Following Christ

Therefore, since Christ suffered[a] in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same understanding[b]—because the one who suffers in the flesh is finished(A) with sin[c] in order to live the remaining time in the flesh no longer for human desires, but for God’s will.(B) For there has already been enough time spent in doing what the Gentiles choose to do: carrying on in unrestrained behavior, evil desires,(C) drunkenness, orgies,(D) carousing, and lawless idolatry. They are surprised that you don’t join them in the same flood of wild living—and they slander[d] you. They will give an account to the one who stands ready to judge the living and the dead.(E) For this reason the gospel was also preached to those who are now dead,[e](F) so that, although they might be judged in the flesh according to human standards,(G) they might live(H) in the spirit according to God’s standards.

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Footnotes

  1. 4:1 Other mss read suffered for us
  2. 4:1 Or perspective, or attitude
  3. 4:1 Or the one who suffered in the flesh has finished with sin
  4. 4:4 Or blaspheme
  5. 4:6 Or those who are dead

Good Stewards of God’s Grace

Since, therefore, Christ suffered in the flesh,[a] arm yourselves also with the same intention (for whoever has suffered in the flesh has finished with sin),(A) so as to live for the rest of your time in the flesh no longer by human desires but by the will of God.(B) You have already spent enough time in doing what the gentiles like to do, living in debauchery, passions, drunkenness, revels, carousing, and lawless idolatry.(C) They are surprised that you no longer join them in the same excesses of dissipation, and so they blaspheme.[b](D) But they will have to give an accounting to him who stands ready to judge the living and the dead.(E) For this is the reason the gospel was proclaimed even to the dead, so that, though they had been judged in the flesh as everyone is judged, they might live in the spirit as God does.

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Footnotes

  1. 4.1 Other ancient authorities add for us or for you
  2. 4.4 Or they malign you