First, I see this passage as relating to the descent into hell. On that score, see work by Alan Lewis (Between Cross and Resurrection) Light in Darkness (von Balthasar), and David Lauber (on Barth)
Again, it says we should expect to suffer for doing good, as did Christ. We are a long way from our fixation on blessings purely out of being Christian.
We are to be able to defend our beliefs ( apologia, as in apologetics) At the same time we are told to do so with gentleness and reverence. That may well be virtues I often find wanting in apologetics,
Once again we encounter the notion of being put to shame. That notion seems to have fled the awareness of mnay in our time.
Baptismal fonts have 8 sides due to the counting of those saved in the times of Noah.The functional descrtiption of baptism here could be due some more careful thought. AKM Adam has written in workingpreacher that it demonstrates a determination of god to bring us to safety.
In the midst of suffering, hope may well be required. I think of chritiaan Beker's little book, Suffering and Hope.
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