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Suffering as Christians
Peter teaches Christians how to think about suffering that comes because they belong to Christ. This passage does not praise wrongdoing or pain itself. It explains how believers can respond when hardship tests them for doing good.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
These verses are part of a letter section that speaks directly to Christians facing a “fiery trial”, insults, and shame connected with the name of Christ. Peter contrasts suffering for Christ with suffering for wrongdoing, then urges believers to entrust themselves to God while continuing in good deeds.
1 Peter 4:12–19Main takeaway
Christians should not be surprised or ashamed when they suffer for the name of Christ, but should keep doing good and entrust themselves to God.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Do not treat testing as strangePeter begins by calling his readers “Beloved” and telling them not to be astonished by a “fiery trial”.
Explanation
Peter begins by calling his readers “Beloved” and telling them not to be astonished by a “fiery trial”. In this passage, that trial is something that has come to test them. He says they should not react as if something unusual has happened just because hardship has come.
02Suffering with Christ brings future joyInstead of shock, Peter tells believers to rejoice because they share in Christ’s sufferings.
Explanation
Instead of shock, Peter tells believers to rejoice because they share in Christ’s sufferings. He connects present suffering with future joy at the revelation of Christ’s glory. He also says that if they are insulted for the name of Christ, they are blessed, and God’s Spirit rests on them.
03Suffering for sin is differentPeter carefully separates Christian suffering from suffering caused by wrongdoing. He names murder, theft, evil doing, and meddling in other people’s matters.
Explanation
Peter carefully separates Christian suffering from suffering caused by wrongdoing. He names murder, theft, evil doing, and meddling in other people’s matters. If someone suffers as a Christian, however, that person should not be ashamed. Instead, Peter says to glorify God in that very matter.
04Judgment gives this warning weightPeter says the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God. He then asks what will happen to those who do not obey the Good News of God.
Explanation
Peter says the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God. He then asks what will happen to those who do not obey the Good News of God. The quoted line in verse 18 strengthens the seriousness of this warning by contrasting the righteous with the ungodly and sinner.
05Keep doing good and entrust yourself to GodThe passage ends with a practical response. Those who suffer according to the will of God are to keep doing good while entrusting their souls to him.
Explanation
The passage ends with a practical response. Those who suffer according to the will of God are to keep doing good while entrusting their souls to him. Peter describes God here as a faithful Creator, which gives a reason for steady trust while suffering continues.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What does Peter say Christians should avoid feeling when a fiery trial comes?
Look at the opening command and notice that Peter says this testing should not be treated as something strange or shocking.
02Which kinds of suffering does Peter reject, and which kind does he say should not bring shame?
Compare the list of wrong actions with the separate case of suffering “for being a Christian”.
03According to the final verse, what two actions should mark believers who suffer according to God’s will?
The verse pairs an outward pattern with an inward act of trust.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
1 Peter 4:12–19
12Beloved, don’t be astonished at the fiery trial which has come upon you to test you, as though a strange thing happened to you.
13But because you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice, that at the revelation of his glory you also may rejoice with exceeding joy.
14If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified.
15But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil doer, or a meddler in other men’s matters.
16But if one of you suffers for being a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this matter.
17For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God. If it begins first with us, what will happen to those who don’t obey the Good News of God?
18“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will happen to the ungodly and the sinner?”
19Therefore let them also who suffer according to the will of God in doing good entrust their souls to him, as to a faithful Creator.