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Stewards of God’s Grace

1 Since therefore *ch. 3:18Christ suffered in the flesh,*4:1 Some manuscripts add for us; some for you*[Eph. 6:13] arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for *Rom. 6:2,7;Gal. 5:24;Col. 3:3,5whoever has suffered in the flesh *[2 Pet. 2:14]has ceased from sin, 2 *Rom. 6:14;14:7;2 Cor. 5:15so as to live for *ch. 1:14the rest of the time in the flesh *Titus 2:12;1 John 2:16no longer for human passions but *Rom. 6:11for the will of God. 3 For the time that is past *Ezek. 44:6;45:9;Acts 17:30suffices *Eph. 4:17-19;1 Thess. 4:5;[1 Cor. 12:2]for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. 4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of *See Eph. 5:18debauchery, and *ch. 2:12;3:16they malign you; 5 but they will give account to him who is ready *[James 5:9]; See Acts 10:42to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is why *ch. 3:19the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.

7 *See James 5:8The end of all things is at hand; therefore *See ch. 1:13be self-controlled and sober-minded *Matt. 26:41;Luke 21:36for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since *[1 Cor. 13:5,6]; See James 5:20love covers a multitude of sins. 9 *Heb. 13:2;[1 Tim. 3:2;Titus 1:8]Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 *Rom. 12:6,7;1 Cor. 4:7;[Matt. 25:15] As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, *Luke 12:42;1 Cor. 4:1,2;Titus 1:7as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks *Acts 7:38;Rom. 3:2;Heb. 5:12oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves *Rom. 12:3by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything *1 Cor. 10:31God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. *See Rom. 11:36To him belong glory and *ch. 5:11;Jude 25;Rev. 1:6;5:13dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Suffering as a Christian

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at *ch. 1:7the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice *Phil. 3:10,11;See Acts 5:41insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad *[ch. 1:5-7;5:1;Rom. 8:17,18;Jude 24]when his glory is revealed. 14 *Ps. 89:51;Matt. 5:11If you are insulted *John 15:21;[Heb. 11:26]for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory*4:14 Some manuscripts insert and of power and of God rests upon you. 15 But *ch. 2:19,20;3:14,17let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or *1 Thess. 4:11;2 Thess. 3:11;1 Tim. 5:13as a meddler. 16 Yet *[See ver. 15above] if anyone suffers as a *See Acts 26:28Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God *[See ver. 14above]in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment *Jer. 25:29;Ezek. 9:6;Amos 3:2;Rom. 2:9to begin at the household of God; and *[Luke 23:31] if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who *[2 Thess. 1:8]do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And

*Prov. 11:31"If the righteous is scarcely saved,

what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"*4:18 Greek where will the ungodly and sinner appear?

19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will *Ps. 31:5;Luke 23:46;[Ps. 10:14;2 Tim. 1:12]entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.