1 Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 3 For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. 4 In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. 5 They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
Commentary
Vs. 1-2 The Apostle Peter now moves Christ's sufferings from our own, and how we are to endure them (i.e. patiently), to how we can use them. For just as Christ suffered for us in the flesh, we also are to arm ourselves with the same mind. That is, as Jesus suffered in the flesh to deliver us from our sins, we likewise must arm ourselves with the same mind. That is having been forgiven and set free from our sins, by the broken body and shed blood of Jesus Christ, we should no longer live enslaved to sin (Rom 6:6-7, 14). Therefore we should live our new lives in Christ no longer in the flesh for the lusts of men, but rather for the will of God (vs. 2). Now as the world was openly antagonistic and hostile towards the Lord Jesus Christ when He was here in the flesh. So it will be towards all of us who believe in Him, who likewise follow what is good (John 15:18; 1 John 3:13). Therefore we must arm ourselves with the same mind Christ had, knowing that Jesus suffered in the flesh the same things, in preaching and pursuing the Kingdom of God. Therefore instead of retreating, retaliating, or worse going back to whatever sins Christ called us out of. Let us arm ourselves with the same mind Christ had in good times and bad. Who was neither defeated nor discouraged from doing the Will of God when faced with overwhelming opposition, persecution or anything else. But rather pressed on in faith, committing Himself (and His circumstances), to Him who judges righteously (1 Peter 2:23).
Vs. 3-5 3 For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. 4 In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. 5 They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
The Apostle Peter here is drawing a demarcation line between what we once were, and how we once lived, to how we now live and want to continue live. For our persons and lives being set free by the Lord Jesus Christ's we want to live out richly, deeply, passionately, that new Life of Christ within us, in every aspect of life. Without self-imposed restrictions (Col 2:20-22). And so when a believer departs from the things here mentioned (and or from whatever sins were in their previous lifestyle); they make themselves a prey to those so inclined, or still enslaved. For as the Apostle Peter states "they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you."
Strange that we no longer want to run after the same flood of dissipation, chasing the very sins that never satisfied our soul's thirst's, nor hearts desires, but only brought us and our lives down to horrible miseries and endless despairs. So when all was thought lost, thinking death as our only option we in a moment of truth cried out to God and called on the only Name and Person who could save us from it all. And in that instant the Mighty Hand of God reached down to save us and the glorious life of Jesus Christ entered us, and all that we once were, dead in our sins and trespasses, hopelessly enslaved to depression and despair suddenly came to life, being filled with life and love of Christ. And with that New Life within us, all that we once thought "right", which was only our living by and for the sins of this world we began to clearly see what they really did to us, and to others. And so a whole new healing process began in our life as Christ began to address those deep wounds and old scars. But I greatly digress. The fact remains when one believes in the Lord Jesus Christ and thus departs from iniquity, because they no longer need it, or want it, they become an enemy of this world and the god of it (consider Rev. 12:17). Because neither their life, nor their voice will give credence to it, and it's ways any longer (consider Job 33:27) which are always hostile towards God (John 15:18-25).
And so as the Apostle Peter says here they will become a target for those still sold into sin. Yet they will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. That is to the Lord Jesus Christ whom God has committed all judgment to (John 5:22-23), and to whom we all must stand before and give an accounting of our words and deeds. Therefore when they revile a believer for their upright conduct, they are in fact reviling Christ, and they will give an accounting of it.
Vs. 6 "For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit."
The reason for the Gospels preaching is two fold, for the salvation of those who believe, and the condemnation of those who don't. Though clearly the Lord's desire is that none perish, but all come to repentance (1 Peter 3:9). That is why He is longsuffering towards all. Yet not all will. And so when anyone believes in Jesus as Lord they pass from death and into life, by the regenerating work and indwelling Presence of the Holy Spirit. And so with us being reconciled back to God, we are now alienated from the world to which we once belonged, and thus we are judged by those still dead in their sins and trespasses in it. Judged according to the flesh, and not the Spirit of God within. For if they understood (i.e. believed) the life, death, Resurrection and Ascension of Christ, and what He would do for them as well, then they wouldn't seek our harm or destruction. But since they don't, they only judge us according to the flesh, as no longer belonging with them. And so every believer will have to pass through their rejection and persecution on our way home to heaven (Rom 8:36). Therefore the Gospel was preached to those now dead. Men, women and even children who believed and then during the course of their lives, gave their lives for their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. And so they were judged by the men and women of this world according to flesh. And thus they were, just as we still are; despised, rejected, and loathed by those living for and loving this world. Because they had ceased living according to the flesh, but instead set their hearts and lives to live according to God in the spirit. And so the gospel was preached to them first, so that they could believe before they died. And now having died, and passed onto heaven, they live (eternally) according to God in the Spirit.
Scripture Citations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982
Note: this is a draft version
Commentary
Vs. 1-2 The Apostle Peter now moves Christ's sufferings from our own, and how we are to endure them (i.e. patiently), to how we can use them. For just as Christ suffered for us in the flesh, we also are to arm ourselves with the same mind. That is, as Jesus suffered in the flesh to deliver us from our sins, we likewise must arm ourselves with the same mind. That is having been forgiven and set free from our sins, by the broken body and shed blood of Jesus Christ, we should no longer live enslaved to sin (Rom 6:6-7, 14). Therefore we should live our new lives in Christ no longer in the flesh for the lusts of men, but rather for the will of God (vs. 2). Now as the world was openly antagonistic and hostile towards the Lord Jesus Christ when He was here in the flesh. So it will be towards all of us who believe in Him, who likewise follow what is good (John 15:18; 1 John 3:13). Therefore we must arm ourselves with the same mind Christ had, knowing that Jesus suffered in the flesh the same things, in preaching and pursuing the Kingdom of God. Therefore instead of retreating, retaliating, or worse going back to whatever sins Christ called us out of. Let us arm ourselves with the same mind Christ had in good times and bad. Who was neither defeated nor discouraged from doing the Will of God when faced with overwhelming opposition, persecution or anything else. But rather pressed on in faith, committing Himself (and His circumstances), to Him who judges righteously (1 Peter 2:23).
Vs. 3-5 3 For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. 4 In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. 5 They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
The Apostle Peter here is drawing a demarcation line between what we once were, and how we once lived, to how we now live and want to continue live. For our persons and lives being set free by the Lord Jesus Christ's we want to live out richly, deeply, passionately, that new Life of Christ within us, in every aspect of life. Without self-imposed restrictions (Col 2:20-22). And so when a believer departs from the things here mentioned (and or from whatever sins were in their previous lifestyle); they make themselves a prey to those so inclined, or still enslaved. For as the Apostle Peter states "they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you."
Strange that we no longer want to run after the same flood of dissipation, chasing the very sins that never satisfied our soul's thirst's, nor hearts desires, but only brought us and our lives down to horrible miseries and endless despairs. So when all was thought lost, thinking death as our only option we in a moment of truth cried out to God and called on the only Name and Person who could save us from it all. And in that instant the Mighty Hand of God reached down to save us and the glorious life of Jesus Christ entered us, and all that we once were, dead in our sins and trespasses, hopelessly enslaved to depression and despair suddenly came to life, being filled with life and love of Christ. And with that New Life within us, all that we once thought "right", which was only our living by and for the sins of this world we began to clearly see what they really did to us, and to others. And so a whole new healing process began in our life as Christ began to address those deep wounds and old scars. But I greatly digress. The fact remains when one believes in the Lord Jesus Christ and thus departs from iniquity, because they no longer need it, or want it, they become an enemy of this world and the god of it (consider Rev. 12:17). Because neither their life, nor their voice will give credence to it, and it's ways any longer (consider Job 33:27) which are always hostile towards God (John 15:18-25).
And so as the Apostle Peter says here they will become a target for those still sold into sin. Yet they will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. That is to the Lord Jesus Christ whom God has committed all judgment to (John 5:22-23), and to whom we all must stand before and give an accounting of our words and deeds. Therefore when they revile a believer for their upright conduct, they are in fact reviling Christ, and they will give an accounting of it.
Vs. 6 "For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit."
The reason for the Gospels preaching is two fold, for the salvation of those who believe, and the condemnation of those who don't. Though clearly the Lord's desire is that none perish, but all come to repentance (1 Peter 3:9). That is why He is longsuffering towards all. Yet not all will. And so when anyone believes in Jesus as Lord they pass from death and into life, by the regenerating work and indwelling Presence of the Holy Spirit. And so with us being reconciled back to God, we are now alienated from the world to which we once belonged, and thus we are judged by those still dead in their sins and trespasses in it. Judged according to the flesh, and not the Spirit of God within. For if they understood (i.e. believed) the life, death, Resurrection and Ascension of Christ, and what He would do for them as well, then they wouldn't seek our harm or destruction. But since they don't, they only judge us according to the flesh, as no longer belonging with them. And so every believer will have to pass through their rejection and persecution on our way home to heaven (Rom 8:36). Therefore the Gospel was preached to those now dead. Men, women and even children who believed and then during the course of their lives, gave their lives for their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. And so they were judged by the men and women of this world according to flesh. And thus they were, just as we still are; despised, rejected, and loathed by those living for and loving this world. Because they had ceased living according to the flesh, but instead set their hearts and lives to live according to God in the spirit. And so the gospel was preached to them first, so that they could believe before they died. And now having died, and passed onto heaven, they live (eternally) according to God in the Spirit.
Scripture Citations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982
Note: this is a draft version
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