1 Peter 3:13-4:11 Lesson 450

1 Peter 3:13-4:11
Lesson 450

Read both the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation."

Simon Peter

In this lesson:

Persecution leads to glory.

Look for the vital point in verses 3:18-22.

Change your life (4:1-5).

Use God's gifts to help others (4:7-11).

Noah's Ark on Mount Ararat.

By Simon de Myle circa 1570.

Who was -

Noah -
Noah was an Old Testament patriarch also known as Noe (Matthew 24:38). Noah was the tenth descendant of Adam and Eve (Genesis 5:5-29). Because of humanities sinful nature, God regretted creating man (Genesis 6:6-7) and warned Noah, "a just man" (Genesis 6:9), of a coming flood meant to destroy "wickedness" (Genesis 6:5), "violence" (6:13), and all mankind. Despite living in an arid land 500 miles from the sea, Noah trusted God (Genesis 6:9) and followed His seemingly silly instructions to build an ark (Genesis 6:14-16) large enough to carry two of every unclean animal (i.e., pigs) and seven of each clean animal (Genesis 7:2-3). When the rains came, Noah, his wife, three sons (Shem, Ham, and Japhet), and their wives took refuge on the ark and were spared from the flood (2 Peter 2:5). After the floodwaters subsided, Noah built an altar and made a sacrifice to God (Genesis 8:20). This pleased God and He promised not to flood the earth again (Genesis 9:11). God sealed His promise with a rainbow (Genesis 9:13-15). Noah lived to be 950 years old (Genesis 9:29). Just as in Noah's day when few believed that disaster loomed, no one will be expecting Christ's Second Coming (Matthew 24:35-39). You can read more about Noah in Genesis 6:1-9:29.

Study Tip:

Writers use repetition to emphasize key points.
When you see themes repeated in the Bible, it's because God considers them important.
Hover over these passages a little longer to fully grasp their meaning.

The First Epistle of Peter

The King James Bible

1 Peter 3:13-4:11
Partners in suffering

13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?

14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

1 Peter 4:1-11
Expect persecution

1 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;

2 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.

3 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:

4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.

6 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.

7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.

10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

11 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.

Margin notes:

"Happy are ye." (3:14) - Why be happy to suffer? See Matthew 5:10.

"Be not afraid of their terror." (3:14) - "Don't be afraid of their threats."

"Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts." (3:15) - "Honor the Lord God in your hearts."

"Be ready always to give an answer." (3:15) - Always be prepared to explain why you believe (Proverbs 15:28; Colossians 4:6).

"With meekness and fear." (3:15) - "With gentleness and respect." Use gentle persuasion when discussing your faith. Arguing religion is a poor way to convert others.

"They may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ." (3:16) - "They may be ashamed for falsely accusing your good lifestyle in Christ." Don't give God's critics a reason to assail you. See also verse 4:4 and I Peter 2:12.

"For." (3:18) - A connecting word. Peter is about to explain the reason for the teachings in verses 3:13-17.

"Christ also hath once suffered for sins." (3:18) - Unlike the Old Covenant where new sacrifices were constantly required, the New Covenant requires just one sacrifice, Jesus' death on the cross. He died to save us.

"Quickened by the Spirit." (3:18) - "Brought to life by the Spirit."

"He went and preached unto the spirits in prison." (3:19) - Bible scholars differ over the meaning of this verse. Some believe it refers to Jesus visiting Hell as implied in Acts 2:31
and in some versions of the prayer, the "Apostles Creed." Others believe it refers to Jesus ministering to fallen angels.

"Which sometime were disobedient." (3:20) - "Who were once disobedient."

"When once the longsuffering of God waited." (3:20) - "While God waited patiently."

"While the ark was a preparing." (3:20) - "While the ark was being built."

"Eight souls were saved by water." (3:20) - The eight were Noah, his wife, his three sons, and their wives. Peter is using the story of Noah as a foreshadowing of baptism.

"The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us." (3:21) - "The water symbolizes baptism which saves us." Faith in Christ saves Christians (Acts 16:31). Baptism is merely the public announcement that a person has accepted Christ as their Savior.

"Forasmuch." (4:1) - Another connecting word linking verses 3:17-22 with what Peter is about to say. Believers must be prepared to suffer. Suffering for Christ proves you are finished with sinning.

"Arm yourselves likewise with the same mind." (4:1) - "Arm yourselves with Jesus' mindset, viewpoint." Be forgiving, patient, loving, and gentle.

"He that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin." (4:1) - "Those who have suffered on earth are delivered from sin."

"No longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men." (4:2) - You will no longer spend your time chasing "the desires of men."

"Wrought the will of the Gentiles." (4:3) - "Done the will of the Gentiles."

"We walked." (4:3) - "We lived."

"Revellings, banquetings." (4:3) - "Orgies, partying."

"Idolatries." (4:3) - "Idol worship."

"Excess of riot." (4:4) - "Wild living."

"To judge the quick and the dead." (4:5) - "To judge the living and the dead." Jesus will judge all mankind.

"For this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead." (4:6) - "For this reason the good news was preached to the dead." See "Today's Question" below.

"Be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer." (4:7) - "Therefore be serious (prudent) and careful in your prayers."

"Have fervent charity among yourselves." (4:8) - "Have enthusiastic love for each other." Peter repeatedly tells us to love each other (1 Peter 1:22; 2:17; 3:8).

"Charity shall cover the multitude of sins." (4:8) - When we love others, we overlook their faults. Similar to Proverbs 10:12.

"Use hospitality...without grudging." (4:9) - "Offer hospitality...without complaining."

"Every man hath received a gift." (4:10) - This refers to spiritual gifts. A gift can be any blessing, talent, or unique ability such as the knack to teach, preach, minister, or the ability to encourage and serve others. A gift could also be leadership skills, deep faith, patience, mercy, the spare time to serve, or enough money to help others (Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:8-11). Everyone has a gift waiting to be put to work for God. What is your gift?

"So minister the same one to another." (4:10) - "So use it (your gift) to help others."

"Stewards." (4:10) - Household slaves or servants responsible for keeping a house running smoothly, or in this case, using their gifts wisely.

"The manifold grace of God." (4:10) - "The diverse grace of God."

"The oracles of God." (4:11) - "The prophets of God." A prophet is inspired by God and speaks in the manner of God.

"Praise and dominion." (4:11) - "Glory and power."

Read Genesis 18:1-8; Deuteronomy 14:28; 23:24-25; 24:19-22; Matthew 25:35-40; Roman 12:13; and Hebrews 13:2 to learn more about being hospitable.

New Living Translation

1 Peter 3:13-4:11
Suffering for Doing Good

13 Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good?

14 But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don't worry or be afraid of their threats.

15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.

16 But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.

17 Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!

18 Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.

19 So he went and preached to the spirits in prison-

20 those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood.

21 And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

22 Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority.

1 Peter 4:1-11
Living for God

1 So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin.

2 You won't spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God.

3 You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy-their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols.

4 Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you.

5 But remember that they will have to face God, who will judge everyone, both the living and the dead.

6 That is why the Good News was preached to those who are now dead-so although they were destined to die like all people, they now live forever with God in the Spirit.

7 The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers.

8 Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.

9 Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.

10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.

11 Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word-for-word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."

Today's question:

1. What does "for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead" mean? (4:6)

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Answer: (Do you agree?)

1. "Many people in the early church had concerns about life after death. In Thessalonica, Christians worried that loved ones who died before Christ's return might never see Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Peter's readers needed to be reminded that the dead (both the faithful and their oppressors) would be judged. The judgment will be perfectly fair, he points out, because even the dead have heard the Gospel (see also 3:18-19). The Good News was first announced when Jesus Christ preached on the earth, but it has been operating since before the creation of the world (Ephesians 1:4), and it affects all mankind, the dead as well as the living."

(From the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois, page 2500).



Application thought for the day:

Are you prepared to answer the question, "why do you believe" (3:15)?
Spend the next couple of days preparing the perfect answer for the next time you're asked why you're a Christian.
This will help others, and you, better understand your faith.

Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course, the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2023 evolke

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