Living for God's Will
Study note
Since Christ suffered in the flesh, believers should arm themselves with the same resolve, recognizing that suffering can sever the grip of sin. Peter acknowledges they have already spent enough time living as the world does. Former companions think it strange that believers no longer join in their excess and speak against them, but those accusers will give account to God who judges the living and the dead. The gospel was preached even to the dead so they might live according to God in the spirit.
1 Since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourself with the same attitude he had. The person who has suffered in their body is done with sin. Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
2 From now on, do not spend the rest of your life chasing after human cravings. Instead, live for what God wants. That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
3 You already spent plenty of time doing what godless people do. You lived in shameful ways with sinful desires. You got drunk and had wild parties. You took part in vile idol worship. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
4 Your old friends think it is strange that you do not join them in their wild and reckless living anymore. So they say mean things about you. Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
5 But they will have to face God, who is ready to judge everyone, both the living and the dead. Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.
6 Therefore the good news was preached even to those who have died. Their bodies were judged the way all human bodies are. But their spirits could live with God. For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
Stewards of God's Grace
Study note
With the end of all things near, Peter urges self-control, alertness in prayer, and above all deep love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. Believers should practice hospitality without grumbling and use their spiritual gifts to serve each other as faithful stewards of God's varied grace. Whether speaking or serving, everything should be done so that God is glorified through Jesus Christ.
7 The end of all things is close. So keep your head clear and stay focused on prayer. But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
8 Most importantly, love each other deeply, because love makes up for a whole lot of sins. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
9 Welcome each other into your homes without grumbling about it. Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
10 God has given each of you a special gift. Use it to help each other. That is how you become good managers of all the different ways God shows his grace. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
11 If you speak, let your words be like a message from God. If you serve, do it with the strength God provides. Do everything in a way that brings praise to God through Jesus Christ. He deserves all the glory and power forever and ever. Amen. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Rejoicing in Fiery Trials
Study note
Peter tells believers not to be surprised at painful trials as if something strange were happening. Instead, they should rejoice in sharing Christ's sufferings so they may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. Being insulted for Christ's name is a blessing, for the Spirit of glory rests on them. However, no one should suffer as a criminal. Judgment begins at God's household, and if the righteous are barely saved, the fate of the ungodly is far worse. Those who suffer according to God's will should entrust their souls to their faithful Creator while continuing to do good.
12 Dear friends, do not be shocked when painful trials come your way, as if something weird is happening to you. Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13 Instead, be glad that you get to share in what Christ went through. Then when his glory is revealed, you will be overflowing with joy. But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
14 If people insult you because you follow Christ, consider yourself blessed. God's glorious Spirit is resting on you. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
15 Of course, none of you should suffer for doing wrong things. Do not murder, steal, do evil, or get into other people's business. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.
16 But if you suffer because you are a Christian, do not feel ashamed. Instead, praise God that you carry that name. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
17 The time has come for God to begin judging, and he starts with his own family. If it starts with us, imagine how it will end for those who refuse to obey God's good news. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
18 If people who live right are barely saved, what will happen to those who live without God and keep on sinning? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
19 So if you are suffering because it is God's plan for you right now, keep doing good. Place your life in the hands of your faithful Creator. Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.