REJOICE IN OUR SUFFERING

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.

Read full chapter
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.

Read full chapter
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. Be overjoyed when his glory is revealed (12-16) When fiery ordeals come to Christians, we are caught by surprise. We think that Christians shouldn't suffer! But Peter teaches us not to be surprised or caught off guard, but to rejoice in our suffering. As much we suffer for Christ in this life, as much we will be overjoyed when we see him again. We will one day come face to face with his marvelous glory. Then all the suffering we endured in this life because of the gospel will be like nothing. When we are insulted by others for our faith, we can remember how blessed we are to carry the name of Christ. We should never be ashamed, but praise God that we bear His name! 2. It is time for judgment to begin (17-19) God is coming as the judge. One day, we will all be judged. It will be hard enough for the righteous to be saved. What will happen to those who are unbelievers? So Christians must continue to submit ourselves to God our Creator, and continue to do good.

Prayer: Lord, I hate to suffer. But when I suffer for the gospel, help me to rejoice.

One Word: Rejoice in suffering for Jesus