1Therefore, as Christ suffered for us in the flesh, equip yourselves with the same mind; for anyone who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin. 2Thus you should no longer live the rest of your time in the flesh for human lusts but to do God’s will. 3Truly, you2320 have spent enough of your past lifetime fulfilling the will of [non-believing] Gentiles.2321 You used to live in indecency, lusts, excess drinking, orgies, riotous behavior, and abominable idolatries. 4They think it is strange that you no longer run with them into the same abusive lifestyle, and they speak evil of you. 5However, they will give an account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead! 6For this reason, the Good News was preached even to the dead,2322 so that they might in the flesh undergo the judgment that faces all human beings, but [then] live in the spirit as to God.2323
7The end of all things is near! Therefore, be clear-minded, self-controlled, and sober in prayer. 8And above all things, be committed to your mutual love because love will cover a multitude of sins. 9Be hospitable to one another, without grumbling. 10As each has received a gift, use it to serve each other, as good stewards of the grace of God in its various forms. 11If anyone speaks, let it be as the very words of God. If anyone serves, let it be with the strength that God supplies, so that in all things, God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion unto ages of ages. Amen.
A fiery trial
12Beloved, do not be astonished at the fiery trial which has come upon you and that is testing you. It is not as if something strange were happening to you. 13But because you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice, so that at the revelation of his glory you also may rejoice with exceeding joy. 14If you are insulted for the Name of Christ, you are blessed because the divine Spirit of glory and power2324 is resting upon you. <On their part, Christ2325 is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified.>2326 15However, let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evil doer, or a meddler in other people’s matters. 16Still, if one of you suffers for being a Christian, there is no reason to be ashamed but {instead let such a one} glorify God in this matter.2327 17For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God. If it begins first with us, what will happen to those who do not obey the Good News of God?
18If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will happen to the ungodly and the sinner?2328
19Therefore, let those who suffer according to the will of God (in doing good) entrust their souls2329 to him as to a faithful Creator.
Exhortation to presbyters
- Other manuscripts read “we” instead of “you”
- Or “nations”
- It is unclear whether these are physically or spiritually dead individuals.
- Or more literally “live as God does in spirit” where spirit/pnevma seems to be used as a reference to the spiritual realm
- Most other manuscripts omit “and power”
- Greek “he”
- CT omits the second part of verse 14
- CT reads “name” instead of “matter”
- Proverbs 11:31. NT agrees with LXX against MT.
- Or “commit their lives”
Text: The Eastern / Greek Orthodox Bible, New Testament (EOB). Used with permission.
