4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ suffered for us in
the flesh,
arm yourselves also with the same mind;
for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin;
4:2 that you no longer should live the rest of
your time in the flesh
for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
4:3 For we have spent enough of our past time
doing the desire of the Gentiles,
and having walked in lewdness, lusts, drunken binges,
orgies, carousings, and abominable idolatries.
4:4 They think it is strange that you don't run
with them
into the same excess of riot, blaspheming:
Because we're all going to die
4:5 who will give account to him who is ready to
judge the living and
the dead.
4:6 For to this end was the gospel preached
even to the dead,
that they might be judged indeed as men in
the flesh,
but live as to God in the spirit.
Serve to bring glory to God
4:7 But the end of all things is near.
Therefore be of sound mind, self-controlled, and sober in prayer.
4:8 And above all things be earnest in your love
among yourselves,
for love covers a multitude of sins.
4:9 Be hospitable one to another
without grumbling.
4:10 According as each has received a
gift,
be ministering it among yourselves,
as good stewards of the grace of God in its various forms.
4:11 If any man speaks, let it be as it were
oracles of God.
If any man serves, let it be as of the strength which God supplies,
that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ,
to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Discussion Questions
If you decide to live for Christ, is it inevitable that you will suffer
for it? (2Tim 3:12)
What kind of sufferings do we face?
Do you find that have much more in common with you Christian friends
than with your non-Christian friends and colleagues?
What kind of things might be modern versions of what the pagans choose
to do.
Do these seem surprised that you don't join them in such?
What simple phrases might you use to warn them of the judgment day?
How might you use your gift to serve?
Comments
A Result of Faith
Persecution
Activities of Faith
Prayer
Love
Hospitality
Ministering
Response of Faith
Rejoicing
Suffer for Christ's Sake
1Peter 4:1,2 Therefore, since Christ
suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind,
for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no
longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of
men, but for the will of God.
Sounds much along the lines of Php 2:5-8 "Your attitude should be the same as that of
Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality
with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the
very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found
in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to
death— even death on a cross!" In fact much of the Christian
life
involves such an attitude. Not simply action, but attitude - walking as
Christ walked and with the same attitude, having the same kind of
reasons for doing things as he had, namely doing the will of God
despite the consequences to one's flesh, one's resources, one's dignity.
Also it says, "Those who belong to Christ
Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires." Gal
5:24 For the grace of God "teaches us to say
'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled,
upright and godly lives in this present age" Tit 2:12 It
is inevitable that for a person to live for the will of God, they will
suffer in the flesh. And if for no other reason but that "the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit
against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you
do not do the things that you wish." Gal 5:17
People Think You're Strange?
1Peter 4:3,4 For you have spent enough
time in the past doing what pagans choose to do— living in debauchery,
lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They
think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood
of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you.
As for the sinful lifestyle characteristic of the worldly, there is
no excuse. Peter here says such things "pagans chooseto do". Sinners are so by choice. The wicked, out of their
own free will, choose to live a lifestyle of sin, and so are
accountable. For God would not hold people accountable for things over
which they had no control. Thus sin incurs guilt because sinners choose
to sin.
Likewise Christians are free to choose not to sin. For the
instructions Peter is giving to Christians involves our willingness to
obey. Likewise Paul writes, "Do not conform any
longer to the pattern of this world" Rom 12:2a So "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your
earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and
greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.
You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But
now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage,
malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each
other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices
and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in
the image of its Creator." Col 3:5-10
As for the world's reaction to our repentance from our former way of
life, Jesus said to his worldly brothers, "The
world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it
does is evil." John 7:7 Whether it be by words or
lifestyle, the Christian testifies of the world's evil, thus invoking
hostility upon ourselves. This is part of the Christian life.
Pay Back Time!
1Peter 4:5 But they will have to give
account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
"God is just: He will pay back trouble to those
who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as
well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in
blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not
know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be
punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of
the Lord and from the majesty of his power" 2Th 1:6-9 So
you
who speak evil of Christians, be prepared with some good excuse.
We're also reminded of the Sheep/Goat judgement of Matthew 25 in which
the judgement is based upon how one had treated Christians - the
brethren of Christ.
And by the way, who is it that will judge the living and the dead?
Elsewhere Peter says, "He commanded us to preach
to the people and to testify that he (Jesus)
is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead."
Acts 10:42 Likewise Paul says, "Christ
Jesus
will judge the living and the dead" 2Tim 4:1b A Reason for Preaching the Gospel
1Peter 4:6For this is the reason
the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they
might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live
according to God in regard to the spirit.
That is, for those Christians who have died, and perhaps Peter is
speaking of those who have died as a consequence of their being
persecuted for their faith (judged according to men in regard to the
body) much as Christ died, these people had formerly had the gospel
preached to them so that now, though killed by the world, they live to
God in the spirit. For throughout this letter Peter is encouraging the
elect to continue in the faith despite the hostility the world has
against them.
Likewise Peter previously said, "having your
conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you
as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify
God in the day of visitation." 1Peter
2:12 Vindication for the Christian is largely in the future. Prerequisites for Effective Prayer
1Peter 4:7 The end of all things is
near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can
pray.
Prayer takes self-control. What is the real reason prayer alludes
many of us? It's because we fail to exercise self-control over our
flesh. Even in prayer clear mindedness and self-control must be
exercised. In his parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, the
Pharisee was zealous to pray about himself. His praying was simply a
way of making himself feel religously superior to others. Also "prayer
meetings" can end up simply being "gossip meetings" - place where
Christians can either here the latest gossip about the personal lives
of others, or air their grievances against their brethren.
Furthermore there are serious implications to the fact that the end of
all things is near. How much today prayer is dominated by temporal
concerns of this life rather than issues of eternal concern. Likewise
Paul writes, "You, brothers, are not in darkness
so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of
the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the
darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let
us be alert and self-controlled. For those who sleep, sleep at night,
and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the
day, let us be self-controlled" 1Thess 5:4-8a Above all things
1Peter 4:8 And above all things have
fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins."
It is a common characteristic of Christians to love each other. In fact
it is a measure of whether one has been born of God, as John says in 1John
3:10 and consequently a basis for one's assurance of salvation, "We know that we have passed from death to life,
because we love our brothers." 1John 3:14a The challenge
is to mature beyond this and have a deep or "fervent" love for one
another. Paul writes to the Thessalonians saying, "May
the
Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to
all, just as we do to you" 1Thess 3:12 And Peter
himself said earlier in this letter, "love one
another fervently with a pure heart" 1Peter 1:22c
But as to what Peter means by "love will cover a
multitude of sins." it is unclear. Now whatever the Bible is
unclear about often ends up being the basis of unsound doctrine. So
let's be careful not to read too much into it. And let's not take too
serious whatever speculations people may have about such a phrase.
There are those who would say that Peter means that love overlooks
sins. And therefore those who love others don't point out sin. However
another place where this phrase is also used casts doubt on such an
interpretation. James uses a similar phrase saying, "let him
know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a
soul from death and cover a multitude of sins." Jas 5:20
Turning
a sinner from the error of his ways would seem contrary to
overlooking sin. For how can one turn a sinner from his error if he
doesn't deal with the error?
Perhaps it's the future tense of "cover" - namely "will cover" - which
holds the clue. For while some versions, like NIV don't say "will
cover", in fact in both these cases the verb is in the future tense in
Greek. Such an interpretation could mean that the effect, outcome or
product of fervent love is the forgiveness of sin at some point in the
future. Not that sin is overlooked in the present.
However, a related verse is
Pr 10:12 "Hatred stirs up strife, But love
covers all sins." In this case covering sins is contrasted with
stirring up strife. However again I don't think the author means love
overlooks sin. Rather I would take this in the sense that hatred
destroys but love heals. Enthusiastic Hospitality
1Peter 4:9 Offer hospitality to one another
without grumbling.
That is, "Share with God’s people who are in
need. Practice hospitality."Rom 12:13 Hospitality
would
have been an essential ingredient in
practicing
Christian love in the midst of the type of persecution many faced those
days. Christians were practically thrown out of Israel and being
homeless
would have had to rely on a good deal of hospitality. But all of us
like
a degree of privacy, so there is the temptation of begrudging such
requests. The Greek lexicon tells us that "grumbling" means "a
secret displeasure not openly avowed" So it's not sufficient to
keep one's complaints to oneself. Having a spirit of hospitality
involves not even complaining in oneself over the matter. And such an
attitude should be characteristic of all Christian work as Paul says, "Do all things without complaining and disputing"
Php 2:14
Gifts - Use them!
1Peter 4:10 Each one should use
whatever
gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s
grace in its various forms.
In my estimation there are characteristically two major roadblocks
to applying this verse. One is the restrictions institutional
Christianity places upon individuals exercising their gifts. And
secondly is the reluctance of individuals to take up the responsibility
to exercise their gifts. In fact some will claim not be gift simply to
avoid doing any work. "But to each one of us
grace has been given as Christ apportioned it." Eph 4:7
When any part of the body stops functioning, the whole body suffers. "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all
things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From
him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting
ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its
work." Eph 4:15,16
Apply Gifts Seriously
1Peter 4:11 If anyone speaks, he should
do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he
should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God
may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power
for ever and ever. Amen.
Not that a person should, in some kind of charismaniac fashion, reckon
their own words to be the words of God and thus above scrutiny. What
Peter is saying is to be as thoughtful about what you say as God is
about what He says. Jesus said, "I tell you that
men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless
word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted,
and by your words you will be condemned." Mt 12:36,37
So, "not many of you should presume to be
teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be
judged more strictly."James 3:1 In fact why not
quote the Bible? In my study guides I quote the Bible in red not only
to distinguish it from my own words, but also as a personal measure as
to the degree to which I'm quoting the Word of God and the degree to
which I'm sharing my own opinion. This is one measure I use in
evaluating other teachers as well. So "Do not be
quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything
before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be
few." Ecc 5:2
A prerequisite for Christian ministry is a sense of our own
inadequacy,
but also a trust in God to provide us the ability to carry out His
ministry.
These often develop over time and experience as we cooperate with the
Holy
Spirit. But God can't direct a ship which is not moving. And if the car
is parked, turning the wheel won't change its direction. So let's get
moving.
And I counsel young Christians not to be too concerning about
identifying
their gifts, but rather to fulfill their responsibilities and God will
reveal their gifts while they do so.
1Peter 4:1-11
RAP
4:1 Since Christ suffered, have the same mind
For those who cease from sin will suffer as Christ in kind 2 Do not live your earthly life for your own desire
But rather live to do God's will and set your goals much higher 3 You spent enough time in the past doing what pagans do
Carousing at drunken orgies and worshipping idols too 4 They think it strange you do not plunge into the flood
as
they 5 They heap abuse, but God will judge them on the last day
6 For to this end the gospel was preached to those who are
now
dead
Though judged by men they live with God, just like the scriptures said 7 The end of all things is near, I say
Watch and be sober so you can pray 8 Love each other deeply, for love covers many a sin 9 Be hospitable without grumbling if someone need to
move-in 10 As each one has received let him served one another
So that God may be praised by serving your brother. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as God would
If anyone serves, let him do as he should
With all the strength that God supplied
That in all things God may be glorified.
1Peter 4:1-11
RAP