The apostle exhorted the disciples to live their lives as if the judgment could occur at any moment, being sober, watching unto prayer, having fervent love for each other, and being hospitable, as good servants of God.vs.8-10Waiting for response for 1 Peter 4:8-10 They were also to speak as the oracles of God v.11Waiting for response for 1 Peter 4:11 - spiritual things should be expressed in spiritual words which are found in the scriptures. Peter told these disciples that they would have to endure severe persecution, “a fiery trial”, and he exhorted them to rejoice that they would be suffering with Christ and that at his coming they “would be glad with exceeding joy”.v.12-13Waiting for response for 1 Peter 4:12-13 Despite appearances, they were the happy ones if they were reproached for the name of Christ v.14.Waiting for response for 1 Peter 4:14 They would suffer as Christians v.16Waiting for response for 1 Peter 4:16 but they were not to do evil deeds to justify the authorities afflicting them.v.15Waiting for response for 1 Peter 4:15 Judgment will begin at the house of God v.17Waiting for response for 1 Peter 4:17 and the righteous will scarcely be saved,v.18Waiting for response for 1 Peter 4:18 therefore we should carefully do all we can to secure approval. Although those who disobey the gospel may be careless of the coming judgment, believers should commit themselves unto God in well-doing, knowing that the Creator will faithfully keep his word.v.19Waiting for response for 1 Peter 4:19
Verses 1-7
Waiting for response for 1 Peter 4:1-7Disciples of Christ are required to be like him: have the same mind and cease from sin.v.1Waiting for response for 1 Peter 4:1 This involves resisting the sinful impulses of the flesh and not doing the will of men but the will of God.v.2Waiting for response for 1 Peter 4:2 Previously, we may have indulged in the lusts of the flesh v.3Waiting for response for 1 Peter 4:3 but afterwards we must cease doing so, even if our former associates are offended by our change of life and speak evil of us.v.4Waiting for response for 1 Peter 4:4 It helps to keep in mind that we will have to give account to Christ whom God has appointed the judge of all, whether living or dead at his coming.v.5Waiting for response for 1 Peter 4:5 The same gospel has been preached by the prophets of the LORD from the beginning, e.g. it was preached to Abraham Galatians 3:8Waiting for response for Galatians 3:8 and to the people of Israel in the wilderness, Hebrews 4:2Waiting for response for Hebrews 4:2 as well as by Jesus and his apostles, and hearing the gospel makes men and women responsible to God’s judgment.v.6Waiting for response for 1 Peter 4:6 Sometimes the statement that “the gospel was preached to them that are dead” v.6Waiting for response for 1 Peter 4:6 is mistakenly taken literally but, of course, the gospel was preached to Noah’s contemporaries when they were living, although they were dead when Peter wrote his letter. It is impossible for people who are dead to hear the gospel because the dead have no consciousness and cannot know or believe anything. Men will be judged according to how they lived this life, and those accounted faithful will live eternally in the spirit,v.6Waiting for response for 1 Peter 4:6 being made spiritual bodies like the Lord Jesus Christ after his resurrection.