chapters ▾

1 Peter 35 verses
- 1 Peter 3:14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be shaken.”
- 1 Peter 3:16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ.
- 1 Peter 3:17For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
- 1 Peter 3:18For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit,
- 1 Peter 3:19in whom He also went and preached to the spirits in prison
- Read 1 Peter 3 →
1 Peter 13 verses
- 1 Peter 1:6In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials
- 1 Peter 1:13Therefore prepare your minds for action. Be sober-minded. Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
- 1 Peter 1:14As obedient children, do not conform to the passions of your former ignorance.
- Read 1 Peter 1 →
Romans 83 verses
- Romans 8:2For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set you free from the law of sin and death.
- Romans 8:9You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.
- Romans 8:17And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him.
- Read Romans 8 →
Colossians 32 verses
- Colossians 3:3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
- Colossians 3:14And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.
- Read Colossians 3 →

4 more chapters this one speaks with

Ephesians 62 verses
- Ephesians 6:6And do this not only to please them while they are watching, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.
- Ephesians 6:10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
- Read Ephesians 6 →
1 Thessalonians 42 verses
- 1 Thessalonians 4:5not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God;
- 1 Thessalonians 4:11and to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you.
- Read 1 Thessalonians 4 →
James 52 verses
- James 5:8You, too, be patient and strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near.
- James 5:9Do not complain about one another, brothers, so that you will not be judged. Look, the Judge is standing at the door!
- Read James 5 →
1 Peter 52 verses
- 1 Peter 5:8Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
- 1 Peter 5:9Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.
- Read 1 Peter 5 →

Cross-references from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and OpenBible.info.