Charles e Whisnant, Pastor/Teacher/Expositor
1 Peter 4:1 Therefore, 3767 since Christ 5547 has suffered 3958 in the flesh 4561, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, (NASB: )
Greek: Christou oun sarki kai humeis ten auten ennoian hoti o pathon sarki hamartias "http://studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=266", i.e. Christ then. having suffered for us in flesh, also you the same mind, arm yourself with, for the having suffered, in flesh, has done with, sin: (CBL)
Amplified: 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] is done with [intentional] sin [has stopped pleasing himself and the world, and pleases God
KJV: Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
NET: So, since Christ suffered in the flesh, you also arm yourselves with the same attitude, because the one who has suffered in the flesh has finished with sin,
Young's Literal: Christ, then, having suffered for us in the flesh, ye also with the same mind arm yourselves, because he who did suffer in the flesh
Holman Therefore since Christ suffered in the flesh, equip yourselves also with the same resolve--because the One who suffered in the flesh has finished with sin...
CBL Greek: Christ then having suffered for us in flesh, also you the same mind, arm yourself with, for the having suffered, in flesh, has done with, sin:
THEREFORE: 3767 In the light of
When you see the "therefore" (now then, or accordingly so, or by extension, here's how the dots connect." A conjunction indicating that something follows from another ore continuative. And thus used in drawing a conclusion and in connecting sentences together logically. Thus you could use "then, therefore, accordingly, consequently, these things, being so." So you ask the question what follows or seems to flow from what has been said. So 526 times in the NT. (As Peggy Hall) http://biblehub.com/greek/3767.htm
So what is Peter looking back to. (of course Peter did not write in chapters, this was one letter.
Look back to His unjust suffering and undeserved death. But also note also the triumphant victory of Christ, as we saw in First Peter three. From the suffering of Christ on the Cross comes four triumphant (1) Sin-bearing (2) Sermon to the demons (victory over the forces of darkness) (3) Victory in Salvation (4) Supremely over all creation.) First Peter 3:18-22.
Peter is going to reiterate here in this chapter Jesus suffered as a man and His example of selfless attitude should be the motivated to deal decisively with sin. Jesus on the cross dealt the death blow to sin for us when He suffered and died on the Cross.
Here is Peter's point, believers are now dead to the power of sin appositionally (in Christ, in union with Christ) and therefore are free from its power (Romans 7) to control us. While it is true that believers still sin far too often, but now we need to make the conscious choice to cease from sin. Sin is destructive, deceptive, decay producing and death dealing.
Thus in light of our Lord and Savior's unjust suffering in our place and as our substitute, we should hate sin, for it was sin that took our Lord Jesus Christ to the Cross.
Since Christ 5547 suffered 3958 i.e. to feel heavy emotion, especially suffering, affected, experiencing feeling of the mind, emotion, passion. The Lord has privileged us to have great capacity for feeling (passion, emotion, affections) . Indeed, this is inherent because all people are created in the divine image. For example how Jesus in His perfect (sinless) humanity keenly felt. Luke 17:25; 22:15 http://biblehub.com/greek/3958.htm or http://www.studylight.org/lexicons/greek/gwview.cgi?n=3958
For us: The purpose of Jesus dying on the Cross was so that God could be justified in bringing many to salvation. God could not have been right to justify sinful man. Grace to have been provide for. there was the need for a sacrifice, and Jesus death on the cross was the grace provided, and the sacrifice needed.
Thus in God's plan, when Jesus died on the Cross, we died with Him. Romans 6:3, 14 and Galatians 2:20.
In The Flesh: 4561 Jesus was God in the flesh, He took on the form of a man and lived on earth. Many might believe that Jesus was an historical figure, but do not believe He was God in the flesh, nor divine. And as man He suffered as would any person who lived. Jesus had a physical body http://www.studylight.org/lexicons/greek/gwview.cgi?n=4561 flesh
What Peter is saying, Jesus in His suffering in the flesh, is the example in their trials that is set before them. Jesus as a Man suffered and died for us, so that God could save us from His wrath. Jesus's life and work and death, and resurrection was for sin. He came to earth to deal with sin and to conquer it forever.
Therefore, as a result of Jesus Christ life and death, and resurrection we can have a life in union with Him. As Christ is our motivation to live for Him even in our suffering in the flesh.
Arm 3695 yourselves
The English word does not really convey the Greek word, which conveys the metaphor of going out to battle after putting on armor. What it means is to make ready or prepare, with a focus upon the process of equipping. Equip one's self with weapons. There is a coming battle so equip yourself with the right weapons and armor.
Of course Peter is only talking figuratively here. The idea he is talking about is arming oneself with a mind or thought in preparation for suffering. As someone has said "remember the way you think determines how you act and react."
Peter is not talking about light armor but heavy armor. We are in a battle field of demons, world, and the flesh, all called sin. You can't just array yourself with flimsy robes of armor. (devotional books, etc)
The Greek verb for arm is in the aorist imperative (I know what is that!!) Well it calls for a decisive choice to effectively accomplish this action and implies an urgent and immediate call to do so. An aorist imperative states that an action occurs without regard to its duration. (And I wondered in high school why are the parts of speech were so important!)
Peter preaches that those who read this letter or heard him teach, that they are to have a personal responsibility in doing the arming. Put on the whole armor of God as Paul said in Ephesians 6.
Its only has you have his mindset in your mind and purpose that you can be victorious in any conflict. Fiery trials will come, count on it, To walk worthy of our calling will take a discipline mindset and a resolve to be armed daily with Ephesians 6.
Yourself 5210
You is placed first in the sentence for emphasis. You yourself....also
With the same mind 1771 the act of thinking, consideration, meditation,
Or even better "with the same purpose". And refers to a thought, principle, counsel, resolve.
And Peter all through his book has said prepare you mind, gird your mind (1:13) Keep sober in your spirit (5:8).
