Bible Study on 1 Peter 4

1 Peter 4

Introduction and Big Ideas: In Chapter 4 Peter continues the theme of the suffering. Yet is not a sad thing! We can arm ours selves in spiritual battle with suffering, We can expect suffering, and we can gladly rejoice in it and be partaker of Christ’s suffering!

V.1-6 Arm Yourself With Christ’s Mindset of Suffering!
V1. Peter’s first instruction is to be armed with the same mind of Christ. In this context that is referring to Christ’s mind as being a suffering servant! To we are to arm ourselves with suffering like Christ! This instruction comes right after explaining to the power of Christ’s suffering (1 Peter 3:18-22 as well as a constant theme all through out 1 Peter) That why Peter says v1 Therefore since Christ suffered… We are to arm ourselves with Christ’s example of suffering. We have seen from Christ example and first 1 Peter 3:18-22 the power of suffering. Through Christ achieved from his suffering the redemption of the world, conquering of sin and death, defeating the power of Satan, etc..(the list of benefits of Christ atonement far exceeds this list). Therefore we too are arm ourselves with suffering. Arm obviously caring the connotation of getting ready for battle. Suffering in not merely something unfortunate that happens to us as we live the Christian but something that can be used a spiritual weapon against the world because the testimony of Christ is clearly seen in it. The rest of the verse concludes he who suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin. I looked 3 different Bible teachers comment on the verse and came up with 3 different explanations. My simple interpretation is that when you are suffering righteously for Christ you will not be sinning. So it is better so know that in your suffering for Christ if you are suffering truly for Christ you can not be anything but righteous. Compare this with Phil2:5 about having the mind of Christ.
V.2-3 Theses verses describe our former life style and contrast it with the new life we should be living now v 2no longer living in the flesh …but for the will of God. The contrast is that when we in flesh we lived by the flesh doing the will of the Gentiles such as lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties and abominable idolatries but now we should be seeking the will of God. v3 That is our past life time and we are no longer to walk that way. See Romans 6:1-14 on living the new life in the spirit versus the old life in the flesh.
V.4 This verse explains how the world will react once we no longer join them in their sinful behavior. The result we can expect is that they will speak evil of you.
Application Question: can you think of time when you did join in with the world any longer in their behavior and then had to explain it? If not why not?
V.5-6 Though the unsaved currently are sinning they will have to give account to God who will judge both the living and the dead. V6 Then says for this reason the gospel is preached. What reason? 5 That the living and dead will have to give an account to God. Without Christ there is no way to pay your account to God. The dead in v.6 does not meaning that anyone is preaching the gospel to corpses or the spiritually dead. But to those who have died before the writing of the Epistle that is but were alive when they heard the gospel. That is the only way they could be live according to God in the spirit, though judged by men according to the flesh.

Serving God Remembering the End is Near V7-11
V7-8. Peter reminds us that the return of Christ is imminent. We want to be ready to meet him. We then receive many instructions from Peter on wow to do this: Be watchful in your prayer, have fervent love for one another, be hospitable without grumbling minister with your spiritual gifts. In v. 8 Peter quotes love covers a multitude of sins citing Prov 10:12 Note the difference important difference between covering sins and atoning for sins. Christ is the only atonement for sin.
Application: what does it mean to let love cover a multitude of sin? How do you do that?

V.9-11 Peter now tells us how to be proper stewards of our spiritual gifts. These verses show that we have received different spiritual gifts as believers. Each are to be used for the glory of God. v.9 Says we are to use our different gifts to minister to one another. Not that gifts are given by the grave of God. These are gifts not earned or achieved. Which are gifted for specific ministries God has designed us to do (Eph 2:10) For more on spiritual gifts see 1Cor 12 for more on spiritual gifts the different varieties and uses of.

Expect Suffering and Rejoice In It
V.12-16 These verses once again let know the blessing in suffering. In v.12 Peter says no to think it strange when you suffer. But to the contrary when you are suffering you must being doing a good job because you are being a partaker with Christ in his suffering. v.13 reminds the suffering Christian that he will have great joy at meeting Christ do his faithfulness. v.14 Moreover when you are reproached for Christ you have reason to be glad since you have God’s approval since the Spirit of Glory rest upon you. Note v.14 on the difference between the blaspheme of Christ when they reproach you but the glorification of Christ for your Christ-likeness that brought the reproach. Remember what Jesus said in Matt 10:24
V.15-16. Peter says let the Christian suffer like a Christian and not be ashamed and so glorify God in his suffering and not suffering like sinner listed in v15. A Christian needs to evaluate his suffering. If it is for Christ he has reason to rejoice!
Application: When you suffer will you do gladly? Do you have reason to rejoice? Is your suffering because you reflect Christ to hostile world? Or is because you somehow rightly brought upon yourself? If it is the former you can rejoice and not be ashamed knowing that you were counted worthy to be a partaker in Christ’s sufferings.

The Contrast of the Judgment of Godly and Ungodly
V17-19 Peter reminds the persecuted believers and us that there is a judgment and this world is not the end of it all. Peter contrasts the suffering of the Godly and the judgment of the wicked. The reminder is that God purges the Church he loves how much more God’s fury will be to the unbeliever. Peter cites Prov11:31. This is an encouragement to the persecuted church that God is not indifferent to those who are causing them to suffer. They will at their appointed time get their judgment. God does not merely call to Christian to suffer while the ungodly continue to sin without accountability. The chapter closes with the instruction to let those who suffer to do it to the will of God entrusting themselves to their creator. Interesting to not that sometime God was his people to go through suffering to their benefit God the creator knowing what is best for his creation and with the right to deal with his creation as he pleases.

Wrap Up and Review: With the theme of suffering continued the value is clearly seen in 1 Peter 4. Something that may be thought to be put us on the defensive can will put us on the offensive in the spiritual battle to exalt Christ. The world will also see that we are different by the way we react to it. What does our reaction to the world about Christ? Does the world see someone who is serving a higher cause the obedience to and glorification of a sovereign and almighty God? Can you rejoice in your suffering and know that you were counted to worthy to be a partaker of Christ’s suffering. Peter constantly warns not suffer as sinner but to be not ashamed in it. This is true can be true if you are disciple taking the suffering that comes from reproach from serving the master. Is it true of you? Are you so countercultural that reflect the master more than the word? If it is continue serving hard know that your trials are your badge of honor that reveal who you serve and with devotion you serve him with!