Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Peter 4:15

"For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil-doer, or as a meddler in other men`s matters:" — 1 Peter 4:15 (ASV)

But let none of you suffer as a murderer. If you must be called to suffer, ensure that it is not for a crime. Compare to 2 Peter 3:14 and 2 Peter 3:17.

They were to be careful that their sufferings were brought upon them only as a consequence of their religion, and not because any crime could be charged against them. If even such charges were brought against them, no pretext for them should be furnished by their lives.

As an evil doer. As a wicked man, or as one guilty of injustice and wrongdoing towards others.

Or as a busy-body in other men's matters. The Greek word used here (allotrioepiskopos) occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It properly means an inspector of strange things, or of the things of others. Professor Robinson (Lexicon) supposes that the word may refer to one who is "a director of heathenism."

However, the more obvious meaning, and the one commonly adopted, is that found in our translation—one who busies himself with what does not concern him; that is, one who pries into the affairs of another, attempting to control or direct them as if they were his own. Regarding the vice condemned here, see Philippians 2:4.

Compare to 2 Thessalonians 3:11 and 1 Timothy 5:13.

The term "busy-body" can also be understood as "busy-meddler."