In 4:1-4, Peter exhorts his readers to imitate the example given to them by Christ. They should be willing to endure suffering when this is necessary; they must renounce completely the evil way of life which they had previously followed (compare with Galatians 5:19-21). 4:5 warns that the pagans will not escape the Day of Judgement, for on that Day all the living and the dead will appear before God. Peter refers again to the preaching to the spirits of the dead to show that God's judgement and mercy have no limitations and that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace.