and when he found him, he brought him [back] to Antioch. So, for an entire year Saul and Barnabas gathered the church together and taught many people. [It was] here in Antioch that the disciples were first [divinely] called Christians.
1 Peter 4:16 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition) But if a person should have to suffer because he is a Christian, he should not be ashamed [of it], but instead, he should bring honor to God by [wearing] the name [of Christ]. More versionsKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. Amplified Bible - Classic Edition But if [one is ill-treated and suffers] as a Christian [which he is contemptuously called], let him not be ashamed, but give glory to God that he is [deemed worthy to suffer] in this name. American Standard Version (1901) but if a man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name. Common English Bible But don’t be ashamed if you suffer as one who belongs to Christ. Rather, honor God as you bear Christ’s name. Give honor to God, Catholic Public Domain Version But if one of you suffers for being a Christian, he should not be ashamed. Instead, he should glorify God in that name. Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version But if as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. |
and when he found him, he brought him [back] to Antioch. So, for an entire year Saul and Barnabas gathered the church together and taught many people. [It was] here in Antioch that the disciples were first [divinely] called Christians.
Agrippa said to Paul, “You expect to persuade me to be a Christian with such little effort [or, in such a short time]?”
But we would like to hear what you think, for according to our knowledge, this sect [you belong to] is being spoken against everywhere.”
When the apostles left the Council meeting, they were rejoicing over being considered worthy to suffer [such] shame for the name [of Jesus].
It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not have to be ashamed about anything, but that I will have the courage, [both] now and always, [to so live] that Christ will be exalted [i.e., honored] in my body, whether I live or die.
Because God has granted you [the privilege], on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.
For I am suffering these things [See verse 8] for this reason [i.e., because of being a Gospel preacher]. Yet I am not ashamed because I know whom I have believed in [i.e., Jesus], and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him [i.e., Paul’s spiritual well-being] until that day [i.e., the Day of Judgment].
Do they not speak against the honorable name by which you are called? [i.e., the name “Christ” or “Christian”].
You should live such good lives before [unconverted] Gentiles, so that even though they accuse you of being evildoers, by seeing your good deeds, they will [be led to] honor God [for you] on the day He visits us again [i.e., to bring judgment].
If someone’s gift is speaking, he should [be sure to] say only what God wants him to. If a person’s gift is serving, he should do so by the strength provided by God [who supplies all such gifts]. This is so that, in using all gifts, God may be honored through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs honor and power forever and ever. May it be so.
If you are spoken against for being Christians, you have God’s blessing, because His glorious Holy Spirit rests upon you [to provide comfort, See John 14:16].
Therefore, those who [are allowed to] suffer in harmony with God’s [permissive] will, should commit their souls to a trustworthy Creator, [who will take everything into account], while they go on [trying] to do what is right.