1 Peter 4 · Verse 15

1 Peter 4:15

But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.
1 Peter 4:15, King James Version

1 Peter 4:15 in other translations

BSBIndeed, none of you should suffer as a murderer or thief or wrongdoer, or even as a meddler.
WEBBut let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil doer, or a meddler in other men’s matters.
ASVFor let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil-doer, or as a meddler in other men’s matters:
YLTfor let none of you suffer as a murderer, or thief, or evil-doer, or as an inspector into other men's matters;
DARBYLet none of you suffer indeed as murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or as overseer of other people's matters;
BBELet no one among you undergo punishment as a taker of life, or as a thief, or as an evil-doer, or as one who is over-interested in other men's business;
WebsterBut let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evil-doer, or as a busy-body in other men's matters.

What does 1 Peter 4:15 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
15. But--Greek, "For." "Reproached in the name of Christ" I say (1Pe 4:14), "FOR let none," &c. as ... as ... as ... as--the "as" twice in italics is not in the Greek. The second Greek, "as," distinguishes the class "busybody in other men's matters," from the previous class of delinquents. Christians, from mistaken zeal, under the plea of faithfulness, might readily step out of their own calling and make themselves judges of the acts of unbelievers. Literally, "a bishop in what is (not his own, but) another's" province; an allusion to the existing bishops or overseers of the Church; a self-constituted bishop in others' concerns.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 15. But let none of you suffer as a murderer. If you must be called to suffer, see that it be not for crime. Comp. 2Pet 3:14, 2Pet 3:17. They were to be careful that their sufferings were brought upon them only in consequence of their religion, and not because any crime could be laid to their charge. If even such charges were brought against them, there should be no pretext furnished for them by their lives.

As an evil doer. As a wicked man; or as guilty of injustice and wrong towards others.

Or as a busy-body in other men's matters. The Greek word here used (αλλοτριοεπισκοπος) occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It means, properly, an inspector of strange things, or of the things of others. Professor Robinson (Lex.) supposes that the word may refer to one who is "a director of heathenism;" but the more obvious signification, and the one commonly adopted, is that which occurs in our translation --one who busies himself with what does not concern him; that is, one who pries into the affairs of another; who attempts to control or direct them as if they were his own. In respect to the vice here condemned, Php 2:4. Comp. 2Thes 3:11, and 1Timm 5:13.

(*) "busy-body" "busy-meddler"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 15 But let none of you suffer - as a busybody in other men's matters - Αλλοτριοεπισκοπος· The inspector of another; meddling with other people's concerns, and forgetting their own; such persons are hated of all men. But some think that meddling with those in public office is here intended, as if he had said: Meddle not with the affairs of state, leave public offices and public officers to their own master, strive to live peaceably with all men, and show yourselves to be humble and unaspiring.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Peter 4:12-19

By patience and fortitude in suffering, by dependence on the promises of God, and keeping to the word the Holy Spirit hath revealed, the Holy Spirit is glorified; but by the contempt and reproaches cast upon believers, he is evil spoken of, and is blasphemed. One would think such cautions as these were needless to Christians. But their enemies falsely charged them with foul crimes. And even the best of men need to…

Read the full comment on 1 Peter 4:12-19 →

1 Peter 4:15 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΜὴMēNotG3361
γάρgarforG1063
τιςtisanyG5100
ὑμῶνhumōnof youG4771
πασχέτωpaschetōshould sufferG3958
ὡςhōsasG5613
φονεὺςphoneusa murdererG5406
ἢēorG2228
κλέπτηςkleptēsa thiefG2812
ἢēorG2228
κακοποιὸςkakopoiosan evildoerG2555
ἢēorG2228
ὡςhōsasG5613
ἀλλοτριεπίσκοπος·allotriepiskoposa troublesome meddler;G244

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Peter 4:15

  • 2 Thessalonians 3:11

    For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:11

    And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

  • 1 Peter 2:19-20

    For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

  • 1 Timothy 5:13

    And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

  • 1 Peter 3:17

    For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

  • 2 Timothy 2:9

    Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

  • Matthew 5:11

    Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
suffer.
2:20; Mt 5:11; 2Ti 2:9
a busy-body.[Allotrioepiskopos ,] an inspector of another; meddling with other people's concerns.
1Th 4:11; 2Th 3:11; 1Ti 5:13

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 1 Peter 4:14

    If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

  • 1 Peter 4:15

    But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.

  • 1 Peter 4:16

    Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

Read all of 1 Peter 4

1 Peter 4:15 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Así que, ninguno de vosotros padezca como homicida, ó ladrón, ó malhechor, ó por meterse en negocios ajenos.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Mais que nul de vous ne souffre comme meurtrier ou voleur, ou comme faisant le mal, ou s’ingérant dans les affaires d’autrui;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Daß doch niemand von euch leide als Mörder oder Dieb oder Übeltäter, oder als einer, der sich in fremde Sachen mischt;
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Nemo autem vestrum patiatur ut homicida, aut fur, aut maledicus, aut alienorum appetitor.