1 Peter 4
4
Stewards of God’s Grace
1Since therefore #ch. 3:18 Christ suffered in the flesh,#4:1 Some manuscripts add for us; some for you #[Eph. 6:13] arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for #Rom. 6:2, 7; Gal. 5:24; Col. 3:3, 5 whoever has suffered in the flesh #[2 Pet. 2:14]has ceased from sin, 2#Rom. 6:14; 14:7; 2 Cor. 5:15 so as to live for #ch. 1:14 the rest of the time in the flesh #Titus 2:12; 1 John 2:16 no longer for human passions but #Rom. 6:11for the will of God. 3For the time that is past #Ezek. 44:6; 45:9; Acts 17:30 suffices #Eph. 4:17-19; 1 Thess. 4:5; [1 Cor. 12:2]for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. 4With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of #See Eph. 5:18 debauchery, and #ch. 2:12; 3:16they malign you; 5but they will give account to him who is ready #[James 5:9]; See Acts 10:42to judge the living and the dead. 6For this is why #ch. 3:19the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.
7 # See James 5:8 The end of all things is at hand; therefore #See ch. 1:13 be self-controlled and sober-minded #Matt. 26:41; Luke 21:36for the sake of your prayers. 8Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since #[1 Cor. 13:5, 6]; See James 5:20love covers a multitude of sins. 9#Heb. 13:2; [1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:8]Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10#Rom. 12:6, 7; 1 Cor. 4:7; [Matt. 25:15] As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, #Luke 12:42; 1 Cor. 4:1, 2; Titus 1:7as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11whoever speaks, as one who speaks #Acts 7:38; Rom. 3:2; Heb. 5:12 oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves #Rom. 12:3 by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything #1 Cor. 10:31 God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. #See Rom. 11:36 To him belong glory and #ch. 5:11; Jude 25; Rev. 1:6; 5:13dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Suffering as a Christian
12Beloved, do not be surprised at #ch. 1:7the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice #Phil. 3:10, 11; See Acts 5:41 insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad #[ch. 1:5-7; 5:1; Rom. 8:17, 18; Jude 24]when his glory is revealed. 14#Ps. 89:51; Matt. 5:11 If you are insulted #John 15:21; [Heb. 11:26]for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory#4:14 Some manuscripts insert and of power and of God rests upon you. 15But #ch. 2:19, 20; 3:14, 17 let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or #1 Thess. 4:11; 2 Thess. 3:11; 1 Tim. 5:13as a meddler. 16Yet #[See ver. 15 above] if anyone suffers as a #See Acts 26:28 Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God #[See ver. 14 above]in that name. 17For it is time for judgment #Jer. 25:29; Ezek. 9:6; Amos 3:2; Rom. 2:9 to begin at the household of God; and #[Luke 23:31] if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who #[2 Thess. 1:8]do not obey the gospel of God? 18And
#
Prov. 11:31
“If the righteous is scarcely saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”#4:18 Greek where will the ungodly and sinner appear?
19Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will #Ps. 31:5; Luke 23:46; [Ps. 10:14; 2 Tim. 1:12]entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
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