Discovery Box1 Peter 4:7-19 
Context4:7 For the culmination of all things is near. So be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of prayer. 1 4:8 Above all keep 2 your love for one another fervent, 3 because love covers a multitude of sins. 4 4:9 Show hospitality 5 to one another without complaining. 4:10 Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another 6 as good stewards of the varied grace of God. 4:11 Whoever speaks, let it be with 7 God’s words. 8 Whoever serves, do so with the strength 9 that God supplies, so that in everything God will be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong 10 the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
4:12 Dear friends, do not be astonished 11 that a trial by fire is occurring among you, 12 as though something strange were happening to you. 4:13 But rejoice in the degree that you have shared in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed 13 you may also rejoice and be glad. 14 4:14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory, 15 who is the Spirit of God, 16 rests 17 on you. 4:15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or thief or criminal or as a troublemaker. 18 4:16 But if you suffer as a Christian, 19 do not be ashamed, but glorify 20 God that you bear such a name. 21 4:17 For it is time for judgment to begin, starting with the house 22 of God. And if it starts with us, what will be the fate 23 of those who are disobedient to the gospel of God? 4:18 And if the righteous are barely saved, what will become of 24 the ungodly and sinners? 25 4:19 So then let those who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator as they do good. 26
1 tn Grk “for prayers.”
2 tn The primary verb of v. 8 is a participle (“having”) but it continues the sense of command from v. 7.
3 tn Or “constant.”
4 sn The statement of v. 8b, love covers a multitude of sins, is proverbial: It is quoted from Prov 10:12 (cf. Jas 5:20). It speaks of the forbearance that comes with love: Christian love is patient and forgiving toward the offenses of a fellow Christian (Matt 18:21-22; 1 Cor 13:4-7).
5 tn There is no main verb in this verse (“showing hospitality” translates the adjective φιλόξενοι [filoxenoi]), but it continues the sense of command from v. 7.
6 tn Grk “serving it to one another.” The primary verb is a participle but it continues the sense of command from v. 7.
7 tn Grk “if anyone speaks – as God’s words.”
8 tn Or “oracles.”
9 tn Grk “if anyone serves – with strength…”
10 tn Grk “is/are.”
11 tn Or “do not be surprised, taken aback.” The same verb occurs in 4:4.
12 tn Grk “at the burning among you, occurring to you for testing.”
13 tn Grk “in the revelation of his glory.”
14 tn The verb “be glad” is used also in 1:6 and 1:8. The verbs of v. 13b are used together in Matt 5:12 and Rev 19:7.
15 tc Many
16 tn Grk “the Spirit of glory and of God.”
17 sn A quotation taken from Isa 11:2.
18 tn The meaning of the Greek word used here is uncertain. It may mean “spy, informer,” “revolutionary,” or “defrauder, embezzler.” But the most likely meaning is “busybody, one who meddles in the affairs of others, troublesome meddler.” The translation given in the text is intended to suggest this general idea.
19 tn The verb is implied by the context but not expressed; Grk “but if as a Christian.”
20 tn These are third-person imperatives in Greek (“if [one of you suffers] as a Christian, let him not be ashamed…let him glorify”), but have been translated as second-person verbs since this is smoother English idiom.
21 tn Grk “in this name.”
22 tn Grk “to begin from the house.”
23 tn Or “the end.”
24 tn Grk “where will he appear.”
25 tn The personal references in v. 18 are generic singulars, but they have been changed to the plural in English to maintain consistency with the plurals of v. 17.
sn A quotation from Prov 11:31 (LXX).
26 tn Grk “in doing good.”
