The Meaning of 1 Peter 4:2 Explained

1 Peter 4:2

KJV: That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

YLT: no more in the desires of men, but in the will of God, to live the rest of the time in the flesh;

Darby: no longer to live the rest of his time in the flesh to men's lusts, but to God's will.

ASV: that ye no longer should live the rest of your time in flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

That  he  no longer  should live  the rest  of [his] time  in  the flesh  to the lusts  of men,  but  to the will  of God. 

What does 1 Peter 4:2 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Peter clarified commitment to God"s will in this verse. "Flesh" refers to one"s mortal lifetime on earth, not to carnal living (cf. 1 Peter 3:18; 1 Peter 4:6).
". . . "the flesh" is not used here or anywhere else in1Peter (it is used seven times; all but one of them are in 1 Peter 3:18 to 1 Peter 4:6) in the Pauline sense of the sinful nature in human beings (as, e.g, in Romans 7-8), but in the normal Jewish sense of human existence as weak, fallen, and therefore subject to pain and death." [1]
"We may not always understand what He [1] is doing, but we know that He is doing what is best for us. We do not live on explanations; we live on promises." [3]

Context Summary

1 Peter 4:1-11 - The New Life In Christ
The Apostle urges the disciples to make a clean break with sin. As our Lord's grave lay between Him and His earlier life, so there should be a clean break between our life as believers and the earth-bound life, which was dominated by lawless passions. Sometimes God employs the acid of persecution or suffering to eat away the bonds that bind us to our past. Let us accept these with a willing mind. The one condition of reigning with the enthroned Christ is to submit to His cross. Of course, we must die to animal instinct, to the blandishments of the world, and to the temptations of the evil one; but it is quite as important to die to our self-life, whether it be clothed in white or black!
We are summoned to a life of prayer. But in order to promote fervency in prayer we must be sober-minded and self-controlled, 1 Peter 4:7; loving, 1 Peter 4:8; and faithful to our stewardship of all God's entrusted gifts, 1 Peter 4:10. Let us cultivate the invariable habit of looking up from our service, of whatever kind, to claim the ability to do it for the glory of God, 1 Peter 4:11. [source]

Chapter Summary: 1 Peter 4

1  He exhorts them to cease from sin and live fore God,
12  and comforts them against persecution

Greek Commentary for 1 Peter 4:2

That ye no longer should live [εις το μηκετι βιωσαι]
Purpose clause with εις το — eis to (negative μη — mē) and the first aorist (for the Attic second aorist βιωναι — biōnai) active infinitive of βιοω — bioō old verb, to spend a life (from βιος — bios course of life, Luke 8:14), here only in N.T. [source]
The rest of your time in the flesh [τον επιλοιπον εν σαρκι χρονον]
Accusative of time Επιλοιπον — Epiloipon is old adjective (επι λοιπος — epiεις το — loipos remaining in addition), here only in N.T. But eis to here can be result (so that) as in Romans 1:20; Romans 4:18. [source]
Live [βιῶσαι]
Only here in New Testament. [source]
The rest of the time [ἐπίλοιπον]
Only here in New Testament. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Peter 4:2

John 1:30 A man [ἀνὴρ]
Three words are used in the New Testament for man: ἄῤῥην , or ἄρσην , ἀνήρ , and ἄνθρωπος . Ἄρσην marks merely the sexual distinction, male (Romans 1:27; Revelation 12:5, Revelation 12:13). Ἁνήρ denotes the man as distinguished from the woman, as male or as a husband (Acts 8:12; Matthew 1:16), or from a boy (Matthew 14:21). Also man as endowed with courage, intelligence, strength, and other noble attributes (1 Corinthians 13:11; Ephesians 4:13; James 3:2). Ἄνθρωπος is generic, without distinction of sex, a human being (John 16:21), though often used in connections which indicate or imply sex, as Matthew 19:10; Matthew 10:35. Used of mankind (Matthew 4:4), or of the people (Matthew 5:13, Matthew 5:16; Matthew 6:5, Matthew 6:18; John 6:10). Of man as distinguished from animals or plants (Matthew 4:19; 2 Peter 2:16), and from God, Christ as divine and angels (Matthew 10:32; John 10:33; Luke 2:15). With the notion of weakness leading to sin, and with a contemptuous sense (1 Corinthians 2:5; 1 Peter 4:2; John 5:12; Romans 9:20). The more honorable and noble sense thus attaches to ἀνήρ rather than to ἄνθρωπος . Thus Herodotus says that when the Medes charged the Greeks, they fell in vast numbers, so that it was manifest to Xerxes that he had many men combatants ( ἄνθρωποι ) but few warriors ( ἄνθρωποι ) vii., 210. So Homer: “O friends, be men ( ἀνέρες ), and take on a stout heart” (“Iliad,” v., 529). Ἁνήρ is therefore used here of Jesus by the Baptist with a sense of dignity. Compare ἄνθρωπος , in John 1:6, where the word implies no disparagement, but is simply indefinite. In John ἀνήρ has mostly the sense of husband (John 4:16-18). See John 6:10. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
[source]

Acts 26:4 My manner of life [την μεν ουν βιωσιν μου]
With μεν ουν — men oun Paul passes from the captatio benevolentiae (Acts 26:1, Acts 26:2) “to the narratio or statement of his case” (Page). ιωσις — Biōsis is from βιοω — bioō (1 Peter 4:2) and that from βιος — bios (course of life). This is the only instance of βιωσις — biōsis yet found except the Prologue (10) of Ecclesiasticus and an inscription given in Ramsay‘s Cities and Bishoprics of Phrygia, Vol II, p. 650. [source]
1 Peter 1:14 Not fashioning yourselves [μη συνσχηματιζομενοι]
Usual negative μη — mē with the participle (present direct middle of συνσχηματιζω — sunschēmatizō a rare (Aristotle, Plutarch) compound See Philemon 2:6. for contrast between μορπη — schēma (pattern) and ταις προτερον επιτυμιαις — morphē (form).According to your former lusts (συνσχηματιζομενοι — tais proteron epithumiais). Associative instrumental case after επιτυμια — sunschēmatizomenoi and the bad sense of εν τηι αγνοιαι υμων — epithumia as in 1 Peter 4:2; 2 Peter 1:4; James 1:14.In the time of your ignorance “In your ignorance,” but in attributive position before “lusts.” αγνοεω — Agnoia (from agnoeō to be ignorant) is old word, in N.T. only here, Acts 3:17; Acts 17:30; Ephesians 4:18. [source]
1 Peter 1:14 According to your former lusts [συνσχηματιζομενοι]
Associative instrumental case after επιτυμια — sunschēmatizomenoi and the bad sense of εν τηι αγνοιαι υμων — epithumia as in 1 Peter 4:2; 2 Peter 1:4; James 1:14. [source]
1 Peter 4:3 May suffice [αρκετος]
No copula in the Greek, probably εστιν — estin (is) rather than δυναται — dunatai (can). Late and rare verbal adjective from αρκεω — arkeō to suffice, in the papyri several times, in N.T. only here and Matthew 6:34; Matthew 10:25, apparently referring to Christ‘s words in Matthew 6:34 (possibly an axiom or proverb).To have wrought (κατειργασται — kateirgasthai). Perfect middle infinitive of κατεργαζομαι — katergazomai common compound (κατα εργον — kataτο βουλημα — ergon work) as in 1 Corinthians 5:3.The desire Correct text, not πεπορευμενους — thelēma Either means the thing desired, willed. Jews sometimes fell in with the ways of Gentiles (Romans 2:21-24; Romans 3:9-18; Ephesians 2:1-3) as today some Christians copy the ways of the world.And to have walked (πορευομαι — peporeumenous). Perfect middle participle of κατειργασται — poreuomai in the accusative plural of general reference with the infinitive εν ασελγειαις — kateirgasthai Literally, “having walked or gone.”In lasciviousness All these sins are in the locative case with επιτυμιαις — en “In unbridled lustful excesses” (2 Peter 2:7; 2 Corinthians 12:21).Lusts (οινοπλυγιαις — epithumiais). Cf. 1 Peter 2:11; 1 Peter 4:2.Winebibbings Old compound Old word (from ποτοις — keimai to lie down), rioting drinking parties, in N.T. here and Galatians 5:21; Romans 13:13.Carousings Old word for drinking carousal (from ατεμιτοις ειδωλολατριαις — pinō to drink), here only in the N.T. In the light of these words it seems strange to find modern Christians justifying their “personal liberty” to drink and carouse, to say nothing of the prohibition law. The Greeks actually carried lust and drunkenness into their religious observances (Aphrodite, for instance).Abominable idolatries (ειδωλον λατρεια — athemitois eidōlolatriais). To the Christian all “idolatry,” (τεμιτος — eidōlonτεμιστος — latreia), worship of idols, is “abominable,” not allowed (alpha privative and τεμιζω — themitos ατεμιτος — themistos the old form, verbal of themizō to make lawful), but particularly those associated with drinking and licentiousness. The only other N.T. example of athemitos is by Peter also (Acts 10:28) and about the Mosaic law. That may be the idea here, for Jews often fell into idolatrous practices (Deissmann, Bible Studies, p. 274). [source]
1 Peter 4:3 Lusts [οινοπλυγιαις]
Cf. 1 Peter 2:11; 1 Peter 4:2. [source]
1 Peter 4:3 The desire [τελημα]
Correct text, not πεπορευμενους — thelēma Either means the thing desired, willed. Jews sometimes fell in with the ways of Gentiles (Romans 2:21-24; Romans 3:9-18; Ephesians 2:1-3) as today some Christians copy the ways of the world.And to have walked (πορευομαι — peporeumenous). Perfect middle participle of κατειργασται — poreuomai in the accusative plural of general reference with the infinitive εν ασελγειαις — kateirgasthai Literally, “having walked or gone.”In lasciviousness All these sins are in the locative case with επιτυμιαις — en “In unbridled lustful excesses” (2 Peter 2:7; 2 Corinthians 12:21).Lusts (οινοπλυγιαις — epithumiais). Cf. 1 Peter 2:11; 1 Peter 4:2.Winebibbings Old compound Old word (from ποτοις — keimai to lie down), rioting drinking parties, in N.T. here and Galatians 5:21; Romans 13:13.Carousings Old word for drinking carousal (from ατεμιτοις ειδωλολατριαις — pinō to drink), here only in the N.T. In the light of these words it seems strange to find modern Christians justifying their “personal liberty” to drink and carouse, to say nothing of the prohibition law. The Greeks actually carried lust and drunkenness into their religious observances (Aphrodite, for instance).Abominable idolatries (ειδωλον λατρεια — athemitois eidōlolatriais). To the Christian all “idolatry,” (τεμιτος — eidōlonτεμιστος — latreia), worship of idols, is “abominable,” not allowed (alpha privative and τεμιζω — themitos ατεμιτος — themistos the old form, verbal of themizō to make lawful), but particularly those associated with drinking and licentiousness. The only other N.T. example of athemitos is by Peter also (Acts 10:28) and about the Mosaic law. That may be the idea here, for Jews often fell into idolatrous practices (Deissmann, Bible Studies, p. 274). [source]
1 Peter 4:3 In lasciviousness [εν]
All these sins are in the locative case with επιτυμιαις — en “In unbridled lustful excesses” (2 Peter 2:7; 2 Corinthians 12:21).Lusts (οινοπλυγιαις — epithumiais). Cf. 1 Peter 2:11; 1 Peter 4:2.Winebibbings Old compound Old word (from ποτοις — keimai to lie down), rioting drinking parties, in N.T. here and Galatians 5:21; Romans 13:13.Carousings Old word for drinking carousal (from ατεμιτοις ειδωλολατριαις — pinō to drink), here only in the N.T. In the light of these words it seems strange to find modern Christians justifying their “personal liberty” to drink and carouse, to say nothing of the prohibition law. The Greeks actually carried lust and drunkenness into their religious observances (Aphrodite, for instance).Abominable idolatries (ειδωλον λατρεια — athemitois eidōlolatriais). To the Christian all “idolatry,” (τεμιτος — eidōlonτεμιστος — latreia), worship of idols, is “abominable,” not allowed (alpha privative and τεμιζω — themitos ατεμιτος — themistos the old form, verbal of themizō to make lawful), but particularly those associated with drinking and licentiousness. The only other N.T. example of athemitos is by Peter also (Acts 10:28) and about the Mosaic law. That may be the idea here, for Jews often fell into idolatrous practices (Deissmann, Bible Studies, p. 274). [source]

What do the individual words in 1 Peter 4:2 mean?

so as - no longer to men’s desires but to [the] will of God the remaining in [the] flesh to live time
εἰς τὸ μηκέτι ἀνθρώπων ἐπιθυμίαις ἀλλὰ θελήματι Θεοῦ τὸν ἐπίλοιπον ἐν σαρκὶ βιῶσαι χρόνον

εἰς  so  as 
Parse: Preposition
Root: εἰς  
Sense: into, unto, to, towards, for, among.
τὸ  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
μηκέτι  no  longer 
Parse: Adverb
Root: μηκέτι  
Sense: no longer, no more, not hereafter.
ἀνθρώπων  to  men’s 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root: ἄνθρωπος  
Sense: a human being, whether male or female.
ἐπιθυμίαις  desires 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Plural
Root: ἐπιθυμία  
Sense: desire, craving, longing, desire for what is forbidden, lust.
θελήματι  to  [the]  will 
Parse: Noun, Dative Neuter Singular
Root: θέλημα  
Sense: what one wishes or has determined shall be done.
Θεοῦ  of  God 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.
ἐπίλοιπον  remaining 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: ἐπίλοιπος  
Sense: remaining besides, left over.
σαρκὶ  [the]  flesh 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: σάρξ  
Sense: flesh (the soft substance of the living body, which covers the bones and is permeated with blood) of both man and beasts.
βιῶσαι  to  live 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Active
Root: βιόω  
Sense: to spend life, live.
χρόνον  time 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: χρόνος  
Sense: time either long or short.