Monday, June 21, 2010

1 Peter 3

(1-2) IN THE SAME WAY, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over by observing your pure and reverent lives.

  • This is a discussion of a mixed marriage, where you have a Christian partner and a non-Christian partner. That's the whole context here. How does a Christian live in an Unchristian society? How does a Christian live in a non-Christian place of employment? How does a Christian live with a non-Christian partner? That's the whole context of this passage.
  • Peter was writing when the concept of home and family, just as in this country and time, was nearing extinction in the Gentile world. The prognosticators predict that marriage will cease to exist in the next few generations. Prostitution was an essential part of religion and society in the Gentile world. Respectable Greek women led secluded lives, had no part in public life and were not allowed to appear at public events and were regarded not as people, but as things with no legal rights.
  • The rabbis had a prayer (the Berakhot) that they would pray every morning. Part of it went something like this: "Blessed are You, Eternal One our God, Sovereign of the Universe, who did not make me a woman." It is still in some of the Jewish prayer books. The rabbis were simply thanking God that they were men for good reason - because Gentiles, slaves and women were not allowed to participate fully in the community of faith. In the Temple, there was a court for Gentiles and a court for women - just as today there is a separating fence at the Wailing Wall. Both were restricted access into God's presence. Then along comes Jesus, who values women. Paul writes in Galatians 3:28, There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. Paul uses the same three groupings in Galatians . . . no Jew or Gentile, no slave or free, no male or female . . . He knew the Berakhot prayer, but he knew Jesus' heart even better. He knew that Jesus changed everything. As a result, in the early church, Christian women played a major role in the spread of Christianity.
  • Scripture does not define submission as mindless obedience to a husband's every wish or demand. Nor is it avoiding an argument at all cost. Instead, submission is a deep commitment to a person. It is choosing to work with one's mate in a way that promotes oneness. A married couple becomes one flesh and must work as a team (Genesis 1:26). Of course, what happens when one spouse absolutely refuses to work toward oneness?
  • In the Greek culture, for a woman to change her religion without her husband doing it, was unthinkable. While single and living in her father's house, a woman was under her father's power. He could literally kill her if he wanted. And when she became married, she was under her husband's power and he could kill her if he wanted. What does the father of the bride say even today after the preacher says, "Who gives this woman to this man?" He says, "Her mother and I". Because, in the old days, the daughter was simply a piece of property who was sold or handed over to another man who would own or dominate her.
  • Charles Spurgeon wrote in his 1 Peter 3 Commentary - "Could any men be won to Christ without the Word? Yes, it was even so in the apostle’s day. When they refused to attend the little Christian meetings that were being held, and so could not hear what was there said, yet, at home, they saw the change that the gospel of Christ had wrought in their wives, and they said, “She is quite different from what she used to be. Certainly, she is a far better wife than any heathen woman is; there must be something in the religion which can make such a change as that.” In this way, without the Word, many of them were won to Christ by the godly conversation of their wives."
  • When a man became a Christian, he usually would bring his whole family into the church with him (Acts 16:29-34). But, when a woman became a Christian, she had to be patient and loving exhibiting the love of Christ to draw her husband to Christ. "Preaching" to her husband and nagging him would have the opposite effect. The main point here is that the main objective is to win the husband to Christ.
  • Most of the Gentile Christians of the day were slaves and women. The weaker members of the empire eventually turned it upside down (Acts 17:6 in the KJV).
  • God's design for marriage is that the man be the head of the house:
    • Genesis 3:16: Then he said to the woman, “I will sharpen the pain of your pregnancy, and in pain you will give birth. And you will desire to control your husband, but he will rule over you.”
    • Ephesians 5:22-26: For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything...

      (THIS IS WHERE MEN LIKE TO STOP THE QUOTATION, but it continues!) ...

      For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word.
  • This promise must apply to those wives who become Christians AFTER they have married. What is God's ideal marriage? First, that they both be saved (2 Corinthians 6:14).
    • 2 Corinthians 6:14: Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?

(3) Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of *fancy hairstyles, expensive **jewelry, or ***beautiful clothes.

  • *fancy hairstyles: Plaiting or braiding of hair was commonly used in those times by prostitutes.
  • **jewelry: Wearing of gold, or ornaments made of gold, was practiced by Rebecca, Esther and other religious women, but in those times was the attire of prostitutes in that part of the world.
  • ***beautiful clothes: Immodest (overly revealing, sensual clothes). What's heavily advertised in this season to young women? - Are you ready for swimsuit season? Today's society exemplifies models and actresses to young women to wear clothes that feature plunging necklines, near nudity, etc.
  • The focus should be on BEAUTY OF CHARACTER. A man who looks only at the outer woman in choosing a wife will be sorry later on - especially if they stay married long enough that the outer beauty is long gone. What's the deal with trophy wives? As a friend of mine once said, "I once had a Corvette convertible, but I couldn't afford the blond that came with it." Nothing against blonds, of course!
  • The real spirit of the passage is that real beauty is not the result of cosmetics but of character, not golden jewelry but godly genuineness, not the outward woman who is perishing but the inward woman who is being renewed day by day.
  • How did Judah know that Tamar was a prostitute?
  • Proverbs 11:22: A beautiful woman who lacks discretion is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout.

(4) You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.

  • 1 Timothy 2:9-10: And I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes. For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do.
  • The point is not that a woman should neglect her outward appearance, but rather that her emphasis should be on the inner person. He is not forbidding all braiding of hair or wearing of jewelry, or else he’s also forbidding wearing dresses! Peter’s point is that the emphasis should be on attractive character qualities, which are imperishable, not on elaborate outward attractiveness, which necessarily fades with age. Inner beauty is attractive even to a godless husband, and it enhances a woman’s outward appearance.
  • From the Contemporary English Version: “Don’t depend on things like fancy hairdos or gold jewelry or expensive clothes to make you look beautiful. Be beautiful in your heart by being gentle and quiet. This kind of beauty will last, and God considers it very special.”

(5) This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They trusted God and accepted the authority of their husbands.

  • Proverbs 31:10-12: Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. ... She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. ... “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!” Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.

(6) For instance, Sarah obeyed her husband, Abraham, and called him her master. You are her daughters when you do what is right without fear of what your husbands might do.

(7) IN THE SAME WAY, you husbands must GIVE HONOR to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your EQUAL PARTNER in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.

  • One of a husband's primary responsibilities in a marriage is caring for his wife. Caring requires understanding.
  • How does a husband win an unsaved wife? I've personally seen two marriages that collapsed after the husband came to Christ and the wife did not.
  • Submission is to be mutual in an ideal Christian marriage as God had intended as stated in Ephesians 5 that I quoted above.
  • Colossians 3:18-19: Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting for those who belong to the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly.
  • 1 Peter 3:7: In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.
  • When the wife is a joyous, loving woman it is probably due largely to the way her husband treats her.
  • A man lives for what he truly values. God should have no rivals for first place in our hearts. The wife should have no rivals for second place.
  • Proverbs 18:22: The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the Lord.

(8) Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be *tenderhearted, and keep a **humble attitude.

  • *tenderhearted: Ephesians 4:32: Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
  • **humble attitude: Colossians 3:12: Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

(9) Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it.

(10-12) For the Scriptures say,

“If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.”

  • Quoted from Psalm 34:12-16.

(13) Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good?

(14) But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats.

(15) Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.

  • How to always be ready to explain our faith and hope? Study and know the Word! - 2 Timothy 2:15: Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.
  • And what might prompt someone to ask? - Your walk!
  • This verse says to give Christ as Lord His right place in your hearts.

(16) But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.

(17) Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!

  • A key verse for 1 Peter.

(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.

(19-20) So he went and preached to the spirits in prison— those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood.

  • There is so much controversy and confusion about what verses 19-21 mean.
  • Possible interpretations of this verse:
    • The traditional interpretation is that Christ, between his death and resurrection, announced salvation to God's faithful followers who had been waiting for their salvation during the whole Old Testament era.
    • Some commentators think this passage says that Christ's Spirit was in Noah as Noah preached to those imprisoned by sin.
    • Still others hold that Christ went to Hades to proclaim his victory and final condemnation to the fallen angels imprisoned there since Noah's day (2 Peter 2:4-5 & Jude 6). These were the angels of Genesis 6:2 & 4. Angels are called "spirits" in Hebrews 1:14.
  • Luke 17:26-27: “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days, the people enjoyed banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat and the flood came and destroyed them all.
  • Ephesians 4:8-10: That is why the Scriptures say, “When he ascended to the heights, he led a crowd of captives and gave gifts to his people.” Notice that it says “he ascended.” This clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly world. And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself.

  • 2 Peter 2:4-5: For God did not spare even the angels who sinned. He threw them into hell (Tartarus), in gloomy pits of darkness, where they are being held until the day of judgment. And God did not spare the ancient world—except for Noah and the seven others in his family. Noah warned the world of God’s righteous judgment. So God protected Noah when he destroyed the world of ungodly people with a vast flood.
  • Jude 6-7: And I remind you of the angels who did not stay within the limits of authority God gave them but left the place where they belonged. God has kept them securely chained in prisons of darkness, waiting for the great day of judgment. And don’t forget Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighboring towns, which were filled with immorality and every kind of sexual perversion. Those cities were destroyed by fire and serve as a warning of the eternal fire of God’s judgment.
    • I personally believe that Jesus proclaimed his ultimate victory over those demonic spirits. To say that he “preached” to them does not mean that he offered salvation to them. Salvation is for humans, not for angels or demons. The verb “preached” means to make a public announcement. It’s what a herald would do when he went from city to city announcing the king’s decrees. I believe that Jesus, either between his death and resurrection or after his resurrection, proclaimed his victory to those demon spirits that rebelled so greatly against the Lord in Noah’s day.
  • Noah preached for 120 years (3 X 40) while building the ark (Genesis 6:33). Eight were saved by the water that carried their ship. That salvation is like the spiritual salvation rejected by those who refused the invitation to enter the ark.

(21) And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

  • Verse 21 has been used to say that water baptism is essential for salvation. We know that this cannot be true from 1 Corinthians 1:17; Galatians 3:26; Romans 3:28 and many other passages. We have been placed inside the ark, have passed through the waters of God's judgment, and are now resting on top of Mount Ararat. And all this is possible because of Christ (the ark in Peter's analogy). When we are born again, we are baptized into the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13; John 3:5). It is this baptism which saves us and brings us to heaven.
  • The water represents God’s judgment. The water in Noah’s day destroyed the entire world except for Noah’s family. It was the water of judgment that wiped out the old world. The ark represents God’s salvation - they were saved “through water,” but if they had been “in” the water and not “in” the ark, the water that saved them would have destroyed them. The water symbolizes baptism - but which one? How much water actually touched Noah and his family. None at all. The water that “saved” them never touched them. The water only “saved” them because they were already in the ark. Water baptism cannot save anyone. It is Christ who saves us. We must come to Christ by faith to be saved.

(22) Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority.

  • Just as the ark passed through the waters of God's judgment and rests triumphantly atop Mount Ararat, Christ passed through the flood of attacks and assaults upon Him and is now seated triumphantly at the right hand of God.

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

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Saturday, June 12, 2010

1 Peter 2

(1) So get rid of ALL evil behavior. Be
done with ALL deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech.

  • Notice the word "ALL"! These are all sins as related to how we treat others. The way we treat others directly affects our relationship with God. Harboring these sins keeps us from growing spiritually.
  • 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.
  • Ephesians 4:22-24, 31: throw off your
    old sinful nature     and your former way of life, which is corrupted
    by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and
    attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like
    God—truly righteous and holy. Get rid of all bitterness, rage,
    anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.
  • Colossians 3:1-10: Since you have been
    raised to new life     with Christ, set your sights on the realities
    of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right
    hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For
    you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ     in
    God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed
    to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. So put
    to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you    . Have
    nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires.
    Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping
    the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is
    coming. You used to do these things when your life was still part of
    this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious
    behavior, slander, and dirty language    . Don’t
    lie     to each other, for you have stripped off your old
    sinful nature     and all its wicked deeds. Put on your
    new nature    , and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator
    and become like him.
  • James 1:21: So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.

(2) Like newborn babies, you must *crave pure spiritual **milk
so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation.
Cry out for this nourishment,

  • *crave: The Greek word (epipotheo) for "crave" ("earnestly
    yearn" in the KJV) is also used in the Septuagint in Psalm 42:1 where
    the psalmist says that his soul longs after God "as the deer longs
    for streams of water    ." How desperate is a baby for milk? This is how we are to want to know and study the Word and to walk with Him. Ask God to give you a greater appetite for His Word.
  • **milk:
    • 1 Corinthians 3:2: I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready,
    • Hebrews 5:12-13: You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right.

(3) now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.

  • Psalm 34:8: Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!

(4) You are coming to Christ, who is the living *cornerstone
of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but
he was chosen by God for great honor.

  • *cornerstone:
    • The cornerstone is placed at one corner of the foundation of a building, and functions as the starting point for the entire structure. It had to be strong and level - if it was off-level, the whole building will be crooked and weak.
    • 1 Corinthians 3:11: For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.

(5) And you are living *stones that God is building
into his spiritual **temple. What’s more, you are
his ***holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ,
you offer spiritual ****sacrifices that please God.

  • *stones: Some, especially the Roman Church, believe that Peter was the rock or
    cornerstone. He, himself, says it was Christ (in verse 6) while we are
    the living stones that are built on Him.
    • Matthew 16:18: Now I say to you that you are *Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this **rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.
      • *Peter: petros - means a (broken off) piece of rock, stone.
      • **rock: petra - means rock, a mass of rock, boulder, and stone as material.
      • Kenneth Wuest's interpretative translation: "You are Petros, a Rock-like man, and upon this petra, this huge Gibraltar-like rock, my deity, I will build my Church."
      • 1 Corinthians 10:1-4: I don’t want you to forget, dear brothers and sisters, about our ancestors in the wilderness long ago. All of them were guided by a cloud that moved ahead of them, and all of them walked through the sea on dry ground. In the cloud and in the sea, all of them were baptized as followers of Moses. All of them ate the same spiritual food, and all of them drank the same spiritual water. For they drank from the spiritual rock that traveled with them, and that rock was Christ.
  • **temple:
    • Ephesians 2:21-22: We
      are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the
      Lord. Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling
      where God lives       by his Spirit.
    • 1 Corinthians 3:16-17: Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
    • 2 Corinthians 6:16: And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God...
  • ***holy priests:
    • Greek holy priesthood. BUT, as Gentile members of the Body of Christ, are we priests, or does this more refer to saved Jews during the Acts period? We all are called by God to boldly approach the altar and the throne.
    • Hebrews 4:16; 10:19, 20, 22: So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. ... And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. ... By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. ... let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.
    • God's purpose for Israel was that she be a nation of priests who would stand between God and the rest of humanity representing people before God. However, God withdrew this blessing from the whole nation because of the Israelites' apostasy with the golden calf and gave it to the faithful tribe of Levi instead.
  • ****sacrifices:
    • Romans 12:1: And so, dear brothers and sisters,
      I plead with you to give your bodies to God because
      of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy
      sacrifice      —the kind he will find acceptable. This
      is truly the way to worship him.
    • Hebrews 13:15-16: Therefore, let us offer
      through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise       to God, proclaiming
      our allegiance to his name. And don’t forget to do good and
      to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that
      please God      .

(6) As the Scriptures say, “I am placing a *cornerstone in Jerusalem, chosen for great honor, and anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”

  • *cornerstone:
    • Isaiah 28:16: Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken.
    • Romans 9:32-33: Why not? Because they were trying to get right with God by keeping the law instead of by trusting in him. They stumbled over the great rock in their path. God warned them of this in the Scriptures when he said “I am placing a stone in Jerusalem that makes people stumble, a rock that makes them fall. But anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”
    • Ephesians 2:20: Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.
      • Jesus is the chief cornerstone, not Peter!

(7) Yes, you who trust him recognize the honor God has given him. But for those who reject him, “The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.”

  • Psalm 118:22: The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.
  • Isaiah 8:13-14: Make the Lord of Heaven’s Armies holy in your life. He is the one you should fear. He is the one who should make you tremble. He will keep you safe. But to Israel and Judah he will be a stone that makes people stumble, a rock that makes them fall. And for the people of Jerusalem he will be a trap and a snare.
  • Matthew 21:42: Then Jesus asked them, “Didn’t you ever read this in the Scriptures? ‘The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful to see.’
  • Mark 8:31, 12:10: Then Jesus began to tell them that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but three days later he would rise from the dead....Didn’t you ever read this in the Scriptures? ‘The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.
  • Luke 9:22, 20:17: “The Son of Man must suffer many terrible things,” he said. “He will be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead.” ... Jesus looked at them and said, “Then what does this Scripture mean? ‘The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’
  • Acts 4:11: For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, ‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’

(8) And,“He is the stone that makes people stumble,the rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they do not obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them.

  • Isaiah 8:14: He will keep you safe. But to Israel and Judah he will be a stone that makes people stumble, a rock that makes them fall. And for the people of Jerusalem he will be a trap and a snare.

(9) But you are not like that, for you are a *chosen people.
You are **royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession.
As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you
out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

  • *chosen people: Israel was the "chosen people", the holy nation. They were to serve as priests to the Gentiles to bring them to know God and turn them for idols.
    • Deuteronomy 14:2: You have been set apart as holy to the Lord your God, and he has chosen you from all the nations of the earth to be his own special treasure.
  • **royal priests: Greek a royal priesthood.
    • Exodus 19:5-6: Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me. And you will be my kingdom of priests, my holy nation.’ This is the message you must give to the people of Israel.”

(10) “Once you had no identity as a people; now you
are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have
received God’s mercy.”

  • Hosea 1:6, 9; 2:23: Soon Gomer became pregnant
    again and gave birth to a daughter. And the Lord said to Hosea, “Name
    your daughter Lo-ruhamah—‘Not loved’—for I will
    no longer show love to the people of Israel or forgive them. And the
    Lord said, “Name him Lo-ammi—‘Not my people’—for
    Israel is not my people,     and I am not their God. At that time
    I will plant a crop of Israelites and raise them for myself. I will
    show love to those I called ‘Not loved.’ And to
    those I called ‘Not my people,’ I will say, ‘Now you
    are my people.’ And they will reply, ‘You are our God!’”
  • Romans 9:25: Concerning the Gentiles,
    God says in the prophecy of Hosea, “Those who were not my people,
    I will now call my people. And I will love those whom I did not love
    before.”
  • Galatians 6:15-16: It doesn’t matter whether
    we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether
    we have been transformed into a new creation. May God’s peace
    and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the
    new people of God.

(11) Dear friends, I warn you as “*temporary residents and
foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against
your very souls.

  • *temporary residents and foreigners: Hebrews 11:13: All
    these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did
    not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and
    welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads
    here on earth.

(12) Be careful to *live properly among your **unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God ***when he judges the world.

  • *live properly: Philippians 2:15: so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.
  • **unbelieving neighbors: Greek "ethnos" - Gentiles.
  • ***when he judges the world: Or on the day of visitation.

(13) For the Lord’s sake, respect all human authority—whether
the king as head of state,

  • Matthew 17:24-27: On their arrival in Capernaum, the collectors of the Temple tax came to Peter and asked him, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the Temple tax?” “Yes, he does,” Peter replied. Then he went into the house. But before he had a chance to speak, Jesus asked him, “What do you think, Peter? Do kings tax their own people or the people they have conquered?” “They tax the people they have conquered,” Peter replied. “Well, then,” Jesus said, “the citizens are free! However, we don’t want to offend them, so go down to the lake and throw in a line. Open the mouth of the first fish you catch, and you will find a large silver coin. Take it and pay the tax for both of us.”
  • Acts 5:29: But Peter and the apostles replied,
    “We must obey God rather than any human authority.
  • "The situation presupposed by 2:11, 12; 2:13-17 and indeed 3:8-4:19 appears to be the general slander of non-Christians against Christians. The fact that Peter says that the non-Christians slander the Christians' good behavior, and that they are surprised that the Christians do not run with them any longer into their abominable lifestyles (4:4), demonstrates that what we have for background to 2:13-17 is not Christians rebelling against the authorities per se, but non-Christians inciting the authorities to action against the Christians on charges of being a threat to society. In 4:15 Peter refers to a list of crimes for which the Christians were probably accused, including murder, theft, doing evil (kakopoiov") and meddling in other's affairs." - The Apostle Peter on Civil Obedience: http://bible.org/article/apostle-peter-civil-obedience-exegesis-1-peter-213-17
  • "Because Daniel was faithful by diligently carrying out his duties in serving King Darius, God blessed his work. As Daniel was promoted by the king, his peers began to resent him, seeking to find some area of failure or wrong-doing in his life. They concluded they would only be able to accuse him in connection with his faith (Daniel 6:24-27). When the king was tricked into passing a law which was certain to make Daniel a law-breaker, the king reluctantly cast Daniel into the den of lions hoping that his God might save him. And his God did save him! The king joyfully received Daniel back alive and hastened to “silence” Daniel’s false accusers" - Submission to Civil Authorities: http://bible.org/seriespage/submission-civil-authorities-1-peter-213-17.
  • Ryrie observes that "Christians are to be law-abiding citizens. If the law of one's government violates the revealed will of God, then, of course, the believer must obey God, though he may have to suffer the penalties of that government's laws." (The Ryrie Study Bible: New American Standard Translation: 1995. Moody Publishers).
  • There is a time when obedience is not required. If a human government orders a believer to act contrary to the revealed will of God, then the believer must disobey the government. In that case he has a higher responsibility; he should obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29). If punishment is meted out for his disobedience, he should endure it courageously. Under no circumstances should he rebel or seek to overthrow the government.

(14) or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right.

  • Romans 13:1-7: Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience. Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.
  • Titus 3:1: Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good.

(15) It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you.

  • Barnes writes that "One of the best ways of meeting the accusations of our enemies is to lead a life of strict integrity. It is not easy for the wicked to reply to this argument." (Barnes' Notes on the NT). Unbelievers may not read the Bible, but they can "read us" by observing how we live and how we react to adversity and unjust criticism.

(16) For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves,
so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil.

  • Romans 6:18: Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.
  • Galatians 5:13: For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.
  • 1 Corinthians 7:22: And remember, if you were a slave when the Lord called you, you are now free in the Lord. And if you were free when the Lord called you, you are now a slave of Christ.

(17) Respect everyone, and love your Christian brothers and sisters. Fear God, and respect the king.

  • Proverbs 24:21: My child, fear the Lord and the king. Don’t associate with rebels,

(18) You who are *slaves must accept the authority
of your masters with all respect. Do what they tell you—not only
if they are kind and reasonable, but even if they are cruel.

  • *slaves:
    • There were by some estimates as many as 60 million slaves in the Roman Empire, every one of whom was considered by law to be, not a person, but a thing, with no rights whatsoever.
    • The Greek word here is oiketes from oikos (house) which means one who lives in the same house as another and then household slaves or domestic servants not as strongly servile as doulos. Many of these household or domestic slaves were well educated and held responsible positions in the households. Many of them were doctors, teachers, musicians, actors and stewards over great estates. The oiketes or household slave is one of the household of the “family” and yet to promote order he too is called by Peter to submit to those in authority.
    • "It is difficult for twentieth-century Christians to understand the slavery of the ancient world. During the time of the NT writings, slavery was not as bad as that practiced in America before the Civil War. Ancient slaves had fairly normal marital lives. Often people sold themselves into slavery (for a period of time) as a way to get ahead in the world. Nevertheless the lot of a slave could be very hard if the master was unkind." (Gaebelein, F, Editor: Expositor's Bible Commentary 6-Volume New Testament. Zondervan Publishing).
    • EXAMPLE OF PHILEMON!!!
    • Ephesians 6:5-6: Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart.
    • Titus 2:9-10: Slaves must always obey their masters and do their best to please them. They must not talk back or steal, but must show themselves to be entirely trustworthy and good. Then they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way.

(19) For God is pleased with you when you do what you know is right
and patiently *endure unfair treatment.

  • *endure: The word for "endure" (hupomeno)
    comes from two words which mean "to repair under." It is the
    picture of a plant which was crushed down and trampled upon, yet kept
    rising back up again.
  • James 1:12: God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

(20) Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten
for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure
it patiently, God is pleased with you.

  • The best way to respond to wrong is to do what's right.
  • "The story is told of an elderly missionary couple who were returning home on a ship after many years of sacrificial service in Africa. On the same ship was Theodore Roosevelt, who had just completed a highly successful big game hunt. As the ship docked in New York harbor, thousands of well-wishers and dozens of reporters lined the pier to welcome Roosevelt home. But not a single person was there to welcome the missionaries. As the couple rode to a hotel in a taxi, the man complained to his wife, 'It just doesn't seem right. We give forty years of our lives to Jesus Christ to win souls in Africa, and nobody knows or cares when we return. Yet the president goes over there for a few weeks to kill some animals and the whole world takes notice." But as they prayed together that night before retiring, the Lord seemed to say to them, "Do you know why you haven't received your reward yet, My children? It is because you are not home yet.'" - www.preceptaustin.org/1_peter_218-25.htm

(21) 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.

  • Acts 14:22: ...They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.

(22) He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone.

  • Peter had lived in closely company with Jesus for three years and knew that He was perfect, even under the worst of conditions. Peter knew first-hand that Jesus was the unblemished and spotless Lamb of God.
  • Isaiah 53:9: He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave.
  • Matthew 27:4: “I have sinned,” he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.” “What do we care?” they retorted. “That’s your problem.”
  • Luke 23:47: When the Roman officer overseeing the execution saw what had happened, he worshiped God and said, “Surely this man was innocent.
  • John 18:38: “What is truth?” Pilate asked. Then he went out again to the people and told them, “He is not guilty of any crime.
  • 2 Corinthians 5:21: For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.
  • 1 John 3:5: And you know that Jesus came to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him.

(23) 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.

  • Isaiah 53:7: He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth.
  • Matthew 27:12-14: But when the leading priests and the elders made their accusations against him, Jesus remained silent. “Don’t you hear all these charges they are bringing against you?” Pilate demanded. But Jesus made no response to any of the charges, much to the governor’s surprise.

(24) He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.

  • Matthew 8:17: This fulfilled the word of the Lord through the prophet Isaiah, who said, “He took our sicknesses and removed our diseases.”
  • Isaiah 53:4-5: Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.

(25) Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have
turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.

  • Isaiah 53:6: All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.

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

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Saturday, June 5, 2010

1 Peter 1

As always, I prefer to read the entire epistle first to discover the answers to the five W's (who, what, when, where and why):

  • Who:
    • 1 Peter 1:1: This letter is from Peter
    • 1 Peter 1:1: ...foreigners in the provinces of ****Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia...
    • 1 Peter 5:12: I have written and sent this short letter to you with the help of Silas, whom I commend to you as a faithful brother...
      • Silas is Silvanus (with Paul in Acts 15:40).
    • 1 Peter 5:13: ... sends you greetings, and so does my son Mark.
      • Acts 15:38: But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work.
      • 2 Timothy 4:11: Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you when you come, for he will be helpful to me in my ministry.
    • Polycarp, who was personally acquainted with the Apostle John, cites the Epistle of Peter. All the other documents of the first and second centuries show that the Epistle was unanimously known and accepted as Peter's.
    What:
    • Peter stresses Christ's atoning death and glorious resurrection.
    • Theme: Suffering then glory! The Christian hope in the time of trial and trouble.
    • Practical exhortations to holy living, obedience to civil government, strong marriages, Christian humility and defense of the faith.
    • Key verses:
      • 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.
      • 3:17: It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
    • Key words:
      • Faith - 7 times in Peter's two epistles.
      • Glory - (with cognate words) - sixteen times.
      • Hope - four times. Peter has been called the apostle of hope; Paul, the apostle of faith; John, the apostle of love.
      • Revelation - (with cognate words) - five times.
      • Salvation - three times.
      • Suffer: (with cognate words) - 16 times.
  • When: Probably before the great Neronian persecution. Probably 63 AD, after the martyrdom of James in Jerusalem (which, according to Josephus, occurred in 62 AD). Some believe this was written during the Noronian persecution.
  • Where: 1 Peter 5:13: Your sister church here in Babylon sends you greetings...
    • There was at this time a large colony of Jews in Babylon who had fled Rome due to severe persecution under Claudius. In spite of the fact that Papias mentions the death of Peter as occurring in Rome, there is no substantial historical basis for this supposition and Paul never mentions Peter being in Rome.
  • Why:
    • 1 Peter 5:12: ... My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that what you are experiencing is truly part of God’s grace for you. Stand firm in this grace.
    • The purpose for this letter shows us that we are to live a life that counts for eternity rather than for now.

(1) This letter is from *Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ. I am writing to **God’s chosen people who are living as ***foreigners in the provinces of ****Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.

  • *Peter: Galatians 2:8 (Paul speaking): For the same God who worked through Peter as the apostle to the Jews also worked through me as the apostle to the Gentiles
  • **God’s chosen people: These would be mostly Christian Jews of the dispersion; some were possibly pilgrims who had believed in Christ at the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2:4).
    • Romans 8:29: For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
    • Ephesians 1:4-6: Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.
  • ***foreigners:
    • Acts 8:1-4: Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. (Some devout men came and buried Stephen with great mourning.) But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison. But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.
    • Philippians 3:20: But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.
  • ****Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia were Roman provinces in what is now Turkey. The list of countries in 1 Peter 1:1 is from east to west, which

    suggests that the writer was in the East at the time of writing. Babylon is directly mentioned as the origin in 1 Peter 5:13.

(2) God the Father knew you and *chose you long ago, and his Spirit has **made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been ***cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace.

  • Here's the trinity - the Father, the Spirit and Jesus Christ. Those who deny the doctrine of the Trinity have difficulty with this and a number of other texts, for they clearly speak of three members of the Godhead, all of whom are involved in the work of salvation. Each member of the Trinity plays a distinct role in the salvation of the saint.
  • *chose you long ago:
    • Romans 8:29-30: For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And he gave them right standing with himself, and he promised them his glory.
    • Ephesians 1:4-6: Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.
  • **made you holy: "sanctification" in the KJV.
    • Hebrews 10:10: For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.
  • ***cleansed by the blood:
    • Refers to sprinkling the blood upon people or objects that were to be set apart for the service of God especially in the Torah and in Hebrews. In the Old Testament, the priest imparted holiness. In the New Testament, Jesus acts as our High Priest, who, by his own sacrifice and blood, atones for our sin and offers pardon and forgiveness for our sins.
    • Hebrews 9:22: In fact, according to the law of Moses, nearly everything was purified with blood. For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.

(3) All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great *mercy that we have been **born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation,

  • *mercy: Someone once said, "Grace is getting what we don't deserve. Mercy is not getting what we do deserve."
  • **born again:
    • The new birth is a theme in 1 Peter. It occurs here, in 1:23 and in 2:2.
    • John 3:3: Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

(4) and we have a priceless *inheritance—an inheritance that is **kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.

  • *inheritance: Romans 8:17: 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.
  • **kept (reserved in the KJV): The Greek word (tereo) translated "kept" is literally "having been kept (or reserved)." God had it planned for us from ages past per verse 2.
    • Matthew 6:19-20: “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.
    • Revelation 22:12: “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds.

(5) And through your faith, God is *protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on **the last day for all to see.

  • *protecting you: God does the protecting of the believer. The word "protecting" here, "shielded" in the NIV and "kept" in the KJV is the Greek verb phroureo, a military term: "to maintain a watch, guard, to provide security, protect, keep." This protecting or guarding will continue until Christ returns -- and personally completes our salvation (Hebrews 9:28; Romans 8:23; 1 Corinthians 15:54).
    • Romans 8:23: And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us.
    • Romans 8:35-39: Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
    • 1 Corinthians 15:54: Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory.
    • 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.
  • **the last day:
    • 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.
    • Revelation 20:11-15: And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.

(6) So be truly glad. There is *wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many **trials for ***a little while.

  • *wonderful joy: "wonderful" (NLT), "inexpressible" (NIV) or "unspeakable" (KJV) is the Greek adjective aneklaletos describing a joy beyond the power of words to express.
  • **trials:
    • 2 Peter 2:9: So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while keeping the wicked under punishment until the day of final judgment.
    • 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.
  • ***a little while: "little while" denotes the whole of their earthly life before they inherit future salvation.

(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.

  • *precious occurs seven times.
  • Job 23:10: But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.
  • 1 Corinthians 3:11-15: For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.
  • The story is told of a man who was visiting a gold factory and became very interested in watching the goldsmith purify the gold by heating it in a large vat. Finally he asked the goldsmith how he knew when the gold had been heated enough so that all the impurities were gone. The goldsmith responded, "When I can see my face clearly reflected in the gold.
  • Our faith isn’t tested because God doesn’t know how much or what kind of faith we have. It is tested because we often are ignorant of how much or what kind of faith we have. God’s purpose in testing is to display the enduring quality of our faith and to perfect it.

(8) You love him even though you have *never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.

  • *never seen him: John 20:29: Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

(9) The reward for trusting him will be the *salvation of your **souls.

  • *salvation of your souls (soterian psuchon) is for the saved not the unsaved. This is the losing of self that we might gain the reward at His appearing.
    • Matthew 16:24-27: Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds.
    • Hebrews 10:39: But we are not like those who turn away from God to their own destruction. We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved.
    • James 1:21: So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.
  • **souls: Greek - psuche.

(10) This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you.

  • 2 Peter 1:21: or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.
  • These are not verses on how to get into heaven. If this were so, it would be in direct contradiction to all the rest of Scripture which clearly asserts that salvation (from the penalty of sin) is a free gift (Ephesians 2:8-9) which comes by faith alone (Romans 5:1) apart from our own good works (Titus 3:5). These verses are talking about discipleship, (Luke 14:26-35). It is one thing to come to Christ by faith in His finished work for the forgiveness of our sins. It is quite another thing to come after Christ by following Him down the rugged and perilous road of discipleship. To follow Christ is a costly decision and therefore should be considered very carefully before beginning (Luke 14:28-31). Christ is talking about being saved from a profitless life, or in other words, a life that is of no eternal value.

(11) They wondered what time or situation the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about when he told them in advance about Christ’s suffering and his great glory afterward.

(12) They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the *angels are eagerly watching these things happen.

  • *angels: 1 Corinthians 4:9: Instead, I sometimes think God has put us apostles on display, like prisoners of war at the end of a victor’s parade, condemned to die. We have become a spectacle to the entire world—to people and angels alike.

(13) So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.

(14) So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then.

(15) But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.

(16) For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”

  • Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:2; 20:7.

(17) And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time as “foreigners in the land.”

(18) For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver.

  • Acts 20:28: “So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as elders.
  • 1 Corinthians 6:20: for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
  • Ephesians 1:7: He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.
  • Colossians 1:13-14: For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.

(19) It was the precious *blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless **Lamb of God.

  • *blood of Christ: Hebrews 9:12: With his own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever.
  • **Lamb of God: John 1:29: The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

(20) God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but he has now revealed him to you in these last days.

  • John 1:1-2: In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God.
  • John 17:24: Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!
  • Ephesians 1:4: Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.
  • 2 Timothy 1:9: For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.

(21) Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory.

(22) You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.

(23) For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.

(24) As the *Scriptures say, “People are like grass;
their beauty is like a flower in the field.
The grass withers and the flower fades.

  • *Scriptures: Isaiah 40:6-8.

(25) But the word of the Lord remains forever.” And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.

  • In 303 a.d., the Roman Emperor Diocletian demanded that every copy of the Scriptures in the Roman Empire be burned. He failed, and 25 years later, the Roman Emperor Constantine commissioned a scholar named Eusebius to prepare 50 copies of the Bible at government expense.

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

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