These verses represent the conclusion of the Apostle Peter's inspired instruction for us in the context of living the pilgrim life. In a sense, he summarizes what he has said before. Repetition is good. He also gives you some final application before moving on to a different topic in chapter 5. The first point of Peter's summary is, if you suffer, let it be for the right reasons. Notice that this is phrased as an option. The other option is to suffer for the wrong reasons. And Peter provides examples of what those wrong reasons are: murder, theft, evildoing, and meddling in others affairs. Is this all? Of course the answer is no, but it is a representative list. There are many, many more examples of that which we ought not to be known for or engage in which are not so obvious or rare in the world. Many have been spoken of in the previous chapters. So be sure that if you suffer that it is for the testimony of Christ and not for "evildoing." And if you do suffer because of the testimony of Christ, remember that it is for the glory of God. Way back in chapter 2, verse 21, Peter taught us about the foundational principle: "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps…."
Secondly, Peter reminds us that the time of testing is at hand. This is as true for Peter's original readers as it is for us. The testing may be unique to a particular time and circumstance, but for all believers, the time is at hand. Indeed, as the text says, "judgment" begins at the house of God. "All must pass under the judgment of God; God’s own household first, their chastisement being here, for which they should glorify Him as a proof of their membership in His family, and a pledge of their escape from the end of those whom the last judgment shall find disobedient to the Gospel...Judgment is already begun, the Gospel word, as a 'two-edged sword,' having the double effect of saving some and condemning others, and shall be consummated at the last judgment...If even the godly have chastening judgments now, how much more shall the ungodly be doomed to damnatory judgments at last." (Selections from the commentary of Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown)
Lastly, Peter exhorts us to "commit the keeping or you souls to Him" if you suffer according to the will of God. One can suffer according to the will of God or, as implied, contrary to it. This is what Peter was saying a few verses ago. It is not according to God's express will that you suffer for being an "evildoer." To suffer according to the will of God is, as this verse indicates, for "well doing." And as Peter has said before, if you suffer for evil doing, you are only getting what you deserve (and probably less). But to do well and suffer for it, while often hard to understand is not outside of the will of God, nor is it outside of His control. It does not indicate that He has abandoned you or His people. So, commit the keeping of your souls to Him as unto a "faithful Creator." It is both our duty and our privilege to to do so as we follow the example of our Savior, "…who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously…" (I Peter 2:23)
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