◄ 1 Peter 4:19 ►
So then, those who suffer according to God's will should entrust their souls to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
Study Bible
So then
This phrase serves as a conclusion or a summation of the preceding thoughts. In the context of 1 Peter 4, Peter has been discussing the reality of suffering for Christians. The Greek word "ὥστε" (hōste) indicates a logical result or consequence. It connects the reader to the previous verses, emphasizing that suffering is not random but has a divine purpose. Historically, early Christians faced persecution, and this phrase reassures them that their trials are part of a larger divine plan.

those who suffer
The Greek word for "suffer" is "πάσχω" (paschō), which means to experience pain or hardship. In the early church, suffering was a common experience due to persecution. This phrase acknowledges the reality of suffering in the Christian life, aligning with Jesus' teachings that His followers would face trials. It is a call to recognize suffering as a shared experience among believers, rooted in the historical context of the early church's struggles.

according to God’s will
This phrase highlights the sovereignty of God in the midst of suffering. The Greek word "θέλημα" (thelēma) refers to God's will or desire. It reassures believers that their suffering is not outside of God's control but is permitted by Him for a purpose. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative that God uses trials to refine and strengthen His people, as seen throughout Scripture.

should entrust
The Greek word "παρατίθημι" (paratithēmi) means to commit or to place something into the care of another. This is a call to faith and trust in God, even in the midst of suffering. It reflects a deep, personal decision to rely on God, echoing the trust that Jesus Himself demonstrated on the cross when He entrusted His spirit to the Father.

their souls
The term "ψυχή" (psychē) refers to the soul or life essence of a person. In biblical terms, the soul represents the whole being, encompassing both physical and spiritual aspects. This phrase emphasizes the importance of committing one's entire being to God, recognizing that He is the ultimate protector and sustainer of life.

to their faithful Creator
The word "πιστός" (pistos) means faithful or trustworthy, and "κτίστης" (ktistēs) refers to the Creator. This phrase underscores God's reliability and His role as the Creator of all things. It is a reminder of God's power and His intimate involvement in the lives of His creation. Historically, this would have been a comforting assurance to early Christians facing uncertainty and persecution.

and continue to do good
The Greek word "ἀγαθοποιέω" (agathopoieō) means to do good or to act rightly. This phrase encourages believers to persist in righteous living despite suffering. It reflects the Christian ethic of responding to evil with good, as taught by Jesus. In the historical context of the early church, this was a radical call to maintain integrity and witness through actions, even when facing hostility.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Peter
The apostle Peter, one of Jesus' closest disciples, is the author of this epistle. He writes to encourage and instruct believers facing persecution.

2. Early Christians
The recipients of Peter's letter, likely scattered throughout Asia Minor, who were experiencing suffering and persecution for their faith.

3. God
Referred to as the "faithful Creator," emphasizing His reliability and sovereignty over creation and the lives of believers.

4. Suffering
The context of the letter involves the suffering of Christians, which Peter frames as being "according to God’s will."

5. Faithful Creator
A title for God that underscores His trustworthiness and the believers' call to trust Him amidst trials.
Teaching Points
Trust in God's Sovereignty
Believers are called to entrust their souls to God, recognizing His control and purpose even in suffering.

Faithfulness in Adversity
Despite trials, Christians are encouraged to continue doing good, reflecting their trust in God's faithfulness.

Understanding Suffering
Suffering is not outside of God's will; it can be a means of spiritual growth and testimony to others.

God as Creator
Acknowledge God as the Creator who is faithful, which provides a foundation for trusting Him with our lives.

Perseverance in Good Works
The call to "continue to do good" emphasizes the importance of maintaining righteous actions, even when facing opposition.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding God as a "faithful Creator" impact your perspective on personal suffering?

2. In what ways can you actively entrust your soul to God during difficult times?

3. How does the concept of suffering "according to God’s will" challenge or comfort you in your current circumstances?

4. What are some practical ways you can "continue to do good" in the face of adversity, and how does this relate to Jesus' teachings in the Beatitudes?

5. How can the experiences of early Christians, as described by Peter, inspire you to remain steadfast in your faith today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
James 1:2-4
This passage also addresses the theme of suffering, encouraging believers to consider trials as opportunities for growth and perseverance.

Romans 8:28
Paul speaks about God working all things for the good of those who love Him, which aligns with Peter's message of trusting God amidst suffering.

Matthew 5:10-12
Jesus' teaching on the Beatitudes includes a blessing for those who are persecuted for righteousness, echoing Peter's encouragement to continue doing good.
Sermons
The Sufferer's Wisdom and PeaceA. Maclaren 1 Peter 4:19
Fiery Trial Among the ChristiansR. Finlayson 1 Peter 4:12-19
The Joyous Aspect of Suffering for Christ a Help to Persecuted ChristiansC. New 1 Peter 4:12-19
Suffering, Shameful and GloriousU.R. Thomas 1 Peter 4:15-19
The Character and Privileges of a ChristianJ. Parsons.1 Peter 4:16-19
The Christian DescribedW. Jay.1 Peter 4:16-19
The Pious Sufferer Exhorted to Glorify GodSketches of Four Hundred Sermons1 Peter 4:16-19
The Two-Fold SorrowE. J. Hardy, M. A.1 Peter 4:16-19
A Faithful CreatorW. Braden.1 Peter 4:17-19
A Solemn AppealThe Christian Magazine1 Peter 4:17-19
Afflictions Amongst the People of GodJohn Rogers.1 Peter 4:17-19
Difficulties in the PursuitR. Hall, M. A.1 Peter 4:17-19
God's FaithfulnessNewman Smyth.1 Peter 4:17-19
God's Judgment of the WorldHomilist1 Peter 4:17-19
If So -- What ThenC. H. Spurgeon.1 Peter 4:17-19
Judgment Beginning At the House of GodJ. Trapp.1 Peter 4:17-19
Judgments of GraceJ. P. Lange.1 Peter 4:17-19
Salvation Difficult to the ChristianC. G. Finney.1 Peter 4:17-19
Saved with DifficultyD. A. Clark.1 Peter 4:17-19
Scarcely SavedW. L. Watkinson.1 Peter 4:17-19
The Christian's Duty Under TrialsThe Lay Preacher1 Peter 4:17-19
The Church's VisitationR. Sibbes.1 Peter 4:17-19
The Church's VisitationR. Sibbes.1 Peter 4:17-19
The Criminality and the Consequences of UnbeliefJ. Alexander.1 Peter 4:17-19
The Difficulties of SalvationAbp. Leighton.1 Peter 4:17-19
The Difficulties that are to be Encountered in the Way of SalvationBp. Stillingfleet.1 Peter 4:17-19
The Difficulty of SalvationC. H. Coleman.1 Peter 4:17-19
The Difficulty of SalvationR. Sibbes.1 Peter 4:17-19
The End of the DisobedientHomilist1 Peter 4:17-19
The End of the UngodlyPryce Thomas.1 Peter 4:17-19
The Faithful CreatorJ. C. Finlayson.1 Peter 4:17-19
The Keeping of the SoulThe Evangelist1 Peter 4:17-19
The Righteous Scarcely SavedT. De Witt Talmage.1 Peter 4:17-19
The Righteous Scarcely Saved, and the Misery of the WickedJ. Sedgfield.1 Peter 4:17-19
The Saint's Hiding Place in the Evil DayR. Sibbes.1 Peter 4:17-19
The Salvation of the Righteous DifficultT. Hannam.1 Peter 4:17-19
The Salvation of the Sinner ImpossibleC. H. Coleman.1 Peter 4:17-19
The Sin and Danger of not Obeying the GospelPulpit Studies1 Peter 4:17-19
The Soul's RefugeT. Adams.1 Peter 4:17-19
The Support of Good Men Under Their Sufferings for ReligionAbp. Tillotson.1 Peter 4:17-19
The Ultimate Destiny of the WickedHomilist1 Peter 4:17-19
The Ungodly's MiseryR. Sibbes.1 Peter 4:17-19
Tranquillity in SufferingAbp. Leighton.1 Peter 4:17-19
What is the Doom of Those Who Die ImpenitentA. G. Brown.1 Peter 4:17-19
Why God Will have the Righteous with Such Difficulty SavedR. Sibbes.1 Peter 4:17-19
People
Peter
Places
Asia, Bithynia, Cappadocia, Galatia, Pontus
Topics
Accordance, Commit, Continue, Creator, Entrust, Faithful, God's, Hands, Keeping, Maker, Punishment, Purpose, Reason, Safe, Souls, Stedfast, Suffer, Suffering, Themselves, Undergo, Well-doing, Wherefore
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Peter 4:19

     1175   God, will of
     5436   pain
     5565   suffering, of believers
     8027   faith, testing of
     8251   faithfulness, to God
     8442   good works
     8459   perseverance
     8792   oppression, God's attitude

1 Peter 4:12-19

     2425   gospel, requirements
     8215   confidence, results

1 Peter 4:18-19

     5115   Peter, preacher and teacher

Library
Christian Asceticism
'Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin. 2. That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 3. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: 4. Wherein they think it …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John

June the Twenty-Sixth Crucifying the Flesh
"Arm yourselves likewise with the same mind." --1 PETER iv. 1-8. Let not the body be dominant, but the soul. Let me study the example and counsel of the Apostle Paul. "I keep my body under." Literally, I pummel it! If it is obtrusive and aggressive, its appetites clamouring for supremacy, I pummel it! Paul was not afraid of severe measures where carnality was concerned. He would fast a whole day in order to put the flesh in its place. And so should it be with all the Lord's children. We are …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

Personal Experience
In conclusion I desire to add my humble testimony of a personal experience of the glorious work of entire sanctification. At the age of seventeen years I was converted. All who were acquainted with me had no reason to doubt the genuine, inwrought grace of pardon and the new life which at once began to bring forth fruit unto God. But the one to whom this mighty change seemed the most marvelous was myself. My poor soul, which for several years had been held under the terrible bondage and darkness of …
J. W. Byers—Sanctification

The Old Man and the New.
"That we being dead unto sin should live unto righteousness."--1 Peter iv. 24. The Psalmist sings: "They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God." (Psalm lxxxiv. 7) We must maintain this glorious testimony, altho our own experience often seems to contradict it. Not experience, but the Scripture, teaches us divine truth; nor is it as tho the procedure of the divine operation in our own heart could differ from the testimony of the Sacred Scripture, but that our …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Man's Chief End
Q-I: WHAT IS THE CHIEF END OF MAN? A: Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever. Here are two ends of life specified. 1: The glorifying of God. 2: The enjoying of God. I. The glorifying of God, I Pet 4:4: That God in all things may be glorified.' The glory of God is a silver thread which must run through all our actions. I Cor 10:01. Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.' Everything works to some end in things natural and artificial; …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

A Battle with Smallpox
Soon after we began work in the city, my brother George went out to assist in a meeting at Edgewood, Iowa. A mother desired prayer for her little girl, so my brother and another minister laid hands on her and prayed for her healing. The mother said that some one thought her child was taking smallpox, but that she was sure it was a mistake. The ministers saw a few little pimples on the child's lip and asked her if the same breaking-out was on other parts of her body. The mother's answer was, "None …
Mary Cole—Trials and Triumphs of Faith

A Nickname Accepted
'The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch' --ACTS xi. 26. Nations and parties, both political and religious, very often call themselves by one name, and are known to the outside world by another. These outside names are generally given in contempt; and yet they sometimes manage to hit the very centre of the characteristics of the people on whom they are bestowed, and so by degrees get to be adopted by them, and worn as an honour. So it has been with the name 'Christian.' It was given …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

Of Avoiding of Curious Inquiry into the Life of Another
"My Son, be not curious, nor trouble thyself with vain cares. What is that to thee? Follow thou Me.(1) For what is it to thee whether a man be this or that, or say or do thus or thus? Thou hast no need to answer for others, but thou must give an answer for thyself. Why therefore dost thou entangle thyself? Behold, I know all men, and I behold all things which are done under the sun; and I know how it standeth with each one, what he thinketh, what he willeth, and to what end his thoughts reach. …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

Some Other Writers of the New Testament
[Illustration: (drop cap L) Ancient engraving of man reading scroll] Let us now look at the rest of the books which make up the New Testament. In the days when Paul preached at Athens, the old capital of Greece, much of the ancient splendour and power of the Greek people had passed away, for the Romans had conquered their country, and they were no longer a free nation. Yet, although the Greeks had been forced to yield to Rome, their conquerors knew that the Grecian scholars and artists were far …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making

John Bunyan on the Terms of Communion and Fellowship of Christians at the Table of the Lord;
COMPRISING I. HIS CONFESSION OF FAITH, AND REASON OF HIS PRACTICE; II. DIFFERENCES ABOUT WATER BAPTISM NO BAR TO COMMUNION; AND III. PEACEABLE PRINCIPLES AND TRUE[1] ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. Reader, these are extraordinary productions that will well repay an attentive perusal. It is the confession of faith of a Christian who had suffered nearly twelve years' imprisonment, under persecution for conscience sake. Shut up with his Bible, you have here the result of a prayerful study of those holy …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Wilderness State
"Ye now have sorrow: But I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you." John 16:22. 1. After God had wrought a great deliverance for Israel, by bringing them out of the house of bondage, they did not immediately enter into the land which he had promised to their fathers; but "wandered out of the way in the wilderness," and were variously tempted and distressed. In like manner, after God has delivered them that fear him from the bondage of sin and Satan; …
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions

Of the Power of the Church in Articles of Faith. The Unbridled Licence of the Papal Church in Destroying Purity of Doctrine.
1. The marks and government of the Church having been considered in the seven previous chapters, the power of the Church is now considered under three heads--viz. Doctrine, Legislation, Jurisdiction. 2. The authority and power given to Church-officers not given to themselves, but their office. This shown in the case of Moses and the Levitical priesthood. 3. The same thing shown in the case of the Prophets. 4. Same thing shown in the case of the Apostles, and of Christ himself. 5. The Church astricted …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

The Disciple, -- what is the Meaning and Purpose of the Cross...
The Disciple,--What is the meaning and purpose of the cross, and why do pain and suffering exist in the world? The Master,--1. The cross is the key to heaven. At the moment when by My baptism I took the cross upon My shoulders for the sake of sinners, heaven was opened, and by means of My thirty-three years bearing of the cross and by death upon it, heaven, which by reason of sin was closed to believers, was for ever opened to them. Now as soon as believers take up their cross and follow Me they …
Sadhu Sundar Singh—At The Master's Feet

Seasonable Counsel: Or, Advice to Sufferers.
BY JOHN BUNYAN. London: Printed for Benjamin Alsop, at the Angel and Bible in the Poultry, 1684. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. THIS valuable treatise was first published in a pocket volume in 1684, and has only been reprinted in Whitfield's edition of Bunyan's works, 2 vols. folio, 1767. No man could have been better qualified to give advice to sufferers for righteousness' sake, than John Bunyan: and this work is exclusively devoted to that object. Shut up in a noisome jail, under the iron hand of …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

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