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1 Peter 4:16 – Suffering Praise

Posted on February 17, 2017 by Will

Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, he must not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this name.

Truth to Learn

If you should suffer as a Christian, give God the glory!

Behind the Words

The word “Christian” is translated from the Greek word christianos. It is actually of Latin formulation, not Greek. It is a word that was not used by Christians to refer to themselves until the end of the first century. This word was coined by Romans as a term of derision to distinguish followers of Christ from Jews and Gentiles. It occurs only three times in the New Testament: Acts 11:26, Acts 26:28, and here.

“He must not be ashamed” is translated from mē aischunesthō. The Greek word mē means “not” and aischunomai means “to feel shame.” It is expressed here in the passive voice, meaning that the action is being done to the subject. It is also expressed in the imperative mood. When used this way with mē, it is expressing a prohibition. Therefore, this expression could be translated as “he is not to feel shamed in any way!”

The expression “let him glorify” is from the Greek word doxadzō, meaning “to give someone esteem or honor by putting him into an honorable position.” The word “let” does not imply giving permission to glorify God. It is there because doxadzō is expressed in the imperative mood, implying a command to glorify God. Hence, the second half of this verse could be translated as:

“he is not to feel shamed in any way; he is to glorify God in this name!”

Meaning Explained

Today’s verse is a continuation of the previous verse. Let’s put the two of them together:

But let none of you as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a meddler in other people's matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, he must not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this name.

You will notice that in this quotation I took out the words “suffers.” That’s because they aren’t actually in the original text. They have been added by the translators for easier reading.

In Peter’s day Christians were already being persecuted for no other reason than the fact that they claimed Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Peter knew that this persecution would continue and that members of the body of Christ would suffer because of it. Therefore, he instructed the early Christians, as well as us today, that to suffer as a Christian is nothing to be ashamed of, rather it is something to praise God about.

This along with the next 3 verses clearly summarizes what Peter has been saying throughout most of this letter:

“If you live the life of a submitted and committed Christian, you may very well suffer for it. But if you do, give your praises to God that you are counted worthy of sharing in Christ’s suffering.”

Application

Are you suffering right now simply because of your testimony as a Christian? If so, God is pleased, you are blessed, and your lips should be overflowing with praise to God.

In God's service, for His glory,

2 Peter 1:8 – A Growing Christian

Posted on April 13, 2009 by admin

2 Peter 1:8

For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Truth to Learn

We need to be continually growing in our Christian faith.

Behind the Words

The word “possess” is the Greek word huparchonta, which means “to begin to be” or “to come into existence.” It is expressed here as a present, active participle, indicating continual action. So we could translate the beginning of this verse as, “For if these things are beginning to be to you” or “For if you are continually acquiring these things.”

The words “in increasing measure” are translated from the Greek word pleonadzō, which means “to cause to increase.” In the Greek text this word and huparchonta are joined by the equivalent of our English word “and.” The implication is that we should be constantly acquiring these character qualities and consistently building on what we already have.

“Ineffective” is from argos, meaning “not working” or “inactive,” and “unproductive” is from akarpos, meaning “without fruit.”

Meaning Explained

Okay, so why is it so important that we develop these Christian qualities that Peter has been talking about? Why should we work hard at developing faith, morality, knowledge and understanding, self-control, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love? Peter says that if these qualities are constantly growing in us then we will neither be idle nor unfruitful.

The last phrase of today’s verse is a little misleading due to an unfortunate translation. The word translated “in” is the Greek word “eis” which means “into” or “unto” implying a result, and the word translated “knowledge” is the word “epignosin” which means complete knowledge or full understanding. Peter is saying that developing these Christian qualities in abundance will result in constant successful efforts in the service of the King, resulting in a complete understanding of Him.

This was the Apostle Paul’s desire in Philippians 3:8-10 where he expressed disdain for the things of this world in favor of knowing Christ,

But whatever things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. But no, rather, I also count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them to be dung, so that I may win Christ and be found in Him; not having my own righteousness, which is of the Law, but through the faith of Christ, the righteousness of God by faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable to His death;

Is that your desire, to disdain worldly accomplishments, to know God better, to serve Him more faithfully?

Application

Back in verse five we said: as a Christian you’re either moving forward, or you’re sliding backward. Which direction is your Christian life going? Which way does God want you to go?

In God’s service, for His glory,

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1 Peter 4:16 – Suffering Praise

Posted on February 26, 2009 by admin

1 Peter 4:16

Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.

Truth to Learn

If you should suffer as a Christian, give God the glory!

Behind the Words

“Let him not be ashamed” is translated from mē aischunesthō. The Greek word mē means “not” and aischunomai means “to feel shame.” It is expressed here in the passive voice, meaning that the action is being done to the subject. It is also expressed in the imperative mood. When used this way with mē, it is expressing a prohibition. Therefore, this expression could be translated as “he is not to feel shamed in any way!”

“he is not to feel shamed in any way; he is to glorify God in this matter!”

Meaning Explained

Today’s verse is a continuation of the previous verse. Let’s put the two of them together:

But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.

You will notice that in this quotation I took out the words “anyone suffers.” That’s because they aren’t actually in the original text. They have been added by the translators for easier reading.

This along with the next 3 verses clearly summarizes what Peter has been saying throughout most of this letter:

Application

Are you suffering right now simply because of your testimony as a Christian? If so, God is pleased, you are blessed, and your lips should be overflowing with praise to God.

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

1 Peter 4:12 – Christian Suffering, Not Unusual

Posted on February 22, 2009 by admin

1 Peter 4:12

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;

Truth to Learn

Christians have suffered for their faith throughout history. Therefore, don’t think it strange if it happens to you.

Behind the Words

The expression “do not think it strange” comes from two Greek words, mē and a form of xenidzo. Mē means “not” and the verb zenidzo means “to think of something as strange.” This verb is expressed in the imperative mood, indicating a command.

The words “fiery trial” are translated from purōsis, which refers specifically to “the act of smelting metals.” Figuratively, it refers to any time of intense trial.

“Which is to try you” is translated from peirasmon humin ginomenē. The word peirasmon refers to “a trial or temptation,” that is, “a time of testing.” The word humin means “you (plural).” And ginomenē is the present participle of the verb meaning “to begin” or “to come about.” Hence, this expression can be translated as “a trying time which is currently coming upon you.”

Meaning Explained

Peter now returns again to the theme that he has been repeating throughout this letter, suffering for righteousness sake. It is true that the Christians in the early church suffered persecution repeatedly at the hands of jealous Jews and tyrannical Roman rulers. But members of the Church have suffered persecution throughout history. In fact, there have been few times in history when the church has not suffered persecution, so Peter’s message is relevant for all generations of believers.

Consider, after all, the spiritual warfare that is going on, and has been going on in the heavenlies since time began. Satan and his demons have been opposed to God’s plan and His faithful servants from the beginning. We sometimes think it a strange thing that we are coming under heavier and heavier attack from the humanists and secularist who want to get God out of our school systems and out of our government. But wasn’t this country founded on Christian ideals and values? Of course it was. However, that doesn’t mean that our enemy won’t do everything in his power to neutralize God’s influence. Actually, in this country we have had such religious freedom for the past 250 years that we think all of history has been like that. Not so, I’m afraid.

And, there are places in the world right now where Christians are being persecuted and murdered simply because they believe that Jesus Christ died for their sins.

The time is coming when, even in this country, Christians will be persecuted and caused to suffer simply for believing in the Creator-God and the sacrificial atonement of His Son. So Peter’s message is just as relevant to us today as it has been throughout history. Therefore, don’t think it strange if it happens to you.

Application

Let’s proclaim the message of freedom and salvation, though it may fall on deaf ears, even if it means that we will be persecuted and suffer for it. And if you do suffer, don’t think it unusual, give Him the glory!

In God’s service, for His glory,

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