1 Petrus 4:7-12

Service, Suffering, and Judgment

4:7 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.

[4:7]  ¹ tn Grk “for prayers.”

[4:8]  ² tn The primary verb of v. 8 is a participle (“having”) but it continues the sense of command from v. 7.

[4:8]  ³ tn Or “constant.”

[4:8]  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).

[4:9]  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.

[4:10]  ⁶ tn Grk “serving it to one another.” The primary verb is a participle but it continues the sense of command from v. 7.

[4:11]  ⁷ tn Grk “if anyone speaks – as God’s words.”

[4:11]  ⁸ tn Or “oracles.”

[4:11]  ⁹ tn Grk “if anyone serves – with strength…”

[4:11]  ¹⁰ tn Grk “is/are.”

[4:12]  ¹¹ tn Or “do not be surprised, taken aback.” The same verb occurs in 4:4.

[4:12]  ¹² tn Grk “at the burning among you, occurring to you for testing.”