1 Peter 4

Stewards of God's Grace

1 Therefore, since Christ suffered 1 for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, a but for the will of God. 3 For we have spent enough of our past 2 lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles - when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. 4 In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. 5 They will give an account to Him who is ready b to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this reason c the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but d live according to God in the spirit.

7 But e the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for f "love will cover a multitude of sins." 3 9 g Be hospitable to one another h without grumbling. 10 i As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, j as good stewards of k the manifold grace of God. 11 l If anyone speaks, let him speak as the 4 oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that m in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the 5 dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Suffering as a Christian

12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice n to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that o when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are 6 reproached for the name of Christ, p blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 7 On their part He is blasphemed, q but on your part He is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a 8 busybody in other people's matters. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this 9 matter. 17 For the time has come r for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, s what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?

18 Now
t "If the righteous one is scarcely saved,
Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?" 10

19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God u commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

  1. Cross References
    John 1:13
    Who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
  2. Cross References
    Acts 10:42
    And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead.
    Romans 14:9
    For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living.
    2 Timothy 4:1
    I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:
  3. Cross References
    1 Peter 1:12
    To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven - things which angels desire to look into.
    1 Peter 3:19
    By whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison.
  4. Cross References
    Romans 8:9
    But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.
    Romans 8:13
    For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
    Galatians 5:25
    If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
  5. Cross References
    Romans 13:11
    And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.
    Hebrews 9:26
    He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
    James 5:8
    You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
    James 5:9
    Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!
    1 John 2:18
    Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.
  6. Cross References
    Proverbs 10:12
    Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins.
    1 Corinthians 13:4
    Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up.
    James 5:20
    Let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.
  7. Cross References
    1 Timothy 3:2
    A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach.
    Hebrews 13:2
    Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.
  8. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 9:7
    So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
  9. Cross References
    Romans 12:6 - 8
    Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith.
  10. Cross References
    Matthew 24:45
    Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season?
    1 Corinthians 4:1
    Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
    1 Corinthians 4:2
    Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.
  11. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 12:4
    There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
  12. Cross References
    Ephesians 4:29
    Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
  13. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 10:31
    Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
    Ephesians 5:20
    Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
  14. Cross References
    James 1:2
    My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.
  15. Cross References
    2 Timothy 2:12
    If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.
  16. Cross References
    Matthew 5:11
    Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
    Luke 6:22
    Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you, And revile you, and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man's sake.
    Acts 5:41
    So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.
  17. Cross References
    Matthew 5:16
    Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
  18. Cross References
    Isaiah 10:12
    Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Lord has performed all His work on Mount Zion and on Jerusalem, that He will say, "I will punish the fruit of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his haughty looks.
  19. Cross References
    Luke 10:12
    But I say to you that it will be more tolerable in that Day for Sodom than for that city.
  20. Cross References
    Proverbs 11:31
    If the righteous will be recompensed on the earth, How much more the ungodly and the sinner.
  21. Cross References
    Psalms 37:5 - 7
    Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.
    2 Timothy 1:12
    For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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