LESSON EIGHT

1 Peter 4:12-19

Suffering for Being a Christian (4:12-19)
	
	12Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.  13But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.  14If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.  15If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.  16However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.  17For 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 do not obey the gospel of God?  18And,
	“If it is hard for the righteous to be 
		saved,
	what will become of the ungodly
		and the sinner?”
	19So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

	V. 12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering—The apostle did not want his friends to be “bewildered” (NEB) by what was happening to them.  Jesus had warned His would-be followers, “Ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake” (Matt. 10:22).  Paul promised, “All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (II Tim. 3:12).  One did not become a Christian in those terrible times without serious consideration of the possible—if not probably—consequences.
	as though something strange were happening to you—Suffering cannot be separated from Christianity.  God suffered.  His Son suffered.  The apostles suffered.  The early Christians suffered.  “Must I be carried to the skies on flowr’y beds of ease?  While others fought to win the prize and sailed through bloody seas?”
	V. 13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ—Rather than being dismayed or shocked, we should consider it a joy to share in the sufferings of Christ.  Suffering for one’s faith gives us a rare sense of oneness with Jesus.  Paul actually prayed for the “fellowship of his sufferings” that he might know Christ better (Phil. 3:10).
	so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed-—If you want to share in the glory of Christ’s coming you must go with Him through the garden of His sufferings.  There is no crown without a Calvary, no glory without a Gethsemane.  See Romans 8:17, 18.
	V. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ—Some feel that the disciples in Antioch were first called “Christians” in derision (Acts 11:26).  James says they were: “Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?”  (James 2:7).  To wear the name of Christ is to open oneself to possible ridicule and verbal abuse.  To identify with Jesus is to expose ourselves to the slander and censure of an unbelieving world.
	you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you—Suffering for the cause of Christ can be our “red badge of courage.”  We should actually be happy when such occurs because God has placed His divine stamp of approval on those who suffer for the cause of Christ in the spirit of Christ.  God’s Spirit is there to comfort and console.
	V. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal—The first Christians, who suffered greatly at the hands of the Roman state, were never to live so that the state would have just cause to punish them for genuine criminal activity.  Christians are not above the law.
	or even as a meddler—Sometimes people get in trouble because of being a busybody, “prying into other people’s affairs” (Taylor), “interested in matters which do not concern Christians” (20th Century New Testament).  If we stick our nose in someone else’s business let us not cry “Persecution!” when said nose gets punched!  See II Thessalonians 3:11; I Timothy 5:13.
	V. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian—The term “Christian” appears only three times in Scripture (here, Acts 11:26 and 26:28).  Each time it is in the context of God’s people on the hot seat.  To be a “Christian” is a popular thing today, even to the point of being politically expedient at election time.  Not so in Biblical times.
	do not be ashamed—We are not to be ashamed of Jesus, His teachings (Mark 8:38), or the gospel of Christ (Rom. 1:16).  We are not to be ashamed of suffering as a Christian or of those who suffer for Christ’s sake (II Tim. 1:8).  Christ is not ashamed to call us His brethren (Heb. 2:11) so why should we be ashamed of Him?
	but praise God that you bear that name—Alexander the Great once told a timid soldier who shared the same name as himself to either show bravery in battle or change his name!  We bear the name that is “above every other name” (Phil. 2:9), the only name under the heaven by which men can be saved (Acts 4:12).  Praise God for the privilege of being called a Christian!
	V. 17 For it is time for judgement to begin with the family of God—This judgement does not appear to be the final judgment but rather the unleashed fury on the Roman state that would soon be directed against the Christians.  In 64 AD, one year after this epistle was written, the imperial city of Rome was nearly consumed by fire.  Nero blamed the Christians for what many believe was the work of his own wicked hand.  Christians were rounded up by Roman execution squads and herded to terrible deaths.  Some were torn to pieces by wild animals.  Some were sewn inside wild animal skins and hunted down by dogs.  Some were covered with pitch and set afire to illuminate the garden of Nero so he could watch even more unspeakable atrocities.
	and if it begins with us—Christians are often the first to feel the brunt of violence from the state.  Jewish persecution claimed the lives of Stephen and James.  Roman persecution was responsible for the deaths of Peter, Paul and countless thousands of Christians.
	what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?—The Christians, though suffering horribly—even to the point of death—had a faith that insured eternal life.  Many of them went to their deaths singing and praising God!  But what hope is there for the one who hasn’t obeyed the gospel?  He is a double loser: he loses in this life (which is bad enough) and he loses in the next (which is the ultimate tragedy).  See II Thessalonians 1:8.
	V. 18 And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved—This is a reference from Proverbs 11:31.  How does it apply here?  Peter wants his friends to know that they will be saved, even though there will be difficulties.  After being stoned and left for dead at Lystra, Paul testified that “we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).  Jesus said that His followers would be hated for His name’s sake but that those who would endure to the end would be saved (Matt. 10:22).  This verse does not teach that Christian will “barely” or “scarcely” be saved; it is saying that because of persecution there will be difficulties.  But, praise God, they will be saved!
	what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”—What chance will these poor souls have?  Faith in Christ will take a man through the worst of trials.  Those without faith are to be pitied.  Consider the long centuries of untold suffering that unbelieving Jews have experienced.
	V. 19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will—Peter knew nothing of the “health and wealth” gospel of today that teaches that it is not in God’s will that anyone suffer.  Suffering can certainly be the will of God (see James 5:10-11).
	should commit themselves to their faithful Creator—The word “commit” (paratithemi) is an old banking term meaning that you trust a person enough to deposit your money with them.  In times of suffering we should commit ourselves to God.  This is what Jesus did on the cross, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46).  This is what Paul did before kneeling before a hooded Roman executioner (II Tim. 1:12).  God is faithful.  He saves those who trust in Him (I Tim. 4:10).  “Be not dismayed what’er betide, God will take care of you!”
	and continue to do good—Regardless of what is happening (or is going to happen), Christians are to keep on doing good.  Faithfulness to the end is what God asks of us (Matt. 10:22; Rev. 2:10).  An old man was hoeing his garden.  He was asked what he would do if he knew he would die the next day.  Without looking up he replied, “I would finish hoeing this row of peas.”  Continue to do good!

Study Questions

1.	Why should we not be surprised when we are called upon to suffer for our faith?

2.	Have you ever been insulted because of the name of Christ?  Explain.

3.	What is the overall Biblical context of the word “Christian”?

4.	How should we respond to the problem of “meddlers” in the church?

5.	Have you ever been ashamed to admit that you were a Christian?  Explain.

6.	How can we overcome the temptation to be ashamed of Jesus?

7.	In what way does God “judge” his people in life?

8.	What does Peter mean when he says, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved”?

9.	What verse in this chapter indicates suffering can be a part of God’s will?

10.	What all is involved in “committing” ourselves to God?  Have you made this full commitment?