Ed Urzi

“Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator” (1 Peter 4:19).

The word “therefore” fulfills its customary role as a call to action here in the final verse of this chapter. In fact, this entire chapter has functioned as a call to action in various forms. Thus, it should not be surprising to note that 1 Peter chapter four opens with the word “therefore” and closes with that same word as well.

So what are the practical applications or key lessons to be learned from this portion of Scripture? Well, a brief survey of 1 Peter chapter four offers several insights…

Verse one: Since Christ suffered for us, we must arm ourselves with that same mind.

Verse two: We should not invest what remains of our lives in the pursuit of various lusts. Instead, we should devote ourselves to fulfilling God’s will.

Verse three: Whatever time we formerly spent in pursuit of an ungodly lifestyle has already been too much.

Verse four: Some may not understand (or respect) our decision to honor God with our lives.

Verse five: Those who reject God will answer to Him for their choices.

Verse six: A person who embraces Christ in faith has transitioned from a state of spiritual death to eternal life. Those who have passed away in Christ are now enjoying everlasting life in the presence of God, even though the world may have spoken evil of them.

Verse seven: Life is short; thus, we should be serious and watchful in our prayers.

Verses eight to nine: Accept others in Christ and refrain from exposing their flaws and imperfections in a way that damages their reputation. Practice hospitality by helping to meet each other’s needs.

Verses ten to eleven: We should make good use of the gifts God has given us.

Verses twelve to fourteen: Be prepared for the possibility of persecution. We should view such things as an opportunity to honor and glorify God.

Verses fifteen to sixteen: We should exercise caution before we automatically associate the trials we face with the experience of sharing in Christ’s sufferings. Sometimes we simply get what we deserve for inappropriate behaviors.

Verses seventeen to eighteen: The mere act of going to church does not insulate us from God’s scrutiny, for “…the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?”

We’ll consider the Apostle Peter’s final action item from this chapter in the last installment of our look at 1 Peter chapter four.

“Now ‘If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?'” (1 Peter 4:18).

It is often difficult to maintain clarity when we are in the midst of an affliction or distressing situation. The pain of our experience may sometimes cloud our ability to look beyond our circumstances to see God’s objective in allowing such things. Knowing that the path of salvation is often difficult, we should pray and seek God’s empowerment to meet those challenges in a way that honors Him.

With this in mind, the Apostle Peter makes an allusion to Proverbs 11:31 in the penultimate verse of this chapter. While we might naturally expect the “…ungodly and the sinner” to be recompensed for their actions, this passage reminds us that God does not exempt His own people from trial and suffering, either. The following commentator unpacks these concepts for us…

“In this verse, Peter contrasted the intensity of the two experiences of suffering, by disciples now and by unbelievers in the future. It is ‘with difficulty’ that righteous people pass through this phase of our existence into the next phase, because this phase involves suffering for us. ‘Saved’ (Gr. sozetai) here means ‘delivered,’ in the sense of being delivered from this life into the next. Yet it will be even more difficult (‘What will become of …?’) for godless people to pass from this phase of their lives to the next, because they will have to undergo God’s wrath. Their future sufferings will be far more intense than our present sufferings.

The purpose of Peter’s quoting Proverbs 11:31 (loosely) was to show that the Old Testament also taught that both the righteous and the wicked will receive from the Lord. The point in the proverb is that: since God rewards the righteous on earth, how much more can we count on His rewarding wicked sinners! If God disciplines His own children, how much more severely will He deal with those who are not His children?! Our sufferings are light compared with those the ungodly will experience in the future.” ₍₁₎

Thus, the trials and persecutions we encounter serve a dual purpose. In a positive sense, they produce a purifying effect upon our lives and provide demonstrable evidence of our faith. From a negative perspective, they illustrate God’s righteousness in judging those who are “…godless and sinful” (CEB). So our response to life’s challenges serves to reveal our true nature and identity, no matter what form those challenges take. This holds true for those who are God’s people, as well as those who are not.

(1) Constable, Thomas. DD, Notes on 1 Peter 2023 Edition “2. Suffering as Christians 4:15-19” [4:18] https://www.planobiblechapel.org/tcon/notes/html/nt/1peter/1peter.htm

“For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? (1 Peter 4:17 ESV).

We typically associate “judgment” with an act of punishment or correction. One of the more notable instances of that type of judgment occurs in the Biblical book of the prophet Daniel. Daniel chapter five records the account of a lavish banquet hosted by the Babylonian king Belshazzar. It was during that feast that the king made a fateful decision…

“While they were drinking, Belshazzar gave orders to bring in the gold and silver cups and bowls which his father Nebuchadnezzar had carried off from the Temple in Jerusalem. The king sent for them so that he, his noblemen, his wives, and his concubines could drink out of them. At once the gold cups and bowls were brought in, and they all drank wine out of them and praised gods made of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone” (Daniel 5:2-4 GNT).

At that moment, a disembodied hand materialized to inscribe the following words on a wall of the palace: “Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin” (Daniel 5:25). The king was gripped by fear and summoned Daniel to decipher the message. Daniel then proceeded to give the following interpretation:

“This is what these words mean:
Mene means ‘numbered’—God has numbered the days of your reign and has brought it to an end.
Tekel means ‘weighed’—you have been weighed on the balances and have not measured up.
Parsin means ‘divided’—your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians” (Daniel 5:26-28 NLT).

The closing verses of that chapter reveal that the judgment referenced in that inscription was executed that very night (see Daniel 5:1-31).

Yet even though the word “judgment” often carries the negative overtones associated with Belshazzar’s experience, there is a different type of judgment that is far removed from what we witness in Daniel chapter five. For instance, consider the following portion of Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus from John 3:21…

“…those who do what is true come to the light in order that the light may show that what they did was in obedience to God” (GNT).

1 John 1:5-6 provides the contextual framework for interpreting that passage: “…God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” Therefore, we can be at peace with the fact that judgment begins in the house of God if we honor Him and walk in the light today. One source summarizes this concept with a valuable insight…

“Judgment does not always imply condemnation in Scripture. When used in relation to Christians, it consistently refers to the evaluation of a believer’s works for the purpose of reward (1 Cor. 3:10–15).” ₍₁₎

(1) Earl D. Radmacher, Ronald Barclay Allen, and H. Wayne House, Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary (Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers, 1999), 1688.

“For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:17).

1 Peter 4:17 introduces an unsettling truth that has far-reaching implications. At the risk of over-dramatizing this passage, the judgment referenced here ultimately serves as the destination point for all who choose to follow the broad spiritual road that leads to destruction. Our ability to endure that judgment is contingent upon whether we have sought shelter in Christ, or if we have opted to confront it alone.

But that judicial process lies in the future. The preceding verse from this chapter outlines our responsibility for today: “…if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter” (1 Peter 4:16). No matter how difficult things become, the sufferings, trials, and difficulties we face today will be the worst we will endure for eternity. Therefore, we should view those hardships as opportunities to glorify God.

Nevertheless, if God’s people must confront such trials and difficulties now, what will be the fate of those who reject Him? How could those individuals ever hope to stand before a morally flawless, all-knowing, and all-powerful Creator? That is the question posed by our text from 1 Peter 4:17.

Unfortunately, some may believe that the act of going to church will be enough to deflect such scrutiny. But this portion of Scripture tells us that judgment begins at the house of God. The confines of a church building offer no refuge from such judgment, regardless of whether our attendance is in person or remote.

Thus, 1 Peter 4:17 presents a sobering portion of Scripture that merits serious attention. In one sense, God’s judgment awaits in the future. Yet we also face God’s judgment today as well. For instance, how do we handle the trials we experience today? If it has become necessary to suffer as a Christian, have we sought to glorify God in that matter?

Are we suffering for any of the negative characteristics described earlier for us in 1 Peter 4:15? Are we being reproached for the name of Christ as mentioned previously in verse fourteen? This passage tells us that judgment among the members of the house of God has begun in a very real sense- and it is taking place at this moment. In light of this, we would do well to consider the verdict that might be rendered upon our lives at the end of today.

“Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter” (1 Peter 4:16).

Other than its presence here in 1 Peter 4:16, the word “Christian” appears in only two other Biblical passages…

“Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch” (Acts 11:25-26).

“Then Agrippa said to Paul, ‘You almost persuade me to become a Christian.’ And Paul said, ‘I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains'” (Acts 26:28-29).

One source clarifies the significance of the word “Christian” in the lives of Jesus’ followers…

“What does the term mean? The answer is found in the -ian ending. Among the ancients, the -ian ending meant ‘belonging to the party of.’ Herodians, then, belonged to the party of Herod. Caesarians belonged to the party of Caesar. Christians belonged to Christ. And Christians were loyal to Christ, just as the Herodians were loyal to Herod and Caesarians were loyal to Caesar.

The significance of the name Christian was that these followers of Jesus were recognized as a distinct group. They were seen as distinct from Judaism and from all other religions of the ancient world. We might loosely translate the term Christian to mean ‘one who belongs to Christ,’ ‘a Christ-one,’ or perhaps ‘Christ-follower.’ Christians are people who believe in Christ and have a personal relationship with Him.

You might find it helpful to ponder what one resident of Antioch might have said to another regarding these committed followers of Jesus: ‘Who are these people?’ The other person would answer, ‘Oh, these are the people who are always talking about Christ — they are the Christ-people, or the Christians.’

Those who have studied the culture of Antioch have noted that the Antiochans were well known for making fun of people. It may be that the early followers of Jesus were initially called Christians by local residents as a term of derision or ridicule. History reveals that by the second century, Christians adopted the title as a badge of honor. They took pride (in a healthy kind of way) in following Jesus. They had a genuine relationship with the living, resurrected Christ and they were utterly faithful to Him, even in the face of death.” ₍₁₎

(1) Ron Rhodes, The Complete Book Of Bible Answers, Copyright © 1997 Harvest House Publishers Eugene, Oregon [pg. 183]

“None of you, however, should suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a meddler” (1 Peter 4:15 HCSB).

The Biblical books of Psalms and Proverbs offer a wealth of practical insight regarding 1 Peter 4:15 and those who assume the role of “…a troublesome meddler interfering in the affairs of others (AMP)…

“Gossip is spread by wicked people; they stir up trouble and break up friendships” (Proverbs 16:28 GW).

“The words of a whisperer or slanderer are like dainty morsels or words of sport [to some, but to others are like deadly wounds]; and they go down into the innermost parts of the body [or of the victim’s nature]” (Proverbs 26:22 AMPC).

“Anyone who spreads gossip will be silenced, and no one who is conceited will be my friend” (Psalm 101:5 CEV).

Proverbs 26:20 adopts a fitting word picture to convey a similar warning…

“Where there is no fuel a fire goes out; where there is no gossip arguments come to an end” (CEV).

This illustration highlights our text from 1 Peter 4:15, especially when we consider the essentials that are necessary to light a fire. Those constituent elements are oxygen, fuel, and an ignition source. With these things in mind, we can easily link the elements of gossip with the components that are necessary to ignite a fire…

• The first element of gossip is information (or speculation). This assumes the role of oxygen in our analogy.
• A busybody with access to that information serves as the potential fuel source.
• Gossip then ignites when the person who possesses the information relays it to others.

The fastest way to quell the flames of a fire is to deprive it of fuel or oxygen. In like manner, the fastest way to extinguish gossip involves a similar approach: don’t take part in gossip and don’t encourage others to do so.

Finally, we can differentiate between legitimate information-sharing and gossip with a few important questions…

• Is the information gratuitous?
• Is the information helpful?
• Will the information be shared with a legitimate spiritual authority who can provide Biblical counsel?
• Will the information serve to tear another person down or build that person up?

These questions can help us follow Jesus’ warning from the Gospel of Matthew…

“A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you” (Matthew 12:35-37 NLT).

“Don’t let me hear of your suffering for murdering or stealing or making trouble or being a busybody and prying into other people’s affairs” (1 Peter 4:15 TLB).

To paraphrase an old saying, bad news travels halfway around the world before good news has a chance to put its boots on. There was some bad news spreading about the church in the first century town of Thessalonica according to 2 Thessalonians 3:11: “… we hear that some of you are living in laziness, refusing to work, and wasting your time in gossiping.”

The Bible uses two words to describe those who waste their time in this manner. Those words are “gossips” (as we see here in 2 Thessalonians) and “busybodies” (as mentioned in our passage from 1 Peter quoted above). Although these words describe similar behaviors, each has its own nuanced meaning.

A ‘gossip’ is someone who frequently talks about others. Gossips are notorious for spreading rumors and circulating falsehoods regarding other people. A “busybody” is a person who persistently intrudes and interferes in the affairs of others. If given the opportunity, a busybody is someone who will attempt to run another person’s life. A few synonyms for “busybody” might include nosy, intrusive, or meddlesome.

For instance, there are some who simply cannot wait to share information about others. Then there are those who are highly preoccupied with the affairs of someone else’s life. These behaviors are highly destructive and the Scriptures offer some valuable insight into the risks they pose….

“A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much” (Proverbs 20:19 NIV).

One version of Proverbs 20:19 renders this verse in a very direct manner: “Don’t tell your secrets to a gossip unless you want them broadcast to the world” (TLB). This portion of Scripture draws our attention to an unfortunate reality: if someone shares gossip about others, we can be certain that he or she is gossiping to others about us as well.

“No one who gossips can be trusted with a secret, but you can put confidence in someone who is trustworthy” (Proverbs 11:13 GNT).

We can help eradicate gossip if we refrain from participating in it. Instead, Jesus gave us the right example to follow when dealing with those circumstance that might promote gossip…

“If one of my followers sins against you, go and point out what was wrong. But do it in private, just between the two of you…” (CEV).

The Bible provides us with some additional counsel in this regard and we’ll consider those passages next.

“But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler” (1 Peter 4:15 ESV).

The first two entries on our list of transgressions involve criminal offenses. The second two behaviors encompass a wider range of inappropriate conduct. Therefore, we shouldn’t automatically link the trials we encounter in life with the experience of sharing in Christ’s sufferings. Sometimes we simply get what we deserve…

“This does not mean that all suffering is the result of good Christian conduct. Peter says to distinguish between suffering for being a believer and suffering for doing wrong things. For example, a Christian may think he is being picked on for his faith when it is obvious to everyone else that his own unpleasant behavior is the cause of his problems. It may take careful thought or wise counsel to determine the real cause of our suffering. We can be assured, however, that whenever we suffer because of our loyalty to Christ, he will be with us all the way.” ₍₁₎

A person who serves as a meddler,  busybody (CEV), or troublemaker (NET) offers one such example. However, various sources highlight the challenges involved in defining this sort of behavior. For instance, different commentators attribute this type of conduct to someone who is a “concealer of stolen goods,” “spy,” “informer,” “agitator,” ₍₂₎ or a “revolutionary,” “defrauder,” or “embezzler.” ₍₃₎

Perhaps the best definition is offered by a source who associates this idea with someone who is “a self-appointed overseer in other men’s matters.” ₍₄₎ Considering the surplus of self-appointed “supervisors” that exist in our world today, this passage offers some valuable guidance. That guidance is applicable to ourselves as well as others who might seek to assume similar roles in our lives.

This may require us to exercise restraint (perhaps considerable restraint), before we intrude into the affairs of others. This is especially true in debatable matters. While it is Biblically appropriate to admonish one another for sinful conduct (Matthew 18:15-17), this passage reminds us of the need to be mindful of our own affairs and avoid interfering in areas where others have legitimate perspectives that differ from our own. It might also involve politely reminding others to respect those boundaries with regard to our lives as well.

Nevertheless, it is always appropriate to pray for others and ask God to provide wisdom, discernment, guidance, and direction in their decision-making process. In this way, we can honor God and establish a good reputation with others.

(1) Life Application Study Bible NKJV [1 Peter 4:14-16] Copyright © 1988, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1996, 2004 by Tyndale House Publishers Inc., all rights reserved.

(2) New International Bible Commentary general editor G. C. D. Howley, consulting editors F. F. Bruce, H. L. Ellison. Copyright© 1979 by Pickering &Inglis Ltd [p. 1561].

(3) NET Bible notes on 1 Peter 4:15 https://classic.net.bible.org/bible.php?book=1Pet&chapter=4&mode=print

(4) Kenneth S. Wuest, Word Studies in the Greek New Testament [1 Peter 4:12-19] Copyright © 1942-55 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

“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.

“If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified” (1 Peter 4:14).

The second half of 1 Peter 4:14 references the concept of “blasphemy.” The word blasphemy is associated with “…those who speak contemptuously of God or of sacred things.” ₍₁₎ It may also encompass an attitude of disrespect for God in our speech or behavior. Therefore, we can characterize a blasphemous person as someone who communicates disdain for God through his or her words and/or actions.

Unfortunately, blasphemy has become so widespread and ingrained within our contemporary culture that it often goes unrecognized or overlooked. For instance, one common form of blasphemy takes place whenever someone employs Jesus’ name as a profanity or an expletive. Another occurs whenever we casually refer to God in a thoughtless, flippant, irreverent, or frivolous manner. Some examples might include the term “ohmigod,” “OMG,” or other similar expressions.

These terms are blasphemous because they exhibit a lack of respect and reverence for God. They also reveal the presence of a presumptive mindset that assumes that God’s name is not worthy to be taken seriously. Furthermore, they disregard a clear directive from the Scripture: “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name” (Exodus 20:7 NIV). Those who abuse the Lord’s name in such a manner will eventually be held to account for their behavior.

The specific form of blasphemy mentioned here in 1 Peter 4:14 means to “defame, revile, [or] slander.” ₍₂₎ Slander refers to the act of intentionally spreading false information in order to harm someone’s reputation. Today, we might refer to such conduct as “character assassination.” This word thus conveys a contemptuous or disrespectful attitude towards toward someone else. It also recalls Jesus’ cautionary message from Matthew 5:21-22…

“You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell” (Matthew 5:21-22 NLT).

These warnings should prompt us to carefully consider our assessments of other human beings who are made in God’s image.

(1) G987 blasphemeo Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/ved/b/blaspheme-blasphemy-blasphemer-blasphemous.html

(2) G987 blasphemeo Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary of the New Testament https://www.billmounce.com/greek-dictionary/blasphemeo-0