1Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind; for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2that you no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 3For we have spent enough of our past time doing the desire of the Gentiles, and having walked in lewdness, lusts, drunken binges, orgies, carousings, and abominable idolatries. 4They think it is strange that you don’t run with them into the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you. 5They will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6For to this end the Good News was preached even to the dead, that they might be judged indeed as men in the flesh, but live as to God in the spirit.
7But the end of all things is near. Therefore be of sound mind, self-controlled, and sober in prayer. 8And above all things be earnest in your love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins. 9Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms. 11If anyone speaks, let it be as it were the very words of God. If anyone serves, let it be as of the strength which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
12Beloved, don’t be astonished at the fiery trial which has come upon you to test you, as though a strange thing happened to you. 13But because you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice, 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 Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified. 15But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil doer, or a meddler in other men’s matters. 16But if one of you suffers for being a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this matter. 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 don’t obey the Good News of God? 18“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will happen to the ungodly and the sinner?” 19Therefore let them also who suffer according to the will of God in doing good entrust their souls to him, as to a faithful Creator.
The book of First Peter is an extended counseling session proffered to suffering Christians (1:6, 7) by the Apostle Peter, who personally endured suffering for Christ's sake (Matt 26:75; Luke 22:62; cf. John 21:18). The entire book is summarized by Peter in 1 Peter 5:10, 11. 1 Peter 5:10,11 articulates God's purpose for suffering is fourfold: mend, stabilize, strengthen, and settle, in sum, conform us to the image of Christ (2:21). Christ suffered (2:21-24); therefore, we, as His followers, must suffer as well (2:21). Peter logically posits, however, that if we are going to suffer, we should suffer for doing good (2:20; 4:14-16), rather than evil (3:17; cf. 4:14). Suffering as a Christian glorifies God (4:16). Peter opens his lens to view the full scope of Christian suffering to include slander (3:9), defamation (3:16), false accusation (4:14), relation to government (2:13), domestic differences (3:1-7), social ostracism (4:4), and Satanic opposition (5:9).
Like a thread running throughout the tapestry of the Book, sanctification (that is the setting apart of the believer from sin unto God) during, in, and even by suffering is urged by Peter. He begins the Book with the description of the believers as “elect … through sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience …” (1:2). The sense of the term “sanctification” is likely dual, both a positional setting apart unto God through justification through a one-time act of God, as well as a practical ongoing growth process effected over time by the Holy Spirit (1:2). Peter's manifold exhortation for sanctification in suffering includes encouragement to rejoice (1.6-8), reiteration of the categorical imperative of the Pentateuch, "be ye holy for I am holy" (1:15, 16), counsel to consume the Word (2:2) and abstain from fleshly lusts (2:11), as well as a plea for unity, soberness, and prayer (3:8; 4:8; 5:9). Although Peter never discounts the severity of their suffering (cf. 1:6), Peter implies that present suffering should be compared and contrasted with future glory (1:7; 4:13; 5:4; 5:6). Eternal glory (5:9, 10) gives virtual insignificance to temporary suffering (5:9). Accordingly, Peter offers sage counsel in the interim before a believer's glorification (1.7; 5:1, 10, 11) - in the mean time, in the here and now, "let them who suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator" (4:19).