NOTES for Pe1 4:1-19

What does it mean not to live according to the flesh? Does such a call imply abhorrence of the flesh as something inherently corrupt? Not at all. The flesh must not dictate to us in keeping with our seething physiology; rather, we are called to govern it. Nor do the words that the one who suffers in the flesh ceases from sin speak of denying the body’s natural needs. But if a person does not know how to govern himself under normal circumstances, the body will reap the fruits of excess. Of course, one can continue to sin not only with the body but also with the mind, heart, and thought, yet these act through the body. Governing one’s own body is therefore the beginning of governing the other passions as well. Yes, inward sin does not necessarily disappear quickly when bodily sin is curbed, but without control of the body it certainly will not disappear, just as by refraining from speaking evil we can also restrain the passions raging within us.

People far from the Church often speak evil of Christians because Christians do not take part in their deeds. Paradoxically, one person’s rejection of evil leads to still greater bitterness in others who refuse to renounce evil. But if we are reviled for genuinely good deeds, we must not be troubled. We need only make sure that we who speak of good do not prove to be hypocrites who do evil and are justly punished for it.