1 Peter · 19 verses
1 Peter 4
Every verse links to the people and places named in it, and to the passages readers connect it with.
The chapter
What happens here
Atlas's own reading, written from this chapter and nothing else, and published only once a person has approved it. Each scene names the verses it covers; the names inside it link to the people and places they name.
A murderer, a thief, a wrongdoer—and then, with the quiet little word “even”, a meddler. The chapter offers no explanation for the sudden change of scale.
A different use of the remaining timevv. 1–11
Christ’s suffering supplies the chapter’s opening resolve: those who have suffered in the body are described as done with sin, and their remaining time is no longer spent on human passions but on God’s will. The old catalogue is impressively crowded—debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry—and the Gentiles cannot understand why anyone would decline to plunge back into that flood. Their abuse is not the final accounting; that belongs to the one ready to judge the living and the dead. Even the gospel’s relation to the dead is left intriguingly spare: it was preached to those who are now dead, without saying whether death came before or after the preaching. Then the end of all things is announced as near, followed by prayer, deep love, hospitality without complaint, and the careful use of whatever gift has been received. Speech and service are both to become channels of God’s provision, ending in glory through Jesus Christ.
The fiery trial and the meddlervv. 12–19
The fiery trial is not to be treated as an odd interruption, but neither is every kind of suffering given the same dignity. Murderer, thief, wrongdoer—and, rather wonderfully abruptly, meddler—form the forbidden list. Suffering as a Christian is something else: no shame attaches to the name, and insult brings the blessing of the Spirit of glory and of God resting on the sufferer. Judgment begins with the family of God, leaving the chapter to ask what becomes of those who disobey the gospel. A hard question follows about the righteous, the ungodly, and the sinner; the final movement is quiet by comparison, entrusting souls to a faithful Creator while continuing to do good.
The text
Read it
Berean Standard Bible, public domain. Names the Hebrew and Greek put in the verse link to the person, place or people they name; the address beside each verse is a link to that verse, which is what a reader copies and shares.
1 Pet 4:1Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourselves with the same resolve, because anyone who has suffered in his body is done with sin.
1 Pet 4:2Consequently, he does not live out his remaining time on earth for human passions, but for the will of God.
1 Pet 4:3For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles: living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry.
1 Pet 4:4Because of this, they consider it strange of you not to plunge with them into the same flood of reckless indiscretion, and they heap abuse on you.
1 Pet 4:5But they will have to give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
1 Pet 4:6That is why the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged as men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
1 Pet 4:7The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and sober, so that you can pray.
1 Pet 4:8Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
1 Pet 4:9Show hospitality to one another without complaining.
1 Pet 4:10As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another.
1 Pet 4:11If anyone speaks, he should speak as one conveying the words of God. If anyone serves, he should serve with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
1 Pet 4:12Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you.
1 Pet 4:13But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory.
1 Pet 4:14If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
1 Pet 4:15Indeed, none of you should suffer as a murderer or thief or wrongdoer, or even as a meddler.
1 Pet 4:16But if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but glorify God that you bear that name.
1 Pet 4:17For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God?
1 Pet 4:18And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
1 Pet 4:19So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should entrust their souls to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
02 — Read alongside
Where this is echoed
Readers' own connections, from OpenBible's crowd-voted cross-references — agreement about relevance, and not scholarly confidence. 395 passages were voted onto 19 verses of this chapter; the 16 shown lead on votes, and each is listed at the verse it was voted onto most strongly.
- 8Proverbs 10:12Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers all transgressions.
- 8Colossians 3:14And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.
- 8Proverbs 17:9Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but he who brings it up separates friends.
- 10Romans 12:6–8We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith;
- 101 Corinthians 12:4–11There are different gifts, but the same Spirit.
- 18Proverbs 11:31If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!
- 122 Timothy 3:12Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
- 7James 5:8–9You, too, be patient and strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near.
- 121 Peter 1:6–7In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials
- 1Galatians 5:24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
- 8James 5:20consider this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
- 81 Peter 1:22Since you have purified your souls by obedience to the truth so that you have a genuine love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from a pure heart.
- 71 Peter 1:13Therefore prepare your minds for action. Be sober-minded. Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
- 121 Peter 5:9Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.
- 81 Corinthians 13:1–1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal.
- 101 Corinthians 4:1–2So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
Onward