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| Volume 25 Number 12 December 2023 |
Page 16 |
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| Volume 25 Number 12 December 2023 |
Page 16 |
Louis Rushmore, Editor
Someone inquired about 1 Peter 4:3. That verse is part of an immediate context which observes the contrast between the children of God and those who are not the children of God. A portion of the passage under consideration is as follows.
That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 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. In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. (1 Peter 4:2-5)
The English Standard Version (ESV) renders verses 3-4 perhaps somewhat more easily understood. “Living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you.” The New International Version (NIV) records verse 3 thusly, “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.”
Note: The Greek word ethnos is related to our English word “ethnic.” Whereas ethnos appears as “Gentiles” in many translations, some other translations render ethnos as “pagans.” “…Where laos is claimed for and restricted to the chosen people… ethnos includes all mankind outside of the covenant (Deut 32:43; Isa 65:1,2; 2 Sam 7:23; Acts 15:14)” (Trench). “Ethnos, nation, signifying the heathen or Gentiles as distinguished from the Jews or believers” (Zodhiates), and “by implication, pagan” (Strong).
The word “peculiar” appears seven times in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible (Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 14:2; 26:18; Psalm 135:4; Ecclesiastes 2:8; Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 2:9). The latter two citations pertain especially to Christians – then, now and whatever future there may be. The NKJV substitutes the word “special” for “peculiar” in both places. Speaking of Jesus Christ, Titus 2:14 reads, “Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works” (NKJV). Here the Greek word means “being beyond usual” (Strong). Christians are supposed to be beyond the usual behavior of the ungodly world in which we all live. Similarly, 1 Peter 2:9 states, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (NKJV). Young’s Literal Translation (YLT) says in both Titus 2:14 and 1 Peter 2:9 instead of “peculiar” or “special people” – “a people acquired.”
Over the past centuries, many individual noteworthy Bible characters (Hebrews 11) (and even a nation, Deuteronomy 14:2) were “peculiar,” “special” or “beyond usual” “people acquired” by and servants of Almighty God. Peculiar people today, as in ages past, distinguish themselves from an ungodly, heathen way of life by abiding in the law of God under which they live – for us, the New Testament. The word “enough” in 1 Peter 4:3 essentially means within its context that the sinner contemplating becoming a child of God needs to realize he or she has squandered his or her life up to this point. We might express the thought in our idiom, “Enough is enough!” According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, “Enough is enough” means “used to say that one wants something to stop because one can no longer accept or deal with it.”
Therefore, “if we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25 NKJV). “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8). The point is that Christians are not any longer to pursue the sinful ways of their lives before they obeyed the Gospel and became the children of God. Philippians 2:15 contrasts the behavior of Christians versus the way of the world with all of its sinfulness. “That you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” The apostle Paul told the Thessalonian Christians, “You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness” (1 Thessalonians 5:5).
Romans 13:13 is very much like 1 Peter 4:2-4. “Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.” Unfortunately, often there is little if any observable difference between non-Christians and those who claim to be Christians. Yet, when wicked people perceive godly folks in their midst, they frequently oppress them verbally, physically or legally. “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12).
But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. (1 Peter 3:14-17; cf., 1 Peter 4:12-16)
Finally, “Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you” (1 John 3:13).
Works Cited
“Enough is enough.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster. 17 Jan. 2024. <https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/enough%20is%20enough>.
Strong, James. Biblesoft’s New Exhaustive Strong’s Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Electronic Database. Seattle: Biblesoft and Branson, MO: International Bible Translators, 2010.
Trench, Richard Chenevix. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament. Electronic Database. Seattle: Biblesoft, 2013.
Zodhiates, Spiros and others. The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament. Chattanooga: AMG International. Revised Edition, 1993.
