1 Peter 4:3
What does 1 Peter 4:3 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Peter 4:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Peter 4:3 means
Peter says the past was more than enough time for living like the surrounding Gentile world. He lists behaviors that characterized pagan indulgence: sexual immorality, uncontrolled desires, drunkenness, wild parties, and idolatry. The point is not to relive shame but to underline that such things belong to a former life. The gospel brings a decisive break. Idolatry crowns self or false gods; Christ now reigns. Peter’s catalog shows how sin often clusters—pleasure, intoxication, and worship twisting together. By calling that season “sufficient,” he closes the door on nostalgia and excuses. Grace frees believers to say, “No more,” and to honor God with clean hands and hearts.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For the time past may suffice to have wrought the desire of the Gentiles, and to have walked in lasciviousness, lusts, winebibbings, revellings, carousings, and abominable idolatries:
KJV
King James Version · 1611For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For the time past may suffice to have wrought the desire of the Gentiles, and to have walked in lasciviousness, lusts, winebibbings, revellings, carousings, and abominable idolatries:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Because for long enough, in times past, we have been living after the way of the Gentiles, given up to the desires of the flesh, to drinking and feasting and loose behaviour and unclean worship of images;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for sufficient to us <FI>is<Fi> the past time of life the will of the nations to have wrought, having walked in lasciviousnesses, desires, excesses of wines, revellings, drinking-bouts, and unlawful idolatries,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For the time past is sufficient to have fulfilled the will of the Gentiles, for them who have walked in riotousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings and unlawful worshipping of idols.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For the time past [is] sufficient [for us] to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, walking in lasciviousness, lusts, wine-drinking, revels, drinkings, and unhallowed idolatries.
Context
Verse 3 provides the negative backdrop to the new purpose stated in verse 2. Peter reminds his largely Gentile audience of their pre-conversion lifestyle to highlight the contrast the gospel has created. This prepares the reader for verse 4, where the social consequences of such a break are described: former companions are surprised and hostile. The flow moves from the believer’s inner resolve (vv. 1–2), to the outward change (v. 3), to the world’s reaction (v. 4), which in turn leads to the sobering reality of God’s final evaluation in verses 5–6.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 5:11
Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that tarry late into the night, till wine inflame them!
- Isaiah 65:4
that sit among the graves, and lodge in the secret places; that eat swine’s flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels;
- Proverbs 23:29
Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? Who hath complaining? who hath wounds without cause? Who hath redness of eyes?
- 2 Samuel 13:28
And Absalom commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now, when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine; and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon, then kill him; fear not; have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.
- Jeremiah 16:18
And first I will recompense their iniquity and their sin double, because they have polluted my land with the carcasses of their detestable things, and have filled mine inheritance with their abominations.
- 1 Corinthians 12:2
Ye know that when ye were Gentiles ye were led away unto those dumb idols, howsoever ye might be led.
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