Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Peter 4:1

"Forasmuch then as Christ suffered in the flesh, arm ye yourselves also with the same mind; for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;" — 1 Peter 4:1 (ASV)

“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).