a soldier putting on his armor, “arm yourselves” Only here in NT – a soldier putting on his armor, refers to equipping yourself with the necessary tools for battle

“same purpose” Have the same mind set 1 Peter 2:23 “…and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;…”

“ceased from sin so as…” A desire to no longer sin, Have turned away from sin Suffering brings greater dependence on God – thus freedom from sin

“so as” = Purpose, Reason Seeking the Will of God – Present   “lusts of men” – Past Seeking the Will of God – Present

2 Cor. 12:10 “Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”

A Lack of Concern for Consequences “dissipation” Wastefulness A Lack of Concern for Consequences

“malign you” To speak of someone in such a way as to harm or injure their reputation To slander, To defame

“the living and the dead” “judge” The sentencing phase of a trial, not the phase determining guilt or innocence. “the living and the dead” Believers = Living Unbelievers = Dead

“the living and the dead” “judge” The sentencing phase of a trial, not the phase determining guilt or innocence. “the living and the dead” Believers = Living Unbelievers = Dead

“those who are dead” Believers who have physically died, either naturally, or in this context, perhaps as martyrs, judged (maligned) by others as fools or evil because they do not conform to their way of life but given life by God to live with Him.

1 Peter 3:18 “For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;…”

Col 1:24 “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body (which is the church) in filling up that which is lacking in Christ's afflictions.”

distress, pressure trouble Service, not Salvation   “afflictions” distress, pressure trouble

John 14:12 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go to the Father.”

Phil 1:29-30 “For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.”

Phil 1:29-30 “For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.”

Phil 1:21-22 “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose.”

2 Tim 3:12 “And indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”