1 Peter 4

King James Version

Full text for 1 Peter Chapter 4

1¶ Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

2That he no longer should live the rest of [his] time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

3For the time past of [our] life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:

4¶ Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with [them] to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of [you]:

5Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.

6For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

7¶ But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

8And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

9Use hospitality one to another without grudging.

10As every man hath received the gift, [even so] minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

11If any man speak, [let him speak] as the oracles of God; if any man minister, [let him do it] as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

12¶ Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

13But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

14If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy [are ye]; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

15But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or [as] a thief, or [as] an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.

16Yet if [any man suffer] as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

17For the time [is come] that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if [it] first [begin] at us, what shall the end [be] of them that obey not the gospel of God?

18And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

19Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls [to him] in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

The chapter exhorts believers to arm themselves with the mind of Christ, having suffered in the flesh, to cease from sin and live according to God's will. It warns against past Gentile excesses and reminds that the end of all things is at hand, urging sobriety, prayer, fervent charity, and hospitality. Believers are encouraged to use their spiritual gifts for God's glory and to not be surprised by fiery trials, but to rejoice in suffering for Christ's name, knowing that judgment begins with God's household.

Medium Summary

Peter calls believers to adopt Christ's mindset regarding suffering, thereby ceasing from sin and dedicating the remainder of their lives to God's will, rather than human lusts. He contrasts this with their past lives of Gentile revelry and idolatry, noting that the world will speak evil of their changed conduct. The imminence of the end of all things necessitates sobriety, watchfulness in prayer, and above all, fervent charity among themselves, which covers a multitude of sins. Believers are also to practice hospitality and faithfully minister their spiritual gifts as good stewards, ensuring God is glorified through Christ. Furthermore, they should not be surprised by severe trials, but rather rejoice in partaking of Christ's sufferings, glorifying God when reproached for His name, and committing their souls to Him in well-doing.

Long Summary

The apostle Peter begins by urging believers to adopt the same mindset as Christ, who suffered in the flesh, so that they too might cease from sin and live the rest of their lives according to the will of God, not the lusts of men. He reminds them that their past lives, characterized by Gentile vices such as lasciviousness, drunkenness, and idolatry, are sufficient. The world, he notes, finds it strange that believers no longer participate in such excesses and consequently speaks evil of them, but these detractors will give account to God, who is ready to judge the living and the dead. Peter then states that the gospel was preached even to the dead, so they might be judged in the flesh but live in the spirit according to God. Emphasizing that the end of all things is at hand, he exhorts them to be sober and watchful in prayer. Above all, they are to have fervent charity among themselves, for charity covers a multitude of sins, and to practice hospitality without grudging. Each believer is called to use their spiritual gifts—whether speaking as the oracles of God or ministering by God's given ability—as good stewards, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. Peter then addresses the reality of persecution, instructing them not to think it strange concerning the fiery trials meant to test them, but to rejoice in being partakers of Christ's sufferings, anticipating exceeding joy at His revelation. He declares those reproached for Christ's name to be happy, for the Spirit of glory rests upon them. However, he cautions against suffering as a murderer, thief, evildoer, or busybody, but encourages glorifying God if one suffers as a Christian. The chapter concludes by stating that the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God, implying a greater accountability for believers, and questioning the fate of those who obey not the gospel. Therefore, those who suffer according to God's will are to commit their souls to Him in well-doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

Core Concepts

  • Suffering with ChristBelievers are called to arm themselves with the same mind as Christ, who suffered in the flesh, thereby ceasing from sin and aligning their lives with God's will, even amidst trials.
  • Cessation from SinHaving suffered with Christ, believers are to abandon their former Gentile ways of living in lusts and excesses, dedicating their remaining time to obedience to God.
  • Imminence of the EndThe chapter declares that 'the end of all things is at hand,' prompting an urgent call for believers to be sober, watchful in prayer, and to live righteously.
  • Fervent Charity and HospitalityChristians are exhorted to maintain deep, active love for one another, as charity covers a multitude of sins, and to practice hospitality willingly and without complaint.
  • Stewardship of Spiritual GiftsEvery believer has received a gift from God and is commanded to minister it faithfully, whether in speaking or serving, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in all things.
  • Fiery Trials and RejoicingBelievers should not be surprised by severe trials, but rather rejoice in them as a participation in Christ's sufferings, looking forward to future glory.
  • Judgment Beginning at God's HouseThe chapter reveals that judgment must first begin with God's people, underscoring the seriousness of their walk and the greater accountability for those who know the gospel.