Indeed, none of you should suffer as a murderer or thief or wrongdoer, or even as a meddler. Indeed, none of you should suffer as a murdererSuffering for violent crime brings deserved judgment, not the blessing promised to those persecuted for Christ. Murder violates God’s commandment in Exodus 20:13 and rejects the sanctity of human life made in His image. Jesus exposed the heart behind murder by condemning unrighteous anger, contempt, and hatred in Matthew 5:21–22. Believers must not answer hostility with violence but entrust judgment to God. Exo 20:13 You shall not murder.
Mat 5:21 You have heard that it was said to the ancients,…
1Jn 3:15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, …
or thief Theft also violates God’s law and destroys the trust required within families, churches, and communities. Rather than taking what belongs to another, Christians are called to labor honestly and give generously to those in need (Ephesians 4:28). The shared life of the Jerusalem church displayed the opposite of theft, as believers willingly provided for one another according to need (Acts 4:32–35). Exo 20:15 You shall not steal.
Eph 4:28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work…
Jhn 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.…
or wrongdoer, No form of evil conduct is compatible with a life that bears Christ’s name. Peter distinguishes persecution caused by faithful obedience from consequences brought on by sin. God’s people are to live visibly upright lives among unbelievers, silencing false accusations through honorable conduct and reflecting the holiness of the One who called them. 1Pe 2:12 Conduct yourselves with such honor among the Gentiles…
1Pe 2:14 or to governors as those sent by him to punish…
Rom 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad.…
or even as a meddler. Interfering in matters God has not entrusted to a person produces conflict, disorder, and needless reproach. Believers are instructed to live quietly, attend to their own responsibilities, and work faithfully (1 Thessalonians 4:11). The church’s witness is strengthened when its members pursue peace, serve one another humbly, and leave judgment and control in God’s hands. 2Th 3:11 For we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives…
1Ti 5:13 At the same time they will also learn to be idle…
Pro 26:17 Like one who grabs a dog by the ears is a passerby…
Persons / Places / Events 1. PeterThe apostle Peter, one of Jesus' closest disciples, is the author of this epistle. He writes to encourage and instruct Christians facing persecution. 2. Early ChristiansThe recipients of Peter's letter, likely scattered throughout Asia Minor, who were experiencing trials and suffering for their faith. 3. Roman EmpireThe broader context in which these Christians lived, where persecution and misunderstanding of Christian practices were common. 4. PersecutionThe event or situation that Peter addresses, where believers are suffering for their faith, but he distinguishes between suffering for righteousness and suffering for wrongdoing. Teaching Points Distinguishing SufferingChristians should discern the cause of their suffering. Suffering for Christ is honorable, but suffering due to sinful actions is not. Moral IntegrityBelievers are called to live with integrity, avoiding actions that would bring justifiable punishment or shame upon themselves and the name of Christ. Avoiding MeddlingChristians should focus on their own walk with God and avoid interfering in the affairs of others, which can lead to unnecessary conflict and suffering. Witness Through ConductOur behavior should reflect Christ, serving as a testimony to others, even in the face of persecution. Community AccountabilityThe church community should support one another in living righteously and hold each other accountable to avoid actions that lead to suffering for wrongdoing. Bible Study Questions 1. How can we ensure that our suffering is for the sake of Christ and not due to our own wrongdoing? 2. In what ways can we maintain moral integrity in a society that often opposes Christian values? 3. How does avoiding meddling in others' affairs help us maintain peace and a good testimony? 4. What practical steps can we take to support each other in the church community to live righteously? 5. How do the teachings in Romans 13:1-7 and James 4:11-12 complement Peter's message in 1 Peter 4:15? Connections to Other Scriptures Matthew 5:10-12Jesus speaks about the blessing of being persecuted for righteousness, which aligns with Peter's encouragement to suffer for doing good rather than evil. Romans 13:1-7Paul discusses the importance of submitting to governing authorities and living as law-abiding citizens, which complements Peter's warning against suffering as a wrongdoer. James 4:11-12James warns against speaking evil of one another and judging others, which relates to Peter's mention of suffering as a meddler. People PeterPlaces Asia, Bithynia, Cappadocia, Galatia, PontusTopics Business, Busybody, Busy-body, Criminal, Doer, Evil, Evildoer, Evil-doer, Indeed, Inspector, Kind, Matters, Meddler, Men's, Mischief-maker, Murderer, None, Over-interested, Overseer, People's, Punishment, Spy, Suffer, Suffers, Sure, Taker, Thief, Troublesome, Undergo, WrongdoerDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Peter 4:15 5318 fraud 1 Peter 4:12-16 1620 beatitudes, the
5115 Peter, preacher and teacher
8484 spiritual warfare, enemies 1 Peter 4:12-19 2425 gospel, requirements
8215 confidence, results 1 Peter 4:15-16 8730 enemies, of believers 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,JohnJune 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 Links 1 Peter 4:15 NIV1 Peter 4:15 NLT1 Peter 4:15 ESV1 Peter 4:15 NASB1 Peter 4:15 KJV
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