1 Peter
Summary
Peter encourages the believers to arm themselves with the "same mind" as Christ, willingness to suffer for righteousness. He warns them to depart from their former "will of the Gentiles" characterized by lusts and revelry, noting that the end of all things is at hand. Peter emphasizes the importance of fervent love, hospitality, and using one's spiritual gifts for the glory of God. He addresses the "fiery trial" of persecution, reminding them that suffering as a Christian is a cause for rejoicing rather than shame, and that judgement begins at the house of God.
Since then Christ has suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin;
That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of people, but to the will of God.
For the time past of our life may suffice us to have done the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
In which they think it strange that you run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
Who shall give account to Him who is ready to judge the quick and the dead.
For for this cause was the gospel preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to people in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
But the end of all things is at hand: be you therefore sober, and watch to prayer.
And above all things have fervent love among yourselves: for love shall cover the multitude of sins.
Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
As every person has received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
If any person speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any person ministers, let him do it as of the ability which God gives: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you:
But rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy.
If you be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are you; for the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you: on their part He is evil spoken of, but on your part He is glorified.
But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters.
Yet if any person suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
For the time is come that judgement must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of those who obey not the gospel of God?
And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
Wherefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as to a faithful Creator.