Read & explore together
Living for God’s Glory
In this part of 1 Peter, believers are urged to think differently because of Christ, leave former sinful patterns, and use prayer, love, hospitality, speaking and serving so that God is glorified through Jesus Christ.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
This passage is direct teaching in a letter. It moves from Christ’s suffering and a changed way of life to warnings about former behaviour, then to practical instructions for prayer, love, hospitality, gifts, speaking and serving in ways that honour God.
1 Peter 4:1–11Main takeaway
Because of Christ, believers are called to leave sinful patterns behind and use their lives and gifts in ways that glorify God through Jesus Christ.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Armed with a new mindThe passage begins with Christ’s suffering and calls believers to “arm” themselves with the same mind.
Explanation
The passage begins with Christ’s suffering and calls believers to “arm” themselves with the same mind. This is a prepared way of thinking. The aim is no longer to live for human lusts, but for the will of God. These verses contrast two directions for life very clearly.
02A break from the old wayThese verses say enough time has already been spent in behaviours such as drunken binges and idolatries.
Explanation
These verses say enough time has already been spent in behaviours such as drunken binges and idolatries. When believers no longer join in those same excesses, others may find it strange and speak against them. Yet those people will give account to the one ready to judge the living and the dead.
03The Good News and God’s perspectiveVerse 6 says the Good News was preached even to the dead, and it speaks of being judged as people in the flesh yet living to God in the spirit.
Explanation
Verse 6 says the Good News was preached even to the dead, and it speaks of being judged as people in the flesh yet living to God in the spirit. The passage does not turn away from judgement, and it also points to life directed toward God.
04How to live as the end is nearBecause the end of all things is near, believers are told to be sound-minded, self-controlled and sober in prayer.
Explanation
Because the end of all things is near, believers are told to be sound-minded, self-controlled and sober in prayer. They are to be earnest in love, because love covers a multitude of sins, and they are to show hospitality to one another without grumbling.
05Using gifts for God’s gloryEach person who has received a gift is to use it in serving others as a manager of God’s varied grace.
Explanation
Each person who has received a gift is to use it in serving others as a manager of God’s varied grace. Speaking should be done as the very words of God, and serving with the strength God supplies, so that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What two ways of living are contrasted at the start of the passage?
Look for the difference between living for human lusts and living for the will of God.
02Why might believers be spoken against in this passage?
These verses say it happens when they no longer join others in the same excesses.
03According to the final verses, how should speaking and serving be done?
Notice both the source and the goal: God supplies what is needed, and God is to be glorified through Jesus Christ.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
1 Peter 4:1–11
1Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind; for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,
2that you no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
3For we have spent enough of our past time doing the desire of the Gentiles, and having walked in lewdness, lusts, drunken binges, orgies, carousings, and abominable idolatries.
4They think it is strange that you don’t run with them into the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you.
5They will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
6For to this end the Good News was preached even to the dead, that they might be judged indeed as men in the flesh, but live as to God in the spirit.
7But the end of all things is near. Therefore be of sound mind, self-controlled, and sober in prayer.
8And above all things be earnest in your love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins.
9Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.
10As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms.
11If anyone speaks, let it be as it were the very words of God. If anyone serves, let it be as of the strength which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.