1 Peter 4: Living for the Will of God

Chapter with Audio

4 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, ² so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. ³ For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. ⁴ With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; ⁵ but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. ⁶ For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.

⁷ The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. ⁸ Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. ⁹ Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. ¹⁰ As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: ¹¹ whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Suffering as a Christian

¹² Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. ¹⁴ If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. ¹⁵ But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. ¹⁶ Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. ¹⁷ 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? ¹⁸ And

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

Chapter Analysis

1 Peter 4: Suffering, Serving, And Living For The Will Of God

Live For The Will Of God

📖 1 Peter 4:1–6

¹ Since Christ suffered for believers in the flesh, they also are to arm themselves with the same mind, because the one who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin. ² He no longer lives the rest of his time in the flesh for human desires, but for the will of God. ³ The time already past was enough for doing the will of the nations, when they walked in sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and sinful idolatries. ⁴ Former companions think it strange that believers no longer run with them into the same flood of reckless living, and they speak evil of them. ⁵ But they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. ⁶ For this reason the gospel was also preached to those now dead, so that although they were judged according to men in the flesh, they might live according to God in the spirit.

🔹 The Truth

Christ suffered in the flesh.

Believers are to have the same mind as Christ.

The believer’s remaining life is not to be lived for sinful desires, but for the will of God.

The former life of sin belongs to the past.

Those who reject godly living may speak evil of believers.

Every person will give account to God.

God is ready to judge the living and the dead.

The gospel brings life according to God.

🔹 The Promise

Those who belong to Christ can live the rest of their time for the will of God.

✅ Conclusion

Peter calls believers to leave the old life behind. Because Christ suffered, His people must be ready to suffer also and live for God’s will, not for the desires of the flesh.

Be Serious, Watchful, Loving, And Hospitable

📖 1 Peter 4:7–9

⁷ The end of all things is near. Therefore, believers are to be serious and watchful in prayer. ⁸ Above all things, they are to have fervent love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. ⁹ They are to show hospitality to one another without grumbling.

🔹 The Truth

The nearness of the end should make believers spiritually alert.

Prayer requires seriousness and watchfulness.

Love among believers is very important.

Fervent love helps cover many offenses.

Hospitality should be offered without complaining.

God’s people are to live alert, loving, and generous lives.

🔹 The Promise

Love covers a multitude of sins.

✅ Conclusion

Peter teaches that believers should not live carelessly. They are to pray watchfully, love deeply, and serve one another with open hearts.

Use Your Gift To Serve One Another

📖 1 Peter 4:10–11

¹⁰ As each believer has received a gift, he is to use it to serve others as a good steward of the many-sided grace of God. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, he should speak as the words of God. If anyone serves, he should serve with the strength God supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To Him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

🔹 The Truth

Each believer has received a gift from God.

Gifts are to be used to serve others.

Believers are stewards of God’s grace.

Those who speak must do so with seriousness before God.

Those who serve must do so in the strength God supplies.

The purpose of ministry is that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.

Glory and dominion belong to Christ forever.

🔹 The Promise

God supplies strength for His people to serve, and He is glorified through Jesus Christ.

✅ Conclusion

Spiritual gifts are not for pride or self-promotion. They are given by God so believers may serve one another and bring glory to Him through Jesus Christ.

Rejoice When You Share In Christ’s Sufferings

📖 1 Peter 4:12–16

¹² Beloved, believers should not think it strange when they face a fiery trial, as though something unusual were happening to them. ¹³ Instead, they should rejoice to the extent that they share in Christ’s sufferings, so that when His glory is revealed, they may also rejoice with great joy. ¹⁴ If they are insulted for the name of Christ, they are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon them. On the part of those who insult Him, He is spoken evil of, but on the part of believers, He is glorified. ¹⁵ None of them should suffer as a murderer, thief, evildoer, or meddler in other people’s matters. ¹⁶ But if anyone suffers as belonging to Christ, he should not be ashamed, but glorify God in this matter.

🔹 The Truth

Fiery trials should not surprise believers.

Suffering for Christ is part of sharing in His sufferings.

Christ’s glory will be revealed.

Those who are insulted for Christ’s name are blessed.

The Spirit of glory and of God rests upon those who suffer for Christ.

Believers must not suffer because of wrongdoing.

Suffering for Christ is not shameful.

God should be glorified when believers suffer for Christ.

🔹 The Promise

Those who suffer for the name of Christ are blessed, and the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon them.

✅ Conclusion

Peter teaches believers not to be shocked by suffering. If they suffer for doing wrong, there is no honor in that. But if they suffer for Christ, they should not be ashamed; they should glorify God.

Commit Your Soul To The Faithful Creator

📖 1 Peter 4:17–19

¹⁷ The time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God. If it begins with believers first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? ¹⁸ If the righteous one is saved with difficulty, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner? ¹⁹ Therefore, those who suffer according to the will of God should commit their souls to Him as to a faithful Creator while continuing to do good.

🔹 The Truth

God’s judgment begins with His own house.

Believers must take holiness seriously.

Those who do not obey the gospel face a fearful end.

Salvation is not casual or careless.

Suffering according to God’s will requires trust.

God is the faithful Creator.

Believers must continue doing good while entrusting their souls to Him.

🔹 The Promise

God is faithful, and believers can commit their souls to Him while suffering according to His will.

✅ Conclusion

Peter ends the chapter by calling suffering believers to trust God deeply. They are to commit their souls to their faithful Creator and continue doing good.

Overall Conclusion

1 Peter 4 teaches believers how to live for God in a world that often rejects them.

Because Christ suffered in the flesh, believers must arm themselves with the same mind. The old life of sin belongs to the past. The rest of life is to be lived for the will of God.

Peter reminds believers that the end is near. Therefore, they must be serious, watchful in prayer, fervent in love, hospitable without grumbling, and faithful in serving one another with the gifts God has given.

Suffering for Christ should not surprise believers. Fiery trials are not strange. Those who are insulted for the name of Christ are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon them.

Peter also makes clear that believers should not suffer for doing evil. But if they suffer for Christ, they should not be ashamed. They should glorify God.

The chapter ends with strong comfort: those who suffer according to the will of God should commit their souls to Him as to a faithful Creator, while continuing to do good.

Final Questions For You

1. What does it mean to live the rest of your time for the will of God?
2. How can believers use their gifts to serve others and glorify God?
3. Why can suffering believers safely commit their souls to the faithful Creator?