1Pe 4 | ISV | STEP | Good Managers of God's Grace Therefore, since Christ suffered in the sphere of the flesh, you, too, must arm yourselves with the same determination. For the person who has suffered in the sphere of the flesh has stopped sinning,

1 Peter 4

1 Good Managers of God's Grace

Therefore, since Christ suffered in the sphere of the flesh, ^{▼▼Other mss. read suffered for us; still other mss. read suffered for you} you, too, must arm yourselves with the same determination. For the person who has suffered in the sphere of the flesh has stopped sinning,Rom 6:2, 7; Gal 5:24; Col 3:3, 5, 7; 1Pet 3:18 2 so that he can live the rest of his time in the flesh guided, not by human desires, but by the will of God.John 1:13; Rom 6:11; 14:7; 2Cor 5:15; Gal 2:20; James 1:18; 1Pet 1:14; 2:1 3 For you spent enough time in the past doing what the Gentiles like to do, living in sensuality, sinful desires, drunkenness, wild celebrations, drinking parties, and detestable idolatry.Ezek 44:6; 45:9; Acts 17:30; Eph 2:2; 4:17; 1Thes 4:5; Titus 3:3; 1Pet 1:14 4 They insult you now because they are surprised that you are no longer joining them in the same excesses of wild living.Acts 13:45; 18:6; 1Pet 3:16 5 They will give an account to the one who is ready to judge the living and the dead.Acts 10:42; 17:31; Rom 14:10, 12; 1Cor 15:51-52; 2Tim 4:1; James 5:9 6 Indeed, this is why the gospel was proclaimed even to those who have died, so that they could be judged in the realm of the flesh like all humans and live in the realm of the spirit ^{▼▼Or Spirit} like God.1Pet 3:19

7 The end of everything is near; so be sensible and clear-headed for the sake of your prayers.Matt 24:13-14; 26:41; Luke 21:34; Rom 13:12; Phil 4:5; Col 4:2; Heb 10:25; James 5:8; 1Pet 1:13; 5:8; 2Pet 3:9, 11; 1John 2:18 8 Above all, continue to love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.Prov 10:12; 1Cor 13:7; Col 3:14; Heb 13:1; James 5:20 9 Show hospitality to one another without complaining.Rom 12:13; 2Cor 9:7; Phil 2:14; Heb 13:2 10 As good managers of God's grace in its various forms, serve one another with the gift each of you has received.Matt 24:45; Luke 12:42; Rom 12:6; 1Cor 4:1-2, 7; 12:4; Eph 4:11; Titus 1:7 11 Whoever speaks must speak God's words. ^{▼▼Lit. If anyone speaks as the words of God} Whoever serves must serve with the strength ^{▼▼Lit. Whoever serves as with the strength} that God supplies, so that in every way God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. Glory and power belong to him forever and ever! Amen.Jer 23:22; Rom 12:6-8; 1Cor 3:10; Eph 5:20; 1Tim 6:16; 1Pet 2:5; 5:11; Rev 1:6

12 Suffering as a ChristianDear friends, do not be surprised by the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.1Cor 3:13; 1Pet 1:7 13 Instead, because you are participating in the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that you may be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed.Acts 5:41; Rom 8:17; 2Cor 1:7; 4:10; Phil 3:10; Col 1:24; 2Tim 2:12; James 1:1-13; 1Pet 1:5-6; Rev 1:9 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God is resting on you. ^{▼▼Other mss. read on you. For their sake he is being blasphemed, but for your sake he is being glorified.}Matt 5:11; 2Cor 12:10; James 1:12; 1Pet 2:12, 19-20

15 Of course, none of you should suffer for being a murderer, thief, criminal, or troublemaker.1Thes 4:11; 1Tim 5:13; 1Pet 2:20 16 But if you suffer for being a Christian, do not feel ashamed, but glorify God with that name.Acts 5:41 17 For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God. And if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who refuse to obey the gospel of God?Isa 10:12; Jer 25:29; 49:12; Ezek 9:6; Mal 3:5; Luke 10:12, 14; 23:31

18 “If it is hard for the righteous person to be saved,Prov 11:31; Luke 23:31

what will happen to the ungodly and sinful person?” ^{▼▼Prov 11:31 (LXX)}

19 So then, those who suffer according to God's will should entrust their souls to a faithful Creator and continue to do what is good.Ps 31:5; Luke 23:46; 2Tim 1:12