"Therefore, 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…”
1 Peter 4:1 NASB1995
This… is a challenging verse. In so many ways. Not just in what it says, but in what it teaches. We need this verse so desperately to help us live with self-control according to the will of God. Let’s work on unpacking this powerful message.
“Therefore” - So much of 1st Peter is about faithfulness in the midst of suffering. It is the theme of the book. Before you jump right in starting with 4:1, consider in chapter 3 what led up to this “Therefore” to start chapter 4. “But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness…”(v14), “the thing in which you are slandered”(v.16), “those who revile your good behavior in Christ”(v.16), “that you suffer for doing what is right”(v.17), “Christ also died…” (v.18) We see in verse 22, the last before chapter 4 starts, that Christ is victorious over the suffering and death, “who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven…” “Therefore…”
“Since Christ has suffered in the flesh” - This “suffering” is being put for “death”. Christ suffered in the flesh to the point of death. We as Christians are called throughout the book, and the New Testament, to be ready and willing to do the same. Think about the conviction of faith to be ready to do that. To be prepared and willing to do that. It is a remarkable faith! That’s the faith we are called to.
“Arm yourselves also with the same purpose” - And this is the call! “Arm yourselves…”!!! UCRT Indexes notes this word “arm” (Gr. hoplizomai) is of “heavy arms” as opposed to “light armament”. In other words, the battle is fierce! And indeed the battle is fierce! The battle against lust, desire, passion, zeal… it is a ferocious battle that can only be won by equal passion and zeal to resist! To maintain self-control. What heavy armor do we put on? As the verse says, the same purpose as Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior.
“Because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin” - In the one sense, to suffer in the flesh unto death is to cease from sin (because you’re dead). And while Christ certainly did suffer in the flesh unto death, and we are contextually called to do the same as necessary, that cannot be what this is referencing because within the same sentence (next verse) there is still living to do! Living in this world and in this flesh.
“Suffered in the flesh” does not mean all suffering. It explicitly means suffering in the flesh for Christ. Because of one’s faith in Christ. (I Peter 1:6-9;2:19-21; 3:14-17; 4:13-16) Christ died because He was 100% committed in faithfulness to God and His righteousness and holiness and goodness.
Jesus didn’t suffer and die because of His sin in the flesh (for He had none), but because of His righteousness. If we die, let us die this way. If we suffer, let us suffer this way. As true disciples of Jesus Christ. And so, if we live, let us live this way… in Christ! As He did! He who does this has ceased from sin if He is living for Christ; for it is impossible to be living the will of God and be in sin.
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