1 Peter 4:19 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Therefore let those who suffer according to God 's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

NIV: So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

NASB: Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God are to entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.

CSB: So then, let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator while doing what is good.

NLT: So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

How should Christians respond to suffering in this life, especially to suffering we experience for being identified with Jesus? Peter sums up much of his answer to that question in this one verse.

First, we must understand that sometimes it is God's will for us to suffer. So far, Peter has revealed that God may use our hopefulness in the face of hardship to point others to faith in Christ. He may use our struggles for Christ's glory. And He may use suffering as a kind of discipline to grow our faith in Him.

So, understanding that we may experience difficult times as a part of God's will, God calls us to entrust our souls to Him, our faithful and trustworthy Creator. This is a declaration to ourselves, and the world around us, that we will not wait for circumstances to improve before we call God good. We will believe that our good God is caring for us through our suffering and into the glory of eternity.

We trust our souls to the One who created our souls and everything else. Nobody is more worthy of our trust. So what should we do now, while waiting for that day, even as we may suffer? What is the evidence that we are trusting Him? We give evidence to the world by doing good. Nothing speaks more powerfully of our faith in God through Christ than to continue to do good even as we suffer. When we choose not to spend our energy seeking revenge, or mind-numbing pleasure, we demonstrate that we are indeed a holy people set apart by God for His purposes.

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.