1 Peter 4

1 Peter 4 is the fourth chapter of the First Epistle of Peter in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. The author identifies himself as "Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ" and the epistle is traditionally attributed to Peter the Apostle, but some writers argue that it is the work of Peter's followers in Rome between 70 and 100 CE.[1][2][3] This chapter focusses on Christ's suffering, Christian charity and advice to those who are persecuted.[4]

1 Peter 4
1 Peter 5:12–end and 2 Peter 1:1–5 on facing pages of Papyrus 72 (3rd/4th century)
BookFirst Epistle of Peter
CategoryGeneral epistles
Christian Bible partNew Testament
Order in the Christian part21

Text

The original text was written in Koine Greek.This chapter is divided into 19 verses.

Textual witnesses

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter are:

Greek
Latin

Old Testament references

Living a Christian Life (4:1–11)

Verse 1
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.[6]

The same point has been made in 1 Peter 2:21: Christ also suffered for us (or "you"), leaving us (or "you") an example, that you should follow His steps.[7]

Verse 6
For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.[8]
  • "Gospel": means "the good news", here concerning 'the incarnation, sufferings, and death of Christ', and the salvation through him'; this is basically 'the doctrines of grace, pardon, righteousness, and eternal life'.[9]
  • "preached": to proclaim it 'openly, freely, and boldly, with faithfulness and consistence'.[9]
  • "To them that are dead": Theologian John Gill regards "dead" here not in a figurative sense, but "dead in trespasses and sins", as is the case of all mankind or all nations, and is the means of 'quickening dead sinners'.[9] The word "dead" is also used as in the preceding verse, got those who had been alive, but were now dead in a natural sense, whom Christ would judge together with those found alive when he comes; that the Gospel has been preached also to them that are already dead, as well as to those who are now alive.[9]
  • "That they might be judged according to men in the flesh": may mean, either that such persons who receive and profess the Gospel, and suffer for it, are judged according to the judgment of men that are in the flesh, as in (1 Peter 4:4), by the villains, hypocrites and deceivers; and this is the common effect of the Gospel being preached and coming with power to any (cf. 1 Corinthians 4:3) or the sense is, that such persons, according to men, are judged of God, or have the judgments of God inflicted on them in their flesh or bodies, for some sins of theirs, chastened by the Lord in a fatherly way, that they might not be eternally condemned with the world, (1 Corinthians 11:32) or else to complete the sense, for all, who were formerly alive, but now dead, and had embraced and professed the Gospel preached to them, were judged and condemned, and put to death in the flesh by wicked men.[9]
  • "Live according to God in the Spirit": Although believers were condemned by others while they were here on earth, the Gospel had such an effect upon them, as to cause them to live spiritually, to live by faith on Christ, to live according to the will of God, so though dead in their bodies, they live in their spirits or souls an eternal life of happiness with God, according to his 'eternal purpose, unchangeable covenant, promise, grace, and love'.[9]

Submit to Suffering (4:12–19)

Christians may have to suffer, but they are blessed if it is purely due to their faith, not any criminal or antisocial behavior.[10]

Verse 16
Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.[11]

See also

References
  1. Eve 2007, pp. 1263–1264.
  2. Davids, Peter H. (1982). I. Howard Marshall and W. Ward Gasque (ed.). New International Greek Testament Commentary: The Epistle of James (Repr. ed.). Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans. ISBN 0802823882.
  3. Evans, Craig A (2005). Craig A. Evans (ed.). Bible Knowledge Background Commentary: John, Hebrews-Revelation. Colorado Springs, Colo.: Victor. ISBN 0781442281.
  4. Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Chapter sub-headings at 1 Peter 4:1–19
  5. Gregory, Caspar René (1902). Textkritik des Neuen Testaments. Vol. 2. Leipzig: Hinrichs. p. 609. ISBN 1-4021-6347-9.
  6. 1 Peter 4:1: NKJV
  7. Jerusalem Bible (1966), Parallel noted in margin at 1 Peter 4:1
  8. 1 Peter 4:6: NKJV
  9. John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible – 1 Peter 4:6
  10. Eve 2007, p. 1269.
  11. 1 Peter 4:16 KJV
  12. Wuest 1973, p. 19. The word is used three times in the New Testament, and each time as a term of reproach or derision. ... in Antioch, the name Christianos was coined to distinguish the worshippers of the Christ from the Kaisarianos, the worshippers of Caesar.

Sources
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