Following Christ While Suffering

INTRO

Peter went through a lot in his time with Jesus, and he emerged as one of the leaders of the church. The first half of Acts is about Peter, and the second half is about Paul. In 1 Peter, Peter wrote to encourage those believers who had been dispersed because of persecution.

TEACHING

1 Peter 4:1-5: Wiersbe summarizes the four attitudes Peter described “that a Christian can cultivate in his lifetime if he desires to make his life all that God wants it to be.”¹

The first attitude was “A Militant Attitude toward Sin” (vv. 1-3).² Peter told his readers to be on guard and equip themselves against sin (v. 1). Peter emphasized that Christ had suffered in the flesh but remained sinless. Nelson’s Commentary points out, “Christ’s suffering was real because He took on our human nature.”³

Christ defeated the hold of sin, and sin will have no hold on us after we die. This attitude against sin would also keep them from being controlled by their human desires rather than God’s will (v. 2). Peter knew this struggle of the flesh from denying Christ three times. Peter told them not to live like the pagans with unrestrained behavior (v 3).

1 Peter 4:6: The second attitude was “A Patient Attitude toward the Lost” (vv. 4–6).⁴ Peter said those who chose to live unrestrained lives would mock those who lived differently—who didn’t plunge in to wild living with them (v. 4). Those who lived unrestrained lives, who think they are free to do as they please, will be held accountable before God (v. 5). It is not up to believers to judge them.

In verse 6 Peter spoke of “those who are now dead.” Nelson’s Commentary provides four possible explanations for who these were:

1. Some connect this statement to the proclamation of Christ in 1 Peter 3:19-20 and “understand this verse to be about Christ offering salvation to those who lived in pre-Christian times.”⁵ They propose that this would then refer to the fallen angels receiving salvation before Christ came. There is no biblical evidence to support this.

Others also connect this statement to the proclamation of Christ in 1 Peter 3:19-20 and accept the idea that Christ preached to those who were righteous in the Old Testament.⁶

Others believe Peter was referring to those who had heard Jesus preach but had now passed away and were in heaven with God.⁷

Still others believe Peter was referring to those who were spiritually dead. The final interpretation is probably the most sound interpretation: “The gospel was being preached to them so that they could come alive spiritually.”⁸

1 Peter 4:7: The third attitude was “An Expectant Attitude toward Christ” (v. 7).⁹ Peter wrote that the end of time is near, so be serious and disciplined (Romans 13:12; I Thessalonians 1:10; James 5:7-8; 1 John 3:3; Revelation 22:20). We need to stay watchful because Christ can come at any time.

1 Peter 4:8-9: The fourth attitude was “A Fervent Attitude toward the Saints” (vv. 8-11).¹⁰ Peter instructed his readers to have an intense love for each other, because love will cover a multitude of sins (v. 8). Even if other saints have been unsaintly, believers are still called to forgive them and love them. This is not always easy to do (Proverb 10:12). Hatred stirs up conflict, but love can cover up all offenses. Paul included hospitality as one way of loving others fervently (v. 9).

1 Peter 4:10-11: This also references one of the spiritual gifts—hospitality. These gifts are listed in Romans 12:3-9; 1 Corinthians 12–14; and Ephesians 4:1-16. Peter wrote that whatever gifts believers receive, they were to use them to serve others (v. 10). These gifts are actually a picture of God’s grace in our lives. Peter continued writing on gifts in verse 11, emphasizing that believers were stewards of the gifts God gave them.

CLOSING

The rest of the chapter gives instructions for how to follow Christ in the midst of suffering. May God be glorified in everything we do. All these gifts we have been given brings glory to the Lord through Christ.