1 Peter 4:16

1 Peter 4:16 ‘but if anyone suffers as. Christian, let him not feel ashamed, but in that name let him glorify God.'

‘suffers as. Christian' -‘because he is. Christian' (Wey). 1. The word ‘Christian' is only found two others times in the New Testament (Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28). By 64 A.D. the name ‘Christian' was in common use in the city of Rome (Robertson p. 128). The Greek spelling is ‘Christianos'. The ISBE notes, ‘In early imperial times, the adjectival termination “ianos” was widely diffused throughout the whole empire. Originally applied to the slaves belonging to the great households. It had passed into regular use to denote the adherents of an individual or. party.. Christian is thus simply an adherent of Christ.' (pp. 621-22) ‘The meaning is of Hebrew origin; it appears in the New Testament in Greek form, with. Latin termination; and points, like the inscription which Pilate caused to be placed on the cross to the world-wide empire which he established.' (Woods pp. 118-119)

‘let him not feel ashamed' -Which infers that suffering for the things mentioned in 1 Peter 4:15, one should feel ashamed. ‘he should feel no disgrace' (NEB). ‘Suffering punishment for being and behaving as. Christian is. totally different matter. There is no disgrace or shame in such suffering nor are they to feel any.' (Hamilton p. 268) ‘His life and conduct must be the best argument that he does not deserve the suffering which has come upon him. By his general conduct in life, and by his attitude to the suffering he has to bear, he must commend the name he bears.' (Barclay p. 309) ‘the shame in question being the social disgrace and embarrassment that they might feel keenly on being hauled into court in. small city. Instead of feeling shame, they could hold their heads high.' (Davids p. 170)

‘He is to regard his religion in every way honorable…he is not to be ashamed of the doctrines taught by his religion; he is not to be ashamed of the Savior whom he professes to love; he is not to be ashamed of the society and fellowship of those who are true Christians…he is not to be ashamed to perform any of the duties demanded by his religion….His views may be regarded as bigoted, narrow, severe…' (Barnes p. 198)

Again, nothing has changed. Many influential voices in society still try to make the Christian feel ‘ashamed' for what he or she believes.

‘but in that name' -‘acting in Christ's name, as the one who represents Christ to others.' (Grudem p. 180) The name ‘Christian' is. designation which we should wear with pride. Notice that ‘Christians' in the First Century didn't wear the names of other religious leaders.