1 Peter 4

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 4:11

If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God ,.... This is an application of the above general rule to a particular case, the public ministry of the word, for that is here meant: "if any man speak"; not in any manner, or on any subject; not in a private way, or about things natural and civil; but in public, and concerning divine things: "let him speak": this is rightly supplied in our translation; and in which it is supported and confirmed by the Syriac and Arabic versions, who both... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 4:12

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial ,.... By which may be meant either the destruction of Jerusalem, which was at hand, and of which the apostle may be thought to give the Jews he writes to notice of before hand; that they might be prepared for it, and not be overwhelmed with consternation and amazement when they should hear of it; who, though in other countries, must be affected with it, and would be a trying dispensation to them: or else the afflictions and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 4:13

But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings ,.... Not of his personal sufferings; though they were partakers of the benefits and blessings which come through them, and result from them, such as justification, peace, and pardon, and which are matter and ground of rejoicing; but of the sufferings of his body, the church, which is mystically himself; and are called his, because of the union between him and his people, and the sympathy he bears to them, and because they are... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 4:14

If ye be reproached for the name of Christ ,.... For being called by his name; for bearing the name of Christians; for believing in him, and professing him; and for the sake of his Gospel, which is sometimes called his name, Acts 9:15 not that the apostle makes any doubt of this, for nothing is more certain than that the saints shall be reproached, and all manner of evil spoken of them falsely for Christ's name sake; but he supposes it, and takes it for granted, that they are, and will be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 4:15

But let none of you suffer as a murderer ,.... The punishment for murder was death by the law of God, Genesis 9:6 or as a thief ; whose fine or mulct, according to the Jewish law, was a fivefold or fourfold restitution, according to the nature of the thing that was stolen, Exodus 22:1 or as an evildoer ; a breaker of any of the laws of God or men, which are of a moral nature, and for the good of civil society: or as a busybody in other men's matters; "or as a bishop in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 4:16

Yet if any man suffer as a Christian ,.... Because he is one, and professes himself to be one. This name was first given to the disciples at Antioch, either by themselves, or by the Gentiles; however, it being agreeable to them, was retained; it is only mentioned here, and in Acts 11:26 , let him not be ashamed ; neither of Christ, and his Gospel, for which he suffers, nor of the name he bears, nor of the punishment he endures, however ignominious and shameful it may be among men; but... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 4:17

For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God ,.... By the house of God is either meant the temple at Jerusalem, which is often so called, because it was built for God, and where were the symbol of his presence, and his worship; and now the time was come, or at hand, that God would begin at his sanctuary, and leave this house desolate, and not one stone should be left upon another, as Christ had foretold: or else the church of God, which is frequently called the house of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 4:18

And if the righteous scarcely be saved ,.... Reference is had to Proverbs 11:31 where in the Septuagint version are the same words as here: the "righteous" are such, not who are so in their own opinion, or merely in the esteem of others, nor on account of their vility, morality, and external righteousness before men, or by the deeds of the law; but who are made righteous by the righteousness of Christ imputed to them: and such are "scarcely saved"; not as if they were but in part saved,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 4:19

Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God ,.... This is the conclusion made from the foregoing premises; that seeing the state and condition of the saints in this world, at worst, and which is but for a time, is infinitely preferable to the dreadful state and condition of disobedient persons, ungodly men, and sinners, and which will endure to all eternity; they should not think strange of their sufferings, or complain of them, but patiently endure them; and especially when... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 4

We should suffer patiently, after the example of Christ, 1 Peter 4:1 . And no longer live according to our former custom, but disregard the scoffs of those who are incensed against us because we have forsaken their evil ways, who are shortly to give account to God for their conduct, 1 Peter 4:2-5 . How the Gospel was preached to Jews and Gentiles, 1 Peter 4:6 . As the end of all things was at hand, they should be sober, watchful, charitable, benevolent, good stewards of the bounty of... read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 4:11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 4:12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 4:13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 4:14

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 4:15

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 4:16

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 4:17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 4:18

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 4:19

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 4

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