Forasmuch then as Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind; for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin;
The phrase, "hath ceased from sin," is an expression that means "hath got release...from sin, i.e. is no longer stirred by its incitements and seductions" (Thayer 497-1-3973). Peter is obviously not saying that Christ suffered and, thus, ceased from sin. Christ did suffer temptation, just as we do, but He did not commit sin (Hebrews 4:15). Peter is also not saying that the Christian will never sin again after he suffers in the flesh. The apostle is saying that "the person who has suffered in his body is finished with sin" (New Century Version), that is, he has been released from the power of sin. He will still suffer temptation, but he will not have the same inclination to succumb to it that he once had--he will have the faith and determination to overcome. His suffering helps to strengthen him so that he can overcome. That suffering allows him to identify with Christ and to imitate Him. To such a Christian, allurements of the world grow dim. Those made of martyr material do not easily surrender to evil.