In the Greek this word is placed in a position of emphasis. By its location Peter is recalling the thought expressed in the previous verse, namely, that the life of the Christian is divided into two sections, his pre-conversion years (being unborn, 1 Peter 1:3) and his post-conversion years (being born), and now stresses that the lifestyle of one’s unborn years (“the time that is past”) was more than sufficient (“suffices”) for living in step with the flesh. There is no longer any need or incentive for the born-again Christian to add more evil to his collection.
3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.