1 Peter 4

1. From the consideration of Christ’s suffering, the Apostle draws an exhortation that they must not live according to the lusts of the flesh, but according to the will of God. 4. And teacheth that they do the contrary, or seduce others thereunto, shall give an account to God. 6. That therefore also the Gospel was preached to the dead. 7. Afterward exhorts them to sobriety, prayer, love, and other virtues. 10. And withal to right imploying of the gifts and administrations, which every one hath received. 12. Teacheth again that the lot of the faithful is to suffer affliction, and that this happy for them. 15. But warns them that no man suffer as an evil doer, but that he suffer as a Christian. 17. Forasmuch as God’s judgement begins from his own house. 18. But that the other have a heavier judgement to expect hereafter.

1. Seeing therefore Christ hath suffered for us [Namely, for the expiation and taking away of our sins] in the flesh, [that is, in his human nature, as chapter 3. 18.] arm ye yourselves also [that is, strengthen your selves. Namely against all temptations and seductions of the flesh [that is, he that is dead to sin, or he that hath crucified and mortified his flesh and corrupt nature: so that the word flesh, and the word suffer, are here taken otherwise then in the foregoing words, by a form of speech, by the Greeks called Antanaclasis, which is very usual in the Scripture] he hath ceased from sin, [namely, to serve it no more henceforward. See here of more largely, Romans 6:3, & c. as the following verse also declares.]

2. No more now to live according to the lusts of men, [That is, of natural and unregenerate of men. See Eph: 2. 3.] but according to the will of God, the time which is remaining in the flesh. [namely, after our Baptism and conversion.]

3. For it is sufficient for us, that the former time of our life [Namely, which went before our conversion in our ignorance] we have fulfilled the will of the Gentiles, [that is, although we were Jews, notwithstanding we have lived according to the custom or lusts of the Gentiles, among whom we lived: not as if the Apostle had so lived, but he speaks thus by a figure called Communication] and have walked in lasciviousness, lusts, wine-babblings, gluttonies, drinking, and abominable, or unlawful, but to express the detestableness of the idolatry, whereunto the Jews oftentimes also suffered themselves to be seduced by the Gentiles amongst whom they dwelt, to please them.]

4. Wherein they carry themselves strange, [Namely, the unconverted Jews and Gentiles] when ye run not with them to the same profuseness of excess, and reproach (you:) [that is, revile and reproach you and your doctrine, because ye following the same, do not even as they.]

5. Who shall give account, to him who is ready to judge the quick and dead. [That is, all men, see Acts 10:42.]

6. For, for this purpose also was the Gospel published, [Namely, by Noah the preacher of righteousness, namely, thereby to bring to repentance, from such a secure life] to the dead, [namely, who lived in the time of Noah, and are now dead, of whom he spoke before chapter 3. Vers. 19, 20. Who also reviled Noah, because he did not even as they, namely, marry, eat, and drink, etc. without consideration of God’s judgement to come, as Christ also speaks of it, Matthew 24:37, 38.] that they might indeed be judged [that is, be punished or chastised; as 1 Cor. 11. 31, 32. Namely, by the flood, which God was bringing upon all mankind. Others understand this of the killing of the flesh, and of the spiritual life of the spirit. But the first exposition agrees better with the words here, and with the 19 verse of the former Chapter] according to the outward of man in this world] in the flesh, [that is, in the body, by the taking away of their temporal life] but might live [namely, if they should hear Noah, and observe his exhortation, and thereupon be converted] according to God. [that is, before God, or according to the grace of God which was offered them] in the spirit. [That is, according to the soul and their spiritual state: as it may be, though Peter doth not clearly say this, that yet some repented in the end, seeing that God already sent his judgement upon them. Certainly from hence it appears that God therefore sent Noah for a preacher unto them, to invite them to repentance, that if their bodies perished, at least their souls might be saved.]

7. And the end of all things [Namely, in this world. And therefore the Apostle would say, we must be on our guard, that the last judgement may not fall upon us, as the flood fell upon the first world, see the like Matth. 24. 37. Luke 21:34.] is nigh; be therefore sober, and watch in prayers.

8. But above all fervent love unto another; for love shall cover a multitude of sins. [Namely, among men, seeing love beareth all things, makes the best construction of all things, forgiveth all things. And this senses the place Proverbs 10:12. remarkably requires, from whence the Apostle taketh these words. For it is only the merit of Christ, which covers our sins before the judgement of God, 1 John 2:1, 2.]

9. Be hospitable towards one another, without murmuring. [Namely, that this falls out troublesome or burdensome unto you, as men are apt to do.]

10. Every one as he hath received a gift, [Namely, of God. Under which the diver’s calling to the use of the same gifts is also understood, as Ephe. 4. 7.] (even so) let him minister the same to another, as good dispensers of the many fold grace of God.

11. If any man speak [Namely, hold forth and interpret God’s word to the Church, either in public or in general, or in private and particular, for doctrine, comfort and exhortation, etc.] (let him speak) as the words of God [that is, withal earnestness and reverence, as it becometh to speak God’s word] if any man minister, [or administer, let him administer. For he speaketh here of the Office of Deacons and Deaconesses, see the like Romans 12:6, 7, 8.] (let him minister) as by the power which God affordeth: [that is, with earnestness and zeal, as doing this in God’s behalf liberally, as who by God’s blessing doth that which he doth; and in humility, as doing it not by his own abilities, but obtaining abilities thereunto from God, the author of all good] that God in all things may be praised through Jesus Christ, to whom belongeth the glory and the power to all eternity. Amen.

12. Beloved, count not strange [Gr. Be no strangers, i.e. let it not seem strange to you, or wonder not, as strangers use to do when any thing unusual befalls them, as also ver. 4.] at the beat (of affliction) [the Greek word pyrosis, signifies an operation of fire for trial] among you, which happens to you for temptation, as if some strange thing befell you.

13. But as you have communion in the suffering of Christ, [That is, in the afflictions which we suffer after the example of Christ, and for his sake. Or which Christ suffers in his members. See Romans 8:17. 2 Cor. 1. 5. Colossians 1:24. Hebrews 11:26.] (so0 rejoice,[namely, that ye are counted worthy to suffer for Christ’s sake, and after his example. See Matthew 5:12. Acts 5:14.] that in the revelation of his glory, ye may rejoice and exalt.

14. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, ye are happy; for the spirit of glory [That is, which adorns you with glory as children of God; as he is also elsewhere called the spirit of truth, of wisdom, etc. Isaiah 11:2. John 16:13.] and (the spirit) of God [that is, which God through Christ and for Christ’s sake imparts unto us, dwelleth in us as his members, and therefore in this makes us conformable unto Christ] resteth upon you; as concerning them [namely, this spirit which bringeth forth this boldness in you] but as concerning you he is glorified. [Namely, while in the midst of tribulation, ye feel his power and consolation in you, and thereby show your steadfastness unto others. See Matthew 10:19. Luke 12:11. John 14:16, 17.]

15. But let no man of you suffer as a murtherer, or thief, or evil doer, [Namely, of any other sort of evil, for which the civil laws use to punish men] or as one that troubles himself with other men’s affairs. [That is, with another’s office, or matters out of curiosity, or pragmaticalness, from whence many times proceed confusions, strifes and divisions, and therefore also is punishable.]

16. But if (any one suffer) as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, [Namely, at the suffering, or at the shame which is laid upon him for it] but let him glorify God in his behalf.

17. For it is the time that judgement begin [That is, chastisements. For as afflictions are trials of the faithful, so they are also chastisements to them, in respect of God’s hand, who useth these rods for their good. See Hebrews 12:6. Etc] from the house of God; [that is, from the household of God, or from his Church, Hebrews 3:2. Etc.] and if it first (begin) from us, what shall the end be [that is, how fearful shall, etc.] of them that are disobedient to the Gospel of God?

18. And if the righteous (man) scarcely be saved [That is, not without much strife, many tribulations, distresses, trials, and chastisements, Matth. 7. 13. 14. Otherwise the salvation of believers, who are justified by faith in Christ, and sanctified by his Spirit, according to Gods promise is certain and sure, See Romans 8:33.] where shall the ungodly and sinner [that is, the impenitent sinner, as Psalm 1. 11. John 9:31.] appear? [namely, to stand in God’s judgement, Psalms 1:5.]

19. Therefore also they that suffer according to the will of God, let them commit their souls (to him) as to the faithful Creator, by well doing.