WEB

1 Peter 4

Peter pulls the suffering theme to a sharp edge: since Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same resolve and break with the old life of excess that pagan neighbors now find strange and slander you for. He reminds them "the end of all things is near" (v.7). That nearness shapes the ethics: clear-headed prayer, fervent love that covers many sins, hospitality without grumbling, and using each gift to serve others as stewards of God's grace.

Parallel reading
English + Português (Brasil)
1 Peter 4 (WEB)
  1. 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,

  2. 2

    that you no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.

  3. 3

    For we have spent enough of our past time doing the desire of the Gentiles, and having walked in lewdness, lusts, drunken binges, orgies, carousings, and abominable idolatries.

  4. 4

    They think it is strange that you don’t run with them into the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you.

  5. 5

    They will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

  6. 6

    For to this end the Good News was preached even to the dead, that they might be judged indeed as men in the flesh, but live as to God in the spirit.

  7. 7

    But the end of all things is near. Therefore be of sound mind, self-controlled, and sober in prayer.

  8. 8

    And above all things be earnest in your love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins.

  9. 9

    Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.

  10. 10

    As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms.

  11. 11

    If anyone speaks, let it be as it were the very words of God. If anyone serves, let it be as of the strength which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

  12. 12

    Beloved, don’t be astonished at the fiery trial which has come upon you to test you, as though a strange thing happened to you.

  13. 13

    But because you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice, that at the revelation of his glory you also may rejoice with exceeding joy.

  14. 14

    If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified.

  15. 15

    But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil doer, or a meddler in other men’s matters.

  16. 16

    But if one of you suffers for being a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this matter.

  17. 17

    For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God. If it begins first with us, what will happen to those who don’t obey the Good News of God?

  18. 18

    “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will happen to the ungodly and the sinner?”

  19. 19

    Therefore let them also who suffer according to the will of God in doing good entrust their souls to him, as to a faithful Creator.

Judgment beginning at God's house

From verse 12 the "fiery trial" is reframed: it is not a strange accident but a share in Christ's sufferings, and being insulted for his name is grounds for blessing, not shame. Peter even sorts the kinds of suffering, distinguishing the murderer or meddler from the one who suffers simply as a Christian.

The startling claim is verse 17: judgment begins with the household of God. If the righteous are barely saved, the warning turns outward to those who reject the Good News, and the chapter closes by entrusting the soul to a faithful Creator.

Context layers

Keep these closed by default and open them only when you want more context.

Share a small range via:

/en/web/1-peter/4/16-18

Or use the Passage link builder.

Keep reading in context