The phrase in the flesh is identical to Peter’s words at the end of 1 Peter 3:18. As in that passage, the phrase here can be translated as in the flesh or by flesh. If we translate in the flesh, we are describing the location of the suffering: in (or with) our bodies. If we translate by flesh (the article the is not in the Greek, though it may be included for translation purposes) we are describing the instrument of suffering: other people are making Christians suffer. In our explanation of 1 Peter 3:18, we opted for the latter understanding in relation to Christ. It would follow that the same would be true for Christians, as Peter has in fact intimated in 1 Peter 2:19–20; 1 Peter 3:14, 1 Peter 3:16–17.