1 Peter 4:14
What does 1 Peter 4:14 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Peter 4:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Peter 4:14 means
To be insulted for the name of Christ is not a curse but a blessing, because “the Spirit of glory and the Spirit of God” rests upon such believers. God marks their suffering with His presence. Where the world sees shame, God places honor. This resting of the Spirit recalls God’s favor and sustaining power in the midst of trial. It assures believers they are not abandoned; their reproach is a sign of belonging to Christ. The blessing does not depend on public approval but on divine companionship and approval. Thus they can endure insults without retaliation, confident that heaven’s verdict is already over them.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000If ye are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are ye; because the Spirit of glory and the Spirit of God resteth upon you.
KJV
King James Version · 1611If 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901If ye are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are ye; because the Spirit of glory and the Spirit of God resteth upon you.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949If men say evil things of you because of the name of Christ, happy are you; for the Spirit of glory and of God is resting on you.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862if ye be reproached in the name of Christ--happy <FI>are ye<Fi> , because the Spirit of glory and of God upon you doth rest; in regard, indeed, to them, he is evil-spoken of, and in regard to you, he is glorified;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752If you be reproached for the name of Christ, you shall be blessed: for that which is of the honour, glory and power of God, and that which is his Spirit resteth upon you.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890If ye are reproached in [the] name of Christ, blessed [are ye]; for the [Spirit] of glory and the Spirit ofGod rests upon you: [on their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified.]
Context
Having called for rejoicing in shared sufferings (v. 13), Peter adds in verse 14 a direct assurance of blessing for those reproached for Christ’s name. This encouragement then requires moral clarification in verse 15: not all suffering carries this blessing. The flow distinguishes between persecution for righteousness and pain earned by wrongdoing, guarding against confusion. From there, verse 16 will return to the honor of bearing the name “Christian,” guiding the church’s posture under pressure.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Kings 10:8
Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, that stand continually before thee, and that hear thy wisdom.
- Isaiah 51:7
Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye dismayed at their revilings.
- Matthew 5:16
Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
- Psalms 49:9
That he should still live alway, That he should not see corruption.
- 2 Kings 2:15
And when the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho over against him saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.
- James 5:11
Behold, we call them blessed that endured: ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord, how that the Lord is full of pity, and merciful.
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