1Pe 4:12-5:11 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 1Pet 4:12-19: 4:12-19 Peter instructs Christians one last time about the way to face the trials that will inevitably come. 4:12 don’t be surprised: Christians, especially those seeking to lead godly lives, can expect to face the hostility of a sinful world (see John 16:33 ; Acts 14:22 ; Rom 8:17 ; Phil 1:29 ).

Summary for 1Pet 4:12-19: 4:12-19 ^a Peter instructs Christians one last time about the way to face the trials that will inevitably come. 4:12 ^b don’t be surprised: Christians, especially those seeking to lead godly lives, can expect to face the hostility of a sinful world (see John 16:33 ^c; Acts 14:22 ^d; Rom 8:17 ^e; Phil 1:29 ^f).
4:13 ^g Christians are called to suffer with Christ in order to be glorified with him (see also Rom 8:17 ^h).
4:14 ⁱ If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed (literally you are blessed when you are reproached): This verse reflects Jesus’ teaching in Matt 5:11-12 ^j.
4:16 ^k Although evidence is very fragmentary, it is likely that the label Christian (cp. Acts 11:26 ^l) was originally a convenient way of summarizing the alleged superstitious practices and immoral character attributed to Jesus’ followers.
4:17 ^m God’s judgment is often pictured as beginning with God’s household—i.e., with his own people—as a means of purifying them (Jer 25:29 ⁿ; Ezek 9:5-6 ^o; Mal 3:1-6 ^p).

‏ 1 Peter 5:1-11

Summary for 1Pet 5:1-14: 5:1-14 ^q Peter ends the letter with final exhortations to elders (5:1-4 ^r), to younger people (5:5 ^s), and to the church as a whole (5:5-11 ^t). These exhortations are followed by final greetings and a closing (5:12-14 ^u).
Summary for 1Pet 5:1-4: 5:1-4 ^v Elders were the spiritual leaders of the early churches (see also Acts 14:23 ^w; 20:17 ^x; 1 Tim 5:17-19 ^y; Titus 1:5 ^z; Jas 5:14 ^aa). By calling himself a fellow elder, Peter identifies with them in their responsibilities and with the charge that he gives them.
5:2 ^ab Care for the flock (literally Shepherd the flock): Our word pastor comes from New Testament imagery of a shepherd pasturing his flock.
5:5 ^ac You who are younger: This phrase, in contrast to the elders, might refer to a particular class of ministers, perhaps elders in training or those who assisted the elders in various ways. But probably it simply denotes the younger individuals in the church (see, e.g., 1 Jn 2:12-14 ^ad).
5:9 ^ae family of believers: Greek adelphoi, a term that refers to people, both male and female, who are members of the same family.

• all over the world: Persecution was not confined to the churches of Asia Minor. In various forms and with varying intensity, Christians were persecuted almost everywhere the Good News about Jesus Christ was preached. Peter reminds his readers of this to console them and encourage them to emulate those who had successfully endured the test of suffering.
5:10 ^af a little while: Sufferings on this earth—while sometimes appearing to be endless—are in fact only momentary compared with the glorious eternity that believers will spend with God (cp. 1:6 ^ag; Rom 8:18 ^ah; 2 Cor 4:16-18 ^ai).