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the time that has passed

1 Peter 4:3-6 (JDV)

1 Peter 4:3 For the time that has passed was sufficient to do what the Gentiles plan to do: carrying on in unrestrained behavior, evil desires, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and lawless idolatry.
1 Peter 4:4 They are surprised that you don’t join them in the same flood of wild living — and they slander you.
1 Peter 4:5 They will give an account to the one who stands ready to judge the living and the dead.
1 Peter 4:6 For this reason the gospel was also preached to those who are now dead, so that, although they might be judged in the flesh according to human standards, they could potentially live in the breath according to God’s standards.

the time that has passed

Peter’s point was that the time that has passed was sufficient for walking by the flesh. The Noaic generation had done that, in spite of the gospel being preached to them. They are dead now, and they will be judged for their rebellion when Christ returns. They had their opportunity and they squandered it. We should learn from their negative example and seek to walk according to God’s standards now.