A Biblical Response to Unjust Suffering | 1 Peter 3:13-4:19

INTRODUCTION

Apostle Peter has been giving some instructions to the suffering believers about living in a hostile world. The believers in Rome were undergoing great persecution About 20 Lakh believers were persecuted and killed; therefore, Peter gives them an approach to suffering and how to deal with it.

We have been looking at the epistle of 1 Peter for some time now

1 Peter 1:1-2:10: Salvation, its implication and response.

1 Peter 2:11-3:12: Peter’s directives concerning living godly lives in society.

Live in a way:

• That renounce sinful desires; 1 Peter 2:11-12
• Submission to our civil leaders; 1 Peter 2:13-17
• Submission to those that we work for; 1 Peter 2:18-20
• Submission concerns how we live with each other at home; 1 Peter 3:1-7

Next Section: 1 Peter 3:13-4:19

Peter now moves into a collection of admonitions. He has admonitions about suffering, elders, and general admonitions for the community.

Christian Approach and Response to Suffering

This is the core of this letter. Peter is writing to suffering Christians, and now he is addressing them on suffering. What is the right Christian approach and response to suffering? Peter is helping his audience to cultivate a proper attitude toward suffering that is incurred for the righteous’ sake.

Peter has already addressed suffering to his readers:

• Believers suffer trials; 1 Peter 1:6
• Believers can suffer for doing good; 1 Peter 2:19-21
• Example: Christ. The Messiah Suffered; 1 Peter 1:11; 1 Peter 2:23
• Unjust suffering is our calling; 1 Peter 2:21; 1 Peter 3:9 (Called to repay evil with blessing)

As followers of Jesus, we are to look at Jesus, our Messiah and see suffering in a proper perspective.

The Kind of Suffering Peter is Mentioning:

• Suffering for doing good; 3:13
• Suffering for what is right; 3:14
• Speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ; 3:16

ILLUSTRATION

John Bunyan was put in Bedford Jail because of his preaching of faith. John Bunyan could have freed himself by promising not to preach but he refused. John Bunyan wrote, “I went myself in chains to preach to them in chains. This prison very sweet to me hath been since I came here and so would also hanging be if Thou didst then appear.” He considered it a privilege to suffer, and perhaps even to die because it would bring him to his Lord. He was not afraid.

A Proper Response to Suffering: 1 Peter 2:13-17

1 Peter 3:13-17

¹³Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? ¹⁴But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” ¹⁵But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, ¹⁶keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. ¹⁷For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

¹³Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?

This carries on with what Peter has said in the past: v12c. If God will judge those who do evil, who will judge those who do good? Not God nor any other person. However, there is evil in the society and there are bad people in our society that do in fact look for reasons to persecute people who have not been doing anything wrong.

ILLUSTRATION: The Story of Rubin “Hurricane” Carter

Rubin Carter was a promising middleweight boxer in the United States. In 1966, he and his friend John Artis were arrested and convicted for a triple murder in Paterson, New Jersey. The conviction was based on weak evidence and questionable witness testimonies, with racial prejudice playing a significant role in the case.

Despite maintaining his innocence, Carter was sentenced to life in prison. He spent decades behind bars, fighting to prove that he was wrongly accused.

In 1985, after years of legal battles, a federal judge overturned his conviction, stating that Carter’s trial had been based on “racism rather than reason and concealment rather than disclosure.” He was finally freed after spending nearly 20 years in prison for a crime he did not commit.

Carter’s life after prison was dedicated to advocating for justice reform and helping other wrongfully convicted prisoners. His story remains a powerful example of perseverance in the face of injustice.

Bad things happen to good people. God knows what they are. God knows what the situation is. God knows the good you are doing, and he also knows the slander you are going through.

A good conscience is possible when we know when our suffering is in spite of good behaviour. It may not be easy for them because of what happened, but we can rest assured that God knows he is mindful of that.

Sometimes we may not get justice here. We will have to wait. In the meantime, we need to figure out how do we respond to difficult situations, situations we find ourselves in when we are suffering when we have done nothing wrong. God watches, God knows. We need to cultivate an attitude for suffering. It is not always easy to cultivate.

Illustration: I remember being punished as a schoolboy for mistakes that I did not commit.

God knows, God watches. Christians are to cultivate a proper attitude in response to suffering.

Jesus’s Suffering Ended In Victory; 1 Peter 3:18-22

Remember Jesus and his suffering and how that ended in victory for him

1 Peter 3:18-22

¹⁸For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. ¹⁹After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits—²⁰to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, ²¹and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, ²²who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

Jesus by his suffering, by his death, resurrection, and by his exaltation, won a decisive victory over all forces of evil.

1 Peter 3:18

¹⁸For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. (How? ) He was put to death in the body (how) but made alive in the Spirit.

Christ Became a Victor Through His Suffering.

Jesus’ earthly life was snuffed out as though he was a sinner, but he was not a sinner. But He became a victor rather than a victim.

1 Peter 3:19

¹⁹After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits

Who are these spirits? I do not have any easy answer to this problem.

Possibility 1: Proclaiming his victory to the evil and fallen angels. It is commonly understood as Christ’s announcement of victory over the evil and fallen angels who await judgment for their role leading to the Nohaic generation, Gen. 6.

Possibility 2: Jesus proclaiming victory to spirits. Jesus preached repentance through Noah to all unrighteous humans, now dead and can be found in hell.

Christ Proclaimed Victory After His Suffering.

The point we want to make here is: Jesus by his suffering, by his death, by his resurrection and his exaltation, won a decisive victory over all the forces of evil and he proclaimed that victory to angels or spirits from Noah’s generation. So the idea is, like in the same way, in our suffering we are to be like Jesus and proclaim the victory of Jesus as well.

Unbiblical Ways Christians Respond to Suffering:

• Withdrawal & Isolation: Church, family, friends; avoiding support and encouragement.
• Bitterness & resentment.
• Complaining.
• Seeking Revenge.
• Self-Pity
• Turning to sinful coping mechanisms.
• Spiritual Apathy – Losing interest in prayer, worship and scripture.

Next:

Christian Attitude to Suffering.

Peter gives a proper attitude response to society’s pressures: 1 Peter 4:1-6

1 Peter 4:1-6

¹Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body (suffered in his incarnation), arm yourselves also with the same attitude, (here is the reason why) because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. ²As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. ³For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. ⁴They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. ⁵But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. ⁶For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

Our Attitude During Suffering

• As believers, we have a union with Christ.
• As believers, we share in Christ’s victory over evil
• We are to arm ourselves with the same attitude.

We are to have the same attitude as Jesus when he faced suffering.

Christ suffered. We may face suffering.

Whoever suffers in the body is done with sin; 4:2.

The intention for this is to live out the remaining time of our lives, live in our bodies in such a way that sin will no longer have desires for us. We are to be faithful in living for him.

Commit ourselves to the same purpose that Christ had.

So Peter is calling his readers to commit ourselves to the same purpose that Christ had.

V6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

Our Demeanour in our Suffering has an Apologetic Purpose.

This is another difficult phrase: We go through sufferings so that the gospel is preached. The manner in which we handle those situations a lot of times will reveal who we are in Jesus. We can be a testimony to those who look at us and we respond with an attitude of grace.

Illustration: Last Friday we attended the memorial service of our family friend, a distinguished New Testament scholar and gifted musician, exemplified a Christ-like life through his unwavering dedication to serving others. As the founder and director of The Bangalore Conservatory, he inspired generations with his NT teaching, passion for music and commitment to excellence.

In the face of a brain tumor diagnosis last year, his faith remained steadfast. When his wife, asked him, “Honey, do you ever wonder why God allowed you to have a brain tumor and go through this suffering?” he responded with profound humility, “Why not? Jesus suffered so much; why not me? It is my joy to suffer, especially if something greater comes from it.”​

This reminds us that while we may not always understand why the righteous suffer, we can trust that God has a greater purpose in our trials.

A lot of times our physical challenges can be an opportunity to be a testimony for God.

1 Peter 3:15

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

ILLUSTRATION

Parnell Bailey, CEO of Skills Camp, TEDx speaker, and one of the 100 most powerful women in Canada once visited an orange grove where an irrigation pump had broken down. The season was unusually dry and some of the trees were beginning to die for lack of water. The man giving the tour then took Bailey to his own orchard where irrigation was used sparingly. “These trees could go without rain for another 2 weeks,” he said. “You see, when they were young, I frequently kept water from them. This hardship caused them in their formation stage to send their roots deeper into the soil in search of moisture. Now mine are the deepest-rooted trees in the area. While others are being scorched by the sun, these are finding moisture at a greater depth.” (Our Daily Bread).

Sometimes, the suffering we go through are not always visible suffering. They are suffering that go on within the body of Christ, within the community.

Illustration: Misrepresenting people.

This is what Jesus suffered; Misrepresenting his ministry, misrepresenting his message, misrepresenting his life, what he was doing. Being misrepresented is a form of suffering. How do we respond to that?

We are to work on how to respond. We need to respond in a Christ-like biblical manner.

We need to recognize that we have a union with Jesus, we share in his victory and evil and we are to arm ourselves with the same attitude that Jesus had towards sin and suffering. Reject the sin, stand up against the sin but have an attitude to be ready to give an account and be gracious in the manner which you respond to that suffering.

Christians are to respond to suffering by living a balanced and well-ordered life

1 Peter 4:7-11

We see the continuation of God’s work in believers.

1 Peter 4:7-11

⁷The end of all things is near. (end times is coming to an end) Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. ⁸Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. ⁹Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. ¹⁰Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. ¹¹If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

A. Be Prepared for Jesus’ Return; 4:7.

Jesus will return imminently. Like the other apostles Peter believed that Jesus was going to return and that this return was imminent, it could happen anytime.

b. Keep Brotherly Love; 4:8. He also considers it important that believers keep their brotherly love at full strength. There is a thread throughout the NT about loving one another and here is another reminder of the same.

Hebrews – spurring one another onto love and good deeds.

Peter – We are to keep our brotherly love in full strength.

This kind of love is willing to forgive others.

What is the fundamental part of receiving forgiveness? It is repentance. If we repent of our sins God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. It is repentance. Forgiveness comes as a result of one’s repentance. No one is going to have a relationship with God unless repentance occurs, forgiveness between believers does not happen unless there is a form of repentance. Until that repentance happens, the relationship between those two believers is severed or put on hold.

Some still do not understand and say, “We are supposed to forgive even if they ask forgiveness or not.”

We are expected to forgive without complaining. Repentance is followed by forgiveness.

c. Use Your Gifts and Serve.

1 Peter 4:10

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, (use our gifts within the church) as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

1 Peter 4:11

If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

We are to live a balanced, and well-ordered life in life of the fact that the end is near. Christ Jesus will return.

Finally, v12-19

Result of Suffering

1 Peter 4:12-16

Suffering for Being a Christian

¹²Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

¹³But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. ¹⁴If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, (why) for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. ¹⁵If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. ¹⁶However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

Result of Suffering:

• We get to participate in Christ’s suffering; 4:13
• We are blessed; 3:14. When we are suffering, we ate to focus our attention on the blessing that will come to us for experiencing such persecution.
• We  will be overjoyed when Christ Returns; 4:13.
• The Spirit of God Rests on us.
• We Bear the Name of God.

1 Peter 4:17-19

¹⁷For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? ¹⁸And,

“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,

what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

¹⁹So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

When you face unjust suffering:

• Christ is our Example; v15. He suffered death for no good reason other than proclaiming the message that God gave him to speak and it was rejected.
• Continue to live for Jesus
• Commit yourself to Jesus; 4:19
• Continue to do Good; 4:19

John Wesley, the founder of Methodism had this for his rule of life:

Do all the good you can,

By all the means you can,

In all the ways you can,

In all the places you can,

At all the times you can,

To all the people you can,

As long as ever you can.

Brothers and Sisters, as we live life today, as you follow Jesus, as you walk His path of suffering be faithful to our God and creator and do good.

LIFE APPLICATION

1. Trust God’s Sovereignty in Suffering

In moments of hardship, trust that God is in control, even when circumstances seem unfair.

2. Respond to Injustice with Grace and Integrity

Instead of retaliating when falsely accused or misunderstood, maintain a Christlike attitude of love and grace.

Reflection: How do I typically react when I face unfair treatment? Does my response reflect Christ?

3. Be Prepared to Give an Answer for Your Faith

Application: In workplaces, schools, and society, be ready to explain and defend your faith with wisdom and respect.

Reflection: If someone asked about my faith today, am I prepared to give a thoughtful and gracious response?

4. Teach Your Children the Biblical Perspective on Suffering

Equip the next generation to understand that suffering is part of the Christian walk, not something to be feared.

Reflection: How am I helping my children develop a biblical perspective on trials and hardships?

5. Serve Others Even in Difficult Seasons

Just as Jesus ministered to others during His suffering, continue to serve your family, church, and community.

Reflection: How can I actively serve others despite my personal struggles?

6. Keep an Eternal Perspective Amidst Temporary Struggles

Remind yourself that present suffering is not the final word—Christ’s victory is our ultimate hope.

Reflection: Am I focusing too much on my temporary struggles rather than the eternal reward in Christ?