1 Peter Chapter 4

4:1 So, since Christ suffered in the flesh, you also arm yourselves with the same attitude, because the one who has suffered in the flesh has finished with sin, 

The Greek word for “arm yourselves” is ὁπλίσασθε (hoplissasthe), meaning that these Messianic believers needed to prepare themselves for spiritual warfare. Just as Christ suffered in the flesh, then they need to be prepared to suffer in the same way. Emperor Nero was about to martyr many of these Messianic believers. This letter was to prepare them for this experience. The encouragement was that Christ had already suffered in the flesh and He has put an end to all sin.

4:2 in that he spends the rest of his time on earth concerned about the will of God and not human desires. 

Many of these Messianic believers will have a short physical life on earth. They are to spend the rest of their lives not on human desires and lusts, but on fulfilling the will of God.

4:3 For the time that has passed was sufficient for you to do what the non-Christians desire. You lived then in debauchery, evil desires, drunkenness, carousing, drinking bouts, and wanton idolatries. 

The Greek word for non-Christians is Gentiles. Replacement theologians mistranslate this word to make it seem as Peter is not writing to a Jewish audience. At one time, many of these Messianic believers lived like the Gentiles of the Greco-Roman culture. That time has passed. They were no longer to live like these Gentile cultures.

4:4 So they are astonished when you do not rush with them into the same flood of wickedness, and they vilify you. 

After the Messianic believers stopped doing all of these things, the Gentiles were shocked. The Gentiles began to speak wickedly of these Messianic believers.

4:5 They will face a reckoning before Jesus Christ who stands ready to judge the living and the dead. 

The Gentiles who were speaking wickedly of the Messianic believers will one day stand in the courtroom of Christ and be judged for their impure actions.

4:6 Now it was for this very purpose that the gospel was preached to those who are now dead, so that though they were judged in the flesh by human standards they may live spiritually by God’s standards.

Some heretics use this verse to teach that God gives a second chance to unbelievers after death. This is simply not the case. In this example, the gospel was formally taught to some Jews who became believers. After they believed, then they were judged by human standards and martyred for their faith. They are now living spiritually with God in heaven.

Service, Suffering, and Judgment

4:7 For the culmination of all things is near. So be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of prayer. 

The judgment of 70 A.D. was near. The Jews who rejected Jesus and called Him demon-possessed had committed the unpardonable sin. They were going to be besieged and killed by the Roman armies at the temple destruction of 70 A.D. The Messianic believers would escape this judgment, but Judaism and the Levitical system will be purged off of the earth. Therefore, the Messianic Jews were to practice six things.

First, they were to be sober-minded. This means to have a sound mind on spiritual things, compared to a mind that is controlled by demons. A sound mind is developed by Bible doctrine from the entire council of the Word of God. It is more difficult for the satanic world to deceive the one who has a sound mind.

Second, they were to be sober in prayer. They were not to be intoxicated with wine, causing them to think unclearly. They were to be free of wine so that they could think and pray effectively.

4:8 Above all keep your love for one another fervent, because love covers a multitude of sins. 

Third, they were to agape love the brothers. They were to offer divine love for each other. Divine love is following the commandments of Christ. The commandments of Christ are the doctrines of the Bible. One cannot follow the commandments unless one masters Bible doctrine. Therefore, those who love Christ study Bible doctrine from the entire counsel of the Word of God at the deepest level.

4:9 Show hospitality to one another without complaining. 

Fourth, many of the Messianic believers lost their homes, businesses, and social standing in the community after they became believers. Therefore, the Messianic believers were to show hospitality to those fellow believers in need. 

4:10 Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of the varied grace of God. 

Fifth, each Messianic believer received at least one spiritual gift from God. They were to use this gift for the glory of God. It is important to note that the Greek word for “gift” is χάρισμα (charisma), meaning a spiritual gift.

4:11 Whoever speaks, let it be with God’s words. Whoever serves, do so with the strength that God supplies, so that in everything God will be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

Sixth, they were to speak with God’s words. The Greek for “God’s word” is λόγια (logia), meaning the written word of God. 

The Messianic believers were to be servers. The Greek word for servers is διακονεῖ (diakonei), which is the origin of deacons. They were to deacon their people with the strength that was given to them by God. If they would do these six things, then God would be glorified through Jesus Christ. 

4:12 Dear friends, do not be astonished that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as though something strange were happening to you. 

Peter called his audience “beloved”, meaning that they were brothers in Christ. He informed them to not be astonished when they were persecuted. It comes with the Christian faith. Fire burns and refines. The persecution was coming upon them to test their faith. Their faith through persecution would become a testimony to others.

4:13 But rejoice in the degree that you have shared in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice and be glad. 

These Messianic believers were commanded to rejoice when they shared in the sufferings of Christ. When Christ returns at His Second Coming and establishes His Millennial Kingdom, then these Messianic believers will be able to rejoice because of their sufferings. Their rewards will be great and eternal.

4:14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory, who is the Spirit of God, rests on you. 

When these Messianic believers were insulted in the name of Christ, then they were reflecting the Shekinah Glory.

4:15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or thief or criminal or as a troublemaker. 

The Messianic believers were not to suffer because of their own sins. 

4:16 But if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but glorify God that you bear such a name. 

The Messianic believers were not to be guilty of moral cowardliness when they were identified by the name of “Christians.”

4:17 For it is time for judgment to begin, starting with the house of God. And if it starts with us, what will be the fate of those who are disobedient to the gospel of God? 

Judgment begins with the house of God. Those to be judged first were the Jews who rejected Christ and called Him demon possessed. They will die a horrible death in the Temple Destruction of 70 A.D. If the unbelieving Jews were disobedient and judged so hard, then how difficult will judgment be for the Messianic believers who had received more light?

4:18 And if the righteous are barely saved, what will become of the ungodly and sinners? 

The righteous are “barely saved,” only because God saved them. They will suffer (temporarily) for Christ in this life. The unbelievers will suffer for eternity in the Lake of Fire.

4:19 So then let those who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator as they do good. 

 

The Messianic believers who are suffering need to entrust their souls to the Creator God. No believer will be touched without the permission of God. If they are touched, then it is because God has allowed it to happen for His own glory.