1 Peter 4:1-2 discusses how Jesus suffered for obeying God during His life on earth. His example should inspire believers who have died to sin to live out the rest of our earthly lives for God’s purposes rather than our sin nature, even when we suffer for doing so.
In 1 Peter 4:1-21 Peter 4:1-2 commentary, commentary Peter begins showing how believers should embrace Christ’s suffering as a way of life. Therefore, indicates an application from the truth about the suffering of Christ just presented in Chapter 3. The application is addressed to the suffering believers to whom Peter addressed this letter (1 Peter 1:61 Peter 1:6 commentary). Peter desires them to suffer only for doing right; it is God’s will to endure hostility for doing right in order to “silence the ignorance of foolish men” (1 Peter 2:151 Peter 2:15 commentary).
Now Peter exhorts the believers to have the same mindset as Christ: Since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also for the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin (v. 1).
Peter has gone to great lengths explaining how Christ has suffered in the flesh, referring to his bodily suffering. This bodily suffering was predicted by the prophets (1 Peter 1:111 Peter 1:11 commentary), described by them in detail (1 Peter 2:21-241 Peter 2:21-24 commentary), and designed for the specific purpose of redeeming humanity from sin (1 Peter 3:181 Peter 3:18 commentary).
Now Peter uses the purpose for which Christ suffered as an example for believers to follow by exhorting us to arm yourselves also with the same purpose. The Greek verb translated arm yourself means to get ready or prepare yourself. It is a rare word used only here in the New Testament. Preparation is necessary because living this life of great purpose is difficult. To arm yourselves or equip/prepare with respect to the same purpose implies that Peter is referring to a mental/spiritual application.
We might equate such mental processing as being the same as a “way of thinking” or a mindset. Paul used the same idea as a theme in his letter to the Philippians. The Greek word “phroneo” refers to a mindset/mental-model/attitude. It appears in some form ten times in that short letter.
In Philippians 2:5Philippians 2:5 commentary, commentary Paul writes “Have this attitude [“phroneo”] in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus.” “Phroneo” could potentially be translated “perspective.” It is apparent that a perspective/mindset/attitude is something to be chosen, and we can choose wisely or poorly. The “phroneo” (mindset) that Paul asked the Philippians to adopt was Christ’s decision that it was in His best interest to follow the will of His Father to:
Suffer as a human,
Learn obedience even to death on a cross, and
Trust that His Father’s rewards would be worth it.
We can see this in Philippians 2:5-10Philippians 2:5-10 commentary. That passage asserts that Jesus left a highly comfortable place in heaven, chose to become a human and die for our sins in obedience to the Father, and accordingly was elevated to reign over all. Paul says, “Have this same mindset.”
Paul desires that we also set aside circumstantial comfort, take up daily the “cross” of walking in obedience to Jesus, and follow Him regardless of the cost, believing that His rewards will be more than worth whatever difficulty we might endure (1 Corinthians 2:91 Corinthians 2:9 commentary, commentary2 Corinthians 4:172 Corinthians 4:17 commentary).
Peter is saying the same thing. Believers should arm yourselves with a mindset that allows us to accomplish the same purpose as Jesus. As Jesus said when He entered the world, His purpose was to do the perfect will of the Father:
“Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come (In the scroll of the Book it is written of me) To do Your will, O God’” (Hebrews 10:7Hebrews 10:7 commentary quoting Psalm 40:7-8Psalm 40:7-8 commentary).
Jesus’s purpose was to do the Father’s will. The Father’s will was to restore humanity and glorify His Son through the “suffering of death” (Hebrews 2:9Hebrews 2:9 commentary).
Peter gives a reason why we as believers ought to adopt this mindset and purpose: because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 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 (v. 1b-2).
The key to the application of adopting the correct mindset focused on the proper purpose is to have as our core purpose to accomplish the will of God. This is the same mindset Jesus had. In fact, Jesus said, “I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me” (John 8:28John 8:28 commentary). It seems here that Peter connects suffering in the flesh with avoiding living in sin: he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin.
This expression is similar to the teaching of Paul in Romans 6Romans 6 commentary, commentary “for he who has died is free from sin” (Romans 6:7Romans 6:7 commentary). This means that through the resurrection power of Jesus we have the power to live apart from sin, if we choose to use it. We do this by walking in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16Galatians 5:16 commentary). When we walk in the Spirit we walk according to God’s design, which He set forth in His Law (Romans 8:4Romans 8:4 commentary).
The suffering of death in Romans 6Romans 6 commentary is referring to the believer’s co-crucifixion with Christ in which he is no longer under the mastery of his sin nature (Romans 6:1-7Romans 6:1-7 commentary). Peter’s point is that believers are exhorted to have the same point of view as the crucified and resurrected Savior, so as to live the rest of their time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God (v. 2).
Peter’s goal is to get his readers focused on making their lives on earth count for eternity. If they live the rest of their lives for the lusts of men, dominated by their flesh or sin nature, they will have wasted their time on earth and will lose out on receiving rewards in heaven. The Apostle John dwells on this in his first epistle, where he says:
“Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.
The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever” (1 John 2:15-171 John 2:15-17 commentary).
We can see in these verses from John that believers can choose to “love” (“agape,” the love of choice) the world and its lusts. Whatever reward we gain from that is “passing away”—it will not last. But if we have a purpose to live God’s will, then we will gain that which lasts forever. As Paul says, each person will have their deeds judged by God (Romans 2:5-6Romans 2:5-6 commentary). He then follows by asserting:
“to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immorality [goes] eternal life” (Romans 2:7Romans 2:7 commentary).
We know this “eternal life” speaks of a reward since this speaks of judgement for deeds. The possession of eternal life is a gift freely given to all who believe (Romans 6:23Romans 6:23 commentary). The experience of eternal life is a reward for those who seek “glory and honor and immortality” from God rather than from the world. Whatever reward the world offers passes away. The glory, honor and legacy (immortality) of this world is inevitably forgotten. But in God’s economy His rewards will endure forever.
Peter leads his disciples to understand that if they live their lives on earth doing the will of God, they can know that their lives on earth will have great significance and they will be richly rewarded in heaven. This is the reward of living for the will of God, as Jesus did, rather than living for the lusts of men.
Sometimes believers experience uncertainty over what God’s will is for them. We can gain significant comfort from 1 Thessalonians 4:31 Thessalonians 4:3 commentary which tells us directly what is the will of God; it is for us to be sanctified. That means God’s primary will for us is to walk in obedience to Him. It is not so much the circumstances we choose but how we deal with our circumstances that are His primary concern.
In the next verses, Peter poses that believers ought to live in a manner that recognizes that God’s judgment is immanent.
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1 Peter 4:1-2 meaning
In 1 Peter 4:1-21 Peter 4:1-2 commentary, commentary Peter begins showing how believers should embrace Christ’s suffering as a way of life. Therefore, indicates an application from the truth about the suffering of Christ just presented in Chapter 3. The application is addressed to the suffering believers to whom Peter addressed this letter (1 Peter 1:61 Peter 1:6 commentary). Peter desires them to suffer only for doing right; it is God’s will to endure hostility for doing right in order to “silence the ignorance of foolish men” (1 Peter 2:151 Peter 2:15 commentary).
Now Peter exhorts the believers to have the same mindset as Christ: Since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also for the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin (v. 1).
Peter has gone to great lengths explaining how Christ has suffered in the flesh, referring to his bodily suffering. This bodily suffering was predicted by the prophets (1 Peter 1:111 Peter 1:11 commentary), described by them in detail (1 Peter 2:21-241 Peter 2:21-24 commentary), and designed for the specific purpose of redeeming humanity from sin (1 Peter 3:181 Peter 3:18 commentary).
Now Peter uses the purpose for which Christ suffered as an example for believers to follow by exhorting us to arm yourselves also with the same purpose. The Greek verb translated arm yourself means to get ready or prepare yourself. It is a rare word used only here in the New Testament. Preparation is necessary because living this life of great purpose is difficult. To arm yourselves or equip/prepare with respect to the same purpose implies that Peter is referring to a mental/spiritual application.
We might equate such mental processing as being the same as a “way of thinking” or a mindset. Paul used the same idea as a theme in his letter to the Philippians. The Greek word “phroneo” refers to a mindset/mental-model/attitude. It appears in some form ten times in that short letter.
In Philippians 2:5Philippians 2:5 commentary, commentary Paul writes “Have this attitude [“phroneo”] in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus.” “Phroneo” could potentially be translated “perspective.” It is apparent that a perspective/mindset/attitude is something to be chosen, and we can choose wisely or poorly. The “phroneo” (mindset) that Paul asked the Philippians to adopt was Christ’s decision that it was in His best interest to follow the will of His Father to:
We can see this in Philippians 2:5-10Philippians 2:5-10 commentary. That passage asserts that Jesus left a highly comfortable place in heaven, chose to become a human and die for our sins in obedience to the Father, and accordingly was elevated to reign over all. Paul says, “Have this same mindset.”
Paul desires that we also set aside circumstantial comfort, take up daily the “cross” of walking in obedience to Jesus, and follow Him regardless of the cost, believing that His rewards will be more than worth whatever difficulty we might endure (1 Corinthians 2:91 Corinthians 2:9 commentary, commentary 2 Corinthians 4:172 Corinthians 4:17 commentary).
Peter is saying the same thing. Believers should arm yourselves with a mindset that allows us to accomplish the same purpose as Jesus. As Jesus said when He entered the world, His purpose was to do the perfect will of the Father:
“Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come
(In the scroll of the Book it is written of me)
To do Your will, O God’”
(Hebrews 10:7Hebrews 10:7 commentary quoting Psalm 40:7-8Psalm 40:7-8 commentary).
Jesus’s purpose was to do the Father’s will. The Father’s will was to restore humanity and glorify His Son through the “suffering of death” (Hebrews 2:9Hebrews 2:9 commentary).
Peter gives a reason why we as believers ought to adopt this mindset and purpose: because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 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 (v. 1b-2).
The key to the application of adopting the correct mindset focused on the proper purpose is to have as our core purpose to accomplish the will of God. This is the same mindset Jesus had. In fact, Jesus said, “I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me” (John 8:28John 8:28 commentary). It seems here that Peter connects suffering in the flesh with avoiding living in sin: he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin.
This expression is similar to the teaching of Paul in Romans 6Romans 6 commentary, commentary “for he who has died is free from sin” (Romans 6:7Romans 6:7 commentary). This means that through the resurrection power of Jesus we have the power to live apart from sin, if we choose to use it. We do this by walking in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16Galatians 5:16 commentary). When we walk in the Spirit we walk according to God’s design, which He set forth in His Law (Romans 8:4Romans 8:4 commentary).
The suffering of death in Romans 6Romans 6 commentary is referring to the believer’s co-crucifixion with Christ in which he is no longer under the mastery of his sin nature (Romans 6:1-7Romans 6:1-7 commentary). Peter’s point is that believers are exhorted to have the same point of view as the crucified and resurrected Savior, so as to live the rest of their time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God (v. 2).
Peter’s goal is to get his readers focused on making their lives on earth count for eternity. If they live the rest of their lives for the lusts of men, dominated by their flesh or sin nature, they will have wasted their time on earth and will lose out on receiving rewards in heaven. The Apostle John dwells on this in his first epistle, where he says:
“Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.
The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever”
(1 John 2:15-171 John 2:15-17 commentary).
We can see in these verses from John that believers can choose to “love” (“agape,” the love of choice) the world and its lusts. Whatever reward we gain from that is “passing away”—it will not last. But if we have a purpose to live God’s will, then we will gain that which lasts forever. As Paul says, each person will have their deeds judged by God (Romans 2:5-6Romans 2:5-6 commentary). He then follows by asserting:
“to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immorality [goes] eternal life”
(Romans 2:7Romans 2:7 commentary).
We know this “eternal life” speaks of a reward since this speaks of judgement for deeds. The possession of eternal life is a gift freely given to all who believe (Romans 6:23Romans 6:23 commentary). The experience of eternal life is a reward for those who seek “glory and honor and immortality” from God rather than from the world. Whatever reward the world offers passes away. The glory, honor and legacy (immortality) of this world is inevitably forgotten. But in God’s economy His rewards will endure forever.
Peter leads his disciples to understand that if they live their lives on earth doing the will of God, they can know that their lives on earth will have great significance and they will be richly rewarded in heaven. This is the reward of living for the will of God, as Jesus did, rather than living for the lusts of men.
Sometimes believers experience uncertainty over what God’s will is for them. We can gain significant comfort from 1 Thessalonians 4:31 Thessalonians 4:3 commentary which tells us directly what is the will of God; it is for us to be sanctified. That means God’s primary will for us is to walk in obedience to Him. It is not so much the circumstances we choose but how we deal with our circumstances that are His primary concern.
In the next verses, Peter poses that believers ought to live in a manner that recognizes that God’s judgment is immanent.