God’s “will” can be understood in two ways. It could refer to God’s secret will, that is, his plan for salvation (Galatians 1:4; Ephesians 1:5, Ephesians 1:11). The word can also refer to God’s revealed will, that is, the commands he has given people to obey (John 9:31; 1 John 2:17). Though suffering for Christ’s sake is certainly part of God’s plan for his people, in the present passage the term “will” is synonymous with “command,” as is clear from the instruction of 1 Peter 4:15: “But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler,” which is conduct that implies disobedience to God’s revealed will. Such a transgressor is not addressed by the words of 1 Peter 4:19.
19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.