1 Peter 4 - Introduction

ANALYSIS.

This chapter is taken up wholly by exhortations to the brethren. In consideration of the fact that Christ had suffered, he urges them to arm themselves with the like mind and spirit that they might thereby bear their afflictions with more patience; that by so arming themselves they would no longer live as do men, wholly governed by the desires and appetites of the flesh, but as they ought to live live as God desired them to live. He tells them their conduct before conversion ought to be sufficient to satisfy the Gentiles that since conversion some important change had occurred. They could see that your former course was abandoned. Not understanding your enlightenment, they think strange of you. The Gentiles pursue a course of conduct for which they shall answer before him who shall judge all that are now living, and also all that are dead. Because he will judge those that are dead, is the reason all such, at one time or another, had a message of love given to them. But the end will come, and, in view of that event, you must be sober and vigilant, exercising great love among yourselves, administering needful things to the brethren without hesitation, for you are only stewards of God, and carry away with you none of the gifts of God. In speaking, you should speak as the word of God directs, and give as the ability is bestowed upon you by the Father. In this way you will honor God through Christ. Be not astonished that trials beset you. By patient endurance you thus partake of the Savior's sufferings. Your reward will cause you great joy. You suffer ill for the cause of Christ, and in that case God's Spirit is with you and he is glorified. Be careful, however, not to suffer for taking human life or the property of another, for then your punishment is just. The same is the case where you do any wrong or interfere with the affairs of others. But in suffering for the name of Christ do not be ashamed, but glory in that name. The judgment will come, and the righteous will be judged first, and if they are saved, requiring as it does the observance of all things imposed upon you, what suppose you will the sentence be to all those who obey not God as he has required of them in the gospel? Suffer, then, according to the will of God, and thereby commit the keeping of your souls unto him in all well-doing, for he is faithful.