What Does 1 Peter 4:16 Mean in the King James?

Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

1 Peter 4:16 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The name that brings suffering also becomes the place where God’s weight is made visible.

THE MEANING

When you suffer because you are identified with the Anointed One, the exposed name does not have to collapse into shame. The verse holds both facts at once: the suffering is real, and this same circumstance can make God’s weight visible.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The lie is that suffering under the Christian name proves that the name is shameful, or that shame gets the final word about what the suffering means.

THE ROOT

Χριστιανός

Christianos

GROWS FROM

χρίω

To anoint; ⁨Χριστιανός⁩ is formed from ⁨Χριστός⁩, “the anointed one,” with a suffix marking association or belonging.

“Christian” carries the identity of belonging to the Anointed One. So suffering “as a Christian” is suffering under a publicly visible association; the name does not disappear when it draws reproach.

ALSO GROWS

chriō: To anoint

χρίω

This is the verb behind ⁨Χριστός⁩, the title carried inside “Christian.”

Christos: The anointed one

Χριστός

It shows the identity to which the sufferer is associated.

Christianos: A person identified with or belonging to Christ

χριστιανός

This is the Greek word rendered “Christian” in the verse.

δοξάζω

doxazō

GROWS FROM

δοξ-

dox-

Reputation, honor, and esteem, what is accorded weight.

“glorify” in this verse is doxazō. The doxa-family holds together “glory” and the act of giving honor. The verse places God’s weight within the same circumstance that others may treat as disgrace, without denying the suffering itself.

ALSO GROWS

doxa: Glory, honor, reputation; weight

δόξα

This noun names the honor or weight made visible when God is glorified.

doxazō: To glorify, honor, give weight

δοξάζω

This is the verb in the verse: the suffering becomes a setting in which God is honored.

endoxos: Honored, held in esteem

ἔνδοξος

This related word shows the same family’s connection to what is regarded as weighty.

THE PATTERN

When association with God draws public reproach, that reproach does not have to erase God’s honor.

Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face.

Psalm 69:7 · KJVThe speaker names reproach and shame as what comes with bearing God’s cause.

And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

Acts 5:41 · KJVThe shame inflicted because of God’s name is held alongside a meaning the reproachers do not control.

Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

2 Timothy 1:8 · KJVThe verse joins freedom from shame to sharing the afflictions connected with the Lord’s testimony.

THE THREAD

If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

1 Peter 4:14 · KJV

The same Greek doxa-family appears as “glory” and “glorified” here and as “glorify” in verse 16. Reproach for the Anointed One can coexist with God’s weight resting upon you and being shown through you.

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