1 Peter 4 (English Standard Version) – Suffering Saints
Introduction
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, — 1 Peter 1:1 (ESV)
In 1 Peter, Peter is writing to the elect, the saints of God. Exiles, Sojourners — this is a church that is experiencing suffering and persecution and are now scattered from their homes. This is an expanding church, one that is in different places and spaces in the world and is living in front of non-Christians: in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, Bithynia.
A major theme in chapters 3–4 is how Christians are to deal with suffering. Yes, sometimes Christians have to deal with suffering.
Theology of Suffering
There is a blessing if you are suffering for righteousness' sake.
But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled. — 1 Peter 3:14 (ESV)
If you are loving the Lord, and being lied on, facing negative career consequences, or being mistreated...
Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. — 1 Peter 4:1–2 (ESV)
Suffering helps us be like Christ, yet people will do anything to avoid pain. Followers of Christ, however, should be willing and prepared to do God's will, even when it requires suffering. We can overcome sin and suffering when we focus on Christ and what he wants us to do. Pain and danger reveal our true values. People who suffer for doing good and still faithfully obey in spite of suffering have won a great battle against their sinful nature, which fights to enslave them.
For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you. — 1 Peter 4:3–4 (ESV)
Malign = Slander, demean you in speech, revile you.
So now you are brand new:
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. — 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
When you are the light, it exposes the evil in their heart. People whose lives change radically at conversion may experience astonishment or possibly contempt from old friends. They may be scorned not only because they refuse to participate in certain activities but also because their priorities have changed and they are now heading in the opposite direction. Their new lives stand out vividly from those of their friends, which are characterized by sinful activities. Mature Christians should help new believers resist such pressure and cope with rejection by helping them to be faithful to Christ, surrounding them as new friends, and encouraging them to develop new habits and activities that are not only enjoyable but also positive for their spiritual growth.
but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. — 1 Peter 4:5 (ESV)
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. — John 5:24 (ESV)
We base our salvation on our belief in Jesus (Acts 16:31), and God bases our judgment on how we have lived. Those who inflict persecution will be marked for punishment when they stand before God. Believers need not fear eternal punishment because Jesus will be the final judge (John 5:22). Peter argues in 1 Peter 3:13–4:5 that God will protect and reward his people who suffer and will hold their persecutors accountable on the Day of Judgment. All will give an account to God, so we must be ready. This should give you a new perspective on your activities and actions today. Are you prepared to explain them to God?
For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does. — 1 Peter 4:6 (ESV)
The gospel was preached so that even those who heard the gospel before they died can live in the Spirit. During this time of persecution, people were wondering what would happen to the saints if they died before Christ comes back. Peter says the gospel was preached so they can live just like God lives. Those that suffer and even die can have eternal life.
Many people in the early church had concerns about life after death. In Thessalonica, Christians worried that loved ones who died before Christ's return might never see him (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18). Peter's readers needed to be reminded that the dead (both the faithful and their oppressors) would be judged. The judgment will be perfectly fair, he points out, because even the dead have heard the Good News. The Good News was first announced when Jesus Christ preached on the earth, but it has been operating since before the creation of the world (Ephesians 1:4), and it affects all people, the dead as well as the living.
Point #1 — Peter Gives Us a Plan for How to Handle These Tough Times
The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. — 1 Peter 4:7 (ESV)
A. Pray Soberly
Be sober-minded and self-controlled in prayer — watch and pray. Remember in the garden of Matthew 26:40–41, Jesus is praying as drops of blood fall before the cross in agony. And he tells Peter — "Watch and pray."
And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, "So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." — Matthew 26:40–41 (ESV)
We should be praying.
B. Love Earnestly
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. — 1 Peter 4:8 (ESV)
Love constantly — we are to be loving and gracious. It is the glory of a man to overlook an offense.
Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. — Proverbs 19:11 (ESV)
We should live expectantly because Christ is coming again. Getting ready to meet him involves continually growing in love for God and for others (see Jesus' summary of the law in Matthew 22:37–40). To be prepared, we should pray regularly and reach out to people who are in need. Your possessions, status, and power will mean nothing in God's Kingdom, but you will spend eternity with other people. Invest your time and talents where they will make an eternal difference.
C. Serve Gracefully
Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies — in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. — 1 Peter 4:9–11 (ESV)
Hospitality is commanded in the Bible. A qualification for an elder is to be hospitable — graceful to strangers and guests. Don't be nice nasty: you can be helpful but the spirit was off. Show kindness without grumbling.
We are to steward the gifts God has given us: speaking, serving. Our abilities should be faithfully used to serve others; none are for our own exclusive enjoyment. Some people, well aware of their abilities, believe that they have the right to use their abilities as they please. Others feel that they have no special talents at all. Peter addresses both groups in these verses. Everyone has some gifts; find yours and use them. Peter mentions speaking and serving. Paul lists these and others in Romans 12:6–8; 1 Corinthians 12:8–11; and Ephesians 4:11. Even as you seek to discover your gifts, if you see a need in the church, seek to meet it. You may find gifts in areas you might not have guessed!
How is God glorified when we use our abilities? When we use them as he directs, to help others, they will see Jesus in us and glorify him for the help they have received. Peter may have been thinking of when Jesus had said, "Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father" (Matthew 5:16).
Point #2 — Peter Gives a Plan for How to Handle a Time of Suffering as a Christian
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. — 1 Peter 4:12–13 (ESV)
A. Don't Be Shocked When Suffering Comes — Don't Think It Strange
"Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." — Matthew 5:11–12 (ESV)
They persecuted Jesus, and the servant is not greater than his master. Fiery trials come to test you. Rejoice when you share in Christ's suffering; be glad when his glory is revealed.
- They have these gold guns that test the metals of a necklace. Or when you go to the doctor for X-rays — they put the lead apron on you and they walk out of the room or behind a wall. If this is safe, why do they leave the room? 😄
- X-rays have minimal risk in small doses. Over a shift or career, it could be dangerous for the nurse over the long term.
- The benefit of a little radiation to see what's inside outweighs the risk. So now they can see what needs to be reset, or cut out, or stitched together.
- So God allows suffering to show us what is on the inside. And as he sees what is inside, God can reset some loyalties, cut out the pride and anger, stitch love and mercy and patience in you — so that he gets the glory.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. — Romans 8:18 (ESV)
If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. — 1 Peter 4:14–15 (ESV)
You don't get any points if you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a meddler. Peter makes a distinction in Christian suffering. "Nobody likes me because I love Jesus" — no, you may be suffering because you're messy, you're a thief, you're scamming people. Meddler (KJV: busybody) — one who involves themselves in others' business to ridicule and scorn, stirring discord and gossip for entertainment.
Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. — 1 Peter 4:16 (ESV)
Again Peter brings to mind Jesus' words: "God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers" (Matthew 5:11). Christ will send his Spirit to strengthen those who are persecuted for their faith. Peter creates no illusions — God's plan for your life may include pain and hardship. When trouble comes, don't be surprised.
This does not mean that all Christian conduct causes suffering. Peter distinguishes between suffering for being a believer and suffering for doing wrong things. For example, a Christian may feel picked on for being a person of faith when it is obvious to everyone else that it is his or her own unpleasant behavior that is causing the problems. Careful thought or wise counsel may be needed to determine the real cause of our suffering. We can be assured, however, that whenever we suffer because of our loyalty to Christ, he will be with us all the way.
We should never be ashamed to suffer for being a Christian. When Peter and the other apostles were persecuted for preaching the Good News, they rejoiced because such persecution was a mark of God's approval of their work (Acts 5:41). Don't seek out suffering, and don't try to avoid it. Instead, keep on doing what is right whether or not it brings suffering.
B. God Judges Those He Loves
For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And
"If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" — 1 Peter 4:17–18 (ESV)
This refers not to final judgment but to God's refining discipline (Hebrews 12:7). This does not mean believers' assurance of salvation is uncertain. Peter already said that our inheritance is being kept in heaven for us (1 Peter 1:4–5). But these verses do remind us that believers must often travel a difficult road and that often the suffering helps us to grow closer to Christ. As believers, we must recognize the cost, continue to do what is right, and persevere to the end.
Point #3 — Entrust Your Soul to the Creator
Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. — 1 Peter 4:19 (ESV)
The Bible counsels that we should trust God everywhere and in all things — in good times and bad, beneath sunny skies and thunderclouds, when our pockets are full and when they are empty. How does trust work?
- Trust overcomes fear. Genuine trust in God says, Whatever mess I'm in, my heavenly Father will lead me.
- Trust overcomes depression. No matter how overwhelming the situation or how disheartened it makes us feel, God can draw us back to the light.
- Trust overcomes hate. When careless or cruel people hurt us, sometimes irreparably, we can hate them forever or we can trust God, but we can't do both.
God is here to steady even the worst situation — always with a promise, always with hope. Commit your life to him for safekeeping. Rely on him when you face your worst circumstances.