1 Peter 4:7 - Meaning and Application

We have here a serious truth and the lesson that follows from it. The truth is that the end of all things is near. The terrible destruction of the Jewish church and nation, which our Savior foretold, was then very close. Because of that, the time of their persecution and of your suffering would be very short.

Your own life, and the lives of your enemies, would soon reach their end. Even the world itself would not last much longer. The final burning will bring it to an end, and then all things will be swallowed up in endless eternity. From this truth, the apostle draws a series of exhortations.

He first calls them to sobriety and watchfulness: “Be sober, and watch” (1 Peter 4:7). That means their minds should be serious, steady, and sound. They should also keep strict control over worldly pleasures. They must not let themselves be pulled back into their former sins and temptations (1 Peter 4:3). They must watch for prayer, staying in a calm and sober condition that fits them for prayer, and praying often, so that this end does not come on them unexpectedly (Luke 21:34; Matthew 26:40, Matthew 26:41).

From this we learn that thinking about our coming end is a strong reason to be sober in worldly matters and earnest in religious ones. We also learn that those who want to pray well must watch for prayer. They should guard their own spirits, look for proper times to pray, and do their duty as well as they can. The right order of the body is also very helpful for the good of the soul. When bodily desires are restrained and guided by God’s word and true reason, and when the body’s needs are placed under the soul’s higher good, then the body becomes a helper, not an enemy, to the soul.

Next he calls them to charity, or loving concern for one another: “Above all things have fervent charity among yourselves” (1 Peter 4:8). This is a noble rule in Christianity. Christians ought to love one another, which includes caring for each other’s persons, wanting each other’s good, and working hard to promote it. This love must not be cold, but fervent, meaning sincere, strong, and lasting. It is placed above all things, which shows how important it is (Colossians 3:14). In greatness it is greater than faith or hope (1 Corinthians 13:13). One great effect of it is that it will cover a multitude of sins.

We learn that Christians should have warmer love for one another than for other people: “among yourselves.” He does not mean pagans, idolaters, or apostates, but believers among themselves. “Let brotherly love continue” (Hebrews 13:1). There is a special bond between all true Christians, and there is a real goodness and beauty in them that calls for special affection. It is not enough for Christians to avoid bitterness or simply show polite respect. They must love each other deeply and earnestly.

We also learn that true love covers many sins. It leads people to forgive and forget offenses against themselves. It makes them hide the sins of others instead of making them worse or spreading them around. It teaches us to love people who are still weak and who may have done many wrong things before their conversion. It also prepares us to receive mercy from God, who has promised to forgive those who forgive others (Matthew 6:14).

Then he calls them to hospitality: “Use hospitality one to another without grudging” (1 Peter 4:9). Hospitality here means freely and kindly receiving strangers and travelers. The proper people for Christian hospitality, especially in those times, were fellow believers. Their close bond and the hard conditions they faced in persecution and distress made this necessary. At times Christians were stripped of all they had and forced to flee to distant places for safety. In such cases they would have been left to starve if other Christians had not taken them in. So this was a wise and necessary rule, and it is also commanded elsewhere (Hebrews 13:1, Hebrews 13:2; Romans 12:13).

This duty must be done in a pleasant, kind, and generous way, without complaining about the cost or trouble. We learn that Christians should not only be charitable, but also hospitable, toward one another. We also learn that whatever a Christian does in charity or hospitality should be done cheerfully and without grumbling. Freely you have received, so freely give.

He then moves to the use of gifts, or talents, as God has given them (1 Peter 4:11). Whatever gift we have, whether ordinary or special, and whatever power or ability we have for doing good, we should use it to serve one another. We must see ourselves not as owners, but as stewards, that is, managers, of God’s many gifts. We learn that any ability we have to do good is God’s gift and should be credited to his grace. We also learn that whatever gifts we receive are given for the benefit of others. We must not keep them for ourselves or hide them away, but use them to serve one another as well as we can.

In receiving and using God’s many gifts, we should remember that we are only stewards and act like it. The talents entrusted to us belong to our Lord, and we must use them as he directs. A steward is required to be faithful.

The apostle then explains this in two ways, speaking and ministering. If anyone speaks, whether a minister in public or a Christian in private conversation, he must speak as the oracles of God, that is, as God’s own words, which guide the content of what is said. What Christians say in private, and what ministers say in public, should be the pure word of God. And as for the manner of speaking, it should have the seriousness, reverence, and solemnity that fit those holy words.

If anyone ministers, whether as a deacon caring for the church’s gifts and the poor, or as a private person giving charity and help, let him do it according to the ability God supplies. Anyone who has received abundance and strength from God should give abundantly and according to that ability. This should be done so that God may be glorified in all things, in all gifts, acts of service, and good works. Others should see these good works and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16). This happens through Jesus Christ, who won and gives these gifts to men (Ephesians 4:8), and through whom alone we and our services are accepted by God (Hebrews 13:15). To him, Jesus Christ, belong praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

We also learn, first, that Christians in private, as well as ministers in public, should speak to one another about the things of God (Malachi 3:16; Ephesians 4:29; Psalm 145:10-12). Second, all gospel preachers should stay close to God’s word and treat it with the reverence due to God’s own oracles.

Thirdly, Christians must not only do the duties of their calling, but do them with energy and with the best skill they have. Christian work is high work and hard work. The goodness of the Master and the greatness of the reward call for serious, earnest effort. Whatever we are called to do for God’s honor and for the good of others, we should do with all our strength.

Fourthly, in all the duties and activities of life, we should aim at God’s glory as our main goal. Every other aim must stay under this one. This is what makes our ordinary actions and business holy, as in (Colossians 3:17).

Fifthly, God is not honored by anything we do unless we offer it to him through the mediation, that is, the saving work of Jesus Christ. God must be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ, who is the only way to the Father.

Sixthly, the apostle’s worship of Jesus Christ, and his giving Christ unlimited and everlasting praise and rule, prove that Jesus Christ is the most high God, blessed forever. Amen.