READING TIME: 2-3 MINUTES
October 9, 2019
David, what did Peter mean when he wrote in 1 Peter 4:1 about ceasing from sin?
In this verse, Peter is preparing the readers for action. The expression “arm yourselves” is a metaphor picturing equipping for battle. This is the same mindset Christ had when He faced suffering and death. We need to be ready and serious about this battle. Peter said to arm ourselves with the same attitude. This reminds me of what Paul wrote in Philippians 2:5-11 where he encouraged us to emulate Christ’s humble attitude (also see 1 Peter 2:22-23).
Those who serve God faithfully during suffering take on a different attitude toward sin than what they previously held. Suffering believers (who suffer for doing good) have not achieved sinless perfection (none of us will achieve that), but have made a definitive and decisive break with sin as a dominant force in their lives. Peter is describing a changed attitude toward sin as a result of suffering. Sin no longer holds the same grip on them. Also, Paul noted in Romans 6:5-12, that believers died regarding sin, and are to live in the light of that fact.
Peter’s appeal in verse 2 flows directly from the phrase in verse 1: “arm yourselves also with the same purpose” (v. 1) “so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God” (v. 2). In other words, the result of having this Christ-like attitude toward suffering in verse 1, is that according to verse 2, we no longer will live our lives to gratify sinful lusts, but we will fulfill God’s will. Suffering should lead to a more holy life (see 1 Peter 4:2), but this is not guaranteed or automatic, as Calvinists incorrectly teach.
The expression in 1 Peter 4:1 about ceasing to sin is similar to Galatians 5:16 and 1 John 3:6. According to these two verses, at the moment when the Christian is abiding in fellowship with Christ and walking by the Spirit, it is impossible to sin because in that sphere – in Christ Himself, there is no sin. In other words, we sin when we stop abiding in Him and cease to walk by the Spirit and instead walk according to the flesh.
So, it is best to see 1 Peter 4:1 as referring to the sanctification process of believers and the cleansing effect of suffering in that process.
Sources Used
Bing, Charlie. “Real Christians Don’t Sin 1 John 3:6, 9.” GraceNotes #59.
Constable, Tom. 1 Peter Notes. < https://www.planobiblechapel.org/tcon/notes/html/nt/1peter/1peter.htm>.
Derickson, Gary. “The First Epistle of Peter.” The Grace New Testament Commentary. Ed. Robert N. Wilkin. Denton, TX: Grace Evangelical Society, 2010. 1162.
Howe, Frederic R. “The Cross of Christ in Peter’s Theology.” Bibliotheca Sacra 157 (2000): 199.
Nelson, Thomas. The NKJV Study Bible, eBook: Second Edition. Thomas Nelson.
Witzig, Pastor Kurt. Duluth Bible Church 2017 Fall Bible Conference. Message on 1 Peter 5:1-11. < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZ05hRfvijo&list=PLbC_6APw_FteGLzrn83b2RiulMrsMpauz&index=4&t=0s>.