1 Peter 4 4

1 Peter 4:4 kjv

Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

1 Peter 4:4 nkjv

In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.

1 Peter 4:4 niv

They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.

1 Peter 4:4 esv

With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you;

1 Peter 4:4 nlt

Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you.

1 Peter 4 verses

1 Peter 4 4 Meaning

1 Peter 4:4 describes the typical reaction of those who do not share the believer's transformed lifestyle. Their former associates are astonished and bewildered by the Christian's refusal to partake in their dissolute and unrestrained revelry. This refusal leads them to slander and verbally abuse believers. It highlights the sharp contrast between the past pagan way of life and the new life in Christ, and the inevitable societal friction that results from this distinction.

1 Peter 4 4 Context

The immediate context is 1 Peter 4:1-3, where Peter explains that Christ suffered in the flesh and that believers, by aligning with Christ's suffering, should cease from sin. He explicitly states that "the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries." Verse 4 then details the inevitable consequence of this cessation: the surprise and slander from those who still live in the old ways. Peter is preparing his audience for persecution, assuring them that their suffering for righteousness is honorable and expected, part of identifying with Christ who also suffered unjustly.

Historically and culturally, the first-century Roman Empire presented significant challenges for Christians. Social life often revolved around pagan temples, festivals, and practices that involved idolatry, gluttony, drunkenness, and sexual immorality. Refusal to participate meant social ostracism, economic hardship, and accusations of anti-social behavior, even atheism (as they rejected state gods). Christians' moral uprightness and distinction became a point of contention and often led to misunderstanding and verbal attacks.

1 Peter 4 4 Word analysis

• "They": Refers to the non-believers, specifically the former associates, friends, or companions of the newly converted Christians who are still immersed in a pagan lifestyle. It denotes those whose lives are antithetical to Christian ethics.
• "are surprised" / "think it strange" (Greek: xenizō - ξενίζω): The root meaning is to treat or regard as a stranger. It implies astonishment, shock, or bewilderment. Their reaction is one of confusion and alienation because the Christians' change is so radical and incomprehensible to them. This isn't just mild curiosity but a sense of profound misunderstanding and unease with the transformed behavior.
• "you": Refers to the Christian believers scattered throughout Asia Minor, Peter's immediate audience. These are individuals who have genuinely converted and abandoned their previous pagan practices.
• "do not join them" / "run not with them" (Greek: syrrekhein - συντρέχειν): Literally "to run together" or "to concur." It conveys the idea of not participating alongside, not sharing common pursuits, and specifically, not joining in their particular activities and lifestyle. It emphasizes active refusal to conform to the old pattern of behavior and association.
• "wild acts of debauchery" / "excess of riot" (Greek: anachysis asōtias - ἀνάχυσις ἀσωτίας): This is a powerful descriptive phrase.
  • "excess" / "wild acts" (anachysis): Means a pouring out, an overflow, a flood, or deluge. It depicts an unrestrained, unrestrained indulgence, a literal gushing forth of immorality without control.
  • "riot" / "debauchery" (asōtia): Signifies prodigality, dissoluteness, extravagance, wasteful living, particularly self-indulgent, profligate behavior. It speaks of a lack of restraint, self-control, and moral boundaries, often associated with drunkenness, wild parties, and sexual immorality. (It's the same root word used for the "prodigal" son in Lk 15:13, where he "squandered his wealth in wild living.") The combined phrase paints a vivid picture of extreme, unrestrained moral degeneracy.
• "and they heap abuse on you" / "speaking evil of you" (Greek: blasphēmō - βλασφημῶ):
  • "heap abuse" / "speaking evil" (blasphēmō): This word encompasses speaking evil, reviling, slandering, defaming, railing, or blaspheming. It implies strong verbal attacks, not just mild criticism but active malicious gossip and false accusations intended to damage reputation or undermine faith. This often included accusing Christians of unspeakable crimes due to misunderstandings of their practices (e.g., cannibalism for communion, atheism for not worshipping Roman gods). It's a direct verbal attack on their character or even on Christ himself by reviling His followers.

Word-group analysis

• "They are surprised that you do not join them": This highlights the social estrangement that naturally follows Christian conversion. The refusal to participate in worldly practices creates a divide, signaling to former associates that something fundamental has changed in the believer's life. This "surprise" often stems from a loss of common ground and shared activities.
• "to the same excess of riot": This emphasizes the previous shared participation. The implication is that the Christians used to run with them to these same lengths of debauchery, making their current abstention all the more shocking to their former companions. It also stresses the unrestrained nature of the pagan lifestyle, a life without moral limits.
• "speaking evil of you": This shows the verbal hostility that accompanies the world's misunderstanding and surprise. When unbelievers cannot comprehend or appreciate the changed life of a believer, their "surprise" often morphs into open criticism, slander, and reviling. This becomes a form of persecution.

1 Peter 4 4 Bonus section

• The word xenizō (ξενίζω), translated as "are surprised" or "think it strange" in 1 Peter 4:4, is the same Greek word used again in 1 Peter 4:12, where Peter says, "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you." This connection reinforces that both the social friction (v.4) and the broader suffering/persecution (v.12) are expected parts of the Christian journey, not anomalous events. The world finds Christian separation "strange," and Christians are likewise not to find persecution "strange."
• The phrase "excess of riot" (anachysis asōtias) vividly depicts a "moral swamp" or a "deluge of dissoluteness" in pagan society. The fact that the early Christians had previously "run with them" in this deluge (as implied by 1 Pet 4:3) highlights the profound spiritual transformation that took place, making their abstinence all the more stark and noticeable to their former peers. This verse provides clear evidence that true conversion involves a discernible break from former sinful patterns and associations.

1 Peter 4 4 Commentary

1 Peter 4:4 serves as a foundational verse concerning the practical cost of discipleship and the distinctive nature of Christian living. It directly follows Peter's exhortation to live for the will of God rather than human passions. The "surprise" of unbelievers at the Christians' changed lifestyle underscores the radical nature of conversion; it is not merely a change of belief but a transformation of conduct. The world, deeply embedded in "excess of riot"—unrestrained sensuality, indulgence, and moral looseness—cannot comprehend the self-control, purity, and purpose of a Christ-centered life. This incomprehension frequently breeds hostility, culminating in "speaking evil." This verse, therefore, prepares believers for inevitable social friction and slander for righteousness' sake. It confirms that remaining distinct from the world's excesses is not only necessary for spiritual integrity but also a testimony that will elicit a strong reaction, fulfilling what Jesus spoke of concerning persecution for His name. Believers should neither be discouraged by this hostility nor compromise their standards, recognizing it as an expected byproduct of living a consecrated life in a fallen world.

Practical examples: When a young person chooses to abstain from popular yet morally questionable parties, or an adult refuses to participate in unethical business practices common in their field, or anyone opts for a simpler, God-honoring lifestyle against cultural norms, they may face similar surprise and criticism, even verbal abuse, from those who do not understand or appreciate their choices. This verse provides comfort and context for such experiences, reminding believers that this reaction is precisely what Christ and His apostles predicted.