1 Peter 4 3

1 Peter 4:3 kjv

For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:

1 Peter 4:3 nkjv

For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles?when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.

1 Peter 4:3 niv

For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do?living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.

1 Peter 4:3 esv

For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.

1 Peter 4:3 nlt

You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy ? their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols.

1 Peter 4 verses

1 Peter 4 3 Meaning

This verse emphasizes a clear rupture from a past lifestyle for those who have embraced Christ. It declares that enough time has already been spent conforming to the sinful desires and practices common among unregenerate people, often described as "the Gentiles." This former way of life, characterized by various forms of sensuality, excess, riotous indulgence, and detestable idol worship, is definitively over for the believer. It serves as a strong exhortation for Christians to cease living for human desires and instead live according to the will of God, a pivotal aspect of their new identity in Christ.

1 Peter 4 3 Context

First Peter chapter 4 transitions from Peter's previous discussion on suffering for righteousness (1 Pet 3:13-17) and Christ's example of suffering (1 Pet 3:18-22). Verse 1 of chapter 4 explicitly calls believers to arm themselves with the same mind as Christ, who suffered in the flesh and therefore "ceased from sin." Verse 2 then states the outcome: such a person no longer lives for the lusts of men but for the will of God. Verse 3 directly builds on this by explaining why they should no longer live for human lusts—because sufficient time has already been wasted in those very practices. The immediate verses following (1 Pet 4:4-6) explain the societal reaction to this change in behavior, namely, the slander and judgment they would face from those who do not understand their new life, alongside the certainty of God's coming judgment.

Historically and culturally, Peter was writing to scattered believers (many likely Gentile converts) in various Roman provinces of Asia Minor. This region was steeped in pagan worship, syncretistic cults, and social life heavily intertwined with pagan festivals, temple rituals, and excessive revelry, often involving sexual promiscuity and gluttony. To abandon "the will of the Gentiles" meant a radical break from deeply embedded societal norms and customs. Such a transformation would inevitably lead to ostracism, ridicule, and potentially more severe persecution from friends, family, and wider society who could not comprehend this newfound holiness and rejection of their established ways. The list of sins in this verse describes common societal behaviors in the pagan world that Christian converts were now called to forsake.

1 Peter 4 3 Word analysis

• For (γάρ - gar): Connective particle, meaning "for" or "because," introducing the reason for the exhortation in the preceding verses.

• the time past (ὁ παρεληλυθὼς χρόνος - ho parelēluthōs chronos): Literally, "the having-passed-by time." Refers to a specific period that is definitively completed, ended, and gone.

• of our life (τοῦ βίου - tou biou): Refers to "the course of our lives" or "our manner of living." It encompasses the totality of their former conduct and existence, not merely physical duration.

• may suffice us (ἀρκετὸς ἡμῖν - arketós hēmín): "Enough for us," "sufficient for us." This is a definitive statement of sufficiency, implying that the time spent in ungodly practices was more than enough and any further continuation is inexcusable.

• to have wrought (κατεργάσασθαι - katergásasthai): "To accomplish fully, perform, bring about completely." The perfect infinitive stresses that this action is concluded and finished; it highlights a settled, pervasive way of living that has been definitively terminated.

• the will (τὸ βούλημα - to boulēma): "The desire, purpose, intention." It signifies the deep-seated inclinations and moral framework governing the lives of unbelievers.

• of the Gentiles (τῶν ἐθνῶν - tōn ethnōn): "Of the nations." In this context, it specifically refers to the unregenerate non-Jewish peoples, signifying their pagan customs, worldviews, and behaviors that are antithetical to God's will.

• when we walked (πεπορευμένους - peporeuménous): "Having walked, having lived, having conducted oneself." A perfect participle emphasizing a continuous, habitual way of life in the past that characterized them.

• in lasciviousness (ἐν ἀσελγείαις - en aselgeíais): "In wantonness, sensuality, licentiousness." Denotes an attitude of open shamelessness and public indecency, without regard for decency, others' rights, or moral boundaries. Used in plural to signify various instances of such acts.

• lusts (ἐπιθυμίαις - epithymíais): "Strong desires, passions." A broad term for intense cravings, often referring to illicit, uncontrolled, or base appetites and sinful impulses. Used in plural for manifold desires.

• excess of wine (οἰνοφλυγίαις - oinophlygíais): "Drunkenness, debauchery arising from wine." Implies not just drinking, but habitual and riotous overindulgence leading to loss of control. Used in plural.

• revellings (κώμοις - kōmois): "Orgies, riotous feasts, carousing." Refers to boisterous, often drunken processions or parties involving singing, dancing, and unrestrained revelry, often leading to immorality. Used in plural.

• banquetings (πότοις - pótois): "Drinking parties, carousings." Similar to revellings but focusing more on the heavy consumption of drink in a social setting. It speaks of excessive drinking gatherings. Used in plural.

• and abominable (καὶ ἀθεμίτοις - kai athemitoís): "And unlawful, detestable, abominable." Refers to practices contrary to law (especially divine law), customs, and what is morally permissible; highly offensive to God.

• idolatries (εἰδωλολατρίαις - eidōlolatreíais): "Idol worship." The act of worshiping false gods or putting anything in the place of the true God. This often included practices linked with pagan cults, temple prostitution, and eating food offered to idols. Its placement last emphasizes its gravity as the root sin. Used in plural, indicating various forms and instances.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "For the time past of our life may suffice us": This phrase emphasizes that a decisive and final boundary has been drawn. The period of living an ungodly life is unequivocally concluded, and continuing in it is no longer justifiable. It signifies a profound shift in allegiance and lifestyle.
  • "to have wrought the will of the Gentiles": This describes a complete surrender to and performance of the desires and ways of thinking characteristic of unregenerate, pagan society. It highlights that the previous life was lived according to worldly standards and impulses rather than divine principles.
  • "in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries": This detailed and progressive list provides a vivid depiction of the practical manifestations of "the will of the Gentiles." It moves from general sexual immorality to more specific forms of drunken debauchery and ends with idolatry. The cumulative effect highlights the pervasive nature of their former unholy practices, rooted in a spiritual rebellion against the one true God. The consistent use of the plural for each vice underscores the varied and repeated ways these sins were practiced.

1 Peter 4 3 Bonus section

• Conjugate Guilt with Liberty: The strong declaration "may suffice us" provides comfort that past sins, even extensive ones, are fully covered by Christ's redemption, yet it also simultaneously creates an imperative for future holiness. There's no residual debt, but neither is there room for continued indulgence.
• Prophetic Forewarning of Opposition: By highlighting the distinctness from the "will of the Gentiles" and their corresponding immoral practices, Peter implicitly prepares his readers for the alienation and accusations they will face. Their new lifestyle in Christ will inherently condemn the ways of the world, leading to slander (1 Pet 4:4).
• From Outward Manifestations to Inward Source: The list of sins moves from obvious outward expressions of moral failure (lasciviousness, excess) towards practices more indicative of inner spiritual rebellion ("lusts") and culminates in "abominable idolatries," which is fundamentally a misdirection of worship and the root cause of many societal ills. This progression demonstrates the comprehensive nature of the transformation called for.

1 Peter 4 3 Commentary

First Peter 4:3 acts as a potent call to holy living, grounded in the profound spiritual transformation believers undergo in Christ. Peter does not merely say Christians should avoid certain sins; he declares that sufficient time has already been consumed in the folly and degradation of living according to the world’s ways. This statement carries both a past declaration and a future command: the old life is over, and the new life must reflect it.

The catalog of vices meticulously enumerated by Peter provides a window into the typical pagan lifestyle of the 1st century, deeply intertwined with both social life and religious practices. "Lasciviousness" speaks to open, blatant indecency, a stark contrast to Christian modesty. "Lusts" encompass all ungodly desires that drive sinful actions. The progression from "excess of wine," "revellings," to "banquetings" paints a picture of escalating debauchery and self-indulgent parties, common features of non-Christian social gatherings. Finally, "abominable idolatries" stands as the ultimate spiritual offense and often the root from which the other immoralities sprung. These were not fringe activities but central to the fabric of pagan society, making a Christian's abandonment of them a deeply counter-cultural and potentially isolating act.

For Peter's readers, many of whom were Gentile converts, this verse was a stark reminder of their deliverance from bondage. The "suffice us" signifies that there is no more remaining "allowance" or justification for partaking in such practices. Their identity is no longer defined by "the will of the Gentiles" but by the "will of God." This necessitates a radical commitment to distinctiveness, which, as Peter explains in the subsequent verses, will often lead to misunderstanding and slander from those who do not share their new convictions. This verse firmly establishes the moral high ground and spiritual imperative for believers to pursue sanctification in all aspects of their lives, glorifying God even amidst worldly opposition.

Practical usage:

• Acknowledge that any past time spent in sin is definitively enough; further pursuit is a regression, not an option.
• Evaluate personal social practices to ensure they do not subtly draw one back into worldly revelry or compromise Christian witness.
• Recognize that abandoning ungodly habits might lead to social friction but is a necessary part of following Christ.