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.