The “if” in these two verses could have easily been translated “when” for by all indication the first readers were already being persecuted. “If” indicates a possibility, but not necessary that it will happen. “When” tells us it is just a matter of time for persecution to take place. There has always been persecution against God’s people and it is no different today, just in different ways. “Insulted” refers more to verbal abuse. Who says words can not hurt you? They sure can; in fact, more relationships have been destroyed by words then in any other way. Christians were being “insulted because of the name of Christ.” When you have a relationship with Jesus you can expect verbal abuse from those who do not believe. The world makes negative statements such as you are using God as a crutch.
No matter what kind of verbal abuse you might receive, when you turn the other cheek or when you just let the verbal abuse roll off your shoulder “you are blessed.” How this takes place is through the Spirit which dwells in the Christian “for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.” This is Peter’s way of telling Christians God dwells within you. The end of the Great Commission tells Christians they are never alone. This ought to encourage every Christian because no matter what the situation is God is always there helping. This is the first contrast of Christian suffering Peter mentions in the text because of there stand for Christ.
The second is Christians suffering because they have done wrong. Peter wrote you should not suffer the same as those committing crimes giving examples of the four areas usually punished by the government. One who suffers in these areas is only receiving his just punishment. The first is “as a murderer.” This refers to pre-meditated murderer. Remember what Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount that even if you think about doing them, you have sinned. Second, is as a “thief.” Stealing of any kind is wrong. The government may okay something as being right, but the real question is would God approve. If God does not approve then it is stealing. The third is “any other kind of criminal” or evil doer. This covers most other areas of illegal actions the civil government would punish. The last is “a meddler." It is one who works his way into involvement with someone else’s affairs. Or it may be an individual who is to look after someone’s goods but takes some for his own personal use. The word, “meddler,” Peter uses is not used anywhere else in the Scripture and was not used anywhere in the secular world until the third and fourth century. When it comes right down to it, none of these areas are to be found in the Christian life and, therefore, the suffering can not be attributed to these areas of criminal acts. Remember Jesus suffered for you. How are you going to suffer for Him? CONSIDER THE SUFFERING OF JESUS VERY CAREFULLY THEN ACT ACCORDINGLY!!!