Dr. Terren Dames 07.29.15

1 Peter 4:1-11

Keep Fervent in Your Love 1 Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 So as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.

CHRIST-LIKE ATTITUDE Notice how Peter refers back to 1:18-19; 3:18 dealing with Christ suffering in the flesh. The idea here is one of imitating Christ; because Christ has suffered in the flesh so to must His followers suffer in the flesh. “Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves.” Peter here introduces his audience to the principle of endurance in unjust suffering. Here we find believers being encouraged to “arm themselves” with the mind-set of Christ as it related to suffering. The word translated “arm yourselves” referred to a soldier putting on armor (cf. Eph. 6:13). As believers we are called to think like a soldier arming for battle.

Peter is calling believers to identify with Christ by suffering in the flesh; “because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin. In other words, his being identified with Christ demonstrates (as does baptism) his break with a sinful life. Because of Christ’s death, “we should no longer be slaves to sin, because anyone who has died has been freed from sin” (Rom. 6:6–7). Pay close attention to verse 2; all of this is “for the will of God” (cf. 2:15; 3:17; 4:19).

1 Peter 2:15 15. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.

1 Peter 3.17 17. For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.

1 Peter 4:19 19. Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.

Dr. Terren Dames 07.29.15

3 For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries.

The exhortation here is based living for God in their present situation by leaving the old habits in the past; by moving on to fill one’s life with the things of God. In other words Peter is making sure that his readers understand that there is a distinct difference between someone living for God’s will vs. his/her own desires (cf. Gal. 5:19–21).

Galatians 5:19-21 19. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20. idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21. envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

4 In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you;

Just as Israel in the O.T. was warned not to associate with the pagan nations, so to believers are warned not to associate with the pageantry of their past. Those who you use to run with before will be surprise by you complete change in character and seek to ridicule or condemn you because of the new life given to you by Christ.

5 but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

Everyone will have to give account for their actions on this earth before Christ and there is none that will escape the final judgement.

Matthew 12:36 36 “But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment.

2 Timothy 4:1 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ , who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:

6. For the has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God.

Dr. Terren Dames 07.29.15

Peter here encouraged his readers with the fact that they would not be judge for their sins because of the work of Christ. Christ has paid the sin debt on the cross, but the earthly effect of sin is physical death (judgement of the body). This physical death does not lead to judgment but to eternal life. They will “live in the spirit according to the will of God.”1

7. The end of all things is near; therefore, be of SOUND JUDGMENT and SOBER SPIRIT for the purpose of prayer.

Peter’s statement the end of all things is near is a reference to the belief in the early church that Christ’s return was imminent.

Notice Peter’s statement to be “sober in spirit;” This idea was also mention in chapter 1:13.

1 Peter 1:13 13Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

This goes against the idea of modern charisma to be drunk or slain in the spirit. Peter on the other hand is presenting the case for a clear thinking person; 3:15, one who will be able at all time to make ready a defense for the faith and hope in Christ.

8. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.

This echoes 1 Corinthians 13 which speaks of love being superior to all gifts. The concept is derived from Christ atonement covering a multitude of sin.

9 Be hospitable to one another without complaint. 10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Notice how Peter makes sure that his audience has a clear understanding of their role in the church. a). Serve without complaint b). Your gift is for service to others

11 Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving cby the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

1 Raymer, R. M. (1985). 1 Peter. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, pp. 852–854). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.