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1 Peter 4:12-5:14
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
1 Peter 4:12-5:14
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
12 Beloved, do not be surprised that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as if something strange were happening to you.(A) 13 But rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly.(B) 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.(C) 15 But let no one among you be made to suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as an intriguer. 16 But whoever is made to suffer as a Christian should not be ashamed but glorify God because of the name. 17 For it is time for the judgment to begin with the household of God; if it begins with us, how will it end for those who fail to obey the gospel of God?(D)
18 “And if the righteous one is barely saved,
where will the godless and the sinner appear?”(E)
19 As a result, those who suffer in accord with God’s will hand their souls over to a faithful creator as they do good.
Chapter 5
Advice to Presbyters.[a] 1 So I exhort the presbyters[b] among you, as a fellow presbyter and witness to the sufferings of Christ and one who has a share in the glory to be revealed. 2 Tend the flock of God in your midst, [overseeing] not by constraint but willingly, as God would have it, not for shameful profit but eagerly.(F) 3 Do not lord it over those assigned to you, but be examples to the flock. 4 (G)And when the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.[c]
Advice to the Community.[d] 5 Likewise, you younger members,[e] be subject to the presbyters. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for:
“God opposes the proud
but bestows favor on the humble.”(H)
6 So humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.(I) 7 Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you.(J)
8 Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for [someone] to devour.(K) 9 Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same sufferings. 10 The God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory through Christ [Jesus] will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you after you have suffered a little.(L) 11 To him be dominion forever. Amen.
V. Conclusion
12 I write you this briefly through Silvanus,[f] whom I consider a faithful brother, exhorting you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Remain firm in it. 13 The chosen one[g] at Babylon sends you greeting, as does Mark, my son. 14 Greet one another with a loving kiss. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.(M)
Footnotes
- 5:1–4 In imitation of Christ, the chief shepherd, those entrusted with a pastoral office are to tend the flock by their care and example.
- 5:1 Presbyters: the officially appointed leaders and teachers of the Christian community (cf. 1 Tm 5:17–18; Ti 1:5–8; Jas 5:14).
- 5:4 See note on 1 Pt 2:25.
- 5:5–11 The community is to be subject to the presbyters and to show humility toward one another and trust in God’s love and care (1 Pt 5:5–7). With sobriety, alertness, and steadfast faith they must resist the evil one; their sufferings are shared with Christians everywhere (1 Pt 5:8–9). They will be strengthened and called to eternal glory (1 Pt 5:10–11).
- 5:5 Younger members: this may be a designation for office-holders of lesser rank.
- 5:12 Silvanus: the companion of Paul (see 2 Cor 1:19; 1 Thes 1:1; 2 Thes 1:1). Jews and Jewish Christians, like Paul, often had a Hebrew name (Saoul, Silas) and a Greek or Latin name (Paul, Silvanus). On Silvanus’s possible role as amanuensis, see Introduction.
- 5:13 The chosen one: feminine, referring to the Christian community (ekklēsia) at Babylon, the code name for Rome in Rev 14:8; 17:5; 18:2. Mark, my son: traditionally a prominent disciple of Peter and co-worker at the church in Rome, perhaps the John Mark referred to in Acts 12:12, 25; 13:5, 13; and in Acts 15:37–39, a companion of Barnabas. Perhaps this is the same Mark mentioned as Barnabas’s cousin in Col 4:10, a co-worker with Paul in Phlm 24 (see also 2 Tm 4:11).
1 Peter 4:12-5:14
New International Version
1 Peter 4:12-5:14
New International Version
Suffering for Being a Christian
12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you(A) to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice(B) inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ,(C) so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.(D) 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ,(E) you are blessed,(F) for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.(G) 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household;(H) and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?(I) 18 And,
“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”[a](J)
19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will(K) should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
To the Elders and the Flock
5 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder(L) and a witness(M) of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed:(N) 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock(O) that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be;(P) not pursuing dishonest gain,(Q) but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over(R) those entrusted to you, but being examples(S) to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd(T) appears, you will receive the crown of glory(U) that will never fade away.(V)
5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves(W) to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility(X) toward one another, because,
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.(Z) 7 Cast all your anxiety on him(AA) because he cares for you.(AB)
8 Be alert and of sober mind.(AC) Your enemy the devil prowls around(AD) like a roaring lion(AE) looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him,(AF) standing firm in the faith,(AG) because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.(AH)
10 And the God of all grace, who called you(AI) to his eternal glory(AJ) in Christ, after you have suffered a little while,(AK) will himself restore you and make you strong,(AL) firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.(AM)
Final Greetings
12 With the help of Silas,[c](AN) whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly,(AO) encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.(AP)
13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark.(AQ) 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love.(AR)
Peace(AS) to all of you who are in Christ.
Footnotes
- 1 Peter 4:18 Prov. 11:31 (see Septuagint)
- 1 Peter 5:5 Prov. 3:34
- 1 Peter 5:12 Greek Silvanus, a variant of Silas
New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)
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