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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - 1 Peter 4:12 - 4:19
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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 1Pe_4:12-19
12Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; 13but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. 14If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; 16but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. 17For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner? 19Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.
1Pe_4:12 "Beloved" This was the Father's way of referring to His Son (at Jesus' baptism, cf. Mat_3:17; quote from Isa_42:1, 12:18; at Jesus' transfiguration, Mat_17:5). This title is later transferred to His followers (cf. 1Pe_2:11; 1Pe_4:12; 2Pe_1:17; 2Pe_3:1; 2Pe_3:8; 2Pe_3:15; 2Pe_3:15; 2Pe_3:17; and used repeatedly in Paul's writings).
▣ "do not be surprised" This is a present passive imperative with the negative particle, which usually refers to stopping an act already in progress. These believers were surprised at the persecution.
▣ "at the fiery ordeal" This is a metaphor for trials and persecutions (not common problems of daily life, cf. 1Pe_4:14; 1Pe_4:18; but how we handle our cultural life is a witness) . There are so many biblical texts that assert that persecution and suffering are normal for those who follow Christ (cf. Mat_5:10-12; Joh_15:18-21; Joh_16:1-3; Joh_17:14; Act_14:22; Rom_5:3-4; Rom_8:17; 2Co_4:16-18; 2Co_6:3-10; 2Co_11:23-30; Php_1:29; 1Th_3:3; 2Ti_3:12; Jas_1:2-4; 1Pe_4:12-16). They are the Father's means of producing Christlikeness (cf. Heb_5:8).
▣ "which comes upon you" This is not a future tense, but a present participle. It was a present unexpected reality!
▣ "for your testing" This is the Greek verb periazô, see Special Topic at Mar_1:13; #Mar_1:2, c.
▣ "as though some strange things were happening to you" This phrase has a compound verb (present active participle) with the preposition sun, which means "participation with." These believers were going through persecutions. They needed to know
1. it was not unusual for believers
2. it was not a result of sin (i.e., Deuteronomy 27-28)
3. it had a purpose in God's will
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1Pe_4:13 "share" See Special Topic below.
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▣ "keep on rejoicing" This is a present active imperative. It is amazing that suffering for Christ is linked to joy. This shows the radically new world view that believers receive by faith when they put their ultimate trust in Christ. Jesus Himself first stated this truth in Mat_5:10-12. Paul states the same truth in Rom_5:2-3.
▣ "so that also at the revelation of His glory" This refers to the glorious return of Christ to receive His own (cf. Joh_14:1-3).
1Pe_4:14 "if" This is a first class conditional, which is assumed to be true and fulfilled according to the author's perspective or for his literary purposes.
▣ "reviled" The term "reviled" or "insulted" is also from Mat_5:11. Peter must have remembered hearing Jesus speak on this very subject.
▣ "the name of Christ" "In the name of. . ." is an OT idiom referring to the person. Calling upon the name of the Lord (i.e., Joe_2:32; Act_2:21, cf. Rom_10:9-13) means trusting in Jesus as Savior. Praying in the name of the Lord (cf. Joh_14:13; Joh_15:16; Joh_16:23-24) means praying in His person and character.
▣ "you are blessed" This is the Greek term makarios, used by Jesus in the Beatitudes (cf. Mat_5:3-9). This verse reflects Mat_5:10-12. The same truth (and same word) is also in 1Pe_3:14. It is so surprising to western materialists that suffering and persecution can bring joy and blessing.
▣ "the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you" This is either an allusion to (1) an experience similar to Christ's baptism (cf. Mat_3:16; Joh_1:32) or (2) how the Spirit empowered the Messiah (cf. Isa_11:2; Isa_42:2; Isa_59:21; Isa_61:1). Jesus' experience of suffering is now ours (cf. Rom_8:17). The Spirit's presence does not bring health, wealth, and prosperity, but persecution (cf. Joh_15:18; Joh_17:14). Jesus promised the Spirit's presence and help in times of persecution (cf. Mat_10:16-23, esp. Mat_4:20).
There are several variations (4) of this phrase in the Greek manuscripts. The UBS4 gives the one cited in NASB a "A" rating (certain).
The Textus Receptus adds a phrase at this point which is reflected in the KJV and the NKJV: "On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified." This phrase appears in differing forms only in later uncial manuscripts (i.e., K from the 9th century; L from the 8th century; and P from the 6th century) and is probably not original. The UBS4 rates its omission as "certain."
1Pe_4:15 "none of you suffers as a" This is a present active imperative with a negative particle which usually means to stop an act that is already in process.
▣ "troublesome meddler" This word is used only here in all of Greek literature. It is a compound from two Greek words, "belonging to another" (i.e., allotrios) and "look over" or "inspect" (i.e., episkopos). This then refers to someone who meddles in the affairs of others, a busybody.
1Pe_4:16 "if" This is another First class conditional sentence, which is assumed to be true. Christians were suffering simply because they were Christians.
▣ "a Christian" This was originally a term of derision (cf. Act_11:26; Act_26:28). It is only used three times in the NT. It meant "little Christ" (i.e., Christianos). It became the common designation for believers by the middle of the first century (i.e., Tacitus, Ann. 15:44).
▣ "he is not to be ashamed" This is a present passive imperative with the negative particle which usually implies to stop an act already in process. This may be a flashback for Peter to Jesus' night trials where he was ashamed (cf. Mat_26:69-75; Mar_14:66-72; Luk_22:56-62; Joh_18:16-18; Joh_18:25-27).
1Pe_4:17 "For it is time for judgment to begin" This may be an allusion to Mal_3:1-6 where judgment starts with the Messiah coming suddenly and surprisingly to His own people (to whom much is given, much is required, cf. Jer_25:29). If there are willfully unrepentant sinners among God's people (and there are) they will be judged first. Their only hope is the unchanging character of YHWH (cf. Mal_1:6).
This phrase may also be a Jewish idiom of the nearness of the Second Coming of Christ as Judge. The OT Jews (and the NT Apostles) envisioned a catastrophic conclusion to human history, often called "the birth pains of the new age," which is clearly stated by Jesus Himself in Mar_13:8.
▣ "the household of God" There are two building metaphors in 1 Peter that relate to the church: (1) the church as a temple built from living stones (cf. 1Pe_2:4-10) and (2) the church as the household of God (corporate metaphor of people or large family home, cf. 1Pe_4:17; 1Ti_3:15; Heb_3:6).
▣ "if" This is another first class conditional sentence, as are 1Pe_4:16; 1Pe_4:18.
1Pe_4:18 "if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved" This is an allusion to Pro_11:31 in the Septuagint ( "if the righteous is scarcely saved, where will the impious and sinner appear?").
1Pe_4:19 "those who suffer according to the will of God" If in this world it is the "righteous" who suffer (first class conditional sentence of 1Pe_4:18), what will it be like for the unrighteous in the day of God's judgment? The Lord is with the saved (cf. 1Pe_3:12; 1Pe_3:14), but against the rebellious unbeliever and persecutor (cf. 1Pe_3:12).
▣ "shall entrust their souls" This is a Present middle imperative implying they themselves need to continue to entrust themselves to God. Paul entrusted the gospel to Timothy (cf. 1Ti_1:18). Paul entrusted the gospel to believers to pass on (cf. 2Ti_2:2). It is a banking term for a "deposit." Jesus used this same term at the time of His death on the cross. He entrusted His soul to the Father (cf. Luk_23:46).
▣ "a faithful Creator" God is faithful! This is the basic affirmation of the Bible (cf. Num_23:19; Deu_7:9; Isa_40:8; Isa_49:7; Isa_55:11; 1Co_1:9; 1Co_10:23; 2Co_1:18; 1Th_5:24; 2Th_3:3; 2Ti_2:13 and 1Pe_1:19). It is the unchanging character of God (cf. Mal_3:6) that is the sure hope of every believer. God will do what He has said He will do!
▣ "in doing what is right" This Greek term means "do good" or "well doing." This is a repeated theme in 1 Peter (cf. 1Pe_2:14-15; 1Pe_2:20; 1Pe_3:6; 1Pe_3:17; 1Pe_4:19). This letter is dominated by the admonitions to live right and be prepared to suffer. See hyperlink at 1Pe_4:14.
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