Theme: New life, unfinished faith

Exegetical note
This passage was probably drawn from a baptismal setting in which the symbolization of death and resurrection was central. In any case, the focus here is on the new birth made possible by Jesus' having been raised, but the main point is that in this new life the faith is unfinished, being tempered while awaiting eschatological completion in salvation at "the last time," i.e., the parousia. Meanwhile, the reborn may have some suffering to endure.

Call to Worship
(based on…