What's easy to miss here is the shift from "human passions" – desires that come from our earthly nature – to the will of God. This isn't just about avoiding bad stuff; it's about actively orienting your entire life towards what God desires, a profound redirection of your deepest longings.
so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter is urging believers to move beyond their old ways of living, emphasizing that their time on earth is limited. He's just talked about how Christ suffered for us, setting an example to stop sinning and live for God. This verse is a direct call to action, urging them to redirect their desires and energy from self-serving pursuits towards fulfilling God's purposes for the remainder of their earthly lives.
Peter reminds us that our time on earth is limited. How does this urgency change how we live?
A Finite Season
Peter's words, 'the rest of the time in the flesh,' point to a sobering reality: our earthly existence is temporary. This isn't meant to be morbid, but motivating! It's a call to recognize the preciousness of the time we have left. Every moment is an opportunity given by God.
Shifting Our Focus
When we truly grasp that our time is borrowed, it naturally shifts our priorities. What once seemed all-important might fade in significance, replaced by a desire to make the most of the days we have for God's purposes.
What's the difference between 'human passions' and 'the will of God,' and why does it matter which one drives your life?
The Pull of Human Passions
'Human passions' (sometimes translated as 'lusts' or 'desires') refer to the cravings and impulses that arise from our fallen nature. These are often self-centered, driven by immediate gratification, and can lead us away from what is truly good and right in God's eyes. Think of desires for power, status, unchecked pleasure, or even unhealthy obsessions.
The Guidance of God's Will
In contrast, 'the will of God' represents His perfect plan and desire for our lives. It's not about arbitrary rules, but about aligning ourselves with His character, His purposes, and His love for humanity. Living by God's will means seeking what pleases Him, what builds up others, and what reflects His kingdom here on earth. It requires listening, discerning, and obediently following His leading, even when it's difficult or goes against our own immediate desires.
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Understand the original words
thelēma · Greek Noun
The sovereign purpose, desire, and decree of God for His creation and His people; it is the ultimate standard for moral conduct and life direction for the believer.
ethnos · Greek Noun
In a Jewish context, 'the nations' or those outside the covenant community of Israel; in the New Testament, it refers to those who are non-believers, typically characterized by their ignorance of the true God and their practice of pagan morality.
aselgeia · Greek Noun
An unrestrained indulgence in physical, sexual, or fleshly desires, often characterized by a lack of moral control and public shamelessness.
epithumia · Greek Noun
Refers to ungodly desires, cravings, or impulses of the fallen human nature that stand in opposition to the commands and holiness of God.
eidōlolatria · Greek Noun
The worship or devotion to created things, beings, or concepts in place of the one true Creator; it is inherently lawless as it violates the first commandment.
Peter wrote this letter to encourage believers facing hardship and the temptation to revert to old, sinful ways. He calls them to live with a renewed focus on God's will, even in the midst of suffering and persecution.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
The pivotal event of Christianity, marking the foundation of the faith. Jesus' followers experienced profound transformation and a new calling.
c. AD 33-40s
Early Spread of the Gospel
The early Christian movement, empowered by the Holy Spirit, began to spread rapidly throughout Judea and the wider Roman Empire.
c. AD 49
Council of Jerusalem
A significant early church council addressed whether Gentile converts needed to follow Jewish law, affirming the inclusion of all believers in Christ.
c. AD 64
Great Fire of Rome
Emperor Nero blamed Christians for the fire, leading to the first major, state-sponsored persecution of believers in Rome.
c. AD 64-67— this verse
Peter's Ministry in Rome
Tradition holds that Peter was in Rome during this period, ministering to a scattered and persecuted Christian community under Roman rule.
c. AD 67
Martyrdom of Peter
According to tradition, the Apostle Peter was martyred in Rome, likely during Nero's persecution, bringing his earthly ministry to a close.
This passage echoes the same theme of presenting ourselves to God for righteousness, rather than to sin for destructive passions, highlighting the radical shift in allegiance that comes with belonging to Christ.
Galatians 5:16-17It contrasts the desires of the flesh with the will of the Spirit, showing how living by the Spirit empowers us to overcome our old, sinful passions and live according to God's purposes.
Colossians 3:1-4This passage calls believers to set their minds on things above, where Christ is, and to put to death their earthly desires, aligning our lives with God's heavenly will.
1 John 2:15-17It warns against loving the world and its desires, urging us instead to focus on doing the will of God, which is eternal, offering a direct parallel to Peter's exhortation.
What's easy to miss here is the shift from "human passions" – desires that come from our earthly nature – to the will of God. This isn't just about avoiding bad stuff; it's about actively orienting your entire life towards what God desires, a profound redirection of your deepest longings.
Peter is urging believers to move beyond their old ways of living, emphasizing that their time on earth is limited. He's just talked about how Christ suffered for us, setting an example to stop sinning and live for God. This verse is a direct call to action, urging them to redirect their desires and energy from self-serving pursuits towards fulfilling God's purposes for the remainder of their earthly lives.
Peter is urging believers to move beyond their old ways of living, emphasizing that their time on earth is limited. He's just talked about how Christ suffered for us, setting an example to stop sinning and live for God. This verse is a direct call to action, urging them to redirect their desires and energy from self-serving pursuits towards fulfilling God's purposes for the remainder of their earthly lives.
"so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drink…" — What's easy to miss here is the shift from "human passions" – desires that come from our earthly nature – to the will of God. This isn't just about avoiding bad stuff; it's about actively orienting…
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Last reviewed October 2026
