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BEREAN COMMUNITY CHURCH

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1 Peter 4:1-6

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Wednesday May 4, 2022

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1 Peter 4:1–6 (NASB95)

¹Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 

²so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 

³For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries. 

⁴In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you; 

⁵but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 

⁶For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God.

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Group Discussions

1. Share the inductive questions you came up with in your prep of 1 Peter 4:1-6.

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• Share some of the observations you made in your study of 1 Peter 4:1-6.

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• According to this passage, for what purpose was the Gospel preached?

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[First column]: sub-sections of thought

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[Second column]:

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Red Bold: Significant words

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Purple Bold: That which is flesh

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Underlined: of the lusts of men

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“Arm yourselves”

Hoplizo – “to arm oneself with weapons”; “to put on as armor”

- hoplon (n.) – weapons (John 18:3; 2 Corinthians 6:7,10)

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“Therefore, since [1 Peter 3:18-22], HOPLIZO with the same purpose (ennoia)…for sin no longer has dominion over those who have been united with Christ to His suffering and death.”

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“Arm yourselves”

Hoplizo – “to arm oneself with weapons”; “to put on as armor”

- hoplon (n.) – weapons (John 18:3; 2 Corinthians 6:7,10)

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“Therefore, since [1 Peter 3:18-22], HOPLIZO with the same purpose (ennoia)…for sin no longer has dominion over those who have been united with Christ to His suffering and death.”

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Ennoia: “principle”, “mindset” 🡪 willingness to suffer/die

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Note on 1 Peter 4:1

Thousands of martyrs throughout church history have been willing to die (cf. Heb. 11:13–16, 35–38) because they armed themselves with the same purpose Jesus Christ had—to be faithful to the Father, no matter what, knowing that the cross precedes the crown. The greater the righteous suffering, the greater is the reward. And history’s martyrs realized that there is the greatest triumph of all in death, because believers who have died have ceased from sin. The perfect tense verb emphasizes a permanent condition free from sin.

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MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2004). 1 Peter (p. 225). Chicago: Moody Publishers.

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Gentiles

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Bacchus

• Bacchus has a divine mission, and that is his role of liberator. During his drunken frenzies, Bacchus loosens the tongues of those who partake of wine and other beverages, and allows people the freedom to say and do what they wish. In mid-March, secret rituals were held on Rome's Aventine hill to worship him. These rites were attended by women only, and were part of a mystery religion built up around Bacchus.
• In addition to being the patron of wine and drink, Bacchus is a god of the theatrical arts. In his earlier incarnation as the Greek Dionysus, he had a theater named for him in Athens. He is often portrayed as a slightly effeminate figure, prone to good humor and general bawdiness.

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https://www.learnreligions.com/bacchus-roman-god-2562627

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Those Ceased from Sin

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Lusts of Men v. Will of God

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Dead but still dying…

1 Peter 4:2 (NASB95)

²so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.

“… for the purpose of living a life governed not by human feelings but by God’s will…” (Wayne Grudem)

1 Peter 4:1–6 (NASB95)

¹Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 

²so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 

³For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries. 

⁴In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you; 

⁵but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 

⁶For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God.

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1 Peter 1:17–19 (NASB95)

¹⁷If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; 

¹⁸knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 

¹⁹but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.

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For Next Bible Study (Wednesday 5/11)

1. Carefully read 1 Peter 4:7-11.

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• Ask inductive questions of these verses and come up with observations.

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• How do these verses fit into the context of the rest of the section, chapter, and letter?

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• What are some practical and measurable applications you can draw from these verses?

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• What is a gift? What gifts are you using to build up the church?�

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Group Discussions

1. What is the purpose of your life? With what have you been arming yourself in fulfilling that purpose?

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• Are believers or unbelievers more “surprised” by how you live your life?

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• What are some ways the members of your group can pray for you and help keep you accountable in applying the truths we see in 1 Peter 4:1-6?

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