1. 1 Peter 4:4 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

Why would the Gentiles be “surprised” at Christian behaviour?

1 Peter 4:4 (ESV)

4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you;

The Gentiles, spiritually unborn as they are (1 Peter 1:3), follow the urgings of their passions, and so do the activities described in 1 Peter 4:3. By contrast, the Christians are born again and so have very different priorities and interests (1 Peter 1:13–14). The unborn cannot get their heads around what motivates those delivered from their restricted womb-sized view of reality (see on 1 Peter 1:3). Further, the sort of behaviour described in 1 Peter 4:2–3 characterised normal society in Asia Minor. Participation was required for acceptance in the wider community. Those who refused to participate were seen as sojourners and exiles (1 Peter 2:11) and treated that way. Why anybody would choose to be outside the accepted circle was beyond understanding.