“But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters” (1 Peter 4:15).
Earlier in 1 Peter 3:14, the Apostle encouraged his readers with the following message: “…even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed.” But here in the following chapter, he issues an important caveat: “If you suffer, it must not be because you are a murderer or a thief or a criminal or a meddler in other people’s affairs” (GNT). In fact, this cautionary message builds upon a theme that has already appeared twice within this letter (see 1 Peter 2:20 and 1 Peter 3:17)
If our chosen life path is one that honors God in Christ, then it is commendable in God’s sight, even in the midst of suffering. Of course, there are several alternative paths that may lead to suffering as well, and Peter mentions a few of them here. The first among those examples is murder. Murder is defined as “the unlawful killing of one human being by another…” (1) Murder, in any form, constitutes the illegal act of terminating another person’s life and transgresses the sixth Commandment.
The next item on this list is thievery. A thief can be defined as someone who unlawfully takes property that belongs to another. Although we typically associate this concept with a person who steals from someone else, we might expand this idea to include those who engage in dishonest business practices, a company that withholds wages from its employees, or anyone who acts in a similarly unjust manner.
Our short list of inappropriate behaviors then continues with a reference to “…an evildoer” (ESV). This is a more inclusive term that encompasses both criminal conduct and other forms of impropriety. In the Biblical book of 1 Corinthians, Paul the Apostle offered a list of similar characteristics that we might use to illustrate an “evildoer” here in 1 Peter 4:15…
“When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that. I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people” (1 Corinthians 5:9-11 NLT).
Our final reference to a “busybody” merits an extended study and we will turn our attention to that characteristic next.
(1) “Murder” The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright ® 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.