1 Peter 4:12-19 “Bible Study 1. – Focus – Getaway Camp 2016
Read the passage, pray, clarify unclear words and discuss questions
4:12 11 Beloved, think it not d strange 12 concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
(11) Because that cross is joined with the sincere profession of religion, the apostle repeats what he touched on before, warning us not to be troubled at persecutions and afflictions, as at a new and strange thing. Why might this be? see 1 Peter 1:7
Note: (d) As though some new thing had befallen you, which you never thought of before. Discuss why we are surprised?
(12) First reason: Because the Lord does not mean to confuse us with his fire (as it were) but to purge us of our impurities and make us perfect. Discuss why
4:13 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
(13) Another reason: because the afflictions of the godly and the wicked differ very much, and chiefly in three points. Discuss the three reasons below (v14 -15)
First difference, because the godly communicate with Christ in the afflictions, and therefore shall in their time also be partakers of his glory. Why is this a key thought? cf Rom 8:18
4:14 14 If you be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are you for the e spirit of glory and of God rests on you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
(14) Second difference, although the infidels think otherwise, who in afflicting the godly blaspheme God, yet the godly in that they are so abused, are honoured by God with true spiritual glory, and their adoption is sealed by the Spirit of God.
(e) By "Spirit" he means the gifts of the Spirit. Discuss 1 Peter 5:1
Look up the following verses and discuss 1Pe 5:1 1Pe 1:7 1Pe 1:11 1Pe 1:21 1Pe 1:24 Rom 5:1
4:15 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or [as] a thief, or [as] an evildoer, or as a busybody in other mens matters.
(15) The third difference: the godly are not afflicted for their evil doings, but for righteousness sake as Christians: by which it comes to pass that the cross, seeing it is a testimony to them of faith and righteousness, ministers to them not an occasion of sorrow, but of unspeakable joy: now the apostle expounds this third difference under the form of an exhortation. Why do this?
Can you share personal experiences of the above?
4:16 But if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this behalf.
4:17 16 For the time [is come] that judgment must begin at the house of God: and 17 if [it] first [begin] at us, what shall the end [be] of them that obey not the gospel of God?
(16) The third reason: because the Lord of all the world being especially watchful over those in his household, does therefore discipline them first of all, yet so that he keeps a measure in his greatest severity. As he always used to do until now, so he does now especially when he exhibited himself in person to his Church. see 1 Cor 11:27-32
(17) Lest the godly should be offended and stumble at that vain shadow of happiness of the wicked, as though God were not the governor of the world, for that the wicked are in good case, and the godly in evil, the apostle teaches by an argument of a comparison of them together, that God who spares not his own, but nurtures them under the cross, will at length in his time handle the rebellious and wicked far otherwise, whom he has appointed to utter destruction. Do you agree/disagree
Look up Isaiah 10:12 ; Jeremiah 25:29 ; 49:12 Ezekiel 9:6 ; Malachi 3:5 ; Matthew 3:9 Matthew 3:10 Luke 12:47 Luke 12:48 and discuss
4:18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved1. where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
4:19 18 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls [to him] in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
(18) The conclusion: seeing the godly are not afflicted by chance, but by the will of God, they ought not to despair, but go forward nonetheless in the way of holiness and well doing, commending themselves to God their faithful creator, that is to say, their Father.
What is the argument and motivation not to give up when suffering? cf Rom 5:9-10
Pray what teaching has impacted you in the study and how you can change
1.The above study notes are taken from the Geneva and abridged