1 Peter 4:14 - Printer Friendly

ESV: If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

NIV: If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

NASB: If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory, and of God, rests upon you.

CSB: If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

NLT: If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: 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.

Peter personally heard Jesus explain the idea he presents here (Matthew 5:11). Previously, Peter urged Christians to rejoice when suffering for Christ. They will rejoice when Christ's glory is revealed, to the extent that they have shared in His sufferings. Now Peter reminds Christians that it is a privilege—they are "blessed"—to be allowed to be insulted for Christ's name. Humans might insult you, but God's Spirit rests upon you. That fact is worth rejoicing.

It is a question of how Christians choose to see the reality of their circumstances. We can say, "I am being insulted because I am a Christian; this is a bad day. My life is off track. Where is God?" Or we can say, "I am being insulted because I am a Christian. What a blessing to be so closely identified with Christ that the world treats me the same way it treated Him. This is exactly what my life is for!"

It's not about taking on a falsely spiritual attitude; it's about correcting our perspective in the moment of suffering to fit our actual beliefs about who we are in Christ.

1 Peter 4:12–19 reminds Christians not to be surprised even by fiery suffering, but instead to see sharing in Christ’s afflictions as something worth rejoicing in. We will be glad when Christ’s glory is ultimately revealed, and we are currently blessed because God’s Spirit is with us. At the same time, we get no credit for the penalties of our own criminal or evil choices, or for retaliating against those who hurt us. When we're persecuted for doing good, God is able to ''judge'' His people, to strengthen our faith in Him. He will judge much more severely all those who reject faith in Christ.

Peter continues to describe how Christians should respond when faced with persecution: Take on Christ’s attitude, and expect God’s purpose for your life to include suffering. Set the course of your life away from mind-numbing pleasure seeking. Be alert so that you can pray effectively in these end times. In fact, rejoice if you share in Christ’s sufferings. God uses suffering to refine the faith of His people, and our present suffering contributes to future glory. If you suffer, keep doing good while trusting your soul to your Creator.

Peter’s letter to Christians is about how to live in the world while suffering for faith in Christ. Thus far, he has assured Christians that their future is secure with God. We are His holy people, set apart for His purposes. Christians are called to live in submission to every human authority. Now in chapter 4, Peter writes that we should take Jesus’ attitude toward suffering and expect it in this life, avoiding mind-numbing sin while loving each other earnestly. God may use suffering in this life to refine our faith, but the end of all things is near.

Some 30 years after the resurrection of Jesus, Christians are facing greater persecution for their faith. How should they respond? How should we respond to suffering today? The apostle Peter writes this letter both to comfort believers and to encourage them to stay strong. He urges them to put all their hope in their perfect future with Christ, and to obey and trust Him in the present, even in their suffering. Christ suffered greatly; now the Christ-followers have the opportunity to follow Him even in this, showing His grace and power in their hopefulness, obedience, and faith.

Accessed 11/21/2024 10:36:57 AM