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Holy Week · Holy Saturday · Year C

1 Peter 4:1-8

Living for God

April 15, 2028

Saint Martin and the Beggar, El Greco
Saint Martin and the Beggar, El Greco, c. 1597–1599National Gallery of Art, Washington
Martin on a white horse, in sixteenth-century Toledo armour, cutting his cloak in half for a naked beggar. El Greco painted it for a chapel he also designed.Little children, let us love not in word or speech but in truth and action: 1 John asks for proof, and this is the standard example of it.El GrecoA Cretan icon painter who trained in Venice and settled in Toledo, where he stretched his figures into something no other century has imitated successfully.National Gallery of Art, WashingtonGiven to the United States by Andrew Mellon in 1937 on condition it carry no founder's name, so that others would give to it too.National Gallery of Art, Washington
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelMatt. 27:57-66Mt 27:57-66 orJohn 19:38-42Jn 19:38-42
Epistle1 Pet. 4:1-81 Pt 4:1-8
Old TestamentJob 14:1-14Jb 14:1-14 orLam. 3:1-9, 19-24Lam 3:1-9, 19-24
PsalterPs. 31:1-4, 15-16Ps 31:1-4, 15-16

Overview & Insights

“The end of all things is at hand… keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:7-8)

What are the practical implications for Christians of Christ’s suffering and consequent triumph over death and the powers of evil? Recalling the opening of this section, back in 3:18, Peter reverts to the death of Christ. This is the example that believers should follow. They must turn their backs on the immoral practices of their pagan neighbors, formerly their own life-style, and wholeheartedly follow their Master by copying him. Christ suffered in his body , that is, he gave his all, including his very life, in carrying out the will of God. His followers must resolve to go to the same lengths: Arm yourselves also with the same attitude —a military metaphor; but the NT is not averse to using such language, for believers are indeed engaged in warfare, albeit in the spiritual realm.

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Commentary

David Guzik Commentary on 1 Peter 4David Guzik Commentary on 1 Pt 4 Enduring Word · David Guzik

Evangelical exposition on arming oneself with Christ's mind, living for God's will, and love covering a multitude of sins.

1 Peter 4:1 Commentaries1 Pt 4:1 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic parallel commentaries on suffering in the flesh and ceasing from sin.

1 Peter 4:6 Commentaries1 Pt 4:6 Commentaries BibleHub

Commentaries on the gospel preached to those who are dead, a key text for the Holy Saturday descent.

1 Peter 4:1 Greek Interlinear1 Pt 4:1 Greek Interlinear BibleHub

Word-by-word Greek text with parsing for close study of the exhortation to suffer as Christ did.

1 Peter 4 Resources1 Pt 4 Resources preceptaustin.org

Precept Austin collects verse by verse notes covering the whole chapter, including this passage on suffering as Christ suffered.

Background & Word Study

Book of 1 Peter OverviewBook of 1 Pt Overview BibleProject

Animated overview of 1 Peter's message of hope to suffering Christians.

The Church Fathers

Catena on 1 Peter 4Catena on 1 Pt 4 Catena

Patristic comments on 1 Peter 4, including the ancient reading of Christ's proclamation to the dead.

Questions preachers ask

How should Christians live in 1 Peter 4?

Because Christ suffered in the flesh, believers are to be done with sin and to live for the will of God, above all loving one another earnestly.

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