The Christian’s Radical Lifestyle – 1 Peter 3:18-4:6
3 (18) Christ also died for sins once for all, the Righteous One for the unrighteous ones, so that he might bring us to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive again by the Spirit. (19) By the Spirit he also went and preached to the spirits who now are bound; (20) namely, those who were disobedient back when the patience of God was waiting in the days of Noah, while the ark was being built. By means of that ark a few, that is, only eight souls, were brought safely through the water. (21) The thing that corresponds to that water, namely, baptism, now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but the pledge to God of a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. (22) He is now at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven. Angels and authorities and powers have been put in submission to him.
4 Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh, also fortify yourselves with the same attitude, because he who suffered in the flesh is done with sin. (2) As a result, he does not live the remainder of his earthly life for evil human desires, but for the will of God. (3) You have spent enough time in the past doing what the Gentiles choose to do: living for debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry. (4) Engaged in such a lifestyle, they think that it is strange for you not to plunge with them into the same flood of dissolute living, so they malign you. (5) They will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. (6) This, indeed, is why the gospel was preached to those who are dead in their sins; namely, so that they might be condemned as men who indulge their sinful nature, and that they might live for God by the Spirit.
Now proceed to the next section of this study, entitled, Exploring the Passage.
