1 Peter 4:1–2, 7–19

Bible Studies for Life
Assistant Professor of Divinity, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University

Stay the Course
1 Peter 4:1–2, 7–19
For many Christians in modern-day America, Christianity has very little to do with suffering. Rather the Christian faith is an escape from all forms of earthly suffering. God is the God of love who only seeks to provide comfort and alleviate all discomfort in the lives of His people. The modern-day Christian faith has no resemblance to Christ’s sufferings; indeed some believe that Christ died so that we may continue to live our lives as the world lives with the added insurance of God’s blessings.

Live in Light of the End (1–2, 7–11)
Peter’s first letter is a challenge to this misunderstanding of the Christian faith. Because Christ suffered in the flesh, we also are commanded to equip ourselves with the same mind-set. But what does this mean? In 1 Peter 3:18, Peter explained that Christ suffered for the sake of making the unrighteous righteous; He died to atone for humanity’s sins. Based on this, Peter exhorted believers to live a life separate from sin. Christ died for our sins so that we may live a life of holiness. This life of holiness is drastically opposed to that of the secular culture in that we no longer live to satisfy our desires but to do God’s will. To be sure, the testimony of our faith lies in our refusal to participate in the secular culture, which only seeks to quench any and all forms of desire (self-glory, financial comfort/luxury, power, sexual gratification, etc.).

For Peter, it was not only the model of Christ’s suffering that shaped the Christian life but the certainty of His Second Coming also served to remind believers to be faithful. In light of the reality that Christ will come again, Peter exhorted believers to live a life of discretion, discipline and prayer. And without doubt, both discretion and discipline reinforce prayer. Peter’s reminder is critical. But furthermore we live in times when both discretion and discipline are seen as dated notions. Perhaps, as Peter suggested, these elements are tied together; if we pray more, then maybe we also would exercise more discretion and discipline. The life lived in anticipation of Christ’s work on the cross and His return does not neglect love for the body of Christ. We are encouraged to love one another genuinely. And love motivates us to show generous hospitality to one another. Further we are encouraged to use our gifts, not for self-glory but for God’s glory.

Endure Suffering With Joy (12–16)
To counter any misunderstanding that the Christian faith signifies the absence of suffering, Peter counseled believers to expect suffering as the norm. We do not reject suffering as something foreign to faith but rejoice in it, because if we share in Christ’s sufferings, then we also will be glad at His reappearance. Peter encouraged believers to rejoice when they suffer for the sake of Christ’s name, since God’s presence and His glory are upon them. Thus suffering as a Christian is not cause for shame but joy since God is glorified through it. And to be sure, Peter also reminded believers that this suffering is righteous and not the result of their immoral behavior; there is no credit to suffering for misdeeds (2 Pet. 2:20).

Prepare for God’s Judgment (17–19)
Peter’s exhortations for believers to embrace suffering, particularly suffering for the sake of Christ, are framed by eschatology. In other words, judgment is coming. Contrary to what many believe, Peter stated that judgment begins with God’s people. Before we look to the world and call for repentance, we should look to ourselves; repentance begins with God’s people. How should we live in light of the certainty that Christ is coming again? First we should embrace suffering as part and parcel of Christian faith since Christ also suffered. Second our experience of suffering should be different from that of the world. In our suffering, we rejoice and our joy gives glory to God. And our suffering should not be the result of unethical behavior but in spite of blameless conduct. Third we should live a life of discernment, discipline and prayer in view of Christ’s coming. We should actively love one another and faithfully exercise our gifts to glorify God.