2. The nearness meant is not that of mere "time," but that before the Lord; as he explains to guard against misapprehension, and defends God from the charge of procrastination: We live in the last dispensation, not like the Jews under the Old Testament. arm--( Ephesians 6:11 Ephesians 6:13 ). . General conclusion from 1 Peter 4:17 1 Peter 4:18 . (7-11) Believers encouraged to rejoice and glory in reproaches and sufferings for Christ, and to commit their souls to the care of a faithful God. "Live according to God" means, live a life with God, such as God lives, divine; as contrasted with "according to men in the flesh," that is, a life such as men live in the flesh. It is true that the righteous are scarcely saved; even those who endeavour to walk uprightly in the ways of God. as of--"out of" the store of his "strength" (Greek, physical power in relation to outward service, rather than moral and intellectual "ability"; so in Mark 12:30 ). Drink makes drowsy, and drowsiness prevents prayer. Hospitality has the effect of building up Christian fellowship, combating the view that we are each independent and isolated individuals in our relationship with God (note 1 John 1:3). For Peter is plainly referring only to those within reach of the Gospel, or who might have known God through His ministers in Old and New Testament times. If we will not bear suffering for Christ now, we must bear eternal sufferings hereafter. 9. one to another--Greek as in 1 Peter 4:8 , "towards yourselves"; implying that all form but one body, and in seeking the good of other members they are promoting the good of themselves. Article Images Copyright © 2021 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. The strongest and best arguments against sin, are taken from the sufferings of Christ. 1 Peter 4:17(NASB) Verse Thoughts. dead--as well as to them now living, and to them that shall be found alive at the coming of the Judge. This chapter directs us in both. * Peter had been a fisherman before being called to be an apostle; but Jesus called Peter, along with his brother Andrew and his partners James and John, to become “fishers of men” – Luke 5:1-11; Matthew 4:18-22. 10. every--"even as each man hath received," in whatever degree, and of whatever kind. He then goes on to explain the relationship between suffering and salvation: suffering lasts now, but it proves our faith so that joy and glory can come later. As the end is near, cultivate self-restraint, watchful prayerfulness, charity, hospitality, scriptural speech, ministering to one another according to your several gifts to the glory of God: Rejoicing patience under suffering. riot--profligacy. let him not be ashamed--though the world is ashamed of shame. The opposite duties to the sins in 1 Peter 4:3 are here inculcated. Not secretly speaking against the person whom we entertain, or upbraiding him with the favor we have conferred in him. stewards--referring to Matthew 25:15 , &c.; Luke 19:13-26 . on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified--omitted in the two oldest Greek manuscripts and Syriac and Coptic versions, but supported by one very old manuscript, Vulgate, Sahidic, CYPRIAN, &c. "Evil spoken of," literally, "blasphemed"; not merely do they "speak against you," as in 1 Peter 3:16 , but blasphemously mock Christ and Christianity itself. and of God--Greek, "and the (Spirit) of God"; implying that the Spirit of glory (which is Christ's Spirit) is at the same time also the Spirit of God. One oldest manuscript and Vulgate read, "in well-doings"; contrast ill-doings, 1 Peter 4:15 . By patience and fortitude in suffering, by dependence on the promises of God, and keeping to the word the Holy Spirit hath revealed, the Holy Spirit is glorified; but by the contempt and reproaches cast upon believers, he is evil spoken of, and is blasphemed. Living for God. Purpose. Compare the conduct of Shem and Japheth to Noah ( Genesis 9:23 ), in contrast to Ham's exposure of his father's shame. Through Christ alone can God be glorified in us and our sayings and doings. The date of this Epistle must have been when this had become the generally recognized designation among Gentiles (it is never applied by Christians to each other, as it was in after ages--an undesigned proof that the New Testament was composed when it professes), and when the name exposed one to reproach and suffering, though not seemingly as yet to systematic persecution. At first believers had no distinctive name, but were called among themselves "brethren," Acts 6:3 ; "disciples," Acts 6:1 ; "those of the way," Acts 9:2 ; "saints," Romans 1:7 ; by the Jews (who denied that Jesus was the CHRIST, and so would never originate the name Christian), in contempt, "Nazarenes." This may be due to Greek: "God," having no article, it being a principle when a governed noun omits the Greek article that the governing noun should omit it, too. Chapter 4. But God limits the destroyer's power over His people. at us, what shall the end be of them, &c.--If even the godly have chastening judgments now, how much more shall the ungodly be doomed to damnatory judgments at last. The destruction of the Jewish church and nation, foretold by our Saviour, was very near. In Acts 7:38 also, the Greek article is wanting; thus English Version, "as the oracles of God," namely, the Old Testament, would be "right," and the precept be similar to Romans 12:6 , "prophesy according to the analogy of the faith." Gentiles--heathen: which many of you were. . Indeed, Ezekiel 9:6 describes such a judgement spreading out from there. Salem Media Group. We ought to cover others' sins only where love itself does not require the contrary. wrought--Greek, "wrought out." ALFORD'S explanation is wrong, "that they might be judged according to men as regards the flesh," that is, be in the state of the completed sentence on sin, which is death after the flesh. One would think such cautions as these were needless to Christians. Bkmrk. the time--Greek, "season," "fit time." There is no comfort in sufferings, when we bring them upon ourselves by our own sin and folly. "The flesh" is the sphere in which sin has place. What does 1 Peter chapter 4 mean? In the context, Peter is talking about the suffering of Christ on our behalf (1 Pet 4:1-2) and about our salvation when we were baptized into Christ (1 Pet 3:20-22). It seems to me always to be used, either directly or indirectly, in the sense of impious reviling against God, Christ, or the Holy Spirit, and the Christian religion, not merely against men as such; Greek, 1 Peter 4:14 , below. 1 Peter 4:18. . 1. for us--supported by some oldest manuscripts and versions, omitted by others. Peter also wants his readers to understand the *grac… To suffer for one's own faults is no honor ( 1 Peter 4:15 , 1 Peter 2:20 ),--for Christ, is no shame ( 1 Peter 4:14 , 1 Peter 3:13 ). Living for God. the end of all things--and therefore also of the wantonness ( 1 Peter 4:3 1 Peter 4:4 ) of the wicked, and of the sufferings of the righteous [BENGEL]. . sinner--loving sin; positive; the same man is at once God-forgetting and sin-loving. minister the same--not discontentedly envying or disparaging the gift of another. We should suffer patiently, after the example of Christ, 1 Peter 4:1.And no longer live according to our former custom, but disregard the scoffs of those who are incensed against us because we have forsaken their evil ways, who are shortly to give account to God for their conduct, 1 Peter 4:2-5.How the Gospel was preached to Jews and Gentiles, 1 Peter 4:6. "As God with His love covers my sins if I believe, so must I also cover the sins of my neighbor" [LUTHER]. sober--"self-restrained." . Acts 11:26 , 26:28 ; the only three places where the term occurs. 8. above all things--not that "charity" or love is placed above "prayer," but because love is the animating spirit, without which all other duties are dead. Since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind: The commitment God calls us to have is nothing greater than the commitment Jesus had in enduring suffering for our salvation. 1 Peter 4:18 is a quotation from Pr 11:31 LXX: In the Hebrew the saying applies to recompense in this life, but the author uses it of recompense in the last judgment The reference of the section in which 1 Peter 4:18 stands is to the sufferings of Christians, which are regarded as the fiery glow and beginning of judgment. as . This does not mean that the purpose and performance of God are uncertain, but only the great difficulties and hard encounters in the way; that they go through so many temptations and tribulations, so many fightings without and fears within. Please enter your email address associated with your Salem All-Pass account, then click Continue. 5. 1. Peter encourages them with a vision of "an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that doesn't fade away, reserved in Heaven 7. Don’t … Continue reading "Commentary on 1 Peter 4:12-19" Jesus was the pattern in this respect ( Matthew 7:29 , John 12:49 , 14:10 ; compare Paul, 2 Corinthians 2:17 ). gospel of God--the very God who is to judge them. Temperance promotes wakefulness or watchfulness, and both promote prayer. 18. scarcely--Compare "so as by fire," 1 Corinthians 3:15 ; having to pass through trying chastisements, as David did for his sin. "Live" in the truest sense, for heretofore he was dead. As the time for Christ's return for His church draws ever closer we are warned to be clear-minded and self-controlled. "When power is given to the destroyer, he observes no distinction between the righteous and the wicked; not only so, but he begins first at the righteous" [WETSTEIN from Rabbins]. So the word μολις, rendered scarcely, signifies. . The Christian is by faith one with Christ: as then Christ by death is judicially freed from sin; so the Christian who has in the person of Christ died, has no more to do with it judicially, and ought to have no more to do with it actually. excess--literally, "profusion"; a sink: stagnant water remaining after an inundation. 4 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. The idle and witty people of Antioch, we know from heathen writers, were famous for inventing nicknames. ready--very speedily ( 1 Peter 4:7 , 2 Peter 3:10 ). 15. For--giving the reason for 1 Peter 4:5 , "judge the dead." appear--in judgment. 1 Peter 4:18 Parallel Verses [⇓ See commentary ⇓] 1 Peter 4:18, NIV: "And, 'If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?'" fiery trial--like the fire by which metals are tested and their dross removed. (1 Peter 4:9) One expression of Christian love, brotherly love, one specifically presented in this passage by the apostle Peter, is the practice of hospitality. 3. may suffice--Greek, "is sufficient." Wherein--In respect to which abandonment of your former walk ( 1 Peter 4:3 ). We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. At Antioch, where first idolatrous Gentiles (Cornelius, Acts 10:1 Acts 10:2 , was not an idolater, but a proselyte) were converted, and wide missionary work began, they could be no longer looked on as a Jewish sect, and so the Gentiles designated them by the new name "Christians." Coming to him, the living stone—rejected by men, but chosen and honored by God (1 Peter 2:4) Peter the Christian as coming to the Stone that men reject. excess of wine--"wine-bibbings" [ALFORD]. 1 Peter 4:10(NASB) Verse Thoughts. Peter using his spiritual gifts. Not as ALFORD, "Arm yourselves . 19. (1-6) And the approaching end of the Jewish state, as a reason for sobriety, watchfulness, and prayer. Creator--who is therefore also our Almighty Preserver. One day they willlive with God in heaven and share God’s *glory. . charity shall cover the multitude, &c.--The oldest manuscripts have "covereth." This verse is parallel to 1 Peter 3:18 ; compare Note, the Old Testament Church; though not so fully as to the New Testament Church. And if the righteous scarcely be saved — Escape with the utmost difficulty. "He that giveth, let him do it with simplicity," that is open-hearted sincerity; with cordiality. Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.a. Perhaps the additional idea is included, By prayer for them, love tries to have them covered by God; and so being the instrument of converting the sinner from his error, "covereth a (not 'the,' as English Version) multitude of sins"; but the former idea from Proverbs is the prominent one. Our committing of ourselves to God is to be, not in indolent and passive quietism, but accompanied with active well-doings. Peter, like Paul, argues that those found living at Christ's coming shall have no advantage above the dead who shall then be raised, inasmuch as the latter live unto, or "according to," God, even already in His purpose. in the flesh--in His mortal body of humiliation. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.a. Detail of Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528), 'St Peter and St John Healing the Cripple' (1513), engraving, 118 x 74 mm, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. (12-19). Below is a paraphrase of 1 Peter 4:1-6 as if Peter was preparing the disciples to suffer for their faith. Hi Mr. Wellman, First Peter 4:1-2 “Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.” The sense seems to be, Peter, as representing the true attitude of the Church in every age, expecting Christ at any moment, says, The Judge is ready to judge the quick and dead--the dead, I say, for they, too, in their lifetime, have had the Gospel preached to them, that so they might be judged at last in the same way as those living now (and those who shall be so when Christ shall come), namely, "men in the flesh," and that they might, having escaped condemnation by embracing the Gospel so preached, live unto God in the spirit (though death has passed over their flesh), Luke 20:38 , thus being made like Christ in death and in life quickened; for they are supposed to have been already "quickened together with Christ" ( Ephesians 2:5 ). -- though the world is ashamed of shame Explanatory on the Whole Bible, California - DO not My. 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