Living for God's Glory

1Therefore Christ having suffereda in the flesh, you also arm yourselves with the same mind, because the one having suffered in the flesh is done with sin, 2so as to live the remaining time in the flesh no longer to men’s desires, but to the will of God. 3For the time past is sufficient to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having walked in sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and abominable idolatries.

4With respect to this, they think it strange of you not running with them into the same overflow of debauchery, speaking evil of you, 5who will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6For to this end the gospel was proclaimed even to the dead, so that they might be judged indeed according to men in the flesh, but they might live in the spirit according to God.

7Now the end of all has drawn near. Therefore be clear-minded and be sober for the purpose of prayers, 8above all things, having fervent love among yourselves, because love covers over a multitude of sins, 9hospitable to one another without complaint, 10as each has received a gift, to them serving each other as good stewards of the manifold grace of God: 11if anyone speaks, as oracles of God; if anyone serves, as of strength which God supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the power to the ages of the ages. Amen.

Suffering as Christians

12Beloved, do not be surprised at the fire among you taking place for a trial to you, as if a strange thing were happening to you. 13But as you have shared in the sufferings of Christ, rejoice, so that also in the revelation of His glory you may rejoice, exulting.

14If you are insulted in the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.b 15For let not any of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evildoer, or as a troublesome meddler, 16but if as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this name.c 17For it is the time for the judgment to have begun from the house of God; and if from us first, what will be the outcome of those disobeying the gospel of God? 18And,

“If the righteous one is saved with difficulty,

where will appear the ungodly and sinner?”d

19Therefore also, those suffering according to the will of God, let them commit their souls to the faithful Creator in well-doing.