1 Peter 4

1 Therefore [for this reason, in light of this], since Christ [the Anointed One, Messiah] suffered [experienced pain, endured hardship] in His body [physical flesh, human form], arm [equip, prepare] yourselves with the same [like-minded, similar] resolve [determination, mindset], because anyone who has suffered [experienced pain, been afflicted] in his body [flesh, physical form] is done [ceased, stopped] with sin [missing the mark, rebellion against God]. word study 2 Consequently, he does not live out his remaining [leftover, still to come] time on earth [in the flesh, physically] for human [man’s, sinful] passions [desires, lusts], but for the will [purpose, desire] of God [the one true deity]. word study 3 For you have spent enough time [a sufficient period, long enough] in the past carrying out the same desires [lusts, sinful cravings] as the Gentiles [non-Jewish people, those without God]: living in debauchery [excessive indulgence, licentiousness], lust [strong desires, cravings], drunkenness [excess of wine, intoxication], orgies [wild parties, revelings], carousing [drinking parties, celebrations], and detestable [abominable, unlawful] idolatry [worship of false gods, images]. word study 4 Because of this, they consider it strange [think it odd, are surprised] of you not to plunge [run, join in] with them into the same flood [outpouring, excess] of reckless [wild, excessive] indiscretion [debauchery, profligacy], and they heap [speak, utter] abuse [evil, blasphemy] on you. word study 5 But they will have to give an account [to render a verdict, to pay the penalty] to Him [the ultimate Judge] who is ready [willingly, with eagerness] to judge [to condemn or vindicate, to make a decision] the living [those who are spiritually alive] and the dead [those who are physically or spiritually lifeless]. word study 6 That is why [for this cause, to this end] the gospel [good news, message of salvation] was preached [announced, proclaimed] even to those who are now dead [lifeless, deceased], so that they might be judged [condemned, evaluated] as men [human beings, mortal] in the flesh [physical body, mortal state], but live [have life, be alive] according to God [in harmony with, following] in the spirit [breath, divine nature]. word study 7 The end [goal, conclusion] of all things [everything, every person] is near [at hand, approaching]. Therefore [then, consequently] be clear-minded [of sound mind, sane] and sober [morally alert, discreet], so that you can pray [offer prayers, talk to God]. word study 8 Above all [before all things, most of all], love [unconditional, fervent, having earnest affection] one another [toward each other, among yourselves] deeply [with intense zeal, wholeheartedly], because love [agape, God’s nature] covers [hides, forgives, will cover] over a multitude [a large number, a great amount] of sins [wrongdoings, missing the mark]. word study 9 Show [use, practice] hospitality [being fond of guests] to one another [toward each other, mutually] without [absent of] complaining [grumbling, murmuring, without grudging]. word study 10 As good [faithful, trustworthy] stewards [managers, overseers] of the manifold [various, diverse] grace [unmerited favor, divine influence] of God [the one true deity], each [every individual] of you should use whatever gift [spiritual endowment, divine gratuity] he has received [taken, accepted] to serve [minister, attend to] one another [each other, themselves]. word study 11 If anyone speaks [as one conveying the oracles of God], he should speak as one conveying the words of God [the divine message]. If anyone serves [with the ability which God giveth], he should serve with the strength [power, ability] God provides, so that in all things God [the supreme deity] may be glorified [praised, honored] through Jesus Christ [the Messiah, God’s anointed], to whom be the glory [honor, praise] and the power [strength, authority] forever and ever [for all eternity]. Amen. word study 12 Beloved [dearly loved, cherished by God], do not be surprised [think it not strange, astonished] at the fiery [burning, refining] trial [testing, temptation] that has come upon you [to prove, refine you], as though something strange [foreign] were happening to you [as if it were an unexpected, unusual event]. word study 13 But rejoice [be glad, feel happy] that you share [participate, have fellowship] in the sufferings [hardships, afflictions] of Christ [the Anointed One, Messiah], so that you may be overjoyed [exceedingly joyful, glad with great joy] at the revelation [disclosure, unveiling] of His glory [honor, praise, magnificent splendor]. word study 14 If you are insulted [reproached, cursed] for the name [character, authority] of Christ [the Anointed, Messiah], you are blessed [happy, supremely fortunate], because the Spirit [breath, vital principle] of glory [honor, praise] and of God [the one true deity] rests [gives rest, refreshes] on you [upon your life]. word study 15 Indeed, none [not one, no one] of you should suffer [experience pain or hardship, endure misfortune] as a murderer [one who takes life, a killer] or thief [one who steals, a plunderer] or wrongdoer [one who does evil, an offender], or even as a meddler [a busybody, one who interferes in other’s affairs]. word study 16 But if [in the event that, as a condition] you suffer [experience hardship, persecution] as a Christian [a follower of Christ, having God’s nature], do not be ashamed [feel no disgrace, have no regret], but glorify [praise, honor, give thanks to] God [the Supreme Being, Creator of all] that you bear [carry, endure, have the privilege of] that name [the title of Christian, the name of Christ]. word study 17 For it is time [the right moment, the appointed hour] for judgment [a decision, a verdict] to begin [to commence, to start] with the family [the household, the congregation] of God [the supreme deity, the Creator]; and if it begins [starts, commences] with us [the believers, the faithful], what will the outcome [the result, the end] be for those who disobey [refuse to obey, are disobedient to] the gospel [the good news, the message of salvation] of God [the one true God, the Savior]? word study 18 And, “If [with great difficulty] it is hard [barely possible] for the righteous [just, fair, and innocent] to be saved [delivered from harm, protected], what will become [happen to] of the ungodly [irreverent, wicked] and the sinner [someone who does wrong, sinful]?” word study 19 So then, those who suffer [undergo punishment, experience hardship] according to God’s [the supreme Creator’s] will [desire, intention] should entrust [commit, put their trust in] their souls [the seat of emotions, the breath of life] to their faithful [trustworthy, reliable] Creator [the one who made everything] and continue to do [practice, perform] good [virtuous, righteous]. word study