‘For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evildoer, or as a meddler in other men's matters, but if a man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this name.'
Once again we have a Petrine contrast, typical of what we have seen all the way through his letter. They are ensure that they only suffer for the right reason. They should not suffer as those who have behaved badly, as those who really are murderers, or thieves, or evildoers or as those who meddle in the affairs of others. But if they should suffer because they are Christians, then they need not be ashamed but rather are to glorify God in Christ's Name by their response. Note the continuing emphasis on ‘glory'. As those who have received the glory of God they are to bring glory to Him.
The word ‘Christian' was applied to followers of Christ almost from the beginning of the spread of the Gospel (Acts 11:26; compare Acts 26:28). It was probably initially intended in mockery. But to Christians it became a name of honour. It marked them off as ‘Christ's men'.