1 Peter
Changes this passage only. Set your default for every passage.
1 Peter 4
1 Peter 4
1Forasmuch then as Christ suffered in the flesh, arm ye yourselves also with the same mind; for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
1Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
Commentary · verse 1
2that ye no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
2That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
Commentary · verse 2
Doctrine: Suffering in the flesh well proves you are living according to the Will of God. We are only able to suffer in the flesh well if we have the "same mind" from verse 1, which was the Mind of Christ.
3For the time past may suffice to have wrought the desire of the Gentiles, and to have walked in lasciviousness, lusts, winebibbings, revellings, carousings, and abominable idolatries: 4wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them into the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: 5who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the living and the dead.
3For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
4Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
5Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.
Commentary · verses 3-5
Peter stated that believers not participating in the "pleasures of the world" would stand out and be spoken against by unbelievers who did not understand why anyone would pursue something they could not see when they were surrounded by apparent pleasures. Peter stated these unbelievers would have to give an account to God in the long term.
6For unto this end was the gospel preached even to the dead, that they might be judged indeed according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
6For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
Commentary · verse 6
Doctrine: The reason the Gospel was preached, even to those who were dead before Christ came to earth, was so that all people could be judged of man (which was persecution) which ought to cause them to live unto the spirit...which would prove the believer was doing the Will of God.
Doctrines on this passage
7But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore of sound mind, and be sober unto prayer: 8above all things being fervent in your love among yourselves; for love covereth a multitude of sins:
7But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
8And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
Commentary · verses 7-8
Above all things have fervent love among yourselves because love covers a multitude of sins. There are three types of sins:
-
Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit was unique in that it was the only unforgivable sin (Matthew 12:31-32). Love could not cover that sin.
-
Sinning against God results in eternal damnation (death). Confession and repentance to God results in Salvation. Both of those sins result in death: damnation.
-
1 John 5:16-17 stated there was a sin not unto death, which was the third type of sin. There are sins we do to each other. These sins affect our Reward. Luke 17:3 stated that we ought to confront a believer who sins against us and if he repents, then forgive him. The sin between believers will be equaled out during the second judgment according to books at the Great White Throne (Revelation 20:12-13).
Here, Peter stated our love can cover a multitude of sins, not all sins. Our giving to others without expecting anything in return ("love") can cover the sins we have done to each other (#3) because we are equaling out Justice now instead of waiting at Judgment Day for God to equal it out. Verse 8 blatantly stated we ought to love each other because it would cover the sins we did to each other. Many people make the mistake of sinning against people and confessing/repenting to God. If they truly did confess and repent to God, the first thing God would say is confess and repent to (love) the person you sinned against. Many people who confess and repent to God for the sins they do to others are actually confessing and repenting to themselves.
Doctrines on this passage
9using hospitality one to another without murmuring:
9Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
Commentary · verse 9
This was an example of love: give (hospitality) without expecting (without murmuring), give with a good attitude.
10according as each hath received a gift, ministering it among yourselves, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God;
10As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Commentary · verse 10
The word "gift" in verse 10 was charis: grace. We ought to minister grace unto each other. If grace was "unmerited favor," how would this be possible? However, we know that loving God (First Command) results in the Second Command: God loving others through us via grace.
11if any man speaketh, speaking as it were oracles of God; if any man ministereth, ministering as of the strength which God supplieth: that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, whose is the glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
11If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Commentary · verse 11
Peter concluded his explanation to allow God to do His Will through you by loving others with an exhortation to go hot (do everything to the full amount), even speaking as an oracle of God by grace.
Doctrines on this passage
12Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial among you, which cometh upon you to prove you, as though a strange thing happened unto you:
12Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
Commentary · verse 12
Do not think it is strange when a tough external circumstance comes to prove your causes, as if you were surprised that you would experience suffering.
13but insomuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory also ye may rejoice with exceeding joy.
13But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
Commentary · verse 13
But rejoice that you are partaking in Christ's sufferings in the short term, so that when His Glory is revealed you will be glad with exceeding joy in the long term.
14If ye are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are ye; because the Spirit of glory and the Spirit of God resteth upon you.
14If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
Commentary · verse 14
Doctrine: Being reproached for the name of Christ is proof that the Holy Spirit is influencing your actions.
15For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil-doer, or as a meddler in other men’s matters: 16but if a man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name.
15But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.
16Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
Commentary · verses 15-16
Peter did not want Christians to suffer as an effect of evil causes. Peter wanted Christians to glorify when they suffer because of Righteous causes.
17For the time is come for judgment to begin at the house of God: and if it begin first at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God?
18And if the righteous is scarcely saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear?
17For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
18And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
Commentary · verses 17-18
Peter stated that judgment began with the believers because not only ought we to be able to handle it well, but handling it well ought to result in us drawing believers towards God when we handle it well. If believers are barely able to handle this well, how will unbelievers recognize God's power?
19Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God commit their souls in well-doing unto a faithful Creator.
19Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
Commentary · verse 19
Theme of Chapter 4: Rejoice in suffering as an effect of being Righteous. Why? Being reproached for the name of Christ is proof that the Holy Spirit is influencing your actions. Handling this unjust suffering well makes the Holy Spirit apparent to all.
Doctrine: Those who have suffered in the flesh well have ceased from sin. People who suffer well, in the ways the world considers suffering, are proof to everyone that they have ceased from sin.