Dear Friends,

I hope you can join us tonight for Bible study. Our Scripture is 1 Peter 4:8-13. Notes are attached. 

LIVING THE CHRISTLIFE

WAYNE BARRETT

NOVEMBER 4, 2026

1 Peter 4:8-13

8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality

to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good

stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves,

as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified

through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something

strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also

rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

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v 8 – “Above all …”

The love of Christians for one another was and is our identifying mark

This is far beyond how we behave as a congregation—this means all Christians

“since love covers a multitude of sins”

It is God’s love that has covered over our sin

“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does

not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or keep accounts [logizomai] of

wrongs.”—1 Corinthians 13:4-5

v 9 – “Show hospitality …”

hospitable – philoxenos, lit. loving strangers; the need to do this was probably common in the

Dispersion

v 10 – “As each has received a gift …”

This teaching, a major one in the NT, is still markedly neglected in the teaching and mindset of

the church

“to serve one another,” elsewhere to build up the church—the purpose of spiritual gifts

“as good stewards …” – the gifts given to us by God—ergo gift!—and we are not pleasing God

if we “bury them”

v 11 – “whoever speaks …”

Peter gives just two broad examples of gifts, as opposed to Paul, whose lists of examples are

longer

more lit. “if anyone speaks, as oracles of God.” – a high bar for those who teach. But it is the bar.

more lit. “if anyone serves as from

might - ischus – a force that overcomes resistance

[in a grand event]

that God supplies and directs – chorégeó (!)

from chorus + ago. From Thayer’s: “1. to be a chorus-leader, lead a chorus. 2. to

furnish the chorus at one's own expense; to procure and supply all things

necessary to fit out the chorus.”

What a picture—and what an emphasis that in using our gifts for service, we are

participating in an even that is choreographed by God.

2

that in all things God might be glorified through Jesus Christ

And this is always the aim of our service, in whatever capacity God has given. It is

not about recognition or self-fulfillment or self-satisfaction or self-anything.

When God’s glory through Jesus Christ is our desire and mindset, things can go

splendidly.

to whom be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

v 12 – “Beloved, do not be surprised …”

No “sugar-coating” from Peter

more lit. “at the trial by fire that is taking place among you” – it was a present instruction

Peter does not say to be happy about the trial—but not to be surprised

v 13 – “ But rejoice insofar …”

more lit. “but as you have shared in the sufferings of Christ, rejoice, that in the revelation of his

glory, you might rejoice exceedingly!”

Many things will not be resolved until Christ comes again—but on that Day, all will be resolved.