1 Peter 4 Studies

For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each chapter is divided into a number of studies and each study or passage has a simple four-Part, verse-by-verse approach, to help you take in and think further about what you have read.

Passage: 1 Peter 4:1-6

1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body has finished with sin. 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3 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. 4 They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

A. Find Out:

1. What are we to do and why? v.1
2. What results from this? v.2
3. What do pagans do? v.3
4. Of what are they surprised? v.4
5. Yet what will they have to do? v.5
6. Why is the Gospel preached? v.6

B. Think:

1. What does death-to-self produce according to Peter?
2. How have our lives changed?

C. Comment:

      More difficult verses! “Christ suffered in his body” must refer to Christ’s death on the Cross for us. Paul tells us that when we came to Christ we shared in his death (Rom 6:2,6-8).  So, says Peter, understand the same has happened to you (v.1) and therefore the pull of the world will have no effect on you (v.2).

      You lived as pagans in the past, before you came to Christ, says Peter, and that IS in the past for you. In all this Peter is continuing his theme of living in suffering (e.g. 3:17 ) and he keeps referring to how Christ suffered to show both example and the effect of his suffering work.

     God will judge the living and the dead, he continues (v.5). This is familiar for Peter (see Acts 10:42 ). That’s why the Gospel is preached, it is the means of God’s judging, or deciding between people, how they react to it.

      It is preached to the “dead” in at least two senses: first all men are dead in their sins, and second it applies to all men in the past, and only God knows how they would have reacted if they had heard it.

     When the Gospel comes to us and we receive it, we are judged guilty in the lives we have lived in the body (and our bodies eventually die (as per Gen 2:17), but then we receive God’s Spirit and are made alive to Him in the Spirit. Our bodies die, but our spirits go on in Him.

D. Application:

1. When we die to sin, we live to Christ. It HAS happened. Live it!
2. We have been made alive in our spirit, even if our body dies.

Passage: 1 Peter 4:7-11

7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so 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.

A. Find Out:

1. What 2 things are we to be and for what 2 reasons? v.7
2. What are we to do and why? v.8
3. What are we also to do and how? v.9
4. What further thing are we encouraged to do? v.10
5. How are we to speak? v.11a
6. How are we to serve and why? v.11b,c

B. Think:

1. List the variety of things covered by Peter in these verses.
2. If we lived like this, what sort of community would it be?
3. How are all these things encouragements?

C. Comment:

     Remember this is a letter of encouragement and Peter is still encouraging. Here he is encouraging by giving us a list of personal targets to go for in being part of the Christian community.

      First, he challenges us in our thinking and behaviour: be clear minded (aware of all that is happening and what you are thinking and feeling) and self-controlled (you be in control of what you do, don’t let yourself be driven by outside forces). He also gives two reasons for being like this: we’re in the end times, and it will help you pray.

      Then he goes on to encourage us in respect of our relationships with other people. Love… deeply! Wow! Why? Because when we love, we accept and care for one another and are not constantly judging one another for our shortcomings.

      Also offer hospitality, open your homes to one another, and don’t do it grudgingly, for that’s not love. Use your personal gifts to bless one another, speak words of love and blessing and serve one another whole heartedly. When you do this then it’s going to be a wonderful community of God’s people and God will be praised by those in it who are blessed, and by those outside it who see and wonder at it. These are achievable goals, this is an achievable community, and God can be praised because of it. Go for it!

D. Application: 

1. The Christian community is to be one of love.
2. Love brings blessing and blessing brings glory to God.

Passage: 1 Peter 4:12-19

12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And,

‘If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
    what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?’

19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

A. Find Out:

1. What are we not to do? v.12
2. But what are we to do and why? v.13,16
3. When are we blessed and why? v.14
4. How should we not suffer? v.15
5. What does Peter say it is time for? v.17
6. So how should we cope with suffering? v.19

B. Think:

1. What sort of suffering is Peter NOT talking about?
2. What sort is he talking about?
3. How does he say they should handle it?

C. Comment:

     Hard times.  Opposition simply because you are a Christian. Persecution. These are descriptions of life for the Christians at that time, times of “painful trial” (v.12). So how does Peter counsel them to handle it?

      First he says don’t be surprised . We are often surprised when people are against us simply because we are Christians. Read the book of Acts. There were periods of peace but there also periods of outright hostility against the Christians, and so it will be for us also. Why? Because men rejected Jesus and they will reject us (Mt 10:22 / Jn 15:20 ,21). It is part of the Christian package.

      Second, he says rejoice and praise God. The apostles all say the same thing. When it gets tough being a Christian because of the opposition, don’t be ashamed or put down, simply rejoice that you share with Christ (see Jas 1:2 / 1 Thess 5:18 ). This needs grace, this means keeping close to Him.

      Third, he says know the time: this is a time when God is allowing this to happen to the church, so rest in His sovereign will. Some times will be tough, so be secure in Him. Commit yourself to Him, trust in His faithfulness and do good, yes, in it all.

D. Application:  

1. Hard times do come from time to time.
2. God’s grace is sufficient for us in them.