But 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.

1 PETER 4:15KJV
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1 Peter 4:15 (KJV)

What does 1 Peter 4:15 mean?

1 Peter 4:15 warns believers not to suffer because they have done wrong, such as committing murder, stealing, doing evil, or meddling in other people’s affairs. The verse makes it clear that suffering for these reasons is not honorable or connected to following Christ.

Peter is writing to Christians who are facing hardship and possible persecution. He wants them to understand that suffering for doing what is right is very different from suffering as a result of wrongdoing. The list of actions—murder, theft, evil deeds, and being a "busybody"—covers both serious crimes and less obvious, but still harmful, behavior within a community.

The Greek behind 1 Peter 4:15

  • The word for "busybody in other men's matters" is ἀλλοτριεπίσκοπος (allotriepiskopos), which is often understood as someone who interferes in things that do not concern them. This word is rare and suggests not just curiosity, but meddling in a way that causes trouble.
  • The Greek word for "evildoer" is κακοποιός (kakopoios), which means someone who does what is morally wrong or harmful. This term is broad and covers a wide range of bad behavior, not just criminal acts.
  • The structure of the verse uses ὡς (hōs, "as") before each type of wrongdoer, emphasizing that these are specific categories of behavior that should not be confused with suffering for faith.

Why 1 Peter 4:15 matters

  • 1 Peter 4:15 clarifies that not all suffering is noble or related to being a Christian; some suffering is simply the result of wrongdoing.
  • The verse highlights that even less obvious faults, like meddling in others’ affairs, are serious and can bring about suffering that is not honorable.
  • This warning helps set apart the kind of suffering that is connected to following Christ from suffering that comes from personal mistakes or sins, which is a key theme in the surrounding passage.

Where else these words appear

“evildoer” Greek G2555 · used in 5 verses

  • John 18:30 They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.
  • 1 Peter 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
  • 1 Peter 2:14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

“murderer” Greek G5406 · used in 7 verses

  • Matthew 22:7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
  • Acts 7:52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:
  • Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

“thief” Greek G2812 · used in 16 verses

  • Matthew 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
  • John 10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

“let” Greek G3958 · used in 41 verses

  • Matthew 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
  • Acts 1:3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
  • Hebrews 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;