1 Peter 4:1

Peter’s present appeal grew out of what he had just said about Christ’s victory (1 Peter 3:18; 1 Peter 3:21 c, 22). In view of His example of committing Himself to accomplishing God’s will, Peter called his readers to commit themselves to the same purpose (cf. 1 Peter 3:15). Jesus suffered to the extent of dying, and Christians should be willing to suffer to the same extent. Selwyn regarded Peter’s statement here as the keystone of his whole doctrinal arch in this epistle. [Note: Selwyn, p. 195.]

In the second part of the verse, Peter probably meant that his readers had identified themselves with Christ’s suffering and death (in water baptism). They should, therefore, put sin behind them and live a clean life (cf. Romans 6:1-11). Roman Catholic interpreters have seen this verse as support for their doctrine of purgatory. They believe that Peter meant that suffering purifies the life. The aorist participle (Gr. pathon, "has suffered") normally is antecedent in time to the main verb, which here is in the perfect tense (pepantai, "has ceased"). Suffering precedes ceasing, but Peter apparently meant that suffering with Christ should lead to a more holy life (cf. 1 Peter 4:2). It does not inevitably do so.