In 1 Peter 4:7–19, Peter shows believers how to live in light of the end of all things. Because this life is only the lobby and our true inheritance is still coming, we are to stay self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of our prayers, love one another earnestly, show hospitality without grumbling, and use our gifts as stewards of God’s varied grace so that He is glorified. When fiery trials come and we are insulted for the name of Christ, we should not be surprised but rejoice that we share His sufferings, knowing that judgment begins with the household of God and that we can entrust our souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
1Peter 4:7-19 marks the beginning of the end of the letter. In conclusion, Peter returns his main theme of the letter: how you deal with fellow believers and hostile nonbelievers. His answer in each case is you need the right perspective.
Passage
7The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies–in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 12Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” 19Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. – 1Peter 4:7-19 ESV
- We become metaphorically drunk and distracted by daily life such that we forget that we have an inheritance in the kingdom of God.
- Peter starts his summary by urging his readers to remember this world is not home and we live in the last age before the second coming.
- If we are humble before God, we are less likely to sin against our fellow believers and less likely to hold their sins against them.
- Hospitality was highly valued and a matter of honor in Peter’s day.
- Grumbling comes from taking myself too seriously and forgetting that this world is not all there is.
- Peter divides the gifts it 2 basic categories: speaking and serving.
- Don’t be surprised when you suffer. Why? 1) If people don’t like Christ, they won’t like you either and 2) God has made it clear trials are part of life.
Summary
In 1 Peter 4:7–19, Peter calls us to live this short life in the lobby with our eyes on the main event. Because the end of all things is at hand, we stay sober-minded for the sake of our prayers, love and welcome fellow believers, and use our gifts as stewards of God’s varied grace so that He, not we, receives the glory. When fiery trials come and we are insulted for the name of Christ, we remember that judgment begins with the household of God and that our hard path is part of His refining work. Rather than chasing our own glory or comfort, we entrust our souls to a faithful Creator while doing good, knowing that to share Christ’s sufferings now is to share His glory when it is finally revealed.
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