1 Peter 4:1, 2 - Suffering and Sin.

1Pet.4:1, 2: Suffering and Sin.

TEXT & TRANSLATION

1 Pet 4:1, 2 (AMP)  So, since Christ suffered in the flesh [for 
us, for you], arm yourselves with the same thought and purpose 
[patiently to suffer rather than fail to please God].  For whoever has 
suffered in the flesh [having the mind of Christ] has done with 
[intentional] sin - has stopped pleasing himself and the world, and pleases 
God. So that he can no longer spend the rest of his natural life 
living by [his] human appetites and desires, but [he lives] for what 
God wills. 

PARAPHRASE

1 Pet 4:1, 2 (CWR)  Since Christ suffered physically, you, too, 
might have to suffer. So arm yourselves with the same attitude He had. 
He who is willing to suffer for Christ shows that he has turned his 
back on sin  This means that you're no longer controlled by evil 
human desires but are eager to do God's will. 

WORD STUDY

Suffered in the flesh. Trials draw the believer nearer to God 
and lead him to surrender himself more fully to the power and 
control of the Holy Spirit. 

Serious suffering for Christ advances the progress of 
sanctification. [NIV SB] 

Ceased from sin. That is, he has abandoned sin as a way of life. 
Peter does not mean to imply that the person here referred to no 
longer makes mistakes, but that he has turned his back on the world, 
the flesh, and the devil, and that, by God's grace, he has set out 
to follow in the footsteps of the Master. [SDA Commentary] 

Will of God. The life of one who has "ceased from sin" follows a 
new course altogether. His will is subject to the will of God as the 
compass is to the magnetic pole. He walks, "not after the flesh, but 
after the Spirit" (Rom. 8:1). [SDA Commentary] 

"He who in baptism has shared the sufferings and the death of 
Christ, is risen to such newness of life with him that sin has no more 
dominion over him" (Rom 6:14).... When that has happened, a man has said 
good-bye to his former way of life. The rule of pleasure, pride and 
passion is gone, and the rule of God has begun. [Barclay Commentary] 

The one who has identified with Christ's redemptive suffering is 
no longer responding to the lusts of the flesh, but to the will of 
God. [New Bible Companion] 

Now that Christ's attitude prevails, God's will is the 
determining factor in life. [NIV SB] 

Christian character centers on knowing and doing the will of 
God, not on giving in to fleshly lusts or worldly pressures to 
conform. [Disciple SB] 

True Christians make the will of God, not their own lust or 
desires, the rule of their lives and actions. [Matthew Henry Commentary 
Concise] 

APPLICATION COMMENTARY

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle 
that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between 2 
wolves. 
"One is Evil. It is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, 
arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, 
superiority and ego. 
The other is God. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, 
humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, 
and faith." 
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his 
grandfather, "Which wolf wins?" 
The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed." [source 
unknown] 

Some people will do anything to avoid pain. As followers of 
Christ, however, we should be willing and prepared to do God's will and 
to suffer for it if necessary. Sin loses its power to defeat us in 
our suffering if we focus on Christ and what he wants us to do. When 
our bodies are in pain or our lives are in jeopardy, our real values 
show up clearly, and sinful pleasures seem less important. If anyone 
suffers for doing good and still faithfully obeys in spite of suffering, 
that person has made a clean break with sin. [Life Application SB] 

Open the windows of the soul heavenward, and let the light of 
the Sun of Righteousness in. Do not complain. Do not mourn and weep. 
Do not look on the dark side. Let the peace of God reign in your 
soul. Then you will have strength to bear all your sufferings, and you 
will rejoice that you have grace to endure. Praise the Lord; talk of 
His goodness; tell of His power. Sweeten the atmosphere which 
surrounds your soul... Look on the bright side of everything. 2SM266, 7