The Chosen Key Word in this Chapter is “Fervent” it comes from the Greek Word “ektenes” which means “fervent, earnest.”
Peter prepares believers for genuine suffering while urging fervent love and faithful stewardship. Welcome to Bible Life Basics Chapter Reviews, I am Chris and this is 1 Peter 4.
Peter urges his readers, since Christ has suffered for them in the flesh, to arm themselves likewise with the same mind, since he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that they no longer should live the rest of their time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God, since they have spent enough time in times past to work the will of the Gentiles, walking in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries.
Peter urges them to be sober, and watch unto prayer, above all things having “fervent,” “ektenes” in Greek, charity among themselves, since charity shall cover the multitude of sins, using hospitality one to another without grudging, and as every man has received the gift, ministering the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God, if any man speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God, if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God gives, that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ.
Peter urges them not to think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try them, as though some strange thing happened to them, but to rejoice, inasmuch as they are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory shall be revealed, they may be glad also with exceeding joy, describing how if they are reproached for the name of Christ, happy are they, for the spirit of glory and of God rests upon them, but letting none of them suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters, yet if any man suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God on this behalf, closing with the observation that judgment must begin at the house of God, and if it first begins at them, what shall the end be of those who obey not the gospel of God.
Peter’s counsel not to think it strange when facing fiery trials reframes suffering for one’s faith as genuinely normal and expected rather than a sign that something has gone unexpectedly wrong. His instruction to have fervent charity above all things, since love covers a multitude of sins, prioritizes genuine, active love as the essential foundation underlying every other aspect of faithful Christian community and service.
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