What does 1 Peter 1:14 mean?

As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 1 Peter 1:14

Explanation

The verse 1 Peter 1:14 urges believers to be ‘obedient children’ and cautions them against falling back into their old ways characterized by ‘lusts’ driven by ignorance. It emphasizes a transformation that is expected after one becomes a Christian, shedding former behaviors and desires which were part of their life before coming to know Christ. This passage is not just about sexual lust, but encompasses a broader array of desires that lead away from God’s will. The deeper meaning revolves around the concept of sanctification, which is the process of being made holy and set apart for God’s purposes.

Historical Context

1 Peter was a letter written by the Apostle Peter, believed to have been composed around AD 62-63. It was addressed to various churches in Asia Minor suffering under persecution. During that time, Christians were living in a primarily pagan society marked by a wide disparity in moral and spiritual values. Followers of Christ were encouraged to live lives noticeably different from those of their non-Christian neighbors, often facing hostility and persecution as a result of their distinctiveness.

Theological Insights

This verse presents several theological principles:

• The concept of the Christian identity as ‘children of God,’ indicating a relationship with God characterized by obedience.
• The transformative power of salvation that calls for a moral and ethical change in behavior from past conduct.
• The idea that sins committed in ignorance before knowing Christ are no longer excusable as a Christian.

Different theological traditions may place varying degrees of emphasis on how much Christians should expect to change after conversion. Some may see this verse as a call to immediate and total transformation, while others may understand it as a gradual process over time.

Practical Applications

The practical application of 1 Peter 1:14 is clear: believers need to actively avoid falling back into their past sinful patterns. For believers today, this could mean abstaining from harmful habits, avoiding unhealthy relationships, and not succumbing to societal pressures that contradict Christian values. It is a call to mindful living, with an awareness that as Christians, there is a standard set by God to which one should aspire.

Cross-References

• Romans 12:2 – “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
• Ephesians 4:22-24 – “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
• Colossians 3:5-10 – “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.”

Language Study

The key Greek terms in this verse are:

• “Tekna hypakoēs,” translated as “obedient children,” conveys an image of believers who listen closely and follow the guidance of their heavenly Father.
• “Suschematizomenoi,” translated as “fashioning yourselves,” carries the meaning of conforming oneself or shaping one’s behavior in a certain pattern.
• “Proteron,” meaning “former,” indicates a previous state of being before conversion.
• “Epithumiais,” translated as “lusts,” broadly refers to strong desires or impulses, often with a negative connotation of desiring something that is not in alignment with God’s will.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In Greco-Roman culture, there was often an emphasis on fulfilling personal desires and seeking pleasure. In contrast, 1 Peter calls for a lifestyle that sets aside self-gratifying desires for a higher purpose, reflective of Jewish and early Christian values on self-control and ethical behavior. These teachings stood in stark contrast to the surrounding culture, where indulgence in pleasures was more commonly accepted.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, behavioral change as suggested in this verse can be understood through the lens of neuroplasticity. This concept refers to the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new connections throughout life, which can help explain the process of overcoming former habits and establishing new patterns of behavior. The verse’s emphasis on transformation can be seen as compatible with the understanding that habitual ways of thinking and acting can indeed be altered with effort and time.

Commentaries

Commentators have various interpretations and applications of 1 Peter 1:14:

• Matthew Henry’s Commentary emphasizes the importance of Christians not reverting to their old sinful lifestyles, which were rooted in ignorance before knowing the saving grace of Christ.
• The MacArthur Study Bible notes that the term ‘lusts’ is not exclusively sexual but refers to any former cravings that dominated their pre-Christian lives.
• The IVP New Testament Commentary Series suggests that Peter is calling for a lifestyle that is distinctive from the non-Christian world, marked by the moral purity that comes from obedience to God.

Commentators generally agree that this verse challenges believers to live lives that are in stark contrast to their former ways, reflective of their new identity in Christ.