1 Peter 4King James Version
Above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another. If any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed.
Because Christ suffered in the flesh, believers are called to arm themselves with the same mind, living the remaining time for God's will rather than human appetites. Former companions think it strange that believers no longer run with them, but judgment is coming for all. The end is near: be sober for prayer, love fervently, show hospitality, use your gifts as stewards of God's grace. Do not be surprised by fiery trials; rejoice as partakers of Christ's sufferings, knowing that his glory follows. Suffering as a Christian is not shameful, it is a reason to glorify God. Judgment begins at the house of God. Commit your soul to a faithful Creator.
Suffering as a Christian is not a sign you are doing something wrong. It is a sign you are doing something right, and the glory that follows Christ's suffering will follow yours.
"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you." (4:12) Peter names the specific temptation of people under pressure: to interpret suffering as evidence of abandonment, and he dismantles it before it can take root.
A congregation in Cappadocia has started to feel the social consequences of their faith. Invitations have dried up. Neighbors who were friendly are now cold or openly hostile. Some in the group are beginning to wonder if they misread something, if there is a version of this that involves less friction. Peter's letter lands in that moment and says: this is not strange. This is what it looks like. Rejoice. Use your gifts. Feed one another. Commit your soul. The faithful Creator has not looked away.
Former companions, the old social circle now perplexed and hostile toward believers who have changed. The believers themselves, called to steward gifts and show hospitality under pressure. Christ, whose pattern of suffering followed by glory is the template Peter returns to throughout the chapter.
Chapter 4 shifts from household conduct to the larger question of public persecution. The list of gifts in verse 11 assumes a functioning community that uses what it has, prophecy, service, all framed as stewardship of God's grace rather than personal distinction. The judgment-beginning-at-the-house-of-God line is bracing: Peter does not promise believers are exempt from God's searching scrutiny, but he says a faithful Creator can be trusted with a soul committed to his care.
For when suffering makes you feel singled out, like something has gone wrong that should not have. Peter says the trial is not strange, it is a fellowship with Christ's suffering, and the joy on the other side of his glory is available to everyone who endures it with him. The chapter turns the meaning of the pain without minimizing the pain itself.
1Forasmuch 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:
4Wherein 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.
7But 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.
12Beloved, 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.