In speaking of Christ’s suffering Peter speaks of how Jesus endured this to defeat sin in people’s lives (v1-2). Jesus was suffering so that this work would be applied to the believer’s life to enable them turn from a life of sin. Sin is following our fallen desires, but salvation brings us instead to seek God’s will.

Peter speaks of what was common in a life of sin (v3), the life the believer has to have left behind. This way of living is so natural to the sinner so that they are so surprised when the Christian refuses to be part of this anymore (v4). The Christian’s new life will so trouble the unbeliever that they may hit out to malign the believer in order to justify their own behaviour.

There is something wrong if the way we live as believers doesn’t at time make the unsaved feel uncomfortable. It is not our task to fit in to the ways of the world but rather to be different for the sake of Christ.

Peter teaches how the unsaved will have to give an account for their conduct (v5). They who sit in judgment on believers will face God’s scrutiny.

The dead that the Gospel was preached to are Christians who responded to the Gospel in their lives and therefore are now safe in the judgment (v6). Although they died, by God’s grace they continue to live in their spirits.