1 Peter 4 · Verse 16

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.
1 Peter 4:16, King James Version

1 Peter 4:16 in other translations

BSBBut if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but glorify God that you bear that name.
WEBBut if one of you suffers for being a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this matter.
ASVbut if a man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name.
YLTand if as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; and let him glorify God in this respect;
DARBYbut if as a christian, let him not be ashamed, but glorify God in this name.
BBEBut if he undergoes punishment as a Christian, that is no shame to him; let him give glory to God in this name.
WebsterYet if any man suffereth as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

What does 1 Peter 4:16 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
16. a Christian--the name given in contempt first at Antioch. Ac 11:26; 26:28; the only three places where the term occurs. At first believers had no distinctive name, but were called among themselves "brethren," Ac 6:3; "disciples," Ac 6:1; "those of the way," Ac 9:2; "saints," Ro 1:7; by the Jews (who denied that Jesus was the Christ, and so would never originate the name Christian), in contempt, "Nazarenes." At Antioch, where first idolatrous Gentiles (Cornelius, Ac 10:1, 2, was not an idolater, but a proselyte) were converted, and wide missionary work began, they could be no longer looked on as a Jewish sect, and so the Gentiles designated them by the new name "Christians." The rise of the new name marked a new epoch in the Church's life, a new stage of its development, namely, its missions to the Gentiles. The idle and witty people of Antioch, we know from heathen writers, were famous for inventing nicknames. The date of this Epistle must have been when this had become the generally recognized designation among Gentiles (it is never applied by Christians to each other, as it was in after ages--an undesigned proof that the New Testament was composed when it professes), and when the name exposed one to reproach and suffering, though not seemingly as yet to systematic persecution. let him not be ashamed--though the world is ashamed of shame. To suffer for one's own faults is no honor (1Pe 4:15; 1Pe 2:20),--for Christ, is no shame (1Pe 4:14; 1Pe 3:13). but let him glorify God--not merely glory in persecution; Peter might have said as the contrast, "but let him esteem it an honor to himself"; but the honor is to be given to God, who counts him worthy of such an honor, involving exemption from the coming judgments on the ungodly. on this behalf--The oldest manuscripts and Vulgate read, "in this name," that is, in respect of suffering for such a name.

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 16. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian. Because he is a Christian; if he is persecuted on account of his religion. This was often done, and they had reason to expect that it might occur in their own case. 2Pet 3:17. On the import of the word Christian, and the reasons why the name was given to the disciples of the Lord Jesus, Acts 11:26.

Let him not be ashamed.

(1.) Ashamed of religion so as to refuse to suffer on account of it.

(2.) Ashamed that he is despised and maltreated. He is to regard his religion as every way honourable, and all that fairly results from it in time and eternity as in every respect desire able. He is not to be ashamed to be called a Christian; he is not to be ashamed of the doctrines taught by his religion; he is not to be ashamed of the Saviour whom he professes to love; he is not to be ashamed of the society and fellowship of those who are true Christians, poor and despised though they may be; he is not to be ashamed to perform any of the duties demanded by his religion; he is not to be ashamed to have his name cast out, and himself subjected to reproach and scorn. A man should be ashamed only of that which is wrong. He should glory in that which is right, whatever may be the consequences to himself. Christians now, though not subjected to open persecution, are frequently reproached by the world on account of their religion; and though the rack may not be employed, and the fires of martyrdom are not enkindled, yet it is often true that one who is a believer is called to "suffer as a Christian." He may be reviled and despised. His views may be regarded as bigoted, narrow, severe. Opprobrious epithets, on account of his opinions, may be applied to him. His former friends and companions may leave him because he has become a Christian. A wicked father, or a gay and worldly mother, may oppose a child, or a husband may revile a wife, on account of their religion. In all these cases, the same spirit essentially is required which was enjoined on the early Christian martyrs. We are never to be ashamed of our religion, whatever results may follow from our attachment to it. Rom 1:16.

But let him glorify God on this behalf. Let him praise God that he is deemed not unworthy to suffer in such a cause. It is a matter of thankfulness

(1.) that they may have this evidence that they are true Christians;

(2.) that they may desire the advantages which may result from suffering as Christ did, and in his cause. Acts 5:41, where the sentiment here expressed is fully illustrated. Comp. Php 3:10; Col 1:24.

(+) "behalf" "On this account"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 16 Yet if - as a Christian - If he be persecuted because he has embraced the Christian faith, let him not be ashamed, but let him rather glorify God on this very account. Christ suffered by the Jews because he was holy; Christians suffer because they resemble him. The word Χριστιανος, Christian, is used only here and in Act 11:26; Act 26:28. See the note on the Act 11:26 (note).

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 4:16 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.

εἰeiifG1487
δὲdehoweverG1161
ὡςhōsasG5613
Χριστιανός,Christianosa Christian,G5546
μὴmēnotG3361
αἰσχυνέσθω,aischunesthōhe should be ashamed,G153
δοξαζέτωdoxazetōhe should glorifyG1392
δὲdehoweverG1161
τὸνton<the>G3588
θεὸνtheonGodG2316
ἐνeninG1722
τῷtō<the>G3588
ὀνόματιonomatinameG3686
τούτῳ.toutōthis.G3778

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

Cross references for 1 Peter 4:16

  • 1 Peter 3:17-18

    For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

  • Philippians 1:29

    For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

  • 1 Peter 4:19

    Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

  • James 1:2-4

    My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

  • Acts 5:41

    And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

  • 2 Timothy 1:12

    For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

  • Philippians 1:20

    According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

  • Ephesians 3:13-15

    Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

  • Romans 5:2-5

    By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

  • Acts 26:28

    Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

  • Hebrews 12:2-3

    Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

  • Isaiah 50:7

    For the Lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
as.
19; 3:17,18; Ac 11:26; 26:28; Eph 3:13-15
let him not.
Isa 50:7; 54:4; Php 1:20; 2Ti 1:12; Heb 12:2,3
but.
Isa 24:15; Ac 5:41; Ro 5:2-5; Php 1:29; Jas 1:2-4

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

Context

  • 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.

  • 1 Peter 4:17

    For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

Read all of 1 Peter 4

1 Peter 4:16 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Pero si alguno padece como Cristiano, no se avergüence; antes glorifique á Dios en esta parte.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		mais si quelqu’un souffre comme chrétien, qu’il n’en ait pas honte, mais qu’il glorifie Dieu en ce nom.
German
Elberfelder 1871		wenn aber als Christ, so schäme er sich nicht, sondern verherrliche Gott in diesem Namen.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Si autem ut christianus, non erubescat: glorificet autem Deum in isto nomine: