1 Peter - Chapter 4

Peter tends to write his letters the way some of us talk. He begins to make a point, then goes off on a tangent to explain something, and finally finds his way back to making his point. That’s what happens here. In Chapter 3, Verse 18, he begins his point about how Christ suffered and died for our sins so that we may be united with God. Then he strays into an explanation about all the things Christ did after the death of his body on the cross, and from there he strays further to explain how Noah’s ark relates to our salvation. Now he’s finally getting back to his main point. The “Therefore” at the beginning of verse 1 relates back to his statement in 3:18: “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous and the unrighteous, to bring you to God.”

1Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. 2As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. 5But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

During this time of persecution, Peter is warning Christians to be ready for it and arm themselves with the same attitude Christ had when He faced physical suffering. He addresses those with Gentile backgrounds who have embraced all of the pagan vices in the past, from drunkenness to orgies to idolatry. He tells his readers to dare to be different from those who lust after worldly pleasures, even if others think you’re strange and ridicule you for it. When you become a Christian and withdraw from doing those worldly things with your friends, those friends will be the first to turn on you. They may see your new lifestyle as an incrimination of their sinful activities. But their contempt may be a price you must pay to be true to Christ. Those who inflict abuse on Christians will answer for it when they stand before God.

Again, Peter makes reference to the Gospel being preached to the dead. In Thessalonica, Christians worried that loved ones who died before Christ’s return might never see Him. Peter is trying to make clear to them that the Gospel is as relevant to the dead as it is to the living. The preaching he is speaking of is a past event. The word “now” does not occur in the Greek language, but it was necessary for the transcribers to insert it to make clear Peter’s meaning: The preaching was not done after these people died, but while they were still alive. The Gospel was preached to those “who are now dead”, but it was preached to them before their death. This is an important point, because we need to understand that there will be no opportunity for people to be saved after death.

Men will judge us according to what we do while in the body. They don’t know our hearts and will only misunderstand us because we are not living for the same pleasures they are. However, God sees that we are doing His will and will give us eternal life even if the world sees fit to put us to death for our beliefs.

When we are in pain, or our life is in jeopardy, we are able to align our priorities. Sinful pleasures seem a lot less important. Suffering makes us stronger. Sin loses its power to defeat us when we are focused on Christ and doing what He wants us to do.

7The end of all things is near. Therefore, be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. 8Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 11If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Anticipating Christ’s return should influence the attitudes, actions, and relationships of believers.
Often when we turn to prayer, it is because we are distraught because of trials in our lives. But Peter tells us to clear our heads and get control of ourselves so that we can pray. Our faith should be strong enough to overcome our distress and calm us so when we turn to God, we can praise Him.

A Christian with self-control is one who has a clearly defined, decisive purpose in life and can make wise, mature decisions through prayer.

Peter wants his readers to be watchful of Christ’s return, preparing themselves by continually growing in love for God and for others. Love is a constant theme throughout Peter’s letters. Love one another from the heart fervently (1:22); Honor all men; Love the Brotherhood (2:17); Loving as brothers, tenderhearted (3:8); above all things being fervent in you love among yourselves (4:8). He encourages Christians to be brothers to one another during times of suffering. Forgiveness is what Peter is talking about when he says “love covers over a multitude of sins”. Love forgives again and again.

He goes on to encourage us to use our gifts wisely. We should invest our time and talents in ways that will make an eternal difference.

It appears he is ending his letter here, but I believe he was simply caught up in his praises to God as he thinks about how men can use their God-given gifts “so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ”.
Then he proceeds with his original message concerning suffering and trials:

12Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

Peter again tells his readers to rejoice and be glad when they are persecuted for being a Christian. Look ahead to when the glory of our Lord will be revealed and we will share in that wonderful moment of truth.

Peter brings to mind Jesus’s words in Matthew 5:11: "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.” Christ will send His Spirit to strengthen those being persecuted for their faith.

Be careful not to automatically assume you are going through trials because you are a Christian. Careful analysis must be made to be sure you are not bringing the problems on yourself by your own grumbling or unpleasant behavior. However, whenever the suffering is caused by our true loyalty to Christ, He will be with us to help us through it.
He once again stresses how a Christian’s suffering should be caused by his/her desire to do God’s will, not by committing sins against their fellow man.

Whenever John or Peter were persecuted for preaching the Gospel, they rejoiced because they saw the persecution as a mark of God’s approval of their work (see Acts 5:41). This doesn’t mean you should seek out suffering, or that you should try to avoid it. Your responsibility is to continue doing what is right regardless of the suffering it may, or may not, bring.

17For 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 do not obey the gospel of God? 18And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"
19So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

When Peter speaks of “judgement” here, it is not in reference to the day of final judgement, but is rather referring to God’s refining discipline of His followers. The consequences we suffer for our sins show us our potential for sinning, encourage us to turn from sin and depend on God more, prepare us to face stronger temptations in the future, and help us stay faithful and keep trusting in Him.

Again, Peter reaches out to his readers by reminding them of a passage of scripture (Proverb 11:31) from the Old Testament, of which they were very familiar. Using that scripture, Peter asks (my own paraphrasing) “if believers need earthly discipline from God, how much more judgement will unbelievers receive?” or “…what chance do those have who reject Christ?”

There have been many persecutions much more brutal and widespread than Nero’s. Millions of Christians have endured every conceivable kind of torture. Considering this, we should be ashamed of ourselves for fretting over our petty problems.

In verse 19, Peter reminds us to trust in God, the creator of the world who is so powerful He can oversee the forces of nature. Surely, He is able to handle whatever trials we face as we continue to do His will.

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1 PETER, CHAPTER 5 WILL BE POSTED ON, OR SOON AFTER, AUGUST 1! USING THE VISITOR INFO RECORDED, IT APPEARS THERE ARE ABOUT 20 OF YOU JOINING IN THIS STUDY. THANK YOU FOR VISITING AND STUDYING GOD'S WORD WITH ME!