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1 Peter 4
1 Peter 4:1
Connecting Statement:
Peter continues to teach the believers about Christian living. He begins by giving a conclusion to his thoughts from the previous chapter about Christ's sufferings.
in the flesh
Here "flesh" means "body." Alternate translation: "in his body" or "while here on earth" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
arm yourselves with the same intention
The phrase "arm yourselves" makes readers think of soldiers who get their weapons ready for battle. It also pictures "the same intention" as a weapon or perhaps as a piece of armor. Here this metaphor means that believers should be determined in their mind to suffer as Jesus did. Alternate translation: "prepare yourselves with the same thoughts that Christ had" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
has ceased from sin
"has stopped sinning"
1 Peter 4:2
for men's desires
for the things that sinful people normally desire
1 Peter 4:3
drunken celebrations, having wild parties
These terms refer to activities in which people gather to drink alcohol excessively and behave in a shameful manner.
1 Peter 4:4
floods of reckless behavior
These examples of wild, boundless sin are spoken of as if they were great floods of water that sweep over people.
reckless behavior
doing everything they can to satisfy the desires of their bodies
1 Peter 4:5
the one who is ready to judge
Possible meanings are 1) "God, who is ready to judge" or 2) "Christ, who is ready to judge"
the living and the dead
This means all people, whether they are still alive or have died. Alternate translation: "every person" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-merism)
1 Peter 4:6
the gospel was preached also to the dead
Possible meanings are 1) "the gospel was preached also to people who had already died" or 2) "the gospel was preached also to those who were alive but are now dead"
the gospel was preached
This can be stated in active form. Possible meanings are 1) Christ preached. Alternate translation: "Christ preached the gospel" or 2) men preached. Alternate translation: "men preached the gospel" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
they have been judged in the flesh as humans
This can be stated in active form. Possible meanings are 1) God judged them in this life on earth. Alternate translation: "God judged them in their bodies as humans" or 2) men judged them according to human standards. Alternate translation: "men judged them in their bodies as humans" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
judged in the flesh as humans
This is a reference to death as the ultimate form of judgment. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-euphemism)
live in the spirit the way God does
Possible meanings are 1) "live spiritually as God lives because the Holy Spirit will enable them to do so" or 2) "live according to God's standards by the power of the Holy Spirit"
1 Peter 4:7
The end of all things
This refers to the end of the world at Christ's second coming.
is coming
The end that will happen soon is spoken of as if it is physically coming closer in distance. Alternate translation: "will soon happen" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
be of sound mind, and be sober in your thinking
These two phrases mean basically the same thing. Peter uses them to emphasize the need to think clearly about life since the end of the world is near. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism)
be sober in your thinking
Here the word "sober" refers to mental clarity and alertness. See how you translated this in 1 Peter 1:13. Alternate translation: "control your thoughts" or "be careful about what you think" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
1 Peter 4:8
Above all things
"Most importantly of all"
for love covers a multitude of sins
Peter describes "love" as if it were a person who places a cover over the sins of others. Possible meanings are 1) "for a person who loves will not try to find out if another person has sinned" or 2) "for a person who loves will forgive the sins of other people, even if those sins are many" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-personification and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
1 Peter 4:9
Be hospitable
Show kindness to and welcome guests and travelers
1 Peter 4:10
As each one of you has received a gift
This refers to special spiritual abilities that God gives to believers. Alternate translation: "Because each one of you has received a special spiritual ability as a gift from God" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
1 Peter 4:11
so that in all ways God would be glorified
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "so that in all ways you will glorify God" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
glorified
praised, honored
1 Peter 4:12
the testing in the fire that has happened to you
In the same way that fire refines gold, trials test and refine a person's faith. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
1 Peter 4:13
rejoice and exult
These two phrases mean basically the same thing and emphasize the intensity of joy. Alternate translation: "rejoice even more" or "be very glad" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-doublet)
at the revealing of his glory
"when God reveals Christ's glory"
1 Peter 4:14
If you are insulted for Christ's name
Here the word "name" refers to Christ himself. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "If people insult you because you believe in Christ" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
the Spirit of glory and the Spirit of God is resting
Both of these refer to the Holy Spirit. Alternate translation: "the Spirit of glory, who is the Spirit of God, is resting" or "the glorious Spirit of God" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism)
is resting on you
"is staying with you"
1 Peter 4:15
a meddler
This refers to a person who gets involved with the affairs of others without having a right to do so.
1 Peter 4:16
with that name
"because he bears the name Christian" or "because people have recognized him as a Christian." The words "that name" refer to the word "Christian."
1 Peter 4:17
household of God
This phrase refers to believers, whom Peter speaks of as God's family. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
If it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who disobey God's gospel?
Peter use this question to emphasize that God's judgment will be more severe for people who reject the gospel than for believers. Alternate translation: "If it begins with us, the outcome for those who do not obey God's gospel will be much worse." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
what will be the outcome for those
"what will happen to those"
those who disobey God's gospel
"those who do not believe God's gospel." Here the word "disobey" means to not believe.
1 Peter 4:18
the righteous ... what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?
Peter use this question to emphasize that sinners will suffer much more than believers do. Alternate translation: "the righteous man ... the outcome will be much worse for the ungodly and the sinner." (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-rquestion)
If it is difficult for the righteous to be saved
Here the word "saved" refers to final salvation when Christ returns. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "If the righteous person experiences many difficulties before God saves him" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner
"what will happen to the ungodly and the sinner"
the ungodly and the sinner
The "the ungodly" is a nominal adjective that means "the ungodly person." The words "ungodly" and "sinner" mean basically the same thing and emphasize the wickedness of these people. Alternate translation: "ungodly sinners" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-nominaladj and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-doublet)
1 Peter 4:19
commit their souls
Here the word "souls" refers to the whole person. Alternate translation: "commit themselves" or "commit their lives" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche)
in well-doing
The abstract noun "well-doing" can be translated with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: "while they do good" or "while they live rightly" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)