1 Peter 4:4 Because of this, they consider it strange of you not to plunge with them into the same flood of reckless indiscretion, and they heap abuse on you.

◄ 1 Peter 4:4 ►

New International Version
They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.

New Living Translation
Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you.

English Standard Version
With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you;

Berean Standard Bible
Because of this, they consider it strange of you not to plunge with them into the same flood of reckless indiscretion, and they heap abuse on you.

Berean Literal Bible
With respect to this, they think it strange of you not running with them into the same overflow of debauchery, speaking evil of you,

King James Bible
Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

New King James Version
In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.

New American Standard Bible
In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them in the same excesses of debauchery, and they slander you;

NASB 1995
In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you;

NASB 1977
And in all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excess of dissipation, and they malign you;

Legacy Standard Bible
In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, maligning you,

Amplified Bible
In [connection with] all this, they [the unbelievers] are resentful and surprised that you do not [think like them, value their values and] run [hand in hand] with them into the same excesses of dissipation and immoral freedom, and they criticize and abuse and ridicule you and make fun of your values.

Christian Standard Bible
They are surprised that you don’t join them in the same flood of wild living—and they slander you.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So they are surprised that you don’t plunge with them into the same flood of wild living—and they slander you.

American Standard Version
wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them into the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

Contemporary English Version
Now your former friends wonder why you have stopped running around with them, and they curse you for it.

English Revised Version
wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them into the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Unbelievers insult you now because they are surprised that you no longer join them in the same excesses of wild living.

Good News Translation
And now the heathen are surprised when you do not join them in the same wild and reckless living, and so they insult you.

International Standard Version
They insult you now because they are surprised that you are no longer joining them in the same excesses of wild living.

Majority Standard Bible
Because of this, they consider it strange of you not to plunge with them into the same flood of reckless indiscretion, and they heap abuse on you.

NET Bible
So they are astonished when you do not rush with them into the same flood of wickedness, and they vilify you.

New Heart English Bible
They think it is strange that you do not run with them into the same flood of debauchery, blaspheming:

Webster's Bible Translation
In which they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

Weymouth New Testament
At this they are astonished--that you do not run into the same excess of profligacy as they do; and they speak abusively of you.

World English Bible
They think it is strange that you don’t run with them into the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
in which they think it strange—your not running with them to the same excess of wastefulness, slandering [you]—

Berean Literal Bible
With respect to this, they think it strange of you not running with them into the same overflow of debauchery, speaking evil of you,

Young's Literal Translation
in which they think it strange -- your not running with them to the same excess of dissoluteness, speaking evil,

Smith's Literal Translation
In which they are astonished, you not running together in the same pouring out of lavish expense, blaspheming:

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Wherein they think it strange, that you run not with them into the same confusion of riotousness, speaking evil of you.

Catholic Public Domain Version
About this, they wonder why you do not rush with them into the same confusion of indulgences, blaspheming.

New American Bible
They are surprised that you do not plunge into the same swamp of profligacy, and they vilify you;

New Revised Standard Version
They are surprised that you no longer join them in the same excesses of dissipation, and so they blaspheme.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And behold, they think it strange that you do not indulge with them in the past excesses, and they blaspheme against you.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And behold, now they marvel and insult you because you do not run riot with them in this former debauchery,

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
They are amazed at this that you run not with them into the same excess of debauchery, and they revile you.

Godbey New Testament
in which they are astonished you not running to the same excess of wrath, blaspheming;

Haweis New Testament
wherein they think it a strange thing, that you are not running with them into the same gulph of profligacy, spreading every scandalous report of you:

Mace New Testament
As they think it strange, that you don't concur in the same profusion of luxury, they traduce you.

Weymouth New Testament
At this they are astonished--that you do not run into the same excess of profligacy as they do; and they speak abusively of you.

Worrell New Testament
at which they are surprised, since ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you;

Worsley New Testament
in which they think it strange that ye run not with them into the same excess of riot, and therefore speak evil of you:

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Living for God's Glory
…3For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles: living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry. 4Because of this, they consider it strange of you not to plunge with them into the same flood of reckless indiscretion, and they heap abuse on you. 5But they will have to give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Ephesians 5:11
Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

Romans 13:13
Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.

1 John 3:13
So do not be surprised, brothers, if the world hates you.

John 15:18-19
If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. / If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.

Matthew 5:11-12
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. / Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, / nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. / And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Galatians 5:19-21
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Titus 3:3
For at one time we too were foolish, disobedient, misled, and enslaved to all sorts of desires and pleasures—living in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.

2 Timothy 3:12
Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

James 4:4
You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God.

Proverbs 28:4
Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law resist them.

Isaiah 5:20
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter.

Jeremiah 6:10
To whom can I give this warning? Who will listen to me? Look, their ears are closed, so they cannot hear. See, the word of the LORD has become offensive to them; they find no pleasure in it.

Psalm 50:18-21
When you see a thief, you befriend him, and throw in your lot with adulterers. / You unleash your mouth for evil and harness your tongue to deceit. / You sit and malign your brother; you slander your own mother’s son. ...

Proverbs 29:27
An unjust man is detestable to the righteous, and one whose way is upright is detestable to the wicked.

Treasury of Scripture

Wherein they think it strange that you run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

excess.

Matthew 23:25
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.

Luke 15:13
And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

Romans 13:13
Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

speaking.

1 Peter 2:12
Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

1 Peter 3:16
Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

Acts 13:45
But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.

Jump to Previous

Abuse Abusively Astonished Blaspheming Corruption Dissipation Dissoluteness Evil Excess Excesses Flood Heap Injuriously Join Longer Malign Plunge Profligacy Riot Run Running Sink Speak Speaking Strange Surprised Think Violent Wasting Wherein Wild Wondering

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1 Peter 4

1. He exhorts them to cease from sin and live fore God,
12. and comforts them against persecution.

Berean Study Bible

Because of this
This phrase indicates a direct connection to the preceding verses, where Peter discusses the transformation of believers who have turned away from sinful behaviors. The Greek word "διό" (dio) is used here, which often serves as a conjunction meaning "therefore" or "for this reason." It emphasizes the cause-and-effect relationship between the believers' new lifestyle and the reaction of the unbelievers. Historically, early Christians faced societal pressure and persecution for their distinct moral and ethical standards, which were in stark contrast to the prevailing pagan culture.

they consider it strange
The Greek word "ξενίζονται" (xenizontai) is used here, which can be translated as "they are surprised" or "they find it strange." This reflects the bewilderment and confusion of non-believers when they observe the radical change in the lives of Christians. In the historical context of the early church, Christians were often viewed as outsiders or even threats to the social order because they no longer participated in common pagan practices.

of you not to plunge with them
The phrase "not to plunge with them" uses the Greek word "συντρεχόντων" (suntrechontōn), which means "to run together" or "to join in." This imagery suggests a group activity or a communal participation in certain behaviors. The early Christians' refusal to engage in the same activities as their pagan neighbors marked a clear boundary between their new life in Christ and their old ways.

into the same flood
The word "flood" is translated from the Greek "ἀνάχυσιν" (anachusin), which can mean "overflow" or "excess." This metaphorical language paints a vivid picture of the overwhelming and destructive nature of sinful behaviors. In the ancient world, floods were often seen as chaotic and uncontrollable forces, symbolizing the moral chaos from which Christians had been delivered.

of reckless indiscretion
The Greek term "ἀσωτίας" (asōtias) is used here, which is often translated as "dissipation" or "debauchery." It refers to a lifestyle characterized by a lack of self-control and moral restraint. In the Roman world, such behaviors were not only common but often celebrated, making the Christian call to holiness and self-discipline countercultural and, to some, offensive.

and they heap abuse on you
The phrase "heap abuse" comes from the Greek "βλασφημοῦντες" (blasphēmountes), which means "to speak evil of" or "to slander." This reflects the verbal persecution and social ostracism that early Christians faced. The historical context shows that Christians were often misunderstood and maligned because their refusal to conform to societal norms was seen as a rejection of the gods and the social fabric of the time.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(4) Wherein they think it strange.--The word "wherein" is used in exactly the same sense as in 1Peter 2:12; that is to say, it does not directly point back to the list of sins just named, but the grammatical antecedent is to be supplied in the participial clause which follows, thus: "In a particular where they cannot imagine your not being as bad as themselves, slanderously affirming that you are." The only difficulty involved in this view is one which does not show in the English, viz., that the participle is attracted into the nominative case by the influence of the finite verb, instead of being (as it strictly should) in the genitive, agreeing with "of the Gentiles." But we have seen before that St. Peter deals very freely with participles in the nominative case. (See 1Peter 2:12, where "having" is nominative, though in strictness it should be accusative, agreeing with "you, as strangers and pilgrims;" comp. also 1Peter 2:18; 1Peter 3:1; 1Peter 3:7; 1Peter 3:9; 1Peter 3:15-16.) Like instances are not wanting in classical Greek. . . .

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 4. - Wherein they think it strange. Wherein, in which course of life, in the fact that the Christians once lived like the Gentiles, but now are so wholly changed. The word ξενίζεσθαι means commonly to be a guest, to live as a stranger in another's house (Acts 10:6, 18; Acts 21:16); here it means to be astonished, as at some strange sight, as such guests would no doubt sometimes be (comp. ver. 12 and Acts 17:20). That ye run not with them to the same excess of riot. The Greek words are very strong, "while ye run not with them," as if the Gentiles were running greedily in troops to riot and ruin. The word for "excess" (ἀνάχυσις) is found here only in the New Testament; it means" an overflowing;" the rendering sentina ("a sewer" or "cesspool") is doubtful. The word rendered "riot" (ἀδωτία) occurs also in Ephesians 5:18 and Titus 1:6, and is used in the adverbial form in describing the recklessness of the prodigal son (Luke 15:13). It means that lost state in which a man is given up to self-indulgence, and saves neither reputation, earthly position, nor his immortal soul. Speaking evil of you; better, perhaps, translated literally, blaspheming. The words "of you" are not in the original; they who revile Christians for well-doing are blasphemers, they speak really against God.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

Because of
Ἐν (En)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

this,
ᾧ (hō)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

they consider it strange
ξενίζονται (xenizontai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 3579: (a) I entertain a stranger, (b) I startle, bewilder. From xenos; to be a host; by implication, be strange.

of you
ὑμῶν (hymōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

not
μὴ (mē)
Adverb
Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.

to plunge with [them]
συντρεχόντων (syntrechontōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 4936: To run (rush) together, run with. From sun and trecho; to rush together or headlong.

into
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

same
αὐτὴν (autēn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

flood
ἀνάχυσιν (anachysin)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 401: Outpouring, excess, overflow, a pouring out. From a comparative of ana and cheo; properly, effusion, i.e. license.

of reckless indiscretion,
ἀσωτίας (asōtias)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 810: Wantonness, profligacy, wastefulness. From a compound of a and a presumed derivative of sozo; properly, unsavedness, i.e. profligacy.

[and] they heap abuse on you.
βλασφημοῦντες (blasphēmountes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 987: From blasphemos; to vilify; specially, to speak impiously.

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NT Letters: 1 Peter 4:4 They think it is strange that you (1 Pet. 1P iP i Pet)