EXPLORE THE TEXT
Believers need to understand that they have a new purpose in life-God’s will.
1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh,
arm yourselves also with the same understanding-
because the one who suffers in the flesh is finished with sin-
2 in order to live the remaining time in the flesh no longer for human desires,
but for God’s will.
3 For there has already been enough time spent in doing what the Gentiles choose to do:
carrying on in unrestrained behavior,
evil desires, drunkenness,
orgies, carousing, and lawless idolatry.
While gold and silver are valuable, they are not the most precious commodity in our lives.
Time is among humanity’s most treasured gifts.
This is why Scripture consistently challenges God’s people
to be good stewards of the time they have been given.
Peter made that clear in verse 2,
urging his readers to avoid wasting time
and using their lives to make a difference for the kingdom.
“Jesus understood the purpose of suffering.
He desired to fulfill the will of His Father,
and that purpose allowed Him to approach suffering with a fully mature attitude.”
create a list of the Gentile vices mentioned in verse 3.
human desires and why they were counter to a life in Christ.
3) What the Gentiles choose to do:
these imply an uncontrolled common party scene in Roman culture.
In addition, idolatry would have added to believers’ tensions.
The Christians in Asia Minor were choosing a radically different life in the gospel.
Peter noted the response of unbelievers toward the Christians
would lead to God’s judgment on the pagans.