Keep Fervent in Your Love
1 Therefore, sinceChrist suffered in the flesh [and died for us], arm yourselves [like warriors] with the same purpose [being willing to suffer for doing what is right and pleasing God], because whoever has suffered in the flesh [being like-minded with Christ] is done with [intentional] sin [having stopped pleasing the world],
2 so that he can no longer spend the rest of his natural life living for human appetitesanddesires, but [lives] for the willandpurpose of God.
3 For the time already past is [more than] enough for doing what the [unsaved] Gentiles like to do–living [unrestrained as you have done] in a course of [shameless] sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and wanton idolatries.
4 In [connection with] all this, they [the unbelievers] are resentfulandsurprised that you do not [think like them, value their values and] run [hand in hand] withtheminto the same excesses of dissipationandimmoral freedom, and they criticizeandabuseandridicule youandmake fun of your values.
5 But they will [have to] give an account to Him who is ready to judgeandpass sentence on the living and the dead.
6 For this is why the good news [of salvation] was preached [in their lifetimes] even to those who are dead, that though they were judged in the flesh as men are, they may live in the spirit according to [the will and purpose of] God.
7 The endandculmination of all things is near. Therefore, be sound-minded and self-controlled for the purpose of prayer [staying balanced and focused on the things of God so that your communication will be clear, reasonable, specific and pleasing to Him.]
8 Above all, haveferventandunfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins [it overlooks unkindness and unselfishly seeks the best for others].
9 Behospitable to one another without complaint.
10 Just as each one of you has received aspecialgift [a spiritual talent, an ability graciously given by God], employ it in serving one another as [is appropriate for] good stewards of God’s multi-faceted grace [faithfully using the diverse, varied gifts and abilities granted to Christians by God’s unmerited favor].
11 Whoever speaks [to the congregation],is to do soas one who speaks the oracles (utterances, the very words) of God. Whoever serves [the congregation]is to do soas one who serves by the strength which God [abundantly] supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified [honored and magnified] through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Share the Sufferings of Christ
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test you [that is, to test the quality of your faith], as though something strangeorunusual were happening to you.
13 But insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, keep on rejoicing, so that when His glory [filled with His radiance and splendor] is revealed, you may rejoice with great joy.
14 If you are insultedandreviled for [bearing] the name of Christ, you are blessed [happy, with life-joy and comfort in God’s salvation regardless of your circumstances], because the Spirit of glory and of God is resting on you [and indwelling you–He whom they curse, you glorify].
15 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or a thief, or any sort of criminal [in response to persecution], or as a troublesome meddler interfering in the affairs of others;
16 but ifanyone suffers[ill-treatment] as aChristian [because of his belief], he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God [because he is considered worthy to suffer] in this name.
17 For it is the time [destined] for judgment to begin with the household of God; and ifit beginswith us, what will the outcome be for those who do not respectorbelieveorobey the gospel of God?
18 And if it is difficult for the righteous to be saved,what will become of thegodless and the sinner?
19 Therefore, those who are ill-treatedandsuffer in accordance with the will of God must [continue to] do right and commit their souls [for safe-keeping] to the faithful Creator.