1 Peter 4:12-19 (NKJV) Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.
17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 Now
“If the righteous one is scarcely saved,
Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?”
19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.
V12 “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you…” Peter is offering encouragement for the suffering saints. “We are in this together. It was expected.” See John 15:20.
V13 “…but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.” We don’t rejoice in suffering. We rejoice because we identify with our savior who suffered. We suffer together. Many hate Jesus and to show their hate, they kill, persecute, mock, etc. They are very creative. When we see Jesus (Rapture), we will rejoice and have many blessings. When the world sees Jesus at His Second Coming, all will see His glory and the beginning of Israel’s Millennial blessings along with all believers of all ages. We will be blessed. Those who refused God’s blessings by not believing in Jesus alone for salvation, will never have blessings of all kind ever.
V14 “If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.” The Greek word for “reproached” is (G3679) ὀνειδίζω oneidizō, which means (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Abridged – Little Kittel)) “This word means ‘to upbraid,’ ‘to revile,’ ‘to bring reproaches or complaints.’ In the Psalms enemies revile God, Israel, the righteous, etc. Jesus has authority to reproach in Mt. 11:20 (cf. Mk. 16:14). In his passion, however, he himself is reviled (Mk. 15:32). The disciples will be reviled too (Mt. 5:11).”
Matthew 5:10 NKJV – Blessed [are] those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Compare Revelation 6:9 and Revelation 12:11. It is a glorious thing to honor God in life, suffering, or death. May we all have a similar testimony as our Lord Jesus (John 17:4). (Dictionary of Bible Themes) “Means of glorifying God
- By praising God Rev 4:11; 7:12 See also Lk 2:13; Ro 11:33-36; 16:27; Heb 13:20-21; 1Pe 4:11; 2Pe 3:18; Jude 25
- By living for God 1Co 10:31 See also Ro 4:20; 1Co 6:20; 2Th 1:11-12; 1Pe 4:10-13
- By doing good works and bearing fruit Jn 15:8; Php 1:9-11 See also Mt 5:16; Gal 5:22-26; Heb 13:20-21; 1Pe 2:12.”
V15 “But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters.” Suffering for our testimony of and for Jesus is blessed. There are no blessings from God if we kill, steal, do evil, or commit sexual sins.
V16 “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.” We are not to be ashamed. (Holman Commentary) “One commentator puts it in these words: “The effect of persecution is to show up in the church those who really believe and are prepared to stand firm and those who do not really believe and so fall away when under trial. This judgment also purifies the true believers, encouraging them not to commit shameful acts” (Marshall, 156).”
V17 “For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?” The judgment to the house of God (family) is the Bema Seat judgment which is for Christians’ rewards, not judgment about salvation. See Romans 14:10-12, 1 Corinthians 3:10–4:5, and 2 Corinthians 5:1-10. The Bema Seat judgment happens after the Rapture. The judgment of the ungodly happens over 1,000 years later at the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15).
Other’s opinions:
(Beliver’s Bible Commentary)
“The house of God refers to the church. During this age, the church is undergoing judgment by the unbelieving world. Believers are experiencing their sufferings now, just as Jesus did when He was on earth.
“If that is so, what will be the fate of those who do not obey the gospel of God? If Christians suffer now for doing good, what will the unsaved suffer in eternity for all their ungodly deeds?”
Dr Henry M. Morris in Defender’s Bible Notes:
“Christians will have been judged before the unsaved are judged, either by (1) confession now (1Co 11:31; 1Jn 1:9); (2) chastening now (1Co 11:32; Heb 12:5-11); (3) physical death (1Co 11:30; 1Co 5:3-5; 1Jn 5:16); or (4) loss at the judgment seat of Christ (2Co 5:10; Rom 14:10-13; 1Co 3:11-15). Over a thousand years after the judgment seat of Christ, the unsaved will be brought before God’s great white throne of judgment to be judged according to their works, and, therefore, cast into the lake of fire (Rev 20:11-15).”
V18 “Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” This is a quote from Proverbs 11:31. My rendering: “If the righteous are saved with difficulty, where will the ungodly and sinner be seen?” The sufferings of believers in this life might be ever so severe but limited. The suffering of unbelievers in this life is nothing compared to their eternal torment. Judgment is for everlasting conscious torment in the Lake of Fire (Matthew 25:46 and Daniel 12:2).
(IVP Background Commentary): “Peter proves his case in 1Pe 4:17 by citing the Septuagint of Pro 11:31, which may reflect what had become the prevailing Jewish conception by Peter’s day, that the righteous suffered in this life, but the wicked suffered in the world to come.”
V19 “Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.” A summary for the believer’s encouragement. When persecuted we commit our souls to Our God to do good. God is faithful. Matthew 10:28 NKJV – “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
We learn:
- Suffering is common for Christians
- Suffering is only in this life for Christians
- Suffering never ends for the non-Christian