12Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial among you, occurring to you for a trial, as though something strange were happening to you. [4:13] But as you share in the sufferings of Christ, rejoice — so that also at the revelation of his glory you may rejoice, exulting. [4:14] If you are insulted in the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and the Spirit of God rests upon you — according to them he is blasphemed, but according to you he is honored. [4:15] For let not any of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a troublesome meddler. [4:16] But if as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this name. [4:17] For the time has come for judgment to begin from the house of God; and if first from us, what will be the outcome for those disobeying the gospel of God? [4:18] And if the righteous one is saved with difficulty, the ungodly and the sinner — where will they appear? [4:19] Therefore also let those suffering according to the will of God commit their souls to a faithful Creator in well-doing.
1PE 4:12-19
Suffering as Christians
In the world it was spoken into
In the first century, suffering for one’s identity as a Christian was a tangible reality. The Roman Empire viewed Christianity with suspicion, often associating it with subversion or disloyalty to the state. The term (fiery trial) evokes the imagery of refining metal, suggesting that such suffering was seen as a purifying test of faith. The audience, likely a mix of Jewish and Gentile converts, would have understood (be surprised) in the context of being treated as outsiders or foreigners, a status that carried social and legal consequences. Insults and persecution in the name of Christ were not merely personal affronts but public shaming, yet the text reframes this as a mark of blessing, aligning their suffering with Christ’s. The warning against suffering as a murderer, thief, or (meddler) underscores the importance of maintaining moral integrity, as these were crimes punishable by Roman law. Suffering as a Christian, however, was to be embraced without shame, as it honored God.
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How other translations render this
1PE 4:12
- KJV
- Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
- BSB
- Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you.
- Koinōnos
- Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial among you, occurring to you for a trial, as though something strange were happening to you.
1PE 4:13
- KJV
- But 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.
- BSB
- But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory.
- Koinōnos
- But as you share in the sufferings of Christ, rejoice — so that also at the revelation of his glory you may rejoice, exulting.
1PE 4:14
- KJV
- If 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.
- BSB
- If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
- Koinōnos
- If you are insulted in the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and the Spirit of God rests upon you — according to them he is blasphemed, but according to you he is honored.
1PE 4:15
- KJV
- But 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.
- BSB
- Indeed, none of you should suffer as a murderer or thief or wrongdoer, or even as a meddler.
- Koinōnos
- For let not any of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a troublesome meddler.
1PE 4:16
- KJV
- Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
- BSB
- But if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but glorify God that you bear that name.
- Koinōnos
- But if as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this name.
1PE 4:17
- KJV
- For 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?
- BSB
- For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God?
- Koinōnos
- For the time has come for judgment to begin from the house of God; and if first from us, what will be the outcome for those disobeying the gospel of God?
1PE 4:18
- KJV
- And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
- BSB
- And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
- Koinōnos
- And if the righteous one is saved with difficulty, the ungodly and the sinner — where will they appear?
1PE 4:19
- KJV
- Wherefore 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.
- BSB
- So then, those who suffer according to Godʼs will should entrust their souls to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
- Koinōnos
- Therefore also let those suffering according to the will of God commit their souls to a faithful Creator in well-doing.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Where the historical framing draws from
- Tacitus, AnnalsAnn. 15.44
- Josephus, AntiquitiesAntiquities 20.8.5
›Tacitus, Annals Ann. 15.44
“Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace.”
Cited to ground: The Roman Empire viewed Christianity with suspicion, often associating it with subversion or disloyalty to the state.
›Josephus, Antiquities Antiquities 20.8.5
“Now as for the affairs of the Jews, they grew worse and worse continually, for the country was again filled with robbers and impostors, who deluded the multitude.”
Cited to ground: Suffering as a murderer, thief, or (meddler) underscores the importance of maintaining moral integrity, as these were crimes punishable by Roman law.
Translator's notes
1PE 4:12
- do be surprised:The word translated 'do be surprised' also carried the sense of being treated as a stranger or an outsider, highlighting the unexpected and alien nature of the suffering described.
- fire:The word translated 'fire' here refers to a burning or refining process, often used metaphorically for intense suffering or purification, rather than just a literal flame.
- a trial:The word translated 'a trial' encompasses both testing designed to prove one's character and temptation intended to lead one astray, often with the implication of severe pressure.
1PE 4:15
- a troublesome meddler;:The term used here for 'a troublesome meddler' literally means someone who oversees or interferes in matters that are not their own, emphasizing an intrusive and inappropriate involvement.