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.

KJV (with Strong's)

That {G1519} he {G980} no longer {G3371} should live {G980} the rest {G1954} of his time {G5550} in {G1722} the flesh {G4561} to the lusts {G1939} of men {G444}, but {G235} to the will {G2307} of God {G2316}.

Complete Jewish Bible

with the result that he lives the rest of his earthly life no longer controlled by human desires, but by God’s will.

Berean Standard Bible

Consequently, he does not live out his remaining time on earth for human passions, but for the will of God.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse serves as a powerful exhortation for believers to undergo a radical transformation, marking a decisive break from their former way of life. Having spiritually identified with Christ's suffering and death to sin, the Christian is called to no longer live according to the self-serving desires and worldly passions that characterize fallen humanity, but rather to orient the remainder of their earthly existence in full submission and obedience to the divine purpose and holy will of God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse stands in direct continuity with [1 Peter 4:1](/1-peter/4-1 "1 Peter 4:1 - Suffering in the Flesh and Ceasing from Sin"), which declares that "he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin." Peter is building a theological argument that connects Christ's suffering and death to the believer's experience. Just as Christ suffered physically to accomplish redemption, believers, by virtue of their union with Him, are called to a spiritual "suffering in the flesh"—a crucifixion of the old self and its sinful desires. This suffering is not merely passive endurance but an active identification with Christ's death to sin, leading to a profound and permanent reorientation of life. The implication is that this decisive break from sin's dominion in [1 Peter 4:1](/1-peter/4-1 "1 Peter 4:1 - Suffering in the Flesh and Ceasing from Sin") naturally leads to the new way of living described in [1 Peter 4:2](/1-peter/4-2 "1 Peter 4:2 - Living for God's Will"). The passage moves from the *basis* of transformation (suffering with Christ) to its *outcome* (living for God's will), setting the stage for subsequent exhortations regarding Christian conduct in the face of persecution.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Peter's epistle is addressed to "elect exiles" scattered throughout Asia Minor ([1 Peter 1:1](/1-peter/1-1 "1 Peter 1:1 - Peter's Greeting to the Exiles")), implying a community facing significant social pressure and active persecution for their faith. These believers were living in a predominantly pagan Roman society, where idolatry, immorality, and self-indulgence were pervasive. To embrace Christianity meant a radical departure from established social norms, including participation in pagan festivals, emperor worship, and the prevalent moral laxity. The "lusts of men" would have encompassed the very fabric of the surrounding culture, making the call to live "to the will of God" a counter-cultural and potentially dangerous commitment. This context underscores the radical nature of the transformation Peter demands, as it required believers to actively resist the powerful pull of their society and former way of life, even at the cost of suffering.

* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme in this section of 1 Peter is **Sanctification through Suffering**. Peter emphasizes that suffering, when endured for Christ's sake, serves as a refining process that purifies believers and strengthens their resolve to live righteously. This leads directly to the theme of **Radical Transformation and New Identity**, where the believer's union with Christ's death implies a definitive break from the dominion of sin and a new purpose for living. The epistle consistently calls for **Holy Living** in a hostile world, urging believers to align their conduct with their new identity in Christ, even when it brings opposition ([1 Peter 1:15-16](/1-peter/1-15-16 "1 Peter 1:15-16 - Be Holy as I Am Holy")). Furthermore, the passage highlights the **Sovereignty of God's Will**, presenting it as the ultimate standard and guiding principle for the transformed life, contrasting sharply with the fleeting and corrupting "lusts of men" that once held sway. This transformation is not merely behavioral but a fundamental shift in allegiance and purpose, echoing the call for spiritual renewal found in [Romans 12:2](/romans/12-2 "Romans 12:2 - Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **no longer (Greek, _mēkéti'_):** This adverb signifies a cessation of a previous state or action, indicating a decisive and permanent break. In this context, it emphasizes that the believer's former way of life, characterized by living for human desires, is definitively over. It is not a temporary pause but a fundamental shift in direction and purpose, underscoring the radical nature of the transformation.
* **lusts (Greek, _epithymía'_):** While this word can denote any strong desire, in the New Testament, particularly in ethical contexts, it frequently carries a negative connotation, referring to ungodly, selfish, or illicit cravings. Here, "lusts of men" points to the corrupt and self-centered desires that originate from fallen human nature, which stand in opposition to God's holy character and purposes. It encompasses all forms of worldly and sinful passions that draw one away from God.
* **will (Greek, _thélēma'_):** This term refers to a determination, purpose, or decree, often signifying God's divine intention or design. In contrast to the "lusts of men," "the will of God" represents God's perfect, holy, and sovereign plan for humanity. It implies an active, conscious, and joyful submission to God's revealed desires, commands, and redemptive purposes for the believer's life, serving as the new guiding principle for all actions and motivations.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"That he no longer should live the rest of [his] time in the flesh":** This clause establishes the profound and definitive change in the believer's life. The phrase "no longer" (G3371, *mēkéti*) signifies a complete cessation of a former manner of existence. "The rest of [his] time" (G1954, *epíloipos* and G5550, *chrónos*) refers to the remaining duration of one's earthly life after conversion. To live "in the flesh" (G1722, *en* and G4561, *sárx*) here does not refer to physical existence, but rather to a life dominated by the sinful, unredeemed human nature and its impulses. The implication is that the believer, having identified with Christ's death to sin, is now liberated from the compulsion to live according to their fallen desires for the remainder of their earthly journey.
* **"to the lusts of men":** This phrase specifies the former orientation of life that is now to be abandoned. "Lusts" (G1939, *epithymía*) denotes strong, often illicit or selfish desires, while "men" (G444, *ánthrōpos*) refers to humanity in its unregenerate state. This indicates that the believer's life was previously directed by the corrupt, worldly cravings and self-centered passions common to fallen humanity, which are inherently opposed to God's righteousness. This is the negative pole, the way of living that has been decisively rejected.
* **"but to the will of God":** This final clause presents the new, divinely ordained orientation for the believer's transformed life. The conjunction "but" (G235, *allá*) introduces a strong contrast. "The will of God" (G2307, *thélēma* and G2316, *theós*) refers to God's holy, sovereign, and redemptive purpose. This signifies that the believer's remaining time on earth is now to be lived in active, conscious submission and obedience to God's revealed desires and commands. This is the positive pole, the new standard and ultimate purpose for every aspect of the Christian's existence.

#### Literary Devices
Peter employs **Contrast** as a primary literary device in this verse, juxtaposing "the lusts of men" with "the will of God." This stark opposition highlights the fundamental shift in allegiance and purpose required of the transformed believer. The former represents the old, sinful, human-centered way of life, while the latter signifies the new, holy, God-centered existence. Furthermore, the phrase "in the flesh" functions as a **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche**, where "flesh" (sárx) stands not merely for the physical body but for the entire fallen human nature, with its inherent weaknesses, sinful inclinations, and passions. The verse also carries a strong **Exhortation** or implicit **Imperative**, even though it is phrased as a statement of outcome from [1 Peter 4:1](/1-peter/4-1 "1 Peter 4:1 - Suffering in the Flesh and Ceasing from Sin"). By declaring that one *should* no longer live for lusts but for God's will, Peter is effectively commanding and encouraging believers to embody this radical transformation in their daily lives.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse articulates a core theological truth: the Christian life is one of radical reorientation, marked by a decisive break from the dominion of sin and a new allegiance to God's sovereign will. This transformation is not merely behavioral modification but a profound change in identity and purpose, rooted in the believer's union with Christ's death and resurrection. It underscores the concept of sanctification as a progressive process where believers actively put off the old self and put on the new, living out the implications of their redemption. The contrast between "lusts of men" and "the will of God" establishes the ethical framework for Christian living, calling for a life characterized by intentional obedience and a pursuit of divine purposes rather than self-gratification or worldly conformity.

* [Romans 6:1-14](/romans/6-1-14 "Romans 6:1-14 - Dead to Sin, Alive to God") - Paul's extensive teaching on being "dead to sin" and "alive to God" through baptism, echoing the cessation from sin and living for righteousness.
* [Galatians 2:20](/galatians/2-20 "Galatians 2:20 - Crucified with Christ") - "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."
* [Ephesians 4:22-24](/ephesians/4-22-24 "Ephesians 4:22-24 - Putting Off the Old Self and Putting On the New") - Exhortation to "put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Peter 4:2 challenges every believer to a profound self-examination regarding the ultimate authority and guiding principle of their lives. It calls us to honestly assess whether our remaining time on earth is truly being lived "to the will of God" or if we are still subtly, or overtly, yielding to "the lusts of men"—those desires, ambitions, and pursuits that originate from our fallen nature or the world's corrupting influence. This verse is not about achieving sinless perfection, but about a fundamental shift in direction and allegiance. It encourages us to cultivate a posture of intentional submission to God, seeking His wisdom in every decision, prioritizing His kingdom in our daily actions, and allowing His Spirit to transform our desires. Practically, this means consciously choosing to align our thoughts, words, and deeds with biblical principles, even when it is difficult or counter-cultural. It invites us to ask, "Is this choice, this habit, this pursuit, truly for God's will, or is it merely a reflection of my own or the world's desires?" Living out this verse requires ongoing spiritual discipline, a renewed mind, and a deep commitment to the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of your life do you still find yourself struggling to live "to the will of God" rather than "to the lusts of men"?**
* **What practical steps can you take this week to more intentionally align your daily choices and priorities with God's revealed will?**
* **How does understanding your union with Christ's suffering and death empower you to say "no longer" to sinful desires?**
* **What does "the will of God" look like in your current season of life, and how can you actively pursue it?**

### FAQ

**Does "ceasing from sin" in the preceding verse (1 Peter 4:1) imply sinless perfection, and how does that relate to living "to the will of God" here?**

Answer: No, "ceasing from sin" does not imply sinless perfection in this context. Rather, it signifies a decisive break from living *for* sin, from being enslaved by its power and dominion. It means that the believer's fundamental orientation has changed: sin is no longer the master or the driving force of their life. This is a spiritual reality that begins at conversion, where one dies to the old self and is raised to new life in Christ. Therefore, living "to the will of God" in [1 Peter 4:2](/1-peter/4-2 "1 Peter 4:2 - Living for God's Will") is the practical outworking of this spiritual cessation from sin. It's about a new, intentional commitment to obey God's commands and pursue His purposes, even though the struggle with indwelling sin continues throughout life ([Romans 7:14-25](/romans/7-14-25 "Romans 7:14-25 - The Struggle with Sin")). The emphasis is on the *direction* of one's life—no longer towards sin, but towards God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Peter 4:2 finds its ultimate fulfillment and enabling power in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the perfect embodiment of one who lived His entire life "to the will of God," never yielding to the "lusts of men." From His submission in Gethsemane ([Luke 22:42](/luke/22-42 "Luke 22:42 - Jesus Prays in Gethsemane")) to His obedience unto death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")), Christ perfectly exemplified living solely for the Father's purpose. The believer's ability to "no longer live... to the lusts of men, but to the will of God" is not achieved through mere human effort or willpower, but through spiritual union with Christ. When we are "crucified with Christ" ([Galatians 2:20](/galatians/2-20 "Galatians 2:20 - Crucified with Christ")), we die to the dominion of sin, and His resurrection life empowers us to live righteously. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), and through His suffering in the flesh, He has provided the means for us to cease from sin's reign. Therefore, our transformation is not just an imitation of Christ, but a participation in His death and resurrection, enabling us to walk in newness of life, empowered by His Spirit to fulfill the very will of God He perfectly accomplished ([Romans 6:4-11](/romans/6-4-11 "Romans 6:4-11 - Newness of Life in Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ephesians 4:22

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

Ephesians 4:24

And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

1 Peter 1:14

As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

Titus 3:3

For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, [and] hating one another.

Titus 3:8

[This is] a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

Romans 6:11

Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Ephesians 6:6

Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;