1 Peter 4:1-4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Peter 4:1-3

The apostle here draws a new inference from the consideration of Christ's sufferings. As he had before made use of it to persuade to patience in suffering, so here to mortification of sin. Observe, I. How the exhortation is expressed. The antecedent or supposition is that Christ had suffered for us in the flesh, or in his human nature. The consequent or inference is, ?Arm and fortify yourselves likewise with the same mind, courage, and resolution.? The word flesh in the former part of the... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Peter 4:4-6

I. Here you have the visible change wrought in those who in the 1 Pet. 4:3 were represented as having been in the former part of their life very wicked. They no longer run on in the same courses, or with the same companions, as they used to do. Hereupon observe the conduct of their wicked acquaintance towards them. 1. They think it strange, they are surprised and wonder at it, as at something new and unusual, that their old friends should be so much altered, and not run with as much violence... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Peter 4:1-5

4:1-5 Since then, Christ suffered in the flesh, you too must arm yourselves with the same conviction, that he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, and as a result of this the aim of such a man now is to spend the time that remains to him of life in obedience to the will of God. For the time that is past is sufficient to have done what the Gentiles will to do, to have lived a life of licentiousness, lust, drunkenness, revellings, carousings, and abominable idolatry. They think it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 4:1

Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh ..... The apostle having finished his digression concerning Christ's preaching in the ministry of Noah, to men whose spirits were now in prison, and concerning the salvation of Noah's family in the ark, by water, and concerning its antitype, baptism, its nature and effect, returns to the sufferings of Christ he had before made mention of; and argues from thence to holiness of life, and patience in sufferings, after this manner;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 4:2

That he no longer should live ,.... The Arabic version reads, "that ye no longer should live". This expresses the end of being armed with the above thought, that a suffering saint after death is clear of sin; and the use that is to be made of it in the present time of life, and the remainder of it, that such a person who so thinks, and is thus guarded and fortified against the fears of death, should no more, or any longer live, the rest of his time in the flesh, to the lusts of men, but... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 4:3

For the time past of our life may suffice us ,.... The word "our" is left out in the Alexandrian copy, and in the Vulgate Latin and Syriac versions. The Arabic version reads, "the time of your past life"; and to the same purpose the Ethiopic version; and which seems to be the more agreeable reading, since it can hardly be thought that the apostle would put himself among the Jews dispersed among the Gentiles, who had walked with them in their unregeneracy, in all the sins hereafter mentioned,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 4:4

Wherein they think it strange ,.... Here the apostle points out what the saints must expect from the men of the world, by living a different life; and he chooses to mention it, to prevent discouragements, and that they might not be uneasy and distressed when they observed it; as that they would wonder at the change in their conversations, and look on it as something unusual, new, and unheard of, and treat them as strangers, yea, as enemies, on account of it: that you run not with them... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 4:1

As Christ hath suffered - He is your proper pattern; have the same disposition he had; the same forgiving spirit, with meekness, gentleness, and complete self-possession. He that hath suffered in the flesh, hath ceased from sin - This is a general maxim, if understood literally: The man who suffers generally reflects on his ways, is humbled, fears approaching death, loathes himself because of his past iniquities, and ceases from them; for, in a state of suffering, the mind loses its... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 4:2

That he no longer should live - in the flesh - Governed by the base principle of giving up his faith to save his life; to the lusts of men - according to the will of his idolatrous persecutors; but to the will of God; which will of God is, that he should retain the truth, and live according to its dictates, though he should suffer for it. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 4:3

The time past of our life - This is a complete epitome of the Gentile or heathen state, and a proof that those had been Gentiles to whom the apostle wrote. They walked in lasciviousness, εν ασελγειαις· every species of lechery, lewdness, and impurity. In lusts, επιθυμιαις· strong irregular appetites, and desires of all kinds. In excess of wine, οινοφλυγιαις· wine, and φλυω , to be hot, or to boil; to be inflamed with wine; they were in continual debauches. In revellings, ... read more

Group of Brands