1 Peter 4:3
For 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:
Original Language Analysis
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 23
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παρεληλυθὼς
past
G3928
παρεληλυθὼς
past
Strong's:
G3928
Word #:
5 of 23
to come near or aside, i.e., to approach (arrive), go by (or away), (figuratively) perish or neglect, (causative) avert
χρόνος
the time
G5550
χρόνος
the time
Strong's:
G5550
Word #:
6 of 23
a space of time (in general, and thus properly distinguished from g2540, which designates a fixed or special occasion; and from g0165, which denotes a
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
βίου
of our life
G979
βίου
of our life
Strong's:
G979
Word #:
8 of 23
life, i.e., (literally) the present state of existence; by implication, the means of livelihood
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θέλημα
the will
G2307
θέλημα
the will
Strong's:
G2307
Word #:
10 of 23
a determination (properly, the thing), i.e., (actively) choice (specially, purpose, decree; abstractly, volition) or (passively) inclination
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐθνῶν
of the Gentiles
G1484
ἐθνῶν
of the Gentiles
Strong's:
G1484
Word #:
12 of 23
a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)
κατεργάσασθαι,
to have wrought
G2716
κατεργάσασθαι,
to have wrought
Strong's:
G2716
Word #:
13 of 23
to work fully, i.e., accomplish; by implication, to finish, fashion
πεπορευμένους
when we walked
G4198
πεπορευμένους
when we walked
Strong's:
G4198
Word #:
14 of 23
to traverse, i.e., travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove (figuratively, die), live, etc.)
ἀσελγείαις
lasciviousness
G766
ἀσελγείαις
lasciviousness
Strong's:
G766
Word #:
16 of 23
licentiousness (sometimes including other vices)
οἰνοφλυγίαις
excess of wine
G3632
οἰνοφλυγίαις
excess of wine
Strong's:
G3632
Word #:
18 of 23
an overflow (or surplus) of wine, i.e., vinolency (drunkenness)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
21 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
1 Corinthians 6:11And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.Ephesians 5:18And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;1 Thessalonians 4:5Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:1 Peter 1:14As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:Galatians 5:21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.Galatians 5:19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,Ezekiel 45:9Thus saith the Lord GOD; Let it suffice you, O princes of Israel: remove violence and spoil, and execute judgment and justice, take away your exactions from my people, saith the Lord GOD.Isaiah 28:7But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.Acts 17:30And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:Ezekiel 44:6And thou shalt say to the rebellious, even to the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; O ye house of Israel, let it suffice you of all your abominations,
Historical Context
Gentile converts came from pagan culture celebrating behaviors Christianity condemned. Temple prostitution, drunken festivals honoring deities, sexual license—all common in Roman Empire. Peter lists typical pagan vices, reminding readers: you've left that behind through conversion. The phrase "time past may suffice" uses gentle irony—you've wasted enough life in paganism; don't return. Early church's moral purity starkly contrasted pagan debauchery, attracting those disillusioned with empty pleasures while scandalizing those who resented Christian condemnation of their lifestyle. Persecution often stemmed from Christian refusal to participate in pagan religious/social activities.
Questions for Reflection
- Which specific sins from your pre-Christian 'time past' are you most tempted to return to, and how do you resist?
- How does remembering that pre-conversion time was 'sufficient' help motivate ongoing holiness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Peter reminds of pre-conversion lifestyle to be abandoned. "For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles" (arketos gar ho parelelythōs chronos to boulēma tōn ethnōn kateirgasthai). "Time past" (ho parelelythōs chronos) refers to pre-Christian life. "May suffice" (arketos) means enough, sufficient—you've spent enough time in paganism! "Will of the Gentiles" (boulēma tōn ethnōn) describes pagan lifestyle. The catalogue: "when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries" (peporeumenous en aselgeiais, epithymiais, oinophylgiais, kōmois, potois, kai athemitois eidōlolatriais). Six vices characterizing pagan life: sensuality, evil desires, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, idolatry. Peter's point: that life is over; don't return to it.