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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; 4:2 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.
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: 4:4
Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same
excess of
riot, speaking evil of you: 4:5 Who shall give account to
him that is ready to judge
the quick and the dead.
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.
4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore
sober, and
watch unto
prayer.
4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for
charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
4:9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
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.
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.
4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is
to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 4:13 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.
4:14 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.
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.
4:16 Yet if any man suffer as a
Christian, let him not be ashamed; but
let him glorify God on this behalf.
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? 4:18 And if the
righteous scarcely be
saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 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.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to:
1 Peter
Book: 1 Peter
Chapter: 4
Overview:
The consideration of
Christ's sufferings is urged for purity
and
Holiness.
(1-6) And the approaching
End of the Jewish state,
as a reason for sobriety, watchfulness, and
Prayer.
(7-11)
Believers encouraged to rejoice and
Glory in reproaches and
sufferings for
Christ, and to commit their souls to the care of
a
Faithful God.
(12-19)
1-6 The strongest and best arguments against
Sin, are taken
from the sufferings of
Christ. He died to destroy
Sin; and
though he cheerfully submitted to the worst sufferings, yet he
never gave way to the least
Sin. Temptations could not prevail,
were it not for
Man's own corruption; but true Christians make
the will of
God, not their own
Lust or desires, the rule of
their lives and actions. And true
Conversion makes a marvellous
change in the
Heart and
Life. It alters the mind,
Judgment,
affections, and
Conversation. When a
Man is truly converted, it
is very grievous to him to think how the time past of his
Life
has been spent. One
Sin draws
On another. Six sins are here
mentioned which have dependence one upon another. It is a
Christian's duty, not only to keep from gross wickedness, but
also from things that lead to
Sin, or appear evil. The
Gospel
had been preached to those since dead, who
By the proud and
Carnal Judgment of wicked men were condemned as evil-doers, some
even suffering
Death. But being quickened to Divine
Life By the
Holy
Spirit, they lived to
God as his devoted servants. Let not
believers care, though the world scorns and reproaches them.
7-11 The
Destruction of the Jewish
Church and nation, foretold
By our
Saviour, was very near. And the speedy approach of
Death
and
Judgment concerns all, to which these words naturally lead
our minds. Our approaching
End, is a powerful argument to make
us sober in all worldly matters, and
Earnest in religion. There
are
So many things amiss in all, that unless
Love covers,
excuses, and forgives in others, the mistakes and faults for
which every one needs the forbearance of others,
Satan will
prevail to stir up divisions and discords. But we are not to
suppose that
Charity will cover or make amends for the sins of
those who
Exercise it,
So as to induce
God to forgive them. The
nature of a
Christian's work, which is high work and hard work,
the
Goodness of the Master, and the excellence of the reward,
all require that our endeavours should be serious and
Earnest.
And in all the duties and services of
Life, we should aim at the
Glory of
God as our chief
End. He is a miserable, unsettled
wretch, who cleaves to himself, and forgets
God; is only
perplexed about his credit, and gain, and base ends, which are
often broken, and which, when he attains, both he and they must
shortly perish together. But he who has given up himself and his
all to
God, may say confidently that the
Lord is his portion;
and nothing but
Glory through
Christ Jesus, is solid and
lasting; that abideth for ever.
12-19 By patience and fortitude in suffering,
By dependence
On
the promises of
God, and keeping to the
Word the Holy
Spirit
hath revealed, the Holy
Spirit is glorified; but
By the contempt
and reproaches cast upon believers, he is evil spoken of, and is
blasphemed. One would think such cautions as these were needless
to Christians. But their enemies falsely charged them with foul
crimes. And even the best of men need to be warned against the
worst of sins. There is
No comfort in sufferings, when we bring
them upon ourselves
By our own
Sin and folly. A time of
universal calamity was at
Hand, as foretold
By our
Saviour, Mt
24:9,10. And if such things befall in this
Life, how awful will
the
Day of
Judgment be! It is true that the righteous are
scarcely saved; even those who endeavour to walk uprightly in
the ways of
God. This does not mean that the purpose and
performance of
God are uncertain, but only the great
difficulties and hard encounters in the way; that they go
through
So many temptations and tribulations,
So many fightings
without and fears within. Yet all outward difficulties would be
as nothing, were it not for lusts and corruptions within. These
are the worst clogs and troubles. And if the way of the
righteous be
So hard, then how hard shall be the
End of the
ungodly sinner, who walks in
Sin with delight, and thinks the
righteous is a fool for all his pains! The only way to keep the
soul
Well, is, to commit it to
God By Prayer, and patient
perseverance in
Well-doing. He will overrule all to the final
advantage of the believer.