EXPLORE IT! - 1 Peter 4:1-6

“In Jesus’ culture, as in our own, it was assumed that those who suffer were forsaken by God or even being punished by him. Christ and his apostles, however, turn this assumption on its head. Those who suffer are experiencing the blessing of an opportunity to encounter the power of God in a way those who are comfortable never can.”

-- Skye Jethani

During the time that 1 Peter was being written, the believers in Asia Minor (to whom the letter is written) were being punished for simply bearing the name of Christ. This type of situation does not seem to have characterized the time of Peter’s ministry under the Emperor Nero’s era but it does line up quite well with the policies of his successors. Nero’s persecution was limited to Rome, but his successors were brutal to the Christians of Asia Minor.

1 Peter originated in the capital, Rome, which is the traditional site of Peter’s martyrdom. So while the letter itself may have not been written down by Peter himself, (since the persecution in Asia Minor occurred at a later time) it did originate in the church that Peter led in Rome, who preserved his legacy in writing after Nero murdered him. The letter points to the example of Peter and the other apostles who were killed and suffered for Christ, and it calls the second generation of believers in Asia Minor who are now also being persecuted to live as they did.

In the beginning of chapter 4 of the letter, the author speaks of living for the Promise of God through Christ.

First, he says to just look at the example of Christ.

Christ suffered in his body.

And so he concludes that we should be like Christ in our attitude toward suffering.

He points out that if you can endure suffering for Christ then surely you can endure temptation as well.

And he proclaims that Christians who suffer for Christ don’t sin anymore. 

He then recalls the former lifestyle that we used to live in before we met Christ, saying that we used to live as pagans – sinning all the time in every way.

He then speaks of the Future Judgment of the Creation, but first he points out to the persecuted believers of Asia Minor that those who are still pagans are surprised by their holy lives and feel threatened by their holiness – that’s why they abuse them. 

But one day they will answer to the One who judges the living and the dead. 

And he concludes by pointing to both the intentionality and the graciousness of Christ by proclaiming that the Gospel was even preached to those who have already died so that a just judgment would be given to all – so that all might live by the Spirit and not by flesh alone.