Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, he must not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this name. Truth to Learn If you should suffer as a Christian, give God the glory! Behind the Words The word “Christian” is translated from the Greek word christianos. It is...
1 Peter 4:15 – Improper Suffering
But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a meddler in other people's matters. Truth to Learn Suffering for righteousness is pleasing to God. Suffering for wrongdoing is not pleasing to anyone. Behind the Words “Evildoer” comes from the Greek word kakopoios,...
1 Peter 4:14 – Suffering For His Glory
If you are reproached in the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. Truth to Learn Our obedient, righteous suffering glorifies God. Behind the Words The...
1 Peter 4:13 – Joyful Suffering
but rejoice to the extent that you share Christ's sufferings, so that you may rejoice at the revelation of His glory, exulting. Truth to Learn We should be happy when we suffer as followers of Christ. Behind the Words “Rejoice” is from chairō, meaning “to have joy” or “to...
1 Peter 4:12 – Christian Suffering, Not Unusual
Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing were happening to you; Truth to Learn Christians have suffered for their faith throughout history. Therefore, don’t think it strange if it happens to you. Behind the Words The...
1 Peter 4:11 – Speaking and Ministering
If anyone speaks, let it be as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. Truth to...
1 Peter 4:10 – Ministering Gifts
each one as has received a gift, ministering it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Truth to Learn God has given every Christian gifts. These are to be shared with the rest of the church, liberally and humbly. Behind the Words The expression...
1 Peter 4:9 – Christian Hospitality
Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. Truth to Learn We should be hospitable to other Christians simply because we love them. Behind the Words The word translated “hospitable” is the Greek word philoxenos, which is made up of philos, meaning “fondness” or “kindness” and xenos, meaning “a stranger.”...
1 Peter 4:8 – Demonstrate Fervent Love
Above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins. Truth to Learn Love means forgetting your own pain in order to help a brother or sister grow in grace. Behind the Words The expression “above all things” is translated from the...
1 Peter 4:7 – End-Time Actions
But the end of all things is near; therefore be clear minded and self-controlled unto prayers. Truth to Learn The end is very near, so be serious about what you do and how you pray. Behind the Words The word translated “end” is telos, which is derived from the...
1 Peter 4:6 – Dead, But Alive
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. Truth to Learn The ultimate price to pay for our faith (giving of our life) may be what...
1 Peter 4:5 – Divine Vengeance
They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. Truth to Learn When we are slandered by others for doing what God wants, we need to remember that He will judge them some day. Behind the Words The words “will give”...
1 Peter 4:4 – Unfriendly Recognition
regarding which, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same excess of unsavedness, speaking evil of you. Truth to Learn Leaving old habits behind comes at a cost. Behind the Words The word translated “they think it strange” is the Greek word xenidzō,...
1 Peter 4:3 – Wasted Pleasure
For the time of life having passed is sufficient for us to have worked out the will of the Gentiles, having lived in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and lawless idolatries. Truth to Learn We’ve wasted enough time; now let’s focus on serving God. Behind the Words “Lewdness”...
1 Peter 4:2 – Stop That Lust
no longer to live the rest of his time in the flesh in the lusts of men, but in the will of God. Truth to Learn He suffered and died for us, let us suffer and live for Him. Behind the Words In the previous verse Peter told us...
1 Peter 4:1 – Suffering With Him
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, Truth to Learn Suffering for righteousness produces a keen sense of Christ’s suffering and enables you to more fully live for Him....
1 Peter 3:22 – Our Exalted Example
who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven and, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him. Truth to Learn The result of Christ’s patient, faithful suffering is exaltation. Behind the Words The words “right hand” are translated from the Greek word...
1 Peter 3:21 – Obedience From Faith
Which antitype now also saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Truth to Learn Baptism does not save us. It is simply a picture of salvation. Behind the Words The...
1 Peter 3:20 – The Message Proclaimed
who formerly were disobedient, when the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. Truth to Learn Salvation comes through believing the message we proclaim, that Jesus Christ died on the...
1 Peter 3:19 – No Second Chance!
by which also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, Truth to Learn Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved! Behind the Words The grammatical construction of the beginning of today’s verse can suggest either “in which” or “by which.” After having studied...
1 Peter 3:18 – Obedient Suffering
For Christ also died once for sins, for us all, the just for the unjust, that He might bring you to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, Truth to Learn Jesus Christ suffered! He suffered quietly, for your sake. Behind the...
1 Peter 3:17 – Good Suffering
For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. Truth to Learn Sometimes God chooses to have us suffer even when we are doing what we know is right. Behind the Words “Better” is translated from the Greek...
1 Peter 3:16 – A Good Conscience
having a good conscience, that when they slander you as evildoers, those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. Truth to Learn Having a good conscience allows us to be a powerful witness. Behind the Words The word translated “conscience” is suneidēsis,...
1 Peter 3:15 – Godly Fear
But sanctify the Lord Christ in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; Truth to Learn Standing firm in your faith is more important than giving in to the...
1 Peter 3:14 – Unlikely Suffering
But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "And do not fear their fear, nor be troubled." Truth to Learn We probably won’t suffer for behaving the way God expects us to. But if we do, we are fortunate, and we should not be afraid. ...
1 Peter 3:11 – In Pursuit of Peace
Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. Truth to Learn Peter commands us to turn completely away from evil, doing good instead. He also admonishes us to pursue peace with a vengeance. Behind the Words The words “turn away” are...
1 Peter 3:13 – Zealous Followers
And who is he who harms you if you are eager to do good? Truth to Learn The real lesson for today is, let us live our lives as examples of the goodness of God, knowing that He is watching over us. In doing so, we can truly give God...
1 Peter 3:12 – Blessing Eyes, Condemning Face
Because the eyes of the lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the lord is against those who do evil." Truth to Learn God is watching over and listening to His righteous children, but He frowns on those who aren’t....
1 Peter 3:10 – Innocent Language
For the one determined to love life and to see good days, let him stop his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking guile. Truth to Learn The way we speak and the things we say will have an effect on the way we live. Behind the Words...
1 Peter 3:9 – Blessings for Insults
not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but on the contrary blessing, because you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. Truth to Learn The proper response when someone insults you is to bless them. Behind the Words The word translated “returning” is the...
1 Peter 3:8 – Christ-Like Attributes
Finally, all of you be like minded, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; Truth to Learn God has specific expectations regarding how we are to treat each other. Behind the Words The construction of this verse is very interesting. He says “Finally,” summing...