John Calvin Commentary 1 Peter 4:14

"If ye are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed [are ye]; because the [Spirit] of glory and the Spirit of God resteth upon you." — 1 Peter 4:14 (ASV)

If you are reproached—He mentions reproaches because there is often more bitterness in them than in the loss of goods, or in the torments or agonies of the body; there is therefore nothing which is more grievous to noble minds. For we see that many who are strong to bear want, courageous in torments, indeed, bold to meet death, do yet succumb under reproach.

To counter this evil, Peter pronounces those blessed who are reproached for the sake of the Gospel, according to what Christ says (Mark 8:35). This is very contrary to what people commonly think and feel; but he gives a reason: Because the Spirit of God, called also the Spirit of glory, rests on them.

Some read the words separately, “that which belongs to glory,” as though the words were, “glory and the Spirit of God.” But the former reading is more suitable in terms of sense and, in terms of language, more simple. Then Peter shows that it is no hindrance to the happiness of the godly that they sustain reproach for the name of Christ, because they nevertheless retain a complete glory in the sight of God, while the Spirit, who has glory ever connected with him, dwells in them. So, what seems to the flesh a paradox, the Spirit of God makes consistent by a sure perception in their minds.

On their part—This is a confirmation of the last sentence, for he intimates that it is enough for the godly that the Spirit of God testifies that the reproaches endured for the sake of the Gospel are blessed and full of glory. The wicked, however, intended something far different, as though he had said, “You can boldly despise the insolence of the ungodly, because the testimony respecting your glory, which God’s Spirit gives you, remains fixed within.” And he says that the Spirit of God was reproached, because the unbelieving expose to ridicule whatever he suggests and dictates for our consolation.

But this is by anticipation; for however the world in its blindness may see nothing but what is disgraceful in the reproaches of Christ, he does not want the eyes of the godly to be dazzled with this false opinion; but on the contrary, they ought to look up to God.

Thus he does not conceal what people commonly think; but he sets the hidden perception of faith, which God’s children possess in their own hearts, in opposition to their presumption and insolence. Thus Paul boasted that he had the marks of Christ, and he gloried in his bonds (Galatians 6:17). He had at the same time sufficiently understood what was the judgment formed of them by the world; and yet he intimates that it thought foolishly, and that those are blind together with the world, who esteem the slanders of the flesh glorious.