How we cite our quotes:
Quote #7
You have already spent enough time in doing what the Gentiles like to do, living in licentiousness, passions, drunkenness, revels, carousing, and lawless idolatry. They are surprised that you no longer join them in the same excesses of dissipation, and so they blaspheme. (1 Peter 4:3-4, NRSV)
For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you. (1 Peter 4:3-4, KJV)
These believers used to be part of one group—a group of Gentile sinners. Now they're leading new lives, and their old friends are wondering where they've gone. Peter thinks that being a Christian isn't just what you do…it's what you don't do.
Quote #8
Now as an elder myself and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you to tend the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have you do it—not for sordid gain but eagerly. Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock[…] In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. (1 Peter 5:1-3, 5, NRSV)
The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock […] Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. (1 Peter 5:1-3, 5, KJV)
So Christians should obey folks in authority, right? But the guys in charge also shouldn't try to take advantage of everyone. Sounds like a good recipe for a happy community to us. In theory, that is.
Quote #9
Certain intruders have stolen in among you, people who long ago were designated for this condemnation as ungodly, who pervert the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. (Jude 1:4, NRSV)
Certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. (Jude 1:4, KJV)
Not even the Christian community is safe from sin. The false teachers—who claim to belong to the group—are actually poisoning the well from inside. Don't be like Gentiles, says Jude, but don't be like these guys either.