1 Peter 4:16
ESV
Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.
NIV
However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
NASB
but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.
CSB
But if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed but let him glorify God in having that name.
NLT
But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name!
KJV
Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
NKJV
Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.
What does 1 Peter 4:16 mean?
The actual word "Christian" appears only three times in the Bible: this verse, in Acts 11:26, and Acts 26:28. It's entirely possible that the word was used as an insult by unbelievers in Peter's day. He rejects the idea that being associated with Christ should ever be received as an insult, though. Believers must reject any shame for genuinely suffering for Jesus' sake. Instead, we should boldly give glory to God, in the name of Christ, right in the middle of our suffering for Him.It is an honor to carry the title of Christian, if it truly indicates our identity in Christ, and our place in God's family forever. In a culture that hates Christianity and Christian values, this is a parallel honor to physical persecution. If we are different enough from the world, and similar enough to Christ, that the world hates us, it is a sign we are doing something right.
