Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Peter 4

“Suffered in his body” may be more literally translated “suffered in the flesh” ; this is a reference to Jesus’ death. The thought appears to be this: Since Christ suffered to the extent of death in the realm of fleshly existence, Christians are to arm themselves with the same attitude that guided Christ.

“He who has suffered in his body is done with sin” is best taken as a proverbial expression and is linked in thought to Ro 6:7 (though it is also possible to refer this statement to Christ and the finality of his work against sin). By their union with Christ, Christians must understand that their conversion is a death to sin. Thus they are “done with sin.” 2 Peter gives a twofold purpose for Christians’ arming themselves with Christ’s attitude as expressed in v.1. First, one “does not live the rest of his earthly [lit., in the flesh] life for evil human desires.” One’s life after conversion is not to be lived according to human passions, but the ruling principle is the will of God. Christ himself did God’s will (cf. 4:34; 5:30; 6:38–40; 7:16–17), and he taught his disciples to pray, “Your will be done” (Matthew 6:10).

The counsel of pagans is now contrasted with God’s will. This verse clearly supports the position that the recipients of the letter had, before their conversion, been pagans. The “detestable idolatry” (or “illicit idolatries”) distinguished the Jews from their pagan neighbors. The other items listed (cf. comment on 2:1) are the common excesses of drink, sex, and wild parties found among the nonChristians then (and now).

The Christian lifestyle of sober, godly living condemns the values of pagan society. Pagans will respond with astonishment when Christians refuse to plunge into the “flood of dissipation” (cf. the prodigal son’s “wild living” in Lk 15:13), for they expect Christians to “plunge with them” into the pleasures of the satisfaction of the flesh. Peter’s denial is at once a warning and a judgment on the life lived in such a fashion. The pagan amazement will often turn to hatred and evil speaking (cf. Jn 3:19-21).

Christians are supported in their stand against the ungodly life by the truth of the coming judgment. In both OT and NT, God is the Judge. Yet the NT also shows that the Father has given judgment into Jesus’ hands . This judgment is near (4:7); it will be universal, for it will embrace all the living and the dead. In it unbelievers will have to give an account of their lives and will not be able to withstand the divine scrutiny (cf. Psalms 1:5–6).

The Christian lifestyle of sober, godly living condemns the values of pagan society. Pagans will respond with astonishment when Christians refuse to plunge into the “flood of dissipation” (cf. the prodigal son’s “wild living” in Lk 15:13), for they expect Christians to “plunge with them” into the pleasures of the satisfaction of the flesh. Peter’s denial is at once a warning and a judgment on the life lived in such a fashion. The pagan amazement will often turn to hatred and evil speaking (cf. Jn 3:19-21).

Christians are supported in their stand against the ungodly life by the truth of the coming judgment. In both OT and NT, God is the Judge. Yet the NT also shows that the Father has given judgment into Jesus’ hands . This judgment is near (4:7); it will be universal, for it will embrace all the living and the dead. In it unbelievers will have to give an account of their lives and will not be able to withstand the divine scrutiny (cf. Psalms 1:5–6).

The interpretation of this verse is often linked to 3:19, but the vocabulary of the text and its context differ. There are four main interpretations of the “dead” in this passage (cf. comment on 3:18–22). (1) Christ, while in his three-day death, went and preached salvation to all the dead, offering salvation to those who lived in pre-Christian times. (2) Christ, while in his three-day death, went and preached salvation to the just of OT times. (3) The apostles and others on this earth preached the Gospel to those who were spiritually dead. (4) The dead are Christians, who had the Gospel preached to them and who then died (or were put to death). Our interpretation falls in line with this fourth option.

“For this is the reason” points ahead to the rest of the sentence rather than looks back to vv.1–5. The coming judgment will not only bring sinners into account (v.5) but will also reverse the judgments of human beings (v.6). The Good News had been proclaimed to those (Christians) who are now dead. Even though pagans might condemn Christians and put them to death in the realm of the flesh, yet in God’s judgment there will be a reversal. Christians will live in a new realm, the spiritual realm.