This chapter is about being good stewards of God’s grace.
1Pet.4 and verse 1 reads.
1Pet.4:1] 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.
Strengthen yourself with the Spirit of God. Let’s go to John 1:13 and it reads.
John 1:13] Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
With Gods will we can be used for his purpose. Back to 1Pet.4 and verse 3 reads.
1Pet.4:3] 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:
Once we also worked these sins in the flesh.
1Pet.4:4] Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
But once you come to the Lord, they won’t understand and speak evil of you.
1Pet.4:5] Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.
Who can stand before God, who judges between the living and the dead, this is speaking about those who are spiritually dead.
1Pet.4:6] For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
1Peter 3:19, Jesus went to those in prison (the other side of the gulf) while he was yet in the tomb. And many believed in him and were saved. And in 2Peter 3:9 it is written “Not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance”.
1Pet.4:7] But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
Peter is not talking about the end times here he is talking about the end of the Old and beginning of the New Covenant. Let’s go to 1John 2:7-8 and it reads.
1John 2:7] Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.
[8] Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.
The dispensation of Salvation has come into the world at the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, that on repentance we have forgiveness of sins. Back to 1Pet.4 and verse 8 reads.
1Pet.4:8] And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
Check out this word fervent, it is G1618 and means; to do with intent and earnestly. Charity, we know is love, should be easier to understand if it said “with earnest love among yourselves, for your love of others will cover a multitude of sins.”
1Pet.4:9] Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
Simply put, don’t complain to others when you help another.
1Pet.4:10] As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Gifts are given by God. Manifold means to make known. His grace is his love. When the Lord gives us gifts, some to be teachers and others evangelists and so on. What this means is the Lord has given you a gift to share with others. This was the reason God gave it to you. Let’s go to Mat.25:15-18 and it reads.
Mat.25:15] And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
[16] Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
[17] And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
[18] But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.
Each man received from the Lord according to his ability. Apparently the one who received one talent didn’t want to work for the Lord, what do you think will happen with him? Mat.25:19 continues.
Mat.25:19] After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
[20] And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
[21] His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
[22] He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
[23] His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Both of them did exactly what the Lord knew they could handle, and received what I hope all of us hear, “Well done my good and faithful servant”. Now about this other who refused to work for the Lord, let’s continue.
Mat.25:24] Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:
We are to plant the seeds, others will water, but the Lord only can make it grow.
Mat.25:25] And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
[26] His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:
[27] Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
[28] Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
[29] For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
[30] And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
I hope you can understand the love and compassion the Lord has for all. He only gives to those that can work, if you are not a doer of his word after he has given eyes to see then he will cast you out into the darkness with the others. Back to 1Pet.4 and verse 11 reads.
1Pet.4:11] If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Teach what God has given to you, when you do this, he will give more. Do this in Jesus’s name for the LORD.
1Pet.4:12] Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
[13] But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
[14] If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
Let’s go to 1Cor.10:13 and it reads.
1Cor.10:13] There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Back to 1Pet.4 and verse 15 reads.
1Pet.4:15] But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.
These are against the Lord and his commandments. We are to be doers of his commandments.
1Pet.4:16] Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
Jesus told us to pick up our cross and follow him. Mat.16:24, but gave us a warning in Mat.10:38 and it reads.
Mat.10:38] And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
Back to 1Pet.4 and verse 17 reads.
1Pet.4:17] For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
My favorite verse in this book. Judgement begins at the pulpit, a dire warning to false teachers. To those false teachers, pick up a King James version and read Ezekiel chapter 13.
1Pet.4:18] And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
Let’s go to Prov.11 and read verse 31.
Prov.11:31] Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.
Our rewards are in heaven, but our blessings are here on earth. Back to 1Pet.4 and verse 19 reads.
1Pet.4:19] Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
We can hang tough for this flesh is but temporal but our souls are for the eternal. Great chapter let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible