1 Peter 4:15
What does 1 Peter 4:15 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Peter 4:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Peter 4:15 means
Peter warns that suffering is not automatically noble. If hardship comes because of murder, theft, general wrongdoing, or meddling in others’ affairs, it is disgrace, not a badge of honor. The list ranges from severe crimes to social disruption, showing that Christians must avoid both obvious evil and prying interference. The command protects the church’s witness: do not confuse persecution with consequences of sin. Holiness includes respecting others’ lives, property, and privacy. Believers are to suffer, if they must, only for what is genuinely Christlike. This distinction keeps conscience clear and prevents self-deception that would claim divine approval for pain that our own sins have invited.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil-doer, or as a meddler in other men’s matters:
KJV
King James Version · 1611But 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil-doer, or as a meddler in other men’s matters:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Let 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;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for let none of you suffer as a murderer, or thief, or evil-doer, or as an inspector into other men's matters;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or a railer or coveter of other men's things.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Let none of you suffer indeed as murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or as overseer of other people's matters;
Context
Verse 15 balances the blessing of verse 14 by excluding suffering that arises from sin. Peter’s aim is pastoral clarity: only suffering for Christ merits the encouragement he has given. This sets up verse 16, which affirms the right response when suffering is indeed for being a Christian—no shame, but glory to God. The progression guards against both pride in pain and despair under reproach, teaching believers to evaluate the cause of their trials.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Thessalonians 3:11
For we hear of some that walk among you disorderly, that work 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 hands, even as we charged you;
- Matthew 5:11
Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
- 1 Timothy 5:13
And withal they learn also to be idle, going about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
- 1 Peter 2:19
For this is acceptable, if for conscience toward God a man endureth griefs, suffering wrongfully.
- 2 Timothy 2:9
wherein I suffer hardship unto bonds, as a malefactor; but the word of God is not bound.
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