Verses 1-2 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
The early Church was persecuted and believers could be killed at any time just because of their faith in the risen LORD Jesus Christ. They were enemy number one of the Jews and the Romans didn’t like them either because they would not worship Caesar. So the Apostle Peter is saying that the Christian believer needs to think like Jesus. He died for others and knew that He would have the victory and go back to Heaven to be with the Father. If killed, the believer is no longer subject to the trials, tribulations and temptations of this world but is present with the LORD in Heaven. The Greek word translated as “arm” in verse one above is “hoplizo” and, in this instance, it is a metaphor meaning to take on the same mind.
Verses 3-5 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: 4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: 5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.
The Greek word translated as “Gentiles” is “ethnos” and it can mean a multitude living together, a company, a troop, a multitude of individuals of the same nature or genus, a race, nation or people group, pagans or heathens, non-Jews, or as sometimes used in the New Testament, Christians that were not Jews. In the above verse it seems to be used to describe a group of individuals who were unbelievers and living by the world’s standards of sin. Since the Apostle Peter includes himself (our life), it may not refer to non-Jews.
The Greek word translated as “lasciviousness” is “aselgeia” and it means unbridled lust, excess, outrageousness, shamelessness, and insolence.
The Greek word translated as “revellings” is “komos” and it means partying in a noisy way, especially with drinking and dancing. This may have been referring to a night time riotous procession of drunken men who paraded through the streets with torches and music in honor of Bacchus or some other deity.
The Greek word translated as “idolatries” is “eidololatreia” and it means the worship of false gods, the formal sacrificial feasts held in honor of false gods, or the vices that spring from idolatry. So before the people to whom this epistle or letter was written became followers of the LORD Jesus Christ, they were followers of the world and participated in the things of the world, things that were displeasing to a holy God. Once they were converted and freed from the sins of this world, the people not following Jesus thought these believers were odd for not participating in the things they participated in. The Apostle Peter makes it clear that these people critical of believers will have to explain their actions and attitudes when standing before Almighty God who judges both those that are alive and those that are physically dead.
Verses 6-7 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. 7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
Before the Flood, there was no law. It had not been given by God. Therefore, those people who died before or as a result of the Flood could not be judged in the same way as those people who died after the law was given to Moses. If there is no law, it cannot be broken. So Jesus, after resurrecting from the grave visited and preached to those that had died so that they could be judged in the same manner as those people who had the law. Remember that judging is both for condemnation of those people that reject/rejected the Gospel message and for those who do not/did not and who are judged for their good works and obedience to the LORD.
Application: The Apostle Peter states, “but the end of all things is at hand”. It appears that the apostles and believers were looking for the second coming of the LORD Jesus Christ, and they believed it would be soon. Hundreds of years have passed, and life on this Earth continues. Jesus’ words have not changed. “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.” Matthew 25:13 The Apostle Peter was there when these words were spoken and he was warning the recipients of his epistle just as Jesus was warning His disciples. And just because Jesus has not returned according to man-made predictions, believers today need to remain vigilant, watchful and prayerful.
Verses 8-9 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
The Greek word translated as “charity” is “agape” and it means brotherly love and good will. God wants His children to love each other in a non-sexual, brotherly way. Along with agape love comes hospitality. When a Christian believer is consistent in extending brotherly love and hospitality to others, according to the Apostle Peter, their sins can be hid. Does that mean that God doesn’t see the believer’s sin? No. It means that any mistake or wrong doing will be weighed with the good deeds and agape love and balance out. God will still convict His child of any sin that needs to be worked on, but true Christian believers sin very little because of the desire to please the LORD Jesus Christ. And when they do sin, they know it because of the convicting work of the Holy Ghost/Spirit. So usually, their sin is not committed on a regular basis and is often accidental or unintentional.
Verses 10-11 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
The Greek word translated as “gift” is “charisma” from which comes the word charismatic. It means a favor which one receives without any merit of his own. The gift of divine grace, the gift of faith, the gift of knowledge, holiness and virtue, the gift of forgiveness of sins, and the gift of salvation from sin, death, and eternity in Hell are just a few of the gifts given to believers in Christ Jesus. These gifts are not earned, but are freely given. But since the word above is singular, this writer believes the gift the Apostle Peter is referring to that every man of God has received is the indwelling of the Holy Ghost/Spirit from which all the other gifts come.
God gives gifts of the Spirit to all believers. What are the gifts of the Spirit? 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 explains as follows.
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. 3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. 4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
Application: Many church denominations teach that the gifts of the Spirit are no longer being given or that they were only for the Apostolic age in order for the Church to get established. Some church denominations teach that God no longer heals anyone. These doctrinal positions cannot be supported by Scripture. These doctrinal positions cannot be supported by life and the stories of people who have been healed, raised from the dead, and had devils cast out, and there are many instances of these miracles happening that are recorded and verified. Jesus, who is God manifesting in the flesh, did not order His disciples to go and preach, teach, heal, cast out devils and raise the dead for a specific time or church age. If someone is a believer in and a disciple of Jesus, His command applies to that man or woman today just as it applied to previous generations of believers. If a believer is not operating in the Spirit and not exercising the gifts he/she has been given, then that believer is not being obedient to the commandments of Jesus by choice, or that believer does not have the faith to exercise the gifts. Are all the gifts available to all believers? Yes. “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal”. Notice that the believer is to profit with these gifts or to have an advantage or a benefit. An advantage and a benefit for whom? For those the believer is ministering to and for the believer as the power of God is manifested through him/her. Do all believers have all the gifts of the Spirit? Not usually, but they could. The gifts are given freely by God and He knows where a believer’s talent lies and so the gifts that most easily fit with the talents of the believer are usually the first gifts received. A housewife who is adept in entertaining and hospitality may be very wise and an excellent counselor to those people who come to her house. A school age child may not discern spirits, but may have an abundance of faith. The story is told of a rural town that was facing drought and crop failure and so the church met to pray for God to send rain. As people started streaming into the church for the prayer meeting, a child came in wearing galoshes and a raincoat and carrying an umbrella. When asked why he was dressed this way on such a hot and dry day, his response was that he did not want to get wet when God answered the prayers and sent rain. That is faith. So all the gifts are available to all believers, but usually the gifts received by the believer are the ones best suited for that believer’s personality, abilities and social situation. These gifts have to be exercised or they will have been given in vain. “Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils, they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover.” Mark 16:14-18 Please notice the word “shall” in the verses above; the promises of Jesus.
Verses 12-14 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
To “think it not strange” means to not be shocked or surprised at something, in this case, calamities or trials that test the Christian believer’s character. To be a Christian, a person has to be like Christ. Jesus Christ was gossiped about, lied about, treated unfairly, tortured and killed. Therefore the believer should expect opposition from those serving Satan and from Satanic governmental systems. The life of a Christian believer is not an easy or simple one.
Verse 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.
To go to prison for faith in the risen Savior, Jesus, is not pleasant, but is pleasing to God. To go to prison for criminal activity is not pleasing to God. Suffering for righteousness’ sake glorifies God. Suffering for unrighteousness’ sake glorifies Satan.
Verses 16-19 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. (1 Peter 4)
Application: When living the Christian life and opposition comes, perhaps in the form of a co-worker lying about the believer or family persecuting the believer because of following Jesus, the believer should not back down from righteous living and faith in Jesus and should never be ashamed. The Christian believer is working towards eternal life in Heaven, whereas the nonbeliever is working towards eternal life in Hell. There is nothing to be ashamed for and everything to gain.
The judgment at the house of God could be the Apostle Peter referring to Christian believers and the Church, but it could also be referring to the Jews and the Temple in Jerusalem. This writer is not sure. But clearly, the Gospel was to be preached to the Jew first, and then the Gentile. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16 “But glory, honour, and peace to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:” Romans 2:10 The Apostle Peter was Jewish and the people he was writing to in this epistle may also have been Jewish believers who had fled the persecution in Jerusalem and Judea. So it is plausible that the house of God is a reference to the Jewish religious system that was corrupted and which conspired to execute the LORD Jesus Christ.