1Since Christ therefore suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same way of thinking — because the one who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin — [4:2] so as to live the remaining time in the flesh no longer for human desires but for the will of God. [4:3] For sufficient is the time already elapsed for carrying out what the Gentiles desire: having gone in debaucheries, desires, drunkenness, revelries, carousing, and lawless idolatries. [4:4] In this they are surprised, because you do not run with them into the same flood of excess, and they slander you. [4:5] They will give account to the one ready to judge the living and the dead. [4:6] For to this end the good news was proclaimed also to the dead, that they might be judged in flesh according to human standards but live according to God in spirit. [4:7] Now the end of all things has drawn near. Be clear-minded and sober, therefore, for prayers. [4:8] Above all, hold constant the love among yourselves, because love covers a multitude of sins. [4:9] Be hospitable to one another without complaint. [4:10] Just as each one received a gift, use it serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. [4:11] If anyone speaks, as utterances of God; if anyone serves, as from strength that God supplies — so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom is the glory and the might unto the ages of ages. Amen.
1PE 4:1-11
Living for Godʼs Glory
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Greco-Roman world, the term (flesh) carried connotations of human weakness and mortality, often contrasted with spiritual strength. The passage’s call to arm oneself with the same mindset as Christ, who suffered in the flesh, would resonate with listeners familiar with Stoic ideals of endurance and self-mastery, though here it is framed within a Christian eschatological context. The mention of (debauchery) points to behaviors like drunkenness, orgies, and idolatry, which were common in Roman social and religious practices, particularly in public festivals and cultic rituals. For Jewish and Gentile converts, distancing themselves from such practices would have marked a sharp break from their former lives, inviting social ostracism and ridicule. The exhortation to (be self-controlled) aligns with broader cultural values of moderation but is rooted in the anticipation of divine judgment. The diverse grace of God underscores the multifaceted ways divine favor manifests in communal life, particularly through hospitality and service, which were vital in early Christian communities.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
1PE 4:1
- KJV
- 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;
- BSB
- Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourselves with the same resolve, because anyone who has suffered in his body is done with sin.
- Koinōnos
- Since Christ therefore suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same way of thinking — because the one who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin —
1PE 4:2
- KJV
- That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
- BSB
- Consequently, he does not live out his remaining time on earth for human passions, but for the will of God.
- Koinōnos
- so as to live the remaining time in the flesh no longer for human desires but for the will of God.
1PE 4:3
- KJV
- For 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:
- BSB
- For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles: living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry.
- Koinōnos
- For sufficient is the time already elapsed for carrying out what the Gentiles desire: having gone in debaucheries, desires, drunkenness, revelries, carousing, and lawless idolatries.
1PE 4:4
- KJV
- Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
- BSB
- Because of this, they consider it strange of you not to plunge with them into the same flood of reckless indiscretion, and they heap abuse on you.
- Koinōnos
- In this they are surprised, because you do not run with them into the same flood of excess, and they slander you.
1PE 4:5
- KJV
- Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.
- BSB
- But they will have to give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
- Koinōnos
- They will give account to the one ready to judge the living and the dead.
1PE 4:6
- KJV
- For 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.
- BSB
- That is why the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged as men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
- Koinōnos
- For to this end the good news was proclaimed also to the dead, that they might be judged in flesh according to human standards but live according to God in spirit.
1PE 4:7
- KJV
- But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
- BSB
- The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and sober, so that you can pray.
- Koinōnos
- Now the end of all things has drawn near. Be clear-minded and sober, therefore, for prayers.
1PE 4:8
- KJV
- And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
- BSB
- Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
- Koinōnos
- Above all, hold constant the love among yourselves, because love covers a multitude of sins.
1PE 4:9
- KJV
- Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
- BSB
- Show hospitality to one another without complaining.
- Koinōnos
- Be hospitable to one another without complaint.
1PE 4:10
- KJV
- As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
- BSB
- As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another.
- Koinōnos
- Just as each one received a gift, use it serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
1PE 4:11
- KJV
- If 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.
- BSB
- If anyone speaks, he should speak as one conveying the words of God. If anyone serves, he should serve with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
- Koinōnos
- If anyone speaks, as utterances of God; if anyone serves, as from strength that God supplies — so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom is the glory and the might unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
1PE 4:1
- for:The word translated 'flesh' here often refers to the human body, but in this context, it carries the sense of human nature in its fallen, sinful state, prone to earthly desires rather than spiritual ones.
1PE 4:3
- to have carried out:The term used here for 'debauchery' describes a lack of moral restraint that is so extreme it becomes scandalous and public, often characterized by outrageous and shameless behavior.
1PE 4:7
- do be clear-minded:The phrase 'do be clear-minded' implies more than just mental clarity; it suggests self-control and a disciplined, sober way of thinking that leads to wise and sensible actions.
1PE 4:10
- of [the] manifold:The word translated 'manifold' suggests something that is richly varied, diverse, and intricate, like a tapestry with many colors and patterns, emphasizing the diverse ways God's grace is expressed.