Persevering in Suffering and Entrusting Oneself to God
1 Peter 4:12-19
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1Pet.4.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Αγαπητοι: ADJ,voc,pl,m
- μη: PART
- ξενιζεσθε: VERB,pres,mid/pass,imp,2,pl
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- πυρωσει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- προς: PREP
- πειρασμον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- γινομενη: VERB,pres,mid/pass,part,dat,sg,f
- ως: ADV
- ξενου: ADJ,gen,sg,m
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- συμβαινοντος: VERB,pres,act,part,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- 1 Peter 1:6-7 (verbal): Same author uses closely related language—trials as a testing that refines faith 'more precious than gold' and is tested by fire; directly parallels the 'fiery trial' imagery.
- James 1:2-4 (thematic): Calls believers to count trials as joy because testing produces steadfastness and maturity—same theological purpose for suffering and testing as in 1 Pet 4:12.
- Isaiah 48:10 (allusion): OT background of refining in a furnace ('tested you in the furnace of affliction')—provides the prophetic imagery underlying New Testament language of testing by fire.
- 1 Corinthians 3:13 (verbal): Uses fire as the means of testing works at the Day of Judgment—echoes the motif of fire revealing and testing what is genuine.
- Romans 5:3-5 (thematic): Links suffering and trials to spiritual growth (endurance, character, hope), reflecting the pastoral intent of 1 Pet 4:12 to interpret trials as purposeful testing.
Alternative generated candidates
- Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you;
- Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is coming upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
1Pet.4.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αλλα: CONJ
- καθο: CONJ
- κοινωνειτε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- παθημασιν: NOUN,dat,pl,n
- χαιρετε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- ινα: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- αποκαλυψει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- δοξης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- χαρητε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- αγαλλιωμενοι: PART,perf,pass,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- Romans 8:17 (verbal): Speaks of being 'heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ' provided we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him — directly parallels sharing Christ's sufferings and future glory.
- Philippians 3:10-11 (verbal): Paul's desire 'to know Christ and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings' — emphasizes participation in Christ's sufferings as linked to participation in his vindication/ glory.
- 2 Corinthians 1:5 (verbal): 'For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort' — uses the same language of sharing Christ's sufferings and connects it to resulting blessing.
- Romans 8:18 (thematic): Compares present sufferings with the glory to be revealed, echoing 1 Peter's contrast between participating in suffering now and rejoicing at the revelation of Christ's glory.
- Colossians 1:24 (thematic): Paul speaks of rejoicing in his sufferings for the church and filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions, linking joy in suffering with redemptive/eschatological purpose similar to 1 Peter 4:13.
Alternative generated candidates
- but rejoice insofar as you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that at the revelation of his glory you may also rejoice with exultation.
- Rather, rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
1Pet.4.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- ονειδιζεσθε: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,2,pl
- εν: PREP
- ονοματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- μακαριοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- οτι: CONJ
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- δοξης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- πνευμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- εφ᾽υμας: PREP+PRON,acc,pl,m
- αναπαυεται: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Matthew 5:11-12 (thematic): Beatitude promising blessing for reproach/insults on account of Jesus’ name and urging rejoicing—parallels 1 Pet 4:14’s blessing when reproached in Christ’s name.
- Luke 6:22-23 (thematic): Blessed are those who are hated and reviled for the Son of Man’s sake—another synoptic beatitude closely matching the theme of blessing amid reproach for Christ.
- Acts 5:41 (verbal): The apostles 'rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name'—a verbal and situational echo of rejoicing/blessing when suffering for Christ’s name.
- Romans 8:17-18 (thematic): Believers share in Christ’s sufferings and will share in his glory; the Spirit’s witness to sonship and future glory connects with the 'Spirit of glory' resting on those reproached.
- 1 Peter 4:13 (structural): Immediate context: believers are urged to rejoice that they share Christ’s sufferings so they may also rejoice when his glory is revealed—directly linked to v.14’s spirit of glory resting on them.
Alternative generated candidates
- If you are reproached for the name of Christ, you are blessed; for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer,
- If you are reproached for the name of Christ, you are blessed; for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
1Pet.4.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- μη: PART
- γαρ: PART
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- πασχετω: VERB,pres,act,imp,3,sg
- ως: ADV
- φονευς: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- κλεπτης: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- κακοποιος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- ως: ADV
- αλλοτριεπισκοπος·: NOUN,nom,sg,m
Parallels
- 1 Peter 3:17 (thematic): Echoes the same principle that it is preferable to suffer for doing what is right than to suffer as a wrongdoer; contrasts suffering for righteousness with suffering for evil.
- 1 Peter 2:20-21 (structural): Within the same epistolary argument—distinguishes suffering for doing good from suffering for wrongdoing and appeals to the example of Christ.
- Matthew 5:10 (thematic): Presents the positive counterpart: blessedness of those persecuted for righteousness’ sake, contrasting rightful suffering with suffering deserved by evildoers.
- Romans 13:9 (verbal): Contains the same prohibitions—'you shall not murder, you shall not steal'—verbal overlap with the categories 'murderer' and 'thief' cited as illegitimate causes of suffering.
- Revelation 21:8 (verbal): Lists 'murderers' among those who face judgment, paralleling the negative category 'murderer' as one who rightly suffers condemnation rather than redemptive suffering.
Alternative generated candidates
- or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a meddler in other people's affairs.
- But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a meddler in other people's affairs.
1Pet.4.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- δε: CONJ
- ως: ADV
- Χριστιανος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- μη: PART
- αισχυνεσθω: VERB,pres,mid/pass,imp,3,sg
- δοξαζετω: VERB,pres,act,imp,3,sg
- δε: CONJ
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- θεον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- ονοματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- τουτω: DEM,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- 1 Peter 4:14 (structural): Immediate context: speaks of being reproached for the name of Christ and calls such suffering blessed—closely linked exhortation to glorify God when suffering for Christ.
- Acts 5:41 (thematic): The apostles rejoiced to be counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name of Jesus—shares the theme of rejoicing/glorifying God amid persecution for Christ’s name.
- Romans 1:16 (verbal): Paul declares he is not ashamed of the gospel—uses the same language of 'not being ashamed' in relation to the saving message/name of Christ.
- 2 Timothy 1:8 (verbal): Paul exhorts Timothy not to be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord—parallels the call to renounce shame and uphold the Christian identity under suffering.
- Mark 8:38 (thematic): Jesus warns against being ashamed of him and his words before men—connects the social cost of allegiance to Christ and the imperative to stand firm rather than be ashamed.
Alternative generated candidates
- Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.
- Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.
1Pet.4.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οτι: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- καιρος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- αρξασθαι: VERB,aor,mid,inf
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- κριμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- απο: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- οικου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου·ει: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- πρωτον: ADV
- αφ᾽ημων: PREP+PRO,gen,pl,1
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- τελος: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- απειθουντων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,gen,pl,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ευαγγελιω: NOUN,dat,sg,n
Parallels
- Ezekiel 9:6 (allusion): The vision/command to begin execution of judgment at the sanctuary (’begin at My sanctuary’) parallels the idea that divine judgment starts at God's house.
- 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9 (verbal): Paul speaks of retribution for those who do not know God or obey the gospel and uses similar language about punishment for rejecting the gospel — close verbal and thematic overlap ('do not obey the gospel').
- 1 Corinthians 11:31-32 (thematic): Paul teaches that self‑judgment spares believers from God's judgment and that God's corrective judgment comes upon the church — a related theme of judgment beginning within the community of faith.
- 1 Peter 4:18 (structural): The immediate follow‑on verse in the same epistle ('And if the righteous are scarcely saved...') completes the rhetorical argument in 4:17 and reinforces the contrast between believers and those who disobey the gospel.
Alternative generated candidates
- For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God. And if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
- For it is time for judgment to begin with God's household. If it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
1Pet.4.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δικαιος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- μολις: ADV
- σωζεται: VERB,pres,pass,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- ασεβης: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- αμαρτωλος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- που: ADV
- φανειται: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Proverbs 11:31 (verbal): Similar conditional/contrast formula—if the righteous are (scarcely) saved/recompensed on earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner; parallels the comparative thrust of 1 Pet 4:18.
- 1 Corinthians 3:15 (thematic): Speaks of being 'saved, yet so as through fire,' echoing the sense that the righteous are barely saved and implying severe testing or judgment before final salvation.
- Luke 13:24-27 (thematic): Jesus' teaching about striving to enter the narrow door and many being excluded resonates with the difficulty of salvation and the fate of the ungodly and sinners.
- 2 Corinthians 5:10 (structural): Declares that all must appear before the judgment seat of Christ to receive according to deeds, addressing where the ungodly and sinner will 'appear'—the judgment scene presupposed in 1 Pet 4:18.
- Hebrews 10:31 (thematic): 'It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God' shares the solemn tone about impending divine judgment implied by the question of where the ungodly and sinner will appear.
Alternative generated candidates
- And, "If the righteous is saved with difficulty, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"
- And 'If the righteous is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?'
1Pet.4.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ωστε: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- πασχοντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- κατα: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- θελημα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- πιστω: ADJ,dat,sg,m
- κτιστη: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- παρατιθεσθωσαν: VERB,aor,mid,imp,3,pl
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- ψυχας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- αγαθοποιια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
Parallels
- 1 Peter 2:23 (verbal): Peter describes Christ entrusting himself to ‘the one who judges justly’ (παρατίθετο τὸν ἑαυτὸν), echoing the language and theme of entrusting the soul to God amid suffering.
- Psalm 31:5 (quotation): ‘Into your hand I commit my spirit’—a scriptural formula of entrusting one’s life to God that underlies New Testament language about committing the soul to God in trials.
- Luke 23:46 (quotation): Jesus’ final words, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit,’ model the act of entrusting the soul to God while suffering and dying.
- 2 Timothy 1:12 (thematic): Paul’s confidence that God is able to guard what has been entrusted to him parallels the theme of entrusting one’s life/soul to God’s faithfulness in the face of suffering.
- 1 Peter 5:7 (thematic): The exhortation to cast anxieties on God because he cares complements 1 Peter 4:19’s call to trust (entrust) one’s soul to God during trials and while doing good.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
- Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator, while doing good.
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
Rather, rejoice insofar as you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory—the Spirit of God—rests upon you; on their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a meddler.
Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.
For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God. If it begins with us, what will be the end for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And if the righteous is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?
Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.