1 Peter 4
1 Therefore, considering Christ’s bodily suffering, also arma yourselves with that same way of thinking because whoever suffers bodily has found relief fromb deviation, 2 living what time remains with a body no longer for human appetitesc but instead for what God wants. 3 The time that has gone by has been plenty for working toward the goal of other people groups who have walked with lack of restraint, appetites, drinking to the point of incoherence,d unrestrained indulgence at celebrations, binge drinking, and prohibited idolatries. 4 So, they think it’s strange when you do not go along with the same excess of destructive behavior,e and they speak disrespectfully against you. 5 They will give an account to the one who stands ready to assess the living and the dead. 6 That’s why the triumphant message was brought to those who are dead so that not only would they be assessed by the body based on human standards but also so that they would come to life by the Life-breath based on God’s standards.f
7 The fulfillment of everything has gotten close. So, maintain a healthy mind and be level-headedg for the purpose of prayer 8 while—above all—holding onto the love extended among you because “love covers an immeasurable number of deviations.”h 9 Be people who welcome strangers for each other without complaining.i 10 Whatever gift each person has received, serve each other with it as generousj stewards of the multicoloredk generosityl of God. 11 If anyone speaks, do so as if with God’s words. If anyone serves, do so as if supplied from God’s strength so that God will be shown to be praiseworthy in everything through Jesus Christ. Praiseworthiness and strength are with him from age to age. Amen
12 Loved ones, don’t think it strange that the test of authenticity with firem between you is happening among you just as it is for the stranger living alongside you. 13 Rather, celebrate based on your participation in Christ’s sufferings so that you can also celebrate exuberantly at the revealing of his praiseworthiness. 14 If you are publicly criticizedn as Christ’s representatives,o you are gratified because the praiseworthy Life-breath—God’s Life-breath—rests on you.p 15 Don’t have anyone among you suffer for being a murderer or thief or someone who harms people or asserts control over others.q 16 However, if it happens for being a Christian, don’t be ashamed, but show God to be praiseworthy as you carry that name 17 because it is the time for assessment to begin, first with the House of God. Now, if it’s first with us, then what is the end for those who refuse to be persuaded by God’s triumphant message? 18 “If the just person is barely liberated, will the contemptuous personr and deviator be brought into the light?”s 19 Therefore, certainly, those who suffer based on doing what God wants set aside their very beingst for a faithful Creator by living for the well-being of others.u
FOOTNOTES:
a Or ‘prepare’ or ‘equip.’ Typically used in contexts regarding military equipment and supplies.
b Traditionally, ‘has finished with’ or ‘has ceased from.’ The word form here is in the middle voice, which is listed as matching two definitions for pauo: 1) cease, desist, take one’s rest and 2) find relief or deliverance from something (such as troubles or war). The context points toward it being a contrast to suffering—finding relief—and that ‘arming’ oneself with Christ’s way of thinking leads to a relief or deliverance from war, rather than more war. One of the consistent metaphors for deviation/sin in scripture is a ‘burden.’ Rarely is it focused on misbehaving and needing to correct behavior. It’s much more often in the context of finding freedom through changing how one thinks to align with the mind of Christ.
c Or ‘cravings’ or ‘desires’
d Traditionally, ‘drunkenness.’ It’s technically correct, but the word literally means having had so much wine that one begins to babble and speak nonsense.
e Perhaps, ‘negligence’ or ‘complacency.’ Literally, this word is the opposite of ‘liberation’ or ‘rescue’ or ‘protection’: ‘not-liberation,’ ‘unrescue,’ ‘unprotection,’ etc.
f The word ‘standards’ is added for clarity. More literally, it is ‘according to humans’ and ‘according to God.’
g Or ‘be sober’
h Quotation of Proverbs 10:12
i Or ‘complaining’
j Traditionally, ‘good’
k Or ‘varied’ or ‘multifaceted’
l Traditionally, ‘grace’
m Traditionally, ‘fiery trial’ or ‘fiery ordeal.’ The words here have to do with testing the quality, genuineness, or purity of a precious metal.
n Or ‘taunted’ or ‘humiliated’
o Literally, ‘in/with the name of Christ’
p Reference to Isaiah 11:2
q Traditionally, ‘busybody in other men’s matters’ (KJV), or ‘meddler’ (ESV), or ‘troublesome meddler’ (NASB) or ‘troublemaker’ (NET) or ‘mischief maker’ (NRSV). The Greek word allotriepiskopos is a compound of ‘other’ (allos) and ‘supervisor/overseer’ (episkopos). The implication is that it is about people who assert themselves as authorities over others, attempting to control others or feeling entitled to control or input where they have no right.
r Traditionally, ‘the ungodly.’ The word means to be ‘irreverent’ or ‘disrespectful’ often specifically in a religious context, but also of other things that deserve respectful treatment, such as a death or a marriage.
s This is a quotation of the Septuagint version of Proverbs 11:31, though it differs significantly with the Hebrew version of that verse (which is what is translated into English).
t Or ‘lives’ or ‘inner selves’
u Traditionally, ‘by doing good’