von Genfer Bibelgesellschaft1Da nun Christus für uns im Fleisch gelitten hat, so wappnet auch ihr euch mit derselben Gesinnung[1]; denn wer im Fleisch gelitten hat, der hat mit der Sünde abgeschlossen,[2] (Ps 119,67; Röm 6,2; Röm 8,3; Hebr 12,10)2um die noch verbleibende Zeit im Fleisch nicht mehr den Lüsten[3] der Menschen zu leben, sondern dem Willen Gottes. (Joh 4,34; Röm 12,2; 2Kor 5,15; Gal 5,24; 1Petr 2,11; 1Petr 4,7)3Denn es ist für uns genug, dass wir die vergangene Zeit des Lebens nach dem Willen der Heiden zugebracht haben, indem wir uns gehen ließen in Ausschweifungen, Begierden, Trunksucht, Belustigungen, Trinkgelagen und frevelhaftem Götzendienst. (1Kor 6,9; Eph 4,17; Tit 3,3)4Das befremdet sie, dass ihr nicht mitlauft in denselben heillosen Schlamm, und darum lästern sie; (2Tim 3,12)5sie werden aber dem Rechenschaft geben müssen, der bereit ist, die Lebendigen und die Toten zu richten. (Apg 10,42; Apg 17,30; 2Kor 5,10)6Denn dazu ist auch Toten das Evangelium verkündigt worden, dass sie gerichtet würden im Fleisch den Menschen gemäß, aber Gott gemäß lebten im Geist. (Joh 5,27; Röm 8,10; 1Petr 3,18; 1Petr 3,19)7Es ist aber nahe gekommen das Ende aller Dinge. So seid nun besonnen und nüchtern zum Gebet. (1Thess 5,6; 1Thess 5,8; Hebr 10,37; Jak 5,8; 1Petr 1,13; 1Petr 5,8; 2Petr 3,8)8Vor allem aber habt innige Liebe untereinander; denn die Liebe wird eine Menge von Sünden zudecken. (1Kor 13,7; Kol 3,14)9Seid gegeneinander gastfreundlich ohne Murren! (2Kor 9,7; Hebr 13,2)
Gegenseitiges Dienen in der Gemeinde
10Dient einander, jeder mit der Gnadengabe, die er empfangen hat, als gute Haushalter der mannigfaltigen Gnade Gottes: (Mt 24,45; Lk 19,13; Röm 12,1; Röm 14,7; 1Kor 4,1; 1Kor 12,4; 1Kor 12,7; Eph 4,7)11Wenn jemand redet, so [rede er es] als Aussprüche Gottes; wenn jemand dient, so [tue er es] aus der Kraft, die Gott darreicht, damit in allem Gott verherrlicht wird durch Jesus Christus. Ihm sei die Herrlichkeit und die Macht von Ewigkeit zu Ewigkeit! Amen. (1Kor 10,31; 2Kor 4,2; Kol 3,17; Jud 1,25)
Ermutigung zu standhaftem Leiden um des Christus willen
12Geliebte, lasst euch durch die unter euch entstandene Feuerprobe nicht befremden, als widerführe euch etwas Fremdartiges; (Jes 48,10; Mt 5,10; Apg 5,41; Apg 14,22; 1Kor 3,13; 1Thess 3,3; 2Thess 1,4; 1Petr 1,6; 1Petr 5,9)13sondern in dem Maß, wie ihr Anteil habt an den Leiden des Christus, freut euch, damit ihr euch auch bei der Offenbarung seiner Herrlichkeit jubelnd freuen könnt. (Phil 3,10; Kol 1,24; Jak 1,2)14Glückselig seid ihr, wenn ihr geschmäht werdet um des Namens des Christus willen! Denn der Geist der Herrlichkeit, [der Geist] Gottes ruht auf euch; bei ihnen ist er verlästert, bei euch aber verherrlicht. (Jes 11,2; Mt 5,11; 1Petr 3,14)15Keiner von euch soll daher als Mörder oder Dieb oder Übeltäter leiden, oder weil er sich in fremde Dinge mischt; (1Petr 2,20)16wenn er aber als Christ leidet, so soll er sich nicht schämen, sondern er soll Gott verherrlichen in dieser Sache! (Apg 5,41; 2Tim 1,8; Jak 2,7)17Denn die Zeit ist da, dass das Gericht beginnt beim Haus Gottes; wenn aber zuerst bei uns, wie wird das Ende derer sein, die sich weigern, dem Evangelium Gottes zu glauben? (Jes 10,11; Jer 25,29; Lk 21,12; Lk 23,31)18Und wenn der Gerechte [nur] mit Not gerettet wird, wo wird sich der Gottlose und Sünder wiederfinden? (Spr 11,31; Jes 13,9; Am 9,10; Mt 7,14)19Daher sollen auch die, welche nach dem Willen Gottes leiden, ihre Seelen ihm als dem treuen Schöpfer anvertrauen und dabei das Gute tun. (Ps 31,6; Ps 31,16; Ps 37,3; Jes 40,27; 1Kor 10,13)
1Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh,[1] arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, (Röm 6,2; Röm 6,7; Gal 5,24; Eph 6,13; Kol 3,3; Kol 3,5; 1Petr 3,18; 2Petr 2,14)2so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. (Röm 6,11; Röm 6,14; Röm 14,7; 2Kor 5,15; Tit 2,12; 1Petr 1,14; 1Joh 2,16)3For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. (Hes 44,6; Hes 45,9; Apg 17,30; 1Kor 12,2; Eph 4,17; 1Thess 4,5)4With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; (Eph 5,18; 1Petr 2,12; 1Petr 3,16)5but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. (Apg 10,42; Jak 5,9)6For this is why the 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. (1Petr 3,19)7The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. (Mt 26,41; Lk 21,36; Jak 5,8; 1Petr 1,13)8Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. (1Kor 13,5; Jak 5,20)9Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. (1Tim 3,2; Tit 1,8; Hebr 13,2)10As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: (Mt 25,15; Lk 12,42; Röm 12,6; 1Kor 4,1; 1Kor 4,7; Tit 1,7)11whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (Apg 7,38; Röm 3,2; Röm 11,36; Röm 12,3; 1Kor 10,31; Hebr 5,12; 1Petr 5,11; Jud 1,25; Offb 1,6; Offb 5,13)
Suffering as a Christian
12Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. (1Petr 1,7)13But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. (Apg 5,41; Röm 8,17; Phil 3,10; 1Petr 1,5; 1Petr 5,1; Jud 1,24)14If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory[2] and of God rests upon you. (Ps 89,51; Mt 5,11; Joh 15,21; Hebr 11,26)15But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. (1Thess 4,11; 2Thess 3,11; 1Tim 5,13; 1Petr 2,19; 1Petr 3,14; 1Petr 3,17)16Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. (Apg 26,28; 1Petr 4,14; 1Petr 4,15)17For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? (Jer 25,29; Hes 9,6; Am 3,2; Lk 23,31; Röm 2,9; 2Thess 1,8)18And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”[3] (Spr 11,31)19Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. (Ps 10,14; Ps 31,5; Lk 23,46; 2Tim 1,12)
1Christ suffered in his body. So prepare yourselves to think in the same way Christ did. Do this because whoever suffers in their body is finished with sin.2As a result, they don’t live the rest of their earthly life for evil human desires. Instead, they live to do what God wants.3You have spent enough time in the past doing what ungodly people choose to do. You lived a wild life. You longed for evil things. You got drunk. You went to wild parties. You worshipped statues of gods, which the Lord hates.4Ungodly people are surprised that you no longer join them in what they do. They want you to join them in their wild and wasteful living. So they say bad things about you.5But they will have to explain their actions to God. He is ready to judge those who are alive and those who are dead.6That’s why the good news was preached even to people who are now dead. It was preached to them for two reasons. It was preached so that their bodies might be judged. This judgment is made by human standards. But the good news was also preached so that their spirits might live. This life comes by means of God’s power.7The end of all things is near. So be watchful and control yourselves. Then you may pray.8Most of all, love one another deeply. Love erases many sins by forgiving them.9Welcome others into your homes without complaining.10God’s gifts of grace come in many forms. Each of you has received a gift in order to serve others. You should use it faithfully.11If anyone speaks, they should do it as one speaking God’s words. If anyone serves, they should do it with the strength God provides. Then in all things God will be praised through Jesus Christ. Glory and power belong to him for ever and ever. Amen.
Suffering for being a Christian
12Dear friends, don’t be surprised by the terrible things happening to you. The trouble you are having has come to test you. So don’t feel as if something strange were happening to you.13Instead, be joyful that you are taking part in Christ’s sufferings. Then you will have even more joy when Christ returns in glory.14Suppose people say bad things about you because you believe in Christ. Then you are blessed, because God’s Spirit rests on you. He is the Spirit of glory.15If you suffer, it shouldn’t be because you are a murderer. It shouldn’t be because you are a thief or someone who does evil things. It shouldn’t be because you interfere with other people’s business.16But suppose you suffer for being a Christian. Then don’t be ashamed. Instead, praise God because you are known by the name of Christ.17It is time for judgment to begin with the household of God. And since it begins with us, what will happen to people who don’t obey God’s good news?18Scripture says, ‘Suppose it is hard for godly people to be saved. Then what will happen to ungodly people and sinners?’ (Spr 11,31)19Here is what people who suffer because of God’s plan should do. They should commit themselves to their faithful Creator. And they should continue to do good.