1 Peter 4

Continued Instructions to Suffer Well

In this section, Peter continued to offer practical instruction for Christians enduring persecution, how these struggling believers could follow the teachings and example of Jesus and shift perspectives to find opportunity in the opposition. 

Suffer Like Jesus

Vs. 1-2 - Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same understanding—because the one who suffers in the flesh is finished with sin in order to live the remaining time in the flesh no longer for human desires, but for God’s will. 

Some commentators note that Peter reminded these Christians that perseverance in persecution would have a purifying effect on them.  Others believe that Peter simply continued his train of thought from chapter 3 about the purifying effect of identifying with Christ in baptism.  

Peter has just been talking about baptism, and now he says, "He who, in baptism, has shared the sufferings and the death of Christ, is risen to such newness of life with him that sin has no more dominion over him.”                  - William Barclay

Either way, Fleming summarizes the point of the paragraph: 

Christ’s death dealt with sin once and for all. In that sense, he has nothing more to do with sin. Christians are united with Christ in his death, and therefore they too should have nothing more to do with sin. They should live no longer to please themselves but to please God.            - Don Fleming

Vs. 3 - For there has already been enough time spent in doing what the Gentiles choose to do

Just as Jesus had “finished” with sin and risen to new life, Peter called Christians to leave behind their former behaviors and follow Jesus’ call to a new life of love (8).

They Will Give an Account

Vs. 5 - They will give an account to the one who stands ready to judge the living and the dead.

Again, Peter referenced the future judgment as motivation for perseverance. That God would make all things right in the end may have been the only hope of justice for these Christians. This thought is continued through the rest of the chapter. 

Vs. 6 - For this reason the gospel was also preached to those who are now dead, so that, although they might be judged in the flesh according to human standards, they might live in the spirit according to God’s standards.

Those believers who are now dead believed the gospel that was preached to them while they were still living (i.e. during their earthly lives). Therefore, although they experienced physical death as one of the natural consequences of sin, they now live spiritually with God.               - Don Fleming

The End Is Near

Anticipation

Vs. 7 - The end of all things is near; therefore, be alert and sober-minded for prayer. 

All of the apostles wrote with urgency and expectancy for Jesus’ imminent return, and Peter was no exception.  In light of how soon he believed the end of time would arrive, Peter called Christians to look for Jesus and to love one another. 

Peter's mind is dominated in this section by the conviction that the end of all things is near. It is of the greatest interest and significance to note that he does not use that conviction to urge men to withdraw from the world and to enter on a kind of private campaign to save their own souls; he uses it to urge them to go into the world and serve their fellow-men.              - William Barclay

Love

Vs. 8 - Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins.

He quoted a proverb of Solomon (10:12) to illustrate how love brings forgiveness and unity. The person with this kind of love is willing to forgive and even covers a multitude of the sins of others committed against himself or herself rather than taking offense.             - Thomas Constable

Stewardship

Vs. 10 - stewards of the varied grace of God 

A steward was tasked with the management of another’s possessions.  Peter described these Christians as caretakers and keepers, entrusted with the favor of God and tasked with speaking, serving, and sharing it with others. 

What grace is given me, let it pass to him.               - from The Fellowship of the Ring by Tolkien

If You Suffer as A Christian

Vs. 12-13 - Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you, as if something unusual were happening to you.  Instead, rejoice…

Peter reminded these believers that they should not be surprised when they suffered for being a Christian.  Jesus had warned them it would happen.  

John 16:33 - I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.

And Jesus had told them exactly what perspective to take. 

Matthew 5:11-12 - You are blessed when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me. Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Rather than shock, Peter encouraged his audience to remember Jesus’ teaching and to be grateful for the opportunity to participate in the sufferings of the Messiah. 

Participation

Vs. 13 - these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.

To Peter, persecution provided an opportunity for participation in the suffering and exaltation of Jesus. 

Assurance

Vs. 14 - you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you.

Persecution brought assurance that these believers belonged to God. 

Association

Vs. 16 - Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name!

Peter considered it a privilege to be associated with Jesus, even in suffering. 

The Time for Judgment

The Sinner

Vs. 17-18 - For the time has come for judgment to begin with God’s household, and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God?  And if a righteous person is saved with difficulty, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?

In this verse, Peter contrasted the intensity of the two experiences of suffering, by disciples now and by unbelievers in the future. It is with difficulty that righteous people pass through this phase of our existence into the next phase because this phase involves suffering for us. Yet it will be even more difficult for godless people to pass from this phase of their lives to the next because they will have to undergo God’s wrath. Their future sufferings will be more intense than our present sufferings.

The purpose of Peter’s quoting Proverbs 11:31 loosely was to show that the Old Testament also taught that both the righteous and the wicked will receive from the Lord. The point in the proverb is that since God rewards the righteous on earth how much more can we count on His rewarding wicked sinners.       - Thomas Constable

The Saint

Vs. 19 - So then, let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator while doing what is good.

In summary, Peter concluded that suffering for being a Christian was a very different thing altogether from suffering for wrongdoing.  And again, he encouraged these believers towards hope and holiness, to rest in and wait for the faithfulness of God, knowing that He would rescue and reward.