1 Peter 4:16 16But if anyone suffers as a Christian, let that one not be ashamed, but let that one glorify God in that name.
The temptation when under pressure from outsiders is to compromise one’s beliefs or standards because of the pressure of shame (aischynesthō). Shame is a powerful cultural force that compels people to act in certain ways. Every culture has elements that cause shame. Shame or honor is experienced in relationships where one finds self-worth and purpose. Shame and honor are felt more strongly in group-oriented cultures, like much of the ancient Mediterranean region where the readers of this letter lived.
Shame is a result of the sin inherited from Adam and Eve, who felt naked and ashamed after they disobeyed God (Genesis 3:7). We are shamed before God which leads to shame before other people. Jesus’ sacrifice, example, and presence reverse this shame. Through Jesus, we are saved from our shame before God, which gives us confidence to come to God boldly in prayer. This confidence builds hope and assurance in our lives and gives us a new identity that is not dependent upon what others think of us. The result is that we will feel more confident, assured, and brave in our relationships with others.
Our new identity is as a Christian. This description of believers is only used two other times in the New Testament (Acts 11:26; 26:28). It describes someone who is a “Christ person” who believes Jesus to be the Messiah and acts in obedience to him. Our association with Christ makes us stand out from the groups of our culture, community, family, and friends. These “outsiders” may notice that we are different and respond by pressuring us to conform to their way of life. If we do not, shame will result, which can progress into stronger social pressure and even outright persecution.
Since our shame is removed before God, why should we experience shame in the world? No matter what people do to us, our faith in God and the hope of salvation are solidly planted in our lives. Bearing the name of Christ should be a badge of honor that the world cannot take away, because it is seared into our hearts and evident for all to see in how we act. Our confidence before God should result in living an honorable life that glorifies him (2:12; 3:16). The name we bear is “Christ.” We serve as Christ’s ambassadors and representatives.