1 Peter 4:14-15 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Peter 4:12-19

The frequent repetition of counsel and comfort to Christians, considered as sufferers, in every chapter of this epistle, shows that the greatest danger these new converts were in arose from the persecutions to which their embracing Christianity exposed them. The good behaviour of Christians under sufferings is the most difficult part of their duty, but yet necessary both for the honour of Christ and their own comfort; and therefore the apostle, having extorted them in the former part of this... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Peter 4:14-16

4:14-16 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, you are blessed because the presence of the glory and the Spirit of God rest upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil-doer or a busybody. But if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him by this name bring glory to God. Here Peter says the greatest thing of all. If a man suffers for Christ, the presence of the glory rests upon him. This is a very strange phrase. We think it can... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 4:14

If ye be reproached for the name of Christ - To be reproached for the name of Christ is to be reproached for being a Christian, that is, for being like Christ. This is the highest honor to which any man can arrive in this world, and therefore the apostle says to such? Happy are ye. The Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you - As this Divine Spirit rested upon Jesus, so does it rest upon his persecuted followers. There is a various reading here, και δυναμεως , and of power, which... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 4:15

But let none of you suffer - as a busybody in other men's matters - Αλλοτριοεπισκοπος· The inspector of another; meddling with other people's concerns, and forgetting their own; such persons are hated of all men. But some think that meddling with those in public office is here intended, as if he had said: Meddle not with the affairs of state, leave public offices and public officers to their own master, strive to live peaceably with all men, and show yourselves to be humble and unaspiring. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 4:14

Verse 14 14If ye be reproached He mentions reproaches, because there is often more bitterness in them than in the loss of goods, or in the torments or agonies of the body; there is therefore nothing which is more grievous to ingenuous minds. For we see that many who are strong to bear want, courageous in torments, nay, bold to meet death, do yet succumb under reproach. To obviate this evil, Peter pronounces those blessed, according to what Christ says, (Mark 8:35,) who are reproached for the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 4:15

Verse 15 15.But (or, For)let one of you Here also he anticipates an objection. He had exhorted the faithful to patience, if it happened to them to be persecuted for the cause of Christ; he now adds the reason why he had only spoken of that kind of trouble, even because they ought to have abstained from all evil-doing. Here, then, is contained another exhortation, lest they should do anything for which they might seem to be justly punished. Therefore the causal particle is not, here superfluous,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 4:14

If ye be reproached for the Name of Christ, happy are ye ; rather, if ye are reviled in the -Name of Christ, blessed are ye. There is, again, a manifest quotation of our Lord's words in Matthew 5:11 . The conjunction "if" does not imply any doubt: the words mean "when ye are reviled." For "in the Name of Christ," camp. Mark 9:41 , "Whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my Name, because ye belong to Christ." So here the meaning is, " When ye are reviled because ye belong... read more