◄ 1 Peter 4:2 ►
Consequently, he does not live out his remaining time on earth for human passions, but for the will of God.
Study Bible
Consequently
This word serves as a bridge from the previous verse, indicating a result or conclusion. In the Greek, "ὥστε" (hōste) implies a logical outcome of a preceding action or condition. Here, it connects the believer's suffering with Christ to a transformed way of living. Theologically, it underscores the transformative power of identifying with Christ's sufferings, leading to a life that reflects His purposes.

he does not live out
The Greek phrase "μηκέτι βιώσαι" (mēketi biōsai) suggests a decisive break from a former way of life. "Biōsai" relates to the manner of living, emphasizing a conscious choice to abandon previous patterns. This reflects a call to sanctification, where the believer's life is no longer dictated by past desires but is now oriented towards divine purposes.

his remaining time on earth
This phrase highlights the temporal nature of earthly life. The Greek "ἐν σαρκὶ" (en sarki) refers to life in the flesh, underscoring the transient and fragile nature of human existence. Historically, early Christians lived with an acute awareness of the brevity of life, which fueled their urgency in living for eternal values rather than temporal pleasures.

for human passions
The Greek "ἐπιθυμίαις ἀνθρώπων" (epithymiais anthrōpōn) refers to desires or lusts that are characteristic of fallen humanity. These are often self-centered and contrary to God's holiness. In a historical context, the Greco-Roman world was rife with indulgence and moral laxity, making Peter's call to reject such passions particularly counter-cultural and radical.

but for the will of God
The contrast here is stark. The Greek "θέλημα Θεοῦ" (thelēma Theou) signifies God's sovereign purpose and desire. Living for God's will involves a complete reorientation of one's life priorities, aligning them with divine intentions. Scripturally, this echoes Jesus' own submission to the Father's will, serving as the ultimate model for believers. It is a call to holiness, obedience, and a life that reflects God's character and mission in the world.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Peter
The apostle Peter, one of Jesus' closest disciples, is the author of this epistle. He writes to encourage and instruct believers who are facing persecution.

2. Recipients of the Epistle
The letter is addressed to the "elect exiles" scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, regions in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey).

3. Persecution of Christians
The context of the letter involves the early Christians facing trials and suffering for their faith, which Peter addresses throughout the epistle.
Teaching Points
Living for God's Will
As believers, our primary focus should be on discerning and living out God's will in our lives, rather than pursuing our own desires or societal expectations.

Transformation of Desires
The transformation of our desires is a key aspect of Christian maturity. This involves a conscious decision to align our passions with God's purposes.

Endurance in Suffering
In the face of trials and persecution, believers are called to endure by focusing on God's will, which provides strength and purpose beyond temporary hardships.

Contrast with Worldly Living
Christians are called to live distinctively from the world, which often prioritizes self-indulgence and immediate gratification over eternal values.

Empowerment by the Holy Spirit
Living for God's will is not achieved by human effort alone but through the empowerment and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding the context of persecution in 1 Peter help us apply this verse to our own lives today?

2. In what ways can we discern the will of God in our daily decisions and actions?

3. How do Romans 12:2 and Galatians 5:16-17 enhance our understanding of living for God's will rather than human passions?

4. What practical steps can we take to ensure that our desires align more closely with God's will?

5. How can the empowerment of the Holy Spirit assist us in living out the principles found in 1 Peter 4:2, especially during challenging times?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Romans 12:2
This verse speaks about not conforming to the patterns of this world but being transformed by the renewing of the mind, which aligns with living for the will of God rather than human passions.

Galatians 5:16-17
Paul discusses the conflict between the desires of the flesh and the Spirit, similar to Peter's emphasis on living for God's will rather than human desires.

Ephesians 4:22-24
Paul encourages believers to put off the old self and put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness, which complements Peter's call to live for God's will.
Sermons
Cardinal TruthsJ. J. S. Bird.1 Peter 4:1-6
Christ the Grand Necessity of ManD. Thomas, D. D.1 Peter 4:1-6
Christ's SufferingsD. Thomas, D. D.1 Peter 4:1-6
Coming to JudgmentR. Finlayson 1 Peter 4:1-6
Conformity with ChristAbp. Leighton.1 Peter 4:1-6
Ecce HomoA. Rowland, LL. B.1 Peter 4:1-6
God's Win1 Peter 4:1-6
Living to God's WillU. R. Thomas.1 Peter 4:1-6
Men's Lusts Opposed to God's WillJohn Rogers.1 Peter 4:1-6
Sin PiercedJ. Trapp.1 Peter 4:1-6
The Flesh Rightly UsedG. Calthrop.1 Peter 4:1-6
The Rest of His Time in the FleshF. B. Meyer, B. A.1 Peter 4:1-6
The Right Use of the Residue of Our TimeD. Thomas, D. D.1 Peter 4:1-6
The Time in the FleshHomilist1 Peter 4:1-6
The Will of GodF. B. Meyer, B. A.1 Peter 4:1-6
Will of GodJohn Bate.1 Peter 4:1-6
The Persecuted Christian Reminded of the Necessity of Suffering for RighteousnessC. New 1 Peter 4:1-7
People
Peter
Places
Asia, Bithynia, Cappadocia, Galatia, Pontus
Topics
Desires, Earthly, Evil, Flesh, Future, God's, Governed, Human, Longer, Lusts, Men's, Passions, Purpose, Rather, Rest, Spend
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Peter 4:2

     1175   God, will of
     8115   discipleship, nature of
     8116   discipleship, cost
     8475   self-denial
     8821   self-indulgence

1 Peter 4:1-2

     5037   mind, of Christ
     5881   immaturity

1 Peter 4:1-3

     6030   sin, avoidance

1 Peter 4:1-5

     5832   desire

Library
Christian Asceticism
'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. 3. 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 …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John

June the Twenty-Sixth Crucifying the Flesh
"Arm yourselves likewise with the same mind." --1 PETER iv. 1-8. Let not the body be dominant, but the soul. Let me study the example and counsel of the Apostle Paul. "I keep my body under." Literally, I pummel it! If it is obtrusive and aggressive, its appetites clamouring for supremacy, I pummel it! Paul was not afraid of severe measures where carnality was concerned. He would fast a whole day in order to put the flesh in its place. And so should it be with all the Lord's children. We are …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

Personal Experience
In conclusion I desire to add my humble testimony of a personal experience of the glorious work of entire sanctification. At the age of seventeen years I was converted. All who were acquainted with me had no reason to doubt the genuine, inwrought grace of pardon and the new life which at once began to bring forth fruit unto God. But the one to whom this mighty change seemed the most marvelous was myself. My poor soul, which for several years had been held under the terrible bondage and darkness of …
J. W. Byers—Sanctification

The Old Man and the New.
"That we being dead unto sin should live unto righteousness."--1 Peter iv. 24. The Psalmist sings: "They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God." (Psalm lxxxiv. 7) We must maintain this glorious testimony, altho our own experience often seems to contradict it. Not experience, but the Scripture, teaches us divine truth; nor is it as tho the procedure of the divine operation in our own heart could differ from the testimony of the Sacred Scripture, but that our …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Man's Chief End
Q-I: WHAT IS THE CHIEF END OF MAN? A: Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever. Here are two ends of life specified. 1: The glorifying of God. 2: The enjoying of God. I. The glorifying of God, I Pet 4:4: That God in all things may be glorified.' The glory of God is a silver thread which must run through all our actions. I Cor 10:01. Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.' Everything works to some end in things natural and artificial; …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

A Battle with Smallpox
Soon after we began work in the city, my brother George went out to assist in a meeting at Edgewood, Iowa. A mother desired prayer for her little girl, so my brother and another minister laid hands on her and prayed for her healing. The mother said that some one thought her child was taking smallpox, but that she was sure it was a mistake. The ministers saw a few little pimples on the child's lip and asked her if the same breaking-out was on other parts of her body. The mother's answer was, "None …
Mary Cole—Trials and Triumphs of Faith

A Nickname Accepted
'The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch' --ACTS xi. 26. Nations and parties, both political and religious, very often call themselves by one name, and are known to the outside world by another. These outside names are generally given in contempt; and yet they sometimes manage to hit the very centre of the characteristics of the people on whom they are bestowed, and so by degrees get to be adopted by them, and worn as an honour. So it has been with the name 'Christian.' It was given …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

Of Avoiding of Curious Inquiry into the Life of Another
"My Son, be not curious, nor trouble thyself with vain cares. What is that to thee? Follow thou Me.(1) For what is it to thee whether a man be this or that, or say or do thus or thus? Thou hast no need to answer for others, but thou must give an answer for thyself. Why therefore dost thou entangle thyself? Behold, I know all men, and I behold all things which are done under the sun; and I know how it standeth with each one, what he thinketh, what he willeth, and to what end his thoughts reach. …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

Some Other Writers of the New Testament
[Illustration: (drop cap L) Ancient engraving of man reading scroll] Let us now look at the rest of the books which make up the New Testament. In the days when Paul preached at Athens, the old capital of Greece, much of the ancient splendour and power of the Greek people had passed away, for the Romans had conquered their country, and they were no longer a free nation. Yet, although the Greeks had been forced to yield to Rome, their conquerors knew that the Grecian scholars and artists were far …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making

John Bunyan on the Terms of Communion and Fellowship of Christians at the Table of the Lord;
COMPRISING I. HIS CONFESSION OF FAITH, AND REASON OF HIS PRACTICE; II. DIFFERENCES ABOUT WATER BAPTISM NO BAR TO COMMUNION; AND III. PEACEABLE PRINCIPLES AND TRUE[1] ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. Reader, these are extraordinary productions that will well repay an attentive perusal. It is the confession of faith of a Christian who had suffered nearly twelve years' imprisonment, under persecution for conscience sake. Shut up with his Bible, you have here the result of a prayerful study of those holy …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Wilderness State
"Ye now have sorrow: But I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you." John 16:22. 1. After God had wrought a great deliverance for Israel, by bringing them out of the house of bondage, they did not immediately enter into the land which he had promised to their fathers; but "wandered out of the way in the wilderness," and were variously tempted and distressed. In like manner, after God has delivered them that fear him from the bondage of sin and Satan; …
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions

Of the Power of the Church in Articles of Faith. The Unbridled Licence of the Papal Church in Destroying Purity of Doctrine.
1. The marks and government of the Church having been considered in the seven previous chapters, the power of the Church is now considered under three heads--viz. Doctrine, Legislation, Jurisdiction. 2. The authority and power given to Church-officers not given to themselves, but their office. This shown in the case of Moses and the Levitical priesthood. 3. The same thing shown in the case of the Prophets. 4. Same thing shown in the case of the Apostles, and of Christ himself. 5. The Church astricted …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

The Disciple, -- what is the Meaning and Purpose of the Cross...
The Disciple,--What is the meaning and purpose of the cross, and why do pain and suffering exist in the world? The Master,--1. The cross is the key to heaven. At the moment when by My baptism I took the cross upon My shoulders for the sake of sinners, heaven was opened, and by means of My thirty-three years bearing of the cross and by death upon it, heaven, which by reason of sin was closed to believers, was for ever opened to them. Now as soon as believers take up their cross and follow Me they …
Sadhu Sundar Singh—At The Master's Feet

Seasonable Counsel: Or, Advice to Sufferers.
BY JOHN BUNYAN. London: Printed for Benjamin Alsop, at the Angel and Bible in the Poultry, 1684. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. THIS valuable treatise was first published in a pocket volume in 1684, and has only been reprinted in Whitfield's edition of Bunyan's works, 2 vols. folio, 1767. No man could have been better qualified to give advice to sufferers for righteousness' sake, than John Bunyan: and this work is exclusively devoted to that object. Shut up in a noisome jail, under the iron hand of …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

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