1 Peter 4
What Happens in This Chapter
Peter tells his readers to think the way Christ did, because Christ suffered in his body. He says to leave their old way of living behind, and to love each other, welcome each other, and use their gifts to help. Then he tells them not to be surprised by the hard times testing them, but to be glad they share in Christ's suffering. He ends by saying judging begins with God's own family, and that those who suffer as God wills should keep doing good and trust their Creator.
Plain reading written for kids. Short sentences, everyday words, one idea at a time.
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;
1Christ suffered in his body. So get your mind ready in the same way. Anyone who has suffered in the body is finished with sin.
2That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
2Then he does not spend the rest of his life doing what people want. He lives to do what God wants.
3For 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:
3You already spent enough time living the way other people did. You joined wild parties. You wanted bad things. You drank too much. You worshiped idols, which are statues people pray to instead of God.
4Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
4Now they think it is odd that you do not join their wild living. So they say mean things about you.
5Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.
5But they will have to explain themselves to God. He is ready to judge everyone living and everyone who has died.
"The quick and the dead" is old English for "the living and the dead." Quick used to mean alive.
6For 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.
6That is why the good news was told even to people who have now died. Their bodies were judged the way all people are judged. But in their spirits they live with God.
7But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
7The end of everything is close. So keep a clear head. Stay calm so you can pray.
"Sober" here means having a clear, steady mind. It is not only about drinking.
8And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
8Most of all, love each other deeply. Love covers over many, many sins.
"Charity" in 1611 English meant love, not giving money to the poor.
9Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
9Welcome each other into your homes. Do it without grumbling.
10As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
10God has given each of you a gift. Use it to help each other. You are taking care of God's many kind gifts.
11If 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.
11If you speak, speak the words God gives. If you help, help with the strength God gives. Then God is honored in everything, through Jesus Christ. Honor and power belong to him forever and ever. Amen.
12Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
12Dear friends, hard times are testing you like fire tests metal. Do not be surprised. This is not something odd happening to you.
13But 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.
13Instead, be glad. You are sharing in what Christ suffered. When his glory is shown, you will be full of joy.
14If 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.
14People may say mean things about you because you belong to Christ. Then you are happy. God's Spirit, full of glory, rests on you. They speak against him, but you give him honor.
15But 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.
15None of you should suffer for doing wrong. Do not kill. Do not steal. Do not do harm. Do not stick your nose into other people's business.
16Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
16But if you suffer because you are a Christian, a follower of Jesus, do not be ashamed. Give God honor that you carry that name.
17For 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?
17It is time for God's judging to start with God's own family. If it starts with us, what will happen to people who will not obey God's good news?
18And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
18If it is hard even for good people to be saved, what will happen to people who ignore God and do wrong?
19Wherefore 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.
19So if you suffer because that is what God wants, keep doing good. Put your life safely in God's hands. He made you, and he can be trusted.
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