1 Forasmuch then as Christ has suffered for us in the flesh, put on as armor also (cp. Rom. 6:13) the same mind (see Heb. 4:12): for he that has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin;
M l 2. New life in the spirit.
m 3. Time past. Insubjection of the flesh.
n 4. Men's judgment.
n 5. God's judgment.
m 6-. Time past. Death as to flesh.
l -6. Life as to the spirit.
2 To the end that he no longer should live the remaining time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. (Think positive in the spirit. We should all strive to put the will of God at the top of our list of priorities in life.)
3 For the time past of our life is sufficient us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles (Gr. ethnos), when we walked in lasciviousness (see Rom. 13:13), lusts, excess of wine, revelings (Rom. 13:13), banquetings, and unlawful idolatries: (See 1 Cor. 10:14.)
4 In which they think it strange that you run not with them (see Act 17:20) to the same excess of riot (see Eph 5:18. After you change, come out of the world), speaking evil of you: (God's Word changes lives. Don't find it strange that your old friends begin to think of you as strange. When this happens, set a good example for your old friends and say, "there but by the grace of God there go I". If you don't follow their evil ways, They are going to talk bad about you. Can you handle that? How thick is your skin?)
5 Who shall render an account to Him that is ready (see Acts 21:13 ) to judge the living and the dead. (Do you want to tell God what He should do concerning His Children? God is the Judge, and He really doesn't distinguish between those that are living in the flesh and those that aren't. He is more concerned with your spiritual well-being. God is fair. That is the reason that after the crucifixion, Jesus went to all that had died in the flesh and preached the gospel. All received the same opportunity for salvation.)
6 For to this [end] was the good news preached to them that are dead also (God is fair, Christ had not yet been crucified on the cross. Christ went to those that had died before His sacrifice to offer them the same salvation available to those that pass away after the crucifixion. Christ preached the gospel and gave them an opportunity to wash their sins in His blood), in order that though they might be judged according to [the will of] men in the flesh,
but live according to God in the spirit. (This is man's day [1 Cor. 4:3], when he is judging and condemning. God's day is to come.)
C D P1 7-. The end of all things.
Q1 -7-11. Exhortation. In well doing to Glorify God in all things.
P2 12. The fiery trial.
Q2 13-16. Exhortation.
P3 17,18. The beginning of judgment.
Q3 19. Exhortation. In well doing to commit themselves to God.
7 But the end of all things has drawn near:
be you therefore sober (see Rom. 12:3. It means to be of right mind. It means to be sensible.), and watch (see 2 Tim. 4;5) to prayer.
8 And before all things having your love towards one another intense: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. (Charity is love. Cp. Prov. 10:12. Jas. 5:20. See 1 Cor. 13;5-7. Love in your heart, teaching and not expecting anything from it. Love for your Father and your brothers and sisters covers a multitude of sins. Do you have any sins you need covered?)
9 Be hospitable (see 1 Tim. 3:2 and cp. Rom. 12:13) to one another without murmuring. (See Acts 6:1.)
10 As each one received the gift, even so minister it among yourselves, as good stewards (see 1 Cor. 4:1) of the manifold (see 1;6) grace of God. (Here we find our Greek word charisma. When you receive a gift from God, He expects you to share it with your deserving brothers and sisters. The abundant blessings of God will follow. Don't help a brother or sister and complain about it, blessings won't follow.)
11 If any man speak, let him speak as (i.e. according to) the oracles (see Acts 7:38) of God (nothing else); if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God gives (see 2 Cor. 9:10. Cp. 2 Pet. 1:5): that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to Whom is the glory and the dominion (King and His dominion = Kingdom) for ever and ever. Amen. (Ministers should teach God's Word according to the gift God has given them. The purpose of preaching is to glorify our Father. A summary of the Divine operations in their finality. If you are going to share the gift God has given you with others, be sure you are sharing Father's Word, not your own word. God's Word saves souls. The words of men don't. It is not God's will that any of His children should perish, but that all should come to repentance [2 Peter 3:9]. Men that speak their own words filled with falsehoods are dangerously getting in the way of God's will.)
12 Beloved, think it not strange as to the fiery trial (not temptation) which is to try you (lit. the fire [of persecution] which is among you, coming to you for trial. Not coming in the future, but a present condition), as though strange thing happened to you: (Its not!)
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, in the revelation also of His glory, you may be glad also with exceeding joy. (The fiery trial is going to happen. It is written. Be prepared to stand up for the true Messiah. Christ suffered a great deal on the cross. Your heart should leap for joy that you have the opportunity to do something in return for Him. You will experience exceeding Joy, if you wait on the true Messiah to be revealed. Others will be ashamed and praying for mountains to fall on them.)
14 If you be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are you; in the glorious Spirit of God and of God that rests upon you: on their part He is evil spoken of, but on your part He is glorified. (If you are reproached for the name of Christ you should be happy. It means that you are stirring up Satan's nest. It means you are doing some good for God and your lost brothers and sisters. What evil can do you any harm, if the Spirit of God is resting on you. When you feel the Spirit of God resting on you, let your heart leap for joy. Rejoice!)
15 For let not any of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer (see 2:11), or as a busybody in other men's matters. (Cp. 1 Thess. 4:11. 2 Thess. 3:11. 1 Tim. 5;13, and see Luke 12:13. John 21:22.)
16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian (see Acts 11:26), let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this respect.
17 For [it is] the season that judgment must begin from the house of God (cp. 2:5. 1 Tim. 3:15. Heb. 3:6; 10:21): and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that are disobedient to the gospel of God?
18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
19 Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as to a faithful Creator.