3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4 They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
What regret could be worse than wasted time! Here Peter reminds the Anatolian Christians of how they’ve wasted their time in the past doing all sorts of things that the world enjoys and waste their lives on—living in excessive sensual indulgence, esp. eating and drinking, strong sexual desire for sex, intoxicated with wine, and engaging with one another in wild, noisy wine party. All these activities, then, were intertwined with social and pagan idolatrous worship of Greco-Roman gods (as commentators like Craig S. Keener, Travis B. Williams would suggest). But now, as the Christians turned to Jesus Christ, they began to withdrew from all these participations that led to serious backlashes from the pagan neighbors and even the Roman authorities as well.
As of now, the Christians might not be necessarily put to death for their non-participation in their worldly living but the verbal abuse and social bias against them is apparently obvious here. Christians were open to false charges and accusations as not abiding by the laws/standards of their time so they had to be very careful in the way they behave in the society. Nonetheless, Peter gives a strong indictment against the unbelievers by pointing the fact that God is taking every words and actions into account. Peter portrays the imminence of God’s judgment and that every individual has to be awakened to God’s righteous character; He will not leave any injustice left undone.
Prayer: God, you are a righteous judge. Give us a sensitive hearts and minds to recognize your holy character. Help us to fear you and worship you and live our lives to do your will, In Jesus name, amen.
