1 Peter 4:3

1 Peter 4:3 ‘For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued. course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousals, drinking parties and abominable idolatries.'

‘For the time already past is sufficient' -‘You have spent time enough in the past' (Gspd); ‘Surely in the past you have spent time enough' (TCNT). “Sufficient”-enough, adequate (Arndt p. 107). Points to Note: 1. Whatever amount of time one has spent in sin---that is enough time. You don't owe the devil anything! 2. Here is the verse for the person who says, ‘I'm not ready to become. Christian, because. haven't had enough fun yet..' 3. Also. great Scripture for the Christian who might be toying with the idea of having one last ‘hurrah'.

‘to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles' -‘in doing as the heathen like to do' (Gspd); ‘living as the Gentiles delight to live' (TCNT). Points to Note: 1. There is another ‘will' that is opposed to God's will, the will or desire of the Gentiles. In other words, the way of the world, the cultural values of societies which have turned their backs on God (1 John 2:15). 2. This suggests that many of these members came from. Gentile background.

‘having pursued. course' -‘having walked or gone' (Robertson p. 122); ‘conduct oneself, live' (Arndt p. 692)

‘sensuality' -‘unbridled lust, excess…as filthy words, indecent bodily movements, unchaste handling of males and females' (Thayer p. 79); ‘absence of restraint, indecency' (Vine p. 310) ‘living without regard for moral restraint, especially in giving oneself over to acts of sexual immorality or acts of physical violence (Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 4:19; 2 Peter 2:7).' (Grudem p. 168)

‘lusts' -‘lustful desires' (Wms). Impure thoughts (Matthew 7:21). Hence the importance of guarding the heart or mind (Proverbs 4:23; 1 Peter 4:8; 1 Peter 1:13).

‘drunkenness' -‘getting drunk' (Tay). ‘to teem with abundance, to boil over or bubble up, overflow, the excessive, insatiate desire for drink' (Vincent p. 659) Where there is an abundance of wine.

‘carousals' -‘excessive feasting' (Arndt p. 461). ‘Feasts, drinking parties that are protracted long till late at night and overflow into the streets.' (Thayer p. 367) (Romans 13:13; Galatians 5:21). ‘Trench states that this word contained both an element of riot and revelry. ‘Komos' was often used of the company of revelers themselves, always. festal and disorderly company, but not necessarily riotous or drunken. Still, he says, the word generally implies as much…Certainly it is not difficult to find similar acts in our society today. Late-night social events of the world are frequently concluded in. similar fashion, be they parties, dances, or……' (Oberst p. 197)

‘drinking parties' -‘a drinking bout' (Vine p. 170). ‘A drinking party' (Arndt p. 696). ‘a drinking together, drinking-bout….This word would also be descriptive of. couple or group who competed against one another to see who could drink the most.' (Oberst pp. 197-198)

Point to Note:

‘the New Testament, by its employment of various terms, seems to imply that drunkenness is progressive and hence,. matter of degree. For example, “methuo” signifies to be drunk with wine, while. related verb, “methusko”, means to grow drunk. The noun “methe” suggests habitual intoxication….In 1 Peter 4:3. three terms are used to depict states of drunkenness or conditions associated therewith….”Winebiddings” (drunkenness) is. drunkenness that marks. step in advance of “methe”….”Revellings”-denotes conduct that is…..consequences of drunkenness…and “carousings”…is. drinking bout, the banquet, …not of necessity excessive…,but giving opportunity for excess.' (Does The New Testament Justify Social Drinking? Wayne Jackson)

Observations Concerning ‘Social Drinking':

1. Drunkenness is. progressive state: Ephesians 5:18 ‘And do not get drunk with wine': ‘Signifies to make drunk, or to grow drunk (an inceptive verb, marking the process of the drunken state).' (Vine p. 341) Thus Paul is saying, ‘don't even start the process.' 2. Our present day ‘wines' are not the ‘wines' that existed in biblical times. The alcoholic content of ancient wine was considerably lower than that of modern wine. All wine in ancient times was light wine, i.e. not fortified with extra alcohol. In addition, such light wines were then diluted with water. The ration was often three parts water to one part wine. The wines that we encounter today, would be considered “strong drink” in biblical terms. Albert Barnes pointed out, ‘the man who drinks two glasses of most of the wines used has taken as much alcohol as if he had taken one glass of brandy or whisky, and why should he not as well drink the alcohol in the brandy as in the wine?' (Notes on the New Testament. John 2:11). 3.. read recently that ancient wine (fermented) was about 6% alcohol, and then when mixed with water was about 1.1%. In practical terms:. person in ancient times, drinking such. beverage would have to drink over 22 glasses to equal the person who has two martini's. 4. Hence when people argue that they only have. glass of wine or. couple of glasses at. meal, in reality (or in biblical terms) they have consumed many more glasses. 5. And. recently read an article which stated, ‘connoisseurs of wine---are quick to point out that moderate amounts of wine can help your heart by lowering cholesterol levels in your blood. Now grape juice lovers can make. similar claim.'

‘abominable idolatries' -“Abominable”-‘contrary to law and justice, prohibited by law' (Thayer p. 13). ‘divinely unlawful; lawless, profane, ungodly.' (Oberst p. 198). ‘lawless acts of idol worship.' (Grudem p. 169). 1. After the persecution instituted by Nero, Christianity became an illegal religion. In contrast, God labels every non-Christian religion as worship which is contrary to the law of God. 2. ‘Family religious celebrations, guild feasts (the official meeting of trade guilds), and civic festal days might all include such things' taking place in the temples of the various divinities…' (Davids p. 151) 3. This also probably includes the various sinful activities which were often associated with the worship of idols. 4. Christians need to realize that idolatry isn't. thing of the past even in our Western Culture.