REJOICE TO SHARE IN CHRIST'S SUFFERINGS

Passage: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Key verse: 13

NIV

Suffering for Being a Christian

12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you(A) to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice(B) inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ,(C) so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.(D) 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ,(E) you are blessed,(F) 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.(G) 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household;(H) and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?(I) 18 And,

“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
    what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”[a](J)

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

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Footnotes
  1. 1 Peter 4:18 Prov. 11:31 (see Septuagint)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Suffering as a Christian

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at (A)the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice (B)insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad (C)when his glory is revealed. 14 (D)If you are insulted (E)for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory[a] and of God rests upon you. 15 But (F)let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or (G)as a meddler. 16 Yet (H)if anyone suffers as a (I)Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God (J)in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment (K)to begin at the household of God; and (L)if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who (M)do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And

(N)“If the righteous is scarcely saved,
    what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”[b]

19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will (O)entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

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Footnotes
  1. 1 Peter 4:14 Some manuscripts insert and of power
  2. 1 Peter 4:18 Greek where will the ungodly and sinner appear?

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Rejoice to suffer for Christ (12-14)

Most people seek maximum pleasure and minimum pain. But this is not Christ's way. He suffered for the sins of the world, and he calls all Christians to participate in his suffering, and to share in his glory. It is normal to suffer because of our faith in Jesus. It is better to suffer for Jesus than to suffer for committing a crime or for meddling. So Peter tells us to rejoice that we participate in the sufferings of Christ, for we will be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. Insults borne for the name of Christ turn to blessing.

2. Continue to do good (17-19)

Jesus will come again as he promised, to judge the living and the dead. Even those who are in God's family and who seem to be good people must stand before the throne of judgment. If the righteous are saved only by God's grace, what will happen to the ungodly? So we should not be discouraged by suffering; we must commit ourselves to our faithful Creator and continue to do good.

Prayer: Lord, teach me to rejoice in all circumstances.

One Word: Continue to do good--and rejoice