Saturday, July 31, 2010

1 Peter 4

(1) So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must *arm yourselves
with the **same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer,
too. For ***if you have suffered physically for Christ,
you have ****finished with sin.

  • Peter now continues what he started to say in chapter 3:18. Christ is the model. He lived to do what God wanted. Christians must do the same, even if they suffer for it as Jesus did:
    • 1 Peter 2:21-23: For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.
    • 1 Peter 3:18: Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.
  • *arm yourselves - Christians are in a war with the world, their flesh and Satan. The noun hoplon was used for a soldier who was heavily armed with javelin and large shield and so the picture is that this soldier is heavily armed. Peter is not speaking of literal weapons or armor but uses hoplizo figuratively to convey the idea of arming oneself with a mind or thought in preparation for suffering. Our ultimate weapon is the same attitude (ennoia in the Greek) as Christ - the idea that, even in death, I can triumph.
    • Ephesians 6:11-16: Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.
  • **same attitude: Philippians 2:5: You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
  • ****finished with sin: Through the crucifixion of the old man with Christ the believer has been made dead to sin, he has been completely freed from sin's power.
    Our goal in life is to “cease from sin.”     We will not reach this goal until we die or are called home when the Lord returns; but this should not keep us from striving.
    • Romans 6:6-7: We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.
  • ***Concerning the phrase "if you have suffered physically for Christ,
    you have finished with sin"    :
      • Peter's point is that when believers are willing to suffer, the nerve center of sin is severed in their lives. Although believers will never be totally free from sin in this life, when believers endure suffering for the sake of Christ they show that their purpose in life is not to live for their own pleasures but according to the will of God and for his glory.
      • Peter is encouraging them that although they may be currently suffering or soon will enter a season of suffering, they are overcomers in Christ. The power of sin has been destroyed by Christ's death on the Cross and we can now walk in newness of life.
      • Some experts state that approximately 200 million Christians worldwide face the continual threat of harassment, torture and even death because of their faith. It is believed that more followers of Christ were martyred in the 20th century than in the previous 19 centuries combined.
      • Matthew 24:9,14: “Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.
      • Hebrews 10:32-34: Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.
      • James 1:2-4: Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
      • James 3:2: Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.
      • 1 John 1:8: If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.
      • 2 Timothy 2:3, 5: Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. ... But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.

(2) You won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God.

(3) You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy—their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols.

  • Romans 13:13: Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.
  • Galatians 5:19-21: When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

(4) Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you.

  • Unsaved people do not understand the radical change that their friends experience when they trust Christ and become children of God. They do not think it strange when people wreck their bodies, destroy their homes, and ruin their lives by running from one sin to another! But, let a drunkard become sober, or an immoral person pure, and the family thinks he has lost his mind!".
    • I remember a man that I led to Christ many years ago. He was my boss and an alcoholic. He was forced to dry out at Fairbanks hospital in Indianapolis. While he was there, I mailed him a card essentially telling him that the answer was in Christ. When he got out and came to work, he immediately came to my lab, just and locked the door behind him and said he wanted to know how to be saved. This was terrific and he never drank again. However, his wife soon divorced him because she preferred the drunk over this "religious" guy that she could no longer understand.
    • I also remember an attorney who was used by God to bring me closer to Him. But, when I came to one of his Bible studies in his home, it was readily apparent that his wife hated all us Christians and she made it well know to us.
  • Non-Christians cannot understand how it could be that God could change our natures and cause us not to desire to live in sin.
  • Non-Christians still think that followers of Jesus Christ are going in the wrong direction. Actually, faithful believers are headed for the victor's crown and a heavenly home:
    • 2 Timothy 4:7-8: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.

(5) But remember that they will have to face God, who will judge everyone, both the living and the dead.

  • Acts 10:42: And he ordered us to preach everywhere and to testify that Jesus is the one appointed by God to be the judge of all—the living and the dead.
  • Romans 2:16: And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life.
  • Romans 14:10: So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.
  • 2 Corinthians 5:10: For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.
  • 2 Timothy 4:1: I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom:
  • Hebrews 9:27: And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment,

(6) That is why the *Good News was preached to those who are now dead—so although they were destined to die like all people, they now live forever with God in the Spirit.

  • *Good News or Gospel not in the original.
  • Even though believers will experience physical death (i.e., they are judged in the flesh the way people are), believers who have died live in the spirit the way God does (that is, they live in heaven now and they will live as well at the resurrection when Christ returns).
  • This is a most difficult verse; the best translations I have seen of it are the following:- "For this indeed was the effect of the preaching of the Gospel to the dead, (the unconverted Gentiles,) that some will be punished as carnal men; but others, (those converted to Christianity,) lead a spiritual life unto God." - Wakefield.
  • But, if Peter had the same fact in view which he mentions in 3:19-20, then the preflood people are intended: The Gospel was preached by Noah to them also who are now dead - the antediluvian world. Yet, they rejected Noah's message. So, they died in their sins.
  • "It is strange that expositors should detach a verse like this from the context and then, without considering its connection, build upon one verse a new and vital doctrine. So it is claimed that the dead mentioned are those who died before the gospel was preached, or who never had a chance to hear the Gospel, but who hear it now in the abode of death, to obtain eternal life. But this is only one of a number of other interpretations." - The Annotated Bible - The First Epistle of Peter: www.biblecentre.org/commentaries/acg_64_1_peter.htm

(7) The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers.

  • All the major events but one in God's great salvation plan (the death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ and the outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost) had occurred. All that remained was for Israel as a nation to believe.
  • In just a few years after Peter wrote this epistle, after every chance was afforded to Israel and Israel rejected Jesus as Messiah, Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans. The end of the temple, the end of the Levitical priesthood, the end of the whole Jewish economy was at hand.
  • Luke 21:36: Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.”
  • Acts 1:6-7: So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?” He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know.
  • Romans 13:11: This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
  • Hebrews 9:28: so also Christ died once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.
  • 1 John 2:18: Dear children, the last hour is here. You have heard that the Antichrist is coming, and already many such antichrists have appeared. From this we know that the last hour has come.
  • James 5:8: You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.

(8) Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other,
for love covers a multitude of sins.

  • Proverbs 10:12: Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses.
  • Proverbs 17:9: Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.
  • 1 Corinthians 13:13: Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

(9) Cheerfully share your home with those who need
a meal or a place to stay.

  • Hospitality was much needed in an era when inns could be dangerous and unpleasant.
  • 1 Timothy 3:2: So an elder must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach.
  • Titus 1:8: Rather, he must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must love what is good. He must live wisely and be just. He must live a devout and disciplined life.

(10) God has given each of you a gift from his great
variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.

  • Romans 12:6-8: In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
  • 1 Corinthians 12:4, 9, 29-31: There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. ... The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. ... Are we all apostles? Are we all prophets? Are we all teachers? Do we all have the power to do miracles? Do we all have the gift of healing? Do we all have the ability to speak in unknown languages? Do we all have the ability to interpret unknown languages? Of course not! So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts. But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all.
  • 1 Timothy 4:14: Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you.
  • 2 Timothy 1:6: This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you.
  • Every Christian has been given some gifts - find yours and use them.
  • Karis or charis, the Greek word used for spiritual gift, is the same word that is also translated as ‘grace.’ All of God’s spiritual gifts are given through the exercise of His grace.

(11) Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself
were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do
it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything
you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power
to him forever and ever! Amen.

(12) Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials
you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.

(13) Instead, be very glad—for these trials
make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that
you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed
to all the world.

  • Suffering is the norm for Christians, not a surprising exception. To suffer as a Christian is a call to rejoice as a disciple of Christ, and such joy is the prelude to the joy that is to come at the return of Christ (when his glory is revealed).
  • Matthew 5:11: “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.
  • Romans 8:16-18: For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.
  • 2 Corinthians 4:17: For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!
  • 2 Timothy 1:12: That is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return.
  • 2 Timothy 3:1,12: You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. ... Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
  • 2 Timothy 4:5: But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.
  • 1 Peter 1:7: These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

(14) So be happy when you are insulted for being
a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you.

  • Acts 5:41: The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus.

(15) If you suffer, however, it must not be for
murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s
affairs.

  • Evidently, there were some within the church who had once been criminals and perhaps hadn’t yet truly reformed. Murder and being a busybody are equally evil.

(16) But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian.
Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name!

(17) For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s
household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate
awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News?

  • To paraphrase, "And if it first begins with us Jews, who have repented, and believed on the Son of God, what shall the end be of them - the Jews who continue unrepentant?"
  • Luke 21:20-22: “And when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you will know that the time of its destruction has arrived. Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. Those in Jerusalem must get out, and those out in the country should not return to the city. For those will be days of God’s vengeance, and the prophetic words of the Scriptures will be fulfilled.
    • “Prior to Jerusalem’s siege by Titus [in 70 C.E.], its Christian community moved to Pella.”- Encyclopaedia Judaica.

(18) And also, “If the righteous are *barely saved,
what will happen to godless sinners?”

  • *barely (Greek molis, “with difficulty”) means that the righteous are saved in the midst of suffering; their salvation is not easy and simple. It is ‘with difficulty’ that we Christians have been saved. That difficulty was solved by God sending His only-begotten Son to die and pay the penalty for our sins.
  • Proverbs 11:31: If the righteous are rewarded here on earth, what will happen to wicked sinners?

(19) So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases
God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who
created you, for he will never fail you.

  • This verse encapsulates the message of 1 Peter: Believers suffer in accord with the will of God, for he rules over everything that happens to them. As the sovereign Creator, God is also loving and faithful; therefore, they should entrust their lives entirely to him, just as Jesus did when he suffered (2:23). Such trust manifests itself in doing what is good.

NOTE: Unless otherwise noted, the scripture version used is the New Living Translation.

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