Verses 1-2

Show love and hospitality to all believers, and even to believers you do not know. There are times when we are interacting with angels and we don't realize it!

Verse 3

Be sympathetic toward those believers you know who are suffering.
If you were in their situation, what would you need? Prayer? Visits? Pray and act to do for them what you would want done for yourself.

Verse 4

It is universally respectable for a man and woman to be committed to each other for life, in marriage. People respect loyalty.
- And God respects sex in marriage. In fact, sex in marriage is holy, without sin, and a powerful force for good.
  - Read Song of Solomon to understand more about how sex is celebrated in God's Word.
  - To honor God's Word, pursue sexual intimacy in your marriage (1 Corinthians 7:3-5).
Contrarily, God will punish those who practice sexual immorality.
- Sexual immorality includes:
  - Homosexuality (Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10);
  - The practice of lust in gazing upon and/or desiring a man or woman who is not your spouse (Job 31:1);
  - The practice of lust for someone (not your spouse) in pornography and masturbation (Matthew 5:27-30);
  - Adultery and fornication in sexual activity outside of marriage.
    - Sleeping with someone not your spouse is sin.
    - A long term dating relationship with a girlfriend/boyfriend is not marriage, and living with someone is not marriage (John 4:18).
      - Both of these are sin.
- It is wrong to be sexual active with someone unless they are truly married to you. Marriage requires one man and one woman being openly and fully committed in the eyes of both God and man.
  - Have a marriage that's legally recognized in your country/state (1 Peter 2:13), and make a covenant in a mutual fear of God (Malachi 2:14-15).

Verses 5-6

To avoid the sin of covetousness—any form of greed, lust, or acquisitiveness—learn to be content with your life (Philippians 4:11-12).
- Live simply. Pursuing basic necessities for yourself will help you be more content (1 Timothy 6:6-8).
Christ will always be with you, and with Him you have eternal salvation. This truth should be so fulfilling to you that you would never covet anything else; for there is no greater wealth or treasure than Christ Himself.
- Now, what can man do to you?
  - If you were content with Christ, knowing that the world can't take Christ away from you, how could anything in the world ever take away your contentment?
  - And if your greatest longing were for Christ, how could anyone make you desire the things of the world?
  - With contentment in Christ, man can't make you do anything, can't make you desire anything, nor take away anything that Christ gives you. Remember this, and let it motivate you to pursue contentment with Christ's presence in your life.

Verse 7

There are two pieces of instruction given to believers, in this chapter, regarding their church-leaders.
The first, in this verse, encourages us to think of them, and considering their godly conduct, follow the example of their faith.
Find and follow leaders whose lives you deeply respect. Don't go after leaders who talk the talk. Look for a Christ-like lifestyle.
- And consider the fruit of how they live and teach. If you see that their lifestyle and doctrine brings only good, godly things, then follow how they live!

Verse 8-9

Jesus Christ never changes. He's a secure foundation, and if you keep your focus on Him, He will keep you secure also.
To stay focused on Him, do not dabble in strange doctrines—teachings that are not well-supported in Scripture or teachings that are not established on Christ and the grace of God in Christ.
- Avoid doctrines that make you get involved in things like dietary laws and restrictions. Such things do not come from Christ, and will accomplish nothing for your faith; they will only hinder you.
- Do not think that keeping religious rules makes you right with God (Galatians 5:1-8).

Verses 10-14

Jesus was crucified outside of the city and treated shamefully. Identifying with Christ means that we must also accept such mistreatment from the world.
Do not concern yourself with being liked or accepted by the world. Welcome persecution! Be focused on the kingdom of heaven, knowing that you are accepted there.

Verses 15-16

Similar to the practices of the Old Testament law, which required animal sacrifices, we also make sacrifices to God.
In our case,
- 1. We commit our bodies to God in obedience to Him (Romans 12:2).
- 2. We commit our thoughts and words to Him by constantly praising and thanking Him (verse 15).
- 3. We commit our resources to Him by generously giving to others, to help them (verse 16).
Do all these things, as it is worship pleasing to God.

Verse 17

Beyond just thinking of our church-leaders and following their example of faith, we are also to submissively obey them.
Leaders are made responsible by God for watching over groups of believers to help them stay strong in the faith. And if that were not heavy enough, they will also answer to God on the day of judgment for their teaching and conduct, receiving a stricter judgment than the average believer (James 3:1).
- If you're a church-leader, remember the great responsibility that you have, and fear God in how He holds you accountable for your actions. Watch over people and instruct them honorably.
This is a massive burden to carry, for those who understand leadership; and it only burdens leaders even more to have to watch over people that are difficult and unyielding.
- Do not make things harder on your leaders. Be meek, and submit to their requests. This will also be of the greatest joy to you both. The more joy they have in leading you, because you are cooperative, the more joy you will have also.
  - This is a great principle for any relationship where there is an order of authority.
    - In any relationship where you have an authority over you (whether that be a parent, husband, employer, etc.) the more submissive that you are, the more joy you both will have.

Verses 18-19

Like the writer encourages through his example, keep a good conscience (Acts 23:1, 24:16, 1 Timothy 1:5).
- This means in everything that you do, be confident that your actions are right, godly, and honorable. Don't violate your convictions in anything that you do.
In addition, pray. Remember that prayer accomplishes tasks and can bring solutions to problems more swiftly.

Verses 20-21

Through the power that is in Jesus' blood, we can do every good work and live pleasing to God.
- Pray to live this kind of life!

Verse 22

Compared to all the things that we read and listen to, the letters of the New Testament, especially, are few words.
Be patient to read, understand, and learn the words of the Bible. Remember that it is meant to encourage you!

Verses 23-25

Greet people believers, including your leaders. Even these small gestures go a long way to show love over time.