1 & 2 Peter & Jude

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Understand the Context (1 Peter 1:1-12)

After the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles are the numerous letters written by Paul and then seven, non-Pauline letters: James; 1, 2 & 3 John; 1 & 2 Peter; and Jude. Our study for this next thirteen sessions will be the latter three of these. First Peter was written about 46 AD with church tradition attributing its writing to the Apostle and Great Fisherman, Peter. The setting was Rome, and the environment was amid severe persecution of the Christian church. Recall when we were studying the Acts of the Apostle, that Paul was forbidden by the Holy Spirit to go into parts of Asia Minor (Acts 16:6). It was there that Peter had his ministry. The persecution was at a fever pitch. The Roman Emperor, Nero, was burning Christians along city streets, blaming them for a fire in Rome which Roman’s started and carrying the persecution into areas controlled by Rome. 

Peter’s letters were intended to encourage perseverance and faithfulness of Christians. He continuously reminded them of the living hope spoken of by Jesus Christ.  The idea of the Messiah was no novel interpretation of a few verses. The Prophets of the Old Testament made over 500 specific statements concerning His ministry and the timing of His coming. More than 300 of those were fulfilled during the earthly ministry of Christ. The Gospels showed us the character of Jesus. The four Gospels together reinforced the truth of each other. They were seldom so perfectly exact that the teaching seemed contrived or unnatural. Then the Gospels were validated because of the saints of the various churches and how they were willing to go to their deaths proclaiming that good news. Thousands of Christian believers were tortured to death, watched their families tortured, lost everything they owned, yet still refused to deny the Christ who saved them through His death on the cross. Those who thought they could end His ministry by taking His life only made it grow faster. Paul said it best in Romans 5:7-8, “7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, (His enemies) Christ died for us.”

Joyous Praise (1 Peter 1:3-5)

As is the practice of most letters written to various people for a myriad of purposes, the writer generally identifies themselves and identifies to whom the letter is written. Peter identifies himself as, “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ” (vs. 1). The writer of 1 & 2 Peter has not come into challenge over the centuries. Immediately after stating the author, Peter says this letter is written “to those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen” (vs. 2). In the KJV, verse 2 starts by saying the letter is written to the “elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father.” Some try to take this beautiful truth and suggest that God predetermines who will be saved and who will be lost (condemned) before any of us were born and we must maintain that destiny regardless whether we accept the Gospel of Christ or not. Space does not permit a thorough proof of that fallacy here, but three verses should reveal God’s will on this subject and He does not change. Read John 3:16 knowing that the word “world” there is the Greek Cosmos, which mean the universe of all people, 2 Peter 3:9 knowing He is not willing that any should perish and 1 Timothy 2:4 knowing that God our Savior will have all men to be saved.  Romans 10:9-10 tells us we get the gift by believing with our hearts and confessing with our mouths. 

Peter goes into the praise of God and the Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ (vs. 3). He talks of the Father’s great mercy (grace, or unmerited gift) in giving us the gift of the rebirth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. In verse 4 Peter says that this living hope includes “an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled and will not fade away.” Further, this inheritance is “reserved in Heaven for us.” And even beyond that, “we are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” It is an inheritance which is perfect and fully guaranteed not to fade away.  It is laid up for us in Heaven, which is greater than Fort Knox. Not only is it protected by the Creator of the Universe, but we are personally protected by the power of God. There is no power greater than the power of God and that level of power is the level of power by which this verse secures what God holds for us. 

Strong Faith (1 Peter 1:6-9)

Peter reflects back on verses 3-5 to say we can rejoice in a great way because what God has purchased for us through the blood of His Son.  And that purchase  is fully and completely secure. Peter adds a note of reality for the current situation and its obvious problems. Rome is mounting severe persecution against Christianity. Many Christians have to make real choices between living or dying for their faith. Peter quantifies it this way in verse 6: wee can rejoice greatly in what God has given us, but for a while, we have real reason for distress because of those various trials. Now, all of us know of this problem even if at a much different level than the original addressees of this letter. They were facing loss of homes, loss of possessions, loss of family, loss of a lifetime of savings. The absolute power of Rome means that they can take anything from us. We can understand that level of uncertainty. Daily living, even at current levels, is at stake, and security in life is always in question. Still, Peter can say regardless of what they can do to us in body and possessions, they cannot not reach us in terms of our security in Jesus Christ. Look at John 14:1-6 again. Jesus commits that He has gone to prepare a place for us. He guarantees that if He has gone to prepare a place for us, He will come again and take us to where He is to turn over that place He has built for us to us. That is settled doctrine; it cannot change, nor can it be lost.

In verse 7, Peter tries to quantify the great value and source of personal peace and power that can be found in Christ regardless of the trials and tribulation handed us through daily struggles. So, even while we are tested by fire, we can receive some relief knowing that no matter what level of power the enemy has, our God has greater. Therefore, no matter the hurt the enemy might inflict upon us in this life, we can have peace knowing the enemy cannot reach those things guaranteed by our God. Further, we know the enemy cannot have those things guaranteed to us.

Verses 8 and 9 acknowledge that while we cannot physically see God, we love Him, believe what He tells us and find great joy and rejoicing in that the day is coming when our faith will result in salvation from this world and victory over it. Our faith will certainly end in our saved souls.

Promised One (1 Peter 1:10-12)  

Now, Peter wants to identify the great advantages of this salvation he is talking about. He starts out by pointing to the specific salvation they were discussing from the saying, “As to this salvation. Peter identifies the prophets who had prophesied of grace, or unmerited gift, that would come to them. The ones who described that grace began to search and inquire as to what person or time the Spirit of Christ was revealing for the suffering of Christ he mentioned and what would be the glories they mentioned as being ahead of them. 

So, verses 10 and 11 are asking when the prophecies for the coming sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow would occur. They questioned who that coming Spirit of Christ might be and what are the glories that would follow and when would they occur.

Verse 12 posts the answers to that inquiry. It says the prophecies referring to the “sufferings of the Spirit of Christ and the glories to follow” were not prophecies for their time. The prophecy of the suffering of Christ was for an earlier time and were fulfilled in the sufferings of Jesus of Nazareth some thirty years prior to the writing of this letter. The “glories to follow” started with the fact of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. That resurrection proved that God had accepted the sacrifice Jesus offered for the penalty of the sin of all mankind, and that the debt had been paid in full (Greek tetelestia in John 19:30). That news was so great that even the angels in glory were seeking to be a part of it. 

Many glories would take place because of Jesus’ final payment for sin. Jesus would also leave gifts for mankind when He went to the Father 40 days after He was resurrected. The next glory prophesied has been preached through the Gospel of Jesus Christ and it is the glory of the rapture of the saints when Jesus comes back to earth on a cloud and calls forward all those who are dead in Christ first, followed by all that know Christ and are still alive. He will take us to the Kingdom of Heaven while the Seven-Year Tribulation begins on earth. That will be followed by a Millennial Kingdom where Christian from all ages will reign with Christ. Then the final Kingdom of God.

Understand the Context (1 Peter 1:13-25)

Now Peter switches from his message of encouragement in verses 1-12 to a few mandates in 13-25. He also adds discussions on obedience and holiness that some might mistake for legalism piled on top of their daily persecution already a part of life under Rome’s occupation in 64 AD.  In truth, the Bible is clear and consistent that those who love Him will keep His commandments and those living under Christ will live holy lives because our God is holy (John 14:15 & 1 Peter 1:16). In truth, there is great comfort in focusing on a closeness to the Master in challenging times. Many of the prisoners of the Viet Nam war were released when I was with the Air Force in the Philippines. They credited a closer walk with Jesus as the primary source of joy and strength to endure in those hard times. Certainly, Jesus and His apostles knew persecution, but think of the powerful letters and the Gospels they wrote during those times. Somehow, when the suffering and persecution are laid alongside those fantastic achievements, they pale in comparison. 

The Old Testament prophesies here pointed toward the suffering servant of Isaiah 53 and Jesus’ suffering on the cross in 32 AD. It was not pointing toward fresh sufferings beyond 64 AD (1 Peter 1:20). When Jesus comes to Earth the next time, He will be coming upon the back of a mighty white steed leading all the saints of glory to permanently condemn the false prophet and the antichrist to the pit, and put Satan in chains for a thousand years (Rev 19:20 & 20:2). 

This salvation of humankind will be a wonder to even the angels in Heaven. It can be trusted even while suffering if meditating on God’s past work, if living holy lives because God is holy and if readers can live in the awesome respect of a holy God. The new birth brings a perspective far beyond our current situation to eternal life, life in Christ which never changes and where God’s word never changes or becomes old. The old hymn says, “What a day that will be, when my Jesus I shall see, and I look upon His face, the One who saved me by His grace; when He takes me by the hand, and leads me through the Promised Land, what a day, glorious day that will be!” 

Holy (1 Peter 1:13-17)

So now, the way to accomplish those things starts with the advice of verse 13. Peter wisely states that we must think clearly and exercise self-control. He says we must look toward the gracious salvation that will come with the global revelation of Jesus Christ (vs. 13). Between verses 13 and 14, Peter encourages us to focus our thoughts, exercise self-control, look forward to Christ’s return and live as God’s obedient children. The second thought of verse 14 is negative, i.e., what we shall not do rather than what we shall do. He says we must not slip back into our old ways of doing things to gratify our flesh rather than our spirit. Then Peter gives a clue for how we can accomplish these things. He says, “You didn’t know any better then.” 

Peter is saying there is something different about you now. Something  that was not present in you then. Living to gratify your flesh, or simply “living in the flesh” instead of living in the spirit is what is going on. That is the whole key. In your previous life you were in your natural life. But now, you have been born again (read John 3). Before, you were of the self, living in yourself, by yourself and for yourself. When a person is born again, the Holy Spirit that entered your body at the instant of your rebirth, now communicates the spiritual and physical behaviors just because He is jointly residing inside your heart and mind. The Apostle Paul says it this way, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and thatthe Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Cor 3:16). We do the things Peter outlined in verses 13 and 14 naturally because the reborn self yearns to live in the spirit and not in the flesh. It is a simple condition of the rebirth. Without the new inborn nature to “focus our thoughts, exercise self-control, look forward to Christ’s return and live as God’s obedient children,” we have no tangible evidence that we have been born again. It is natural!

When Peter says, “but now you must be holy in everything you do,” he is speaking to the reborn you and not the rejected person you used to be. Peter says in verses 16 and 17 that we must holy because God who chose us is holy; that God has no favorites, He judges by how we reveal ourselves by what we do. The “reverent fear” he speaks of is respect for God who indwells you.

Redeemed (1 Peter 1:18-21)

Peter provides some backup material to consider in verses 18-21. He starts by saying that He paid the ransom price to buy you back from the natural, empty life you were living (vs. 18). It was the purchase of the natural life inherited naturally from your natural parents that He purchased us. He adds that it was necessary to pay a ransom for you to buy you from your natural parents, and the price He paid was not paid with silver or gold. Rather, the ransom He paid was the precious blood of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ (vs. 19). It was the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. “Lamb of God” is a figure for Jesus. He is referred to as the Lamb of God 13 times in both Testaments. The figure goes back to the Hebrew sacrificial system where a spotless, blemish-free, one-year-old lamb is the desired offering. The Creator of the Universe selected His only Son as the sacrifice on the cross of Calvary (vs. 20). Further, He was “chosen by God long before the foundation of the Earth” (vs. 20). 

But look at the second half of verse 20, “but He has now revealed Him to you in these last days” (vs. 20b). When Jesus was on the cross and reached the end of His life, He shouted from the cross the word interpreted “It is finished” (John 19:30). The Greek word was tetelestai. The root word (the fundamental unit of a word) is telos. That word was used commonly as a receipt for a paid bill or debt. The longer word, tetelestai, is telos with the past, present, future and future perfect verb tenses added. So, what Jesus said was “the past, present, future and unlimited tenses of the debt of all sin have been discharged for all time. In Romans 8:1, Paul says, “There is now, therefore, no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.” We have no remaining charges against us. And Jesus gave up His spirit and died. It is this fact that revealed Jesus to those who have been born again (vs. 20). Through that faith, we were made righteous. We are joint heirs with Jesus (John 1:10-12). Paul says, “If we believe in our hearts the Lord Jesus and confess with our mouths that God raised Him from the dead, we shall be saved” (Rom 10:9). Paul continues, “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Rom 10:10).  We who believed and confesses have been made righteous before God. 

Brotherly Love (1 Peter 1:22-25)   

So, Peter says, “Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God” (vss. 22-23).  The “Since you have …purified your souls” shows a past tense of this action. This means the work has already been done, we can examine the clauses that add meaning to that statement. Early in verse 22, we see that this action was taken “in obedience to the truth.” These people have “obediently purified their souls for sincere love of the brethren.”  These people have prepared themselves in accordance with all the words of obedience from the Lord. They are prepared under God for the work they have chosen to do. They did this showing fervent love for the brethren or fellow believers. Now, verse 23 says “for you have been born again…” The statement is large. The Great Fisherman (Peter) says these people, through all their sincerity, have been born again. And it is not a rebirth that which is perishable but imperishable. That is, it is not a rebirth that is here today and gone tomorrow. This rebirth is forever. May I add that all rebirth under Jesus Christ is permanent. Peter adds power to this truth by emphasizing that this rebirth is through the living and enduring word of God. I know of no way to describe an event which is permanent, never ending, sure act of God. It is real!

As Peter writes, he is overtaken by the tenor of the words chosen to express truth in such a pungent manner as he is spiritually and emotionally captured by the gravity of it all. He enters sincere praise for the Lord and expressed it through Scriptural poetry. He quotes from Isaiah 40:6-8 and says: “6 …All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: 7 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. 8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” It is a parity stating that Flesh is like grass and we know that grass fades away, but the greatest of the grass is the beautiful flower. All its great fades, wilts, it fades away. But the word of our God, as this is, shall endure forever; i.e., it is eternal!

Understand the Context (1 Peter 2:11-25)

Peter continues in his message to the Christian communities of Asia Minor:  “To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood” (1 Pet 1:2). So, these are the born-again of Jesus Christ in this area, and Petter wants to encourage them to act in ways which would encourage new believers in the church or associated movement. At the beginning of Chapter 2, Peter gave the church a few specifics he thought were important to accomplishing that objective. He wanted them to, “put aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation” (vss. 2:1-2). By showing these characteristics, they could prepare themselves to be the kind of examples for the others to draw new believers to themselves in Christ’s name. Peter said they were, “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession” (vs. 9). 

So, Peter wanted these Christians to know their real identities and carry themselves as such. As he did these things, he would be carrying out Jesus’ three-fold command for him to shepherd His flock (John 21:15-17). As Peter assisted the exiled Christians, leading them in study of God’s word, they were becoming those “living stones” he described in last weeks study. Peter had already learned how important his living a holy life was. Now he was trying to convince the other disciples of Christ to do the same. 

He emphasized that he did not want the Christian faith to segregated by classes or positions. Slave and Master, husbands and wives, great and small must be shown equal before God. There was not one version of Christianity for the rich and another for the poor. These ideas would become the centerpieces of the work of Jesus Christ throughout the Christian Kingdom. They would set aside Christianity among the many choices people could make and were making for personal worship. 

Our Good Works (1 Peter 2:11-12)

Peter gets into the specifics of Christian faith right away. In the Greco-Roman, Gentile world, the false worship would lean to sensual experiences involving drugs, alcohol, sex and even human sacrifice. The starting place for Christians as aliens and strangers in the land would be to abstain from any and all fleshly lusts which would wage war against the believers’ souls. 

Most are already familiar with the Greek and Roman gods like Zeus (sky & thunder), Hera (Zeus’ wife associated with marriage & family, Poseidon (sea, earthquakes and storms), Apollo, Athena, Artemis, Jupiter and Juno. Cybele was a powerful goddess of fertility, nature and earth. Attis was a Cybele companion for vegetation, death and rebirth. The list is nearly inexhaustible in offering deities for every form of service to the human soul. Of course, a list of gods in this period could not exclude the most dangerous of them, Roman Emperor worship which was required of all inhabitants of conquered lands. And the shear number of all these gods decrease the impact of all of them. As a result, many people were drawn to Judaism and Christianity because of the simplicity of have one god. 

Peter knew that one of the major impacts of having so many gods was that there was no real allegiance to any of them. It was humanly impossible for a person to keep up with the various requirements of all the gods. 

Peter tells Christ followers to let their faith shine though the challenges of Roman occupation and polytheism. Peter wants Christians to maintain excellent behavior among the Gentiles. The objective was that when the evildoers slander Christians, it would be due to their good deeds rather than evil deeds. As people recognized that Christians were being exulted for their excellent service to fellow men and outstanding women, the things they were being slandered for were all positive attributes which served to glorify their God rather than dishonor Him. It turned the accusations back upon themselves. People began to want some of the peace and tranquility Christians seemed to have even as the faced horrible deaths at Roman hands.

Our Freedom (1 Peter 2:13-17)  

Here is another opportunity for establishing a distinctive for Christianity. Rather than an integration of labor and religion, Christianity holds the institutions separately but applies the Christian attitudes and approaches consistently across all endeavors. That means that Christians submit themselves to the leadership of the organization or agency because that is how Christianity works. Christians give allegiance to their secular and governmental leaders because being an outstanding employee or countryman brings glory to our God. “Submitting ourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right” (vs. 13). The idea here is that performing one’s work in an extraordinary way is the objective of the Christian employee or worker. The kind of work, or the managers above that work, matters not. What matters is that the Christian can get glory for God out of the way they approach the work. 

Verse 14 expands just a little to drive the point home. Peter says it is the unmitigated will of the Lord to silence ignorant and foolish people by doing the assignment correctly regardless of the surrounding circumstances. It matters not whether the work is governmental, commercial, scholastic, competitive or voluntary, the Christian will do the best work because they are Christian and the Christian goal is to have the one for whom the work is done, glorify God because of the level of labor the Christian provided. 

Further, while Christians are in the process of doing the work, they will act as free men and women (vs. 16). That simply means that they will not be watching the clock or wasting the time until the required hours are counted. They will do what it takes to get the work done to the full satisfaction of the person for whom the work was required. The verse means that Christians will not use the cloak of Christianity to excuse our performance or get false credit for the work. Christians will achieve excellence because God demands it; not because some manager asks for it. Peter sums the idea by saying, “Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God and honor the king” (vs.17).

Our Example (1 Peter 2:21-25)

In 1 Peter 2:21-25, Peter provides more evidence for why Christians should provide exceptional service for whatever is requested. Peter restates the purpose saying that “this is the purpose for which we were called, that Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example to following His steps.” So first, Christ suffered for us leaving this example (vs. 21). The example was left by a Person who had not committed any sin of His own, nor was He trying to deceive anyone who might be overseeing His sacrifice (vs. 22). So, Jesus had done nothing wrong for which He should be taken prisoner and executed. Further, that while He was reviled (verbally abused by angry, aggressive, hateful interrogation), He did not respond in kind (Isa 53:9). Even after suffering, He made no threats in return. Instead, Jesus continually submitted Himself to the One who judges rightfully and righteously, “by His wounds you were healed” (Isa 53:5).

Notice at verse 24, the discussion is taken from the history of Christ to the prophecies of those actions, and how they would be delivered. Verse 24 says, “He bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin, and live to righteousness (Isa 53:6, John 1:29). The reference to “by His wounds, we were healed” takes us to Isaiah 53:5, as above). Verse 25 says that all of us like sheep are straying away but will soon return to the Shepherd and Guardian for our souls (Psa 119:176).

The transition from the stated information to the prophetic listings by Isaiah shows that Peter recognized and identified Hebrew Scriptures of the Suffering Servant in Isaiah 53, as well as the Greek of the New Testament making Peter’s letter a clear display of completed prophecy. The direct theological marriage between the description of the suffering Servant here and the several rare words used by Peter to reference that vision show that Peter’s grasp of this very deep, theological truth is well within the fisherman’s capabilities as driven by the filling of the Holy Spirit of God. So, having Jesus as our example of Godly living as a Christian follows centuries of prophecy and personal teaching of the Lord, Himself (John 13:15, Eph 5:1-2).

Understand the Context (1 Peter 3:1-12)

From time to time, it is helpful to remind ourselves that when interpreting the Bible, the chapter and verse markings were not added by the authors (in this case in 46 AD). Rather, "Stephen Langton, an Archbishop of Canterbury, is credited with dividing the Latin Vulgate into chapters around 1205.  These chapter divisions were later adapted for use in Hebrew Bibles by a 14th-century rabbi, Solomon ben Ishmael.  The verse divisions were added by Robert Estienne (also known as Stephanus), a Parisian printer, is credited with standardizing verse divisions in his 1551 edition of the Greek New Testament.  These verse divisions were then incorporated into printed editions of both the New Testament (1551) and the Hebrew Bible (1553).  The Geneva Bible, a 16th-century translation, was one of the first to include both chapter and verse divisions for both the Old and New Testaments.  Most Bibles published since then have continued to use this system. " (https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=b981c6def567073f&rlz=1C1UEAD_enUS1121US1121&sxsrf=AHTn8zqh9KGuUsCh2nA8s89IgHmEOtNgGA:1742816689398&q=date+for+cahpter+and+verse+mrakings+for+Bible&nfpr=1&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiDnriN0qKMAxVUQjABHadFOokQvgUoAXoECA4QAg).

This is important to note here because the context of 1 Peter 3:1-12 is the center portion of Peter’s letter beginning at 1 Peter 2:11 describing “Our Duties in View of Our Positions.” So, Peter did not opt to describe the behaviors of wives and husbands without plan. He had discussed three other groups before and would continue with three groups afterwards. Husbands, wives and believers form the core of the Christian church.

The final topic for Chapter 3, verses 1-12 is eschatology, or the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. In this context, it is how we should perform our duties for Jesus considering our joint membership in the body of believers in Jesus Christ. How shall we treat one another in light of His return?

Wives (1 Peter 3:1-6)

The opening words, “In the same way,” gives proof to the existence of previous instruction on this subject. Verses 2:11-25 tell us how to exercise our duties in Christ as sojourners (11-12), citizens (13-17), and servants (18-25). The summary thought was, “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps” (vs. 2:21). So, in keeping with how Jesus submitted Himself to the desires of His Father, we (as wives) should begin by submitting ourselves to our husbands. Notice in verse 1 as well as the whole subject area back to verse 2:11, the objective of such submission is to glorify God. It is to show order and to glorify God in doing so. Any issues we have should be taken care of in private rather than grandstanding and bringing dishonor to the Lord. In other words, it is more important to do that which will illustrate the harmony of lives under Christ than disharmony by personal self-will.  Peter has no intent to deceive by saying these words; we all know there are opportunities for discord daily. Rather, he is trying to focus our hearts and deeds in the direction of bringing people into Christianity, saving their eternal souls, than causing people to run from it because of petty arguments like who picks up the dirty clothes. 

In verse 3, he carries the behavioral issue into a woman’s selection of what to wear and jewelry. The idea is one of modesty. Ever since the creation, the beauty and attractiveness of the female form has been used for the very best art, advertisements to sell every commodity on the market and the highest fashion available. In Christianity, Peter says, the female preparation for appearing in public ought to be guided by modesty. He adds two measuring considerations for doing this. The first is in verses 3 and 4. Peter suggest that the woman examine herself in what she wears. Men and women alike have full knowledge of whether others are drawn to their physical view or soul of every person they see. A lady ought to look at herself first to decide what she is emphasizing. Second (vss. 5-6), she ought to consult her husband and the history of the word. Peter used Abraham and Sara as the example here, but it could have been any number of great examples of moderate men and women and how the represented themselves.

Husbands (1 Peter 3:7)

I know that every woman reading this material is asking, “Why do women get 6 verses of instruction for how to submit, but men get only 1?” Notice that verse 7 starts with the words, “You husbands in the same way.” And all of us already know that our society is moving farther away from modesty every year whether we are discussing female or male attire. The biggest move I have noticed in the last decade is the turn away from ties on men in church. Loosening the tie was the first move, and then it was the removal of it. At first, it was just the top button but that moved to two or three buttons and even the removal of the under shirt. And men’s fashion in slacks has changed over the last decade as well. Whether it is the tight-fitting jeans or the loose, clinging fabric, it all accomplished an objective of drawing attention to the form of the presenter rather than his character or holiness. So, let’s return to the words said under the heading of How Women Ought to Prepare Themselves, to How Men Ought to Prepare Themselves.

In general, the two levels of personal grooming instructions apply to men just as they did to women. A man ought to examine how he dresses and what jewelry he wears just as the ladies do. The first level is the personal look in the mirror. What are the things you are drawn to look at as soon as you look in the mirror? As a Pastor, I know that anything I wear that draws attention will be exactly what ever member of the congregation looks at for my entire presentation. When I wore ties, the length had to be perfect, the knot better be a double Windsor and the back length better be the same as the front. No “knot dimples” for this guy. The jacket had to fit all the way around and not bulge to make those “fat rolls” show. 

Nowadays there are no ties, so how much of my chest is showing? Am I advertising for Christianity and the Word of God or am I advertising myself as a man. The answer ought to be easy – ask your wife. When people gather after the sermon, lesson or other speaking engagement, what is the first thing they bring up. Is it the Bible reference or illustration, or was it the missed button? The answer will determine whether you are speaking for God, or advertising for yourself. 

All Believers (1 Peter 3:8-12)

Now we come to the general sense for all believers. That is, how should all of us present ourselves to the world? Peter begins in verses 8 to 9 with a list of “ways to be.”  He includes being harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.” Much of the list reminds of Paul’s list of the gifts of the spirit: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Gal 5:22-23). The thing that both lists have in common is that they are not things learned or worked to develop. Peter and Paul seem to agree that these are characteristics that come with the filling of the Holy Spirit at the instant of a new believer’s justification in Christ. Now, evil and/or the influence of evil can cause these gifts to be dimmed or less obvious, but they are still a part of the characteristics of the child of God. When it comes to exercising these gifts, it is a matter of “letting them show,” not one of learning or developing them. If you are a Child of the King, these are your personal behaviors as gifts from God.

Peter gave these words of encouragement to believers to make them aware that they must purposely generate blessings for others, so they could copy the process to repeat. He justified his efforts by quoting from a psalm of David. In Psalm 34:10-12, David said, “The one who desires life, to love and see good days, must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit. 11 He must turn away from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, and His ears attend to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (Psa 34:12- 16a). 

Peter (using King David’s words) was reenforcing his plea to have Christians become blessings to others, so in turn, they could be blessed by the Lord. As the cycle was completed, it was hoped that it would become perpetual causing many more blessings in each repetition of the cycle. 

Understand the Context (1 Peter 3:13-22)  

Peter continues with the foundational ideas that “the righteous will receive the Lord’s favor, while evildoers will face punishment” in the second half of this chapter (1 Peter 3:12). We witnessed from the earliest writings of Moses that God had created humankind for fellowship with Him. But sin made that fellowship impossible for God; a holy God cannot fellowship with sinful humankind. God had to separate Himself from that sin, and therefore, had to expel humankind from the Garden of Eden. So now, we look at 1 Peter 3:12 under a fresh paradigm. Of course, we believe that God does not repent of His statements just because of proximity. It makes no difference where God or humankind is located. God’s favor and His punishment will reach the intended perpetrator. 

One of the issues for humankind is the difference between God’s timing and man’s timing. It is said the one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years is as a day to the Lord (2 Pet 3:8). As Humans, we want to see the righteous receiving God’s favor and the evildoers face punishment in the near term. But that is seldom the way of the real world. God’s timing drives much more patience than humankind has available. This is the truth that drives Peter’s eschatological theme as well as that of his view of suffering. He opines that suffering for a righteous end will always result in blessings. Both beliefs have long-term conclusions which may outlast the patience of the observer.

Acknowledging that Christ died for our sin, was buried and raised again and openly speaking the same make one a part of the reborn. Peter uses an analogy of Noah and the decades of rejection he faced while he built the ark. Noah faced the attacks and the humiliation because he was fully secure in God’s promise of the coming floods. When the flooding rains began to fall, the hecklers turned helpless. The doors of the ark were shut.

Peter also mentions baptism which is the outward performance of an inward truth. Just as in its Jewish predecessor (Mikvah), Baptism show the death, burial and resurrection of the candidate.

Be Ready (1 Peter 3:13-17)

Verses 13-14 take the first step of obvious application of Peter’s eschatological theme to daily living.  In verse 12, he said, “The righteous will receive the Lord’s blessing.” Here, he asks, “Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?”  Having already promised that those who suffer for the sake of righteousness will be blessed. Peter says this truth separates us from fear of their intimidation and removes us from being troubled (vs. 14). So, what do we do when suffering and intimidation come our way? Peter says the solution is to “sanctify Christ as Lord in our hearts” (vs. 15a). That is, set Jesus Christ apart in our hearts, our most innermost being, as the unquestionable Lord of our lives. Eliminate any doubt or unfinished business of acknowledging Him for who He is and taking our public stands of announcing the same (Rom 10:9-10). The knowledge of our security in Him becomes the power of our existence. That’s how Peter can firmly state that even in our suffering we are blessed by God. 

Peter provides two directions for living life as a part of the reborn. First, “always be ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence” (1 Pet 3:15b). We must practice to briefly tell anyone who asks that we are absolutely convinced that Jesus Christ paid the penalty for all the sin you ever carried and ever will carry. And further, God’s evidence that He accepted Jesus’ payment was proven by raising Jesus from the tomb to be seen by more than 500 people. This testimony (or your personal statement of it) must be given gently and respectfully to any who ask. 

Second, according to verse 16, we must keep a clear conscience, keep our relationship with Jesus clear and up to date, so that in anything for which we are slandered and/or reviled against in our behavior, the accuser will be put to open shame. Paul says there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:1). Paul goes on to say of us, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Cor 5:17). Any accusations regarding our pasts are discussing dead men. If we suffer, it is for His good.

Be Assured (1 Peter 3:18-20)

Verse 18 is a clear statement from Peter echoing all that was just quoted from Paul regard what Jesus did for us on Calvary. Peter says that Jesus died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust. Paul said, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Cor 5:21). Hebrews 8-10 tells of Jesus’ action relative to the OT sacrificial system. It tells of how the priest had to sacrifice the blood of bulls and goats repeatedly because that sacrifice would never last. “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us” (Heb 9:12). Note the finality of Jesus having to enter only once. That is Pater’s statement in verse 18 as well. The one sacrifice of Jesus was the only one ever needed. It is truly “finished” (John 19:30). Recall the Greek word used there (tetelestai) included all very tenses meaning the debt was discarded for all time, forever. Sin is no longer the separation between God and man.

Now, we know that Jesus died physically on the cross, but he never died spiritually (vss. 18c-19). Only the lost experience the second death (Rev 20:14-15). Peter tells us Jesus went someplace as soon as He bowed His head on Calvary. And we have evidence Jesus knew that. He told the repentant thief that he would be with Him in Paradise that same day (Luke 23:43). Ephesians 4:8-9 tell us that He who ascended first descended into the lowest parts of the earth and led captivity captive. Luke 16:22 tells us that the rich man and Lazarus died and opened their eyes in Hades, the rich man in the torment of Hell and Lazarus in Abraham’s bosom (Paradise). It was in Paradise that Jesus preached the truth of who He was and led those who believed out of Paradise and into their final place in Heaven.  Peter says the waiting of those people was like Noah and his sons putting up with the ridicule all those decades they built the ark (vs. 20). Nevertheless, just like Noah and his wife and his three sons and their wives were finally delivered through the rains and saved, so were those in Paradise who never had the chance to hear the preaching of God’s Messiah during their lifetimes. God saved eight humans through the waters by Noah. How many millions might He saved when Jesus led captivity captive after He died on Calvary?  

Show Others (1 Peter 3:21-22)  

Peter opens the discussion on these two verses reflecting back on what he just said. He begins, “Corresponding to that,” (vs 21a). It is a reference to that which we discussed on the previous slide. The salvation which we experienced through Jesus Christ, as evidenced by the baptism in showing our death and burial as a nonbeliever and resurrection as reborn in Jesus Christ is the evidence of our salvation in Him. Peter is careful in his words that someone might misunderstand his statement that “Baptism now saves you.”  He immediately inserts after that comment, that he is not saying that baptism, in itself, saves a person. It is the events leading up to the baptism that saves. Paul states in Romans 10:9-10, “9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (KJV). Once a person acknowledges Jesus Christ in this way, he would be ready for the Baptism ceremony. The ceremony looks back at the conversion experience to see the place where the candidate allowed the “old man” that he was to die in favor of the “new man” he has become in acknowledging his belief. So, the converted person would be laid back into the water of the baptism illustrating his death and burial as a nonbeliever. The leader would then raise the person out of the water illustrating his resurrection as a born-again believer in Jesus Christ. Peter appropriately adds that it was “through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” that the baptism has any meaning at all. 

Recall also that it is the commandment of Jesus that establishes the requirement for baptism. Matthew 3:13-17 tells us when Jesus was about 30 years old He came out of Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John the Baptist. John initially resisted saying he should be baptized by Jesus. Jesus insisted saying, “Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.” Jesus’ statement is the authority that all of us must “fulfill all righteousness” by following Jesus into the waters of the baptism. The Jewish Mikvah ceremony would have the person who has converted to Judaism and shown he lives under the Law to die as a Gentile to be raised as a Jew.

Understand the Context (1 Peter 4:1-11)

Still again, Peter focuses on the idea of suffering as God’s primary tool to begin and continue the sanctification process for Asian Minor believers. Recall that the severity of the suffering in 64 AD is hard to compare to that of today. Often the suffering of the first century saints included torture, property confiscation and death. Suffering in the twenty-first century might be biased promotional opportunities, employment termination, marital difficulties or uneven police services. Peter suggested a couple considerations to make the suffering more tolerable.  First, he suggested the sufferers recall that their suffering is temporary. That is, the Romans would arrest, flog and release their victims. Peter also told believers that suffering was necessary, or at least beneficial for their spiritual growth or sanctification. Of course, he was not trying to say that persecution was how a person grew; he was saying that persecution could aid in a person’s growth. Peter often used Jesus as an example of One whose trials provided growth and maturity for future trials. 

Peter used the word “salvation” associated with a product of suffering. Recall, the three tenses of salvation in order to understand the intent of that comment. First, believers have been saved from the penalty of sin. In other words, justification is past tense. It is finished and complete. The second tense is that believers are being saved from the power of sin. This is present tense and is specifically called sanctification or being made holy. The third tense of salvation is the future tense that we will be saved from the presence of sin. This is called glorification and will happen when a believer dies and leaves this world. 

When a person becomes a believer, they are justified. When a believer dies, he is glorified in God. The life of a believer between justification and glorification is that of being made holy. This is the per Peter is describing when he says suffering causes growth towards sanctification. Jesus will never allow any trial to enter a believer’s life unless He has previously prepared that believer to tolerate and learn from that particular trial. 

Purpose (1 Peter 4:1-3)

Verse 1 signals the setting and study of an example of the challenges and resulting growth associated with gaining strength in Christian living. And there is no better example of Christian living then the life of Jesus Christ. The Bible makes a very strong statement that “if we call ourselves Christians, we ought to walk like He walked” (1 John 2:6, Amp).  Peter begins by saying that because Christ has suffered in the flesh, we must prepare ourselves to suffer as well. We can hardly expect anything different. Peter is very clear that the purpose for being prepared to suffer is not for the sake of suffering, but rather, for growth toward self-denial of sin. Peter says, “Because He who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin” they should as well (vs. 1). In verse 2, Peter takes the results of suffering in the flesh even farther saying, “so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. So verses 1 and 2, sum the objective, the purpose and the results of living for Christ. Submit yourself to His suffering, live after His example to deny the flesh to reap the new life of living for the will of God. 

Now, Peter shows some level of frustration saying that “it has been long enough that you have carried out the desire of the Gentiles” (vs. 3). He gives some specific examples of what he saw them carrying out, “having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries” (vs. 3). First, he levels the charge that he has seen these behaviors long enough. He equates these behaviors with the behaviors of Gentiles and states flatly, “The time already past is sufficient,” that is, it has been longer enough! And second, he specifically lays out what those behaviors were.

Looking at some of the Greco-Roman social and worship practices of the time would not require practitioners to travel far to participate in nearly any sensual activity as a part of cultural religious experiences. Peter was simply stating that it was high time that those claiming Christ would come out from those unholy practices, people and places. Living in Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit within them should give them the power to overcome such temptations by now.

Judgment (1 Peter 4:4-6)

In verse 4, Peter expresses his shock that the people who knew these new Christians before they were changed by the Hoy Spirit, were somehow surprised that the new Christians refused to join them any longer. I had met a construction worker a few weeks before I met Jesus Christ, and he was the most abusive and uncultured man I had ever met. His language was offensive even among his friends. Another friend took me to see that man after he met Christ, and I literally could not believe it was the same man. A few weeks later I was born-again at the same church where he found Christ and neither of us ever turned back. Yes, all our friends thought we had gone insane, but in truth, the greatness of what we found in Christ could never been compared to the little we left behind. Peter wondered that their friends were shocked when they refused to run with them as they once did. I would have been shocked if they could have returned. Peter knew that the converted man could no longer enjoy fellowship with that lifestyle again, not because of what Peter wanted, but because of what happened inside them. Paul says it like this, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Cor 5:17, KJV). 

Peter encourages those who are judged and maligned by their friends from the past, they will be judged by the same judge Who is ready to judge the dead in the Spirit and the living. We will not all face the same judgment, but “it is appointed unto all men, once to die and then the judgment” (Heb 9:27). All of the living in the Spirit have been judged at Calvary (Col 2:14), and after leaving here, we will face the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Cor 5:10). But those who are dead in the Spirit will be judged at the Great White Throne of Judgment where two books will be opened. The first will be the Book of Works where all they have done can be reviewed (Rev 20:11-14). The second book will be the Lamb’s Book of Life “and all those not written in the book of life will be cast into the lake of fire” (Rev 20:15). The beaty of the New Covenant is captured in its last sentence, “for [mine] shall all know Me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more” (Jer 31:34, Heb 8:12 & 10:17).

God’s Glory (1 Peter 4:7-11)

Even in the first century of the church, Peter could say the end was near (vs. 7) because the time for each one of us is short before we could disappear. None of us know what tomorrow will hold or even if there will be a tomorrow for us. Peter asks that we be of sound judgment and serious spirit for the purpose of prayer. We need to pray for every one God has placed in our lives that they would allow Him to send a messenger with the Good News of Jesus Christ into their lives. The message is ever so simple: Jesus came to pay the price for all sin so that we would not have to pay. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 6:23). If we acknowledge that Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried and raised again then we shall be saved from the penalty of our sin, “for with the heart a person believes into righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses into salvation” (Rom 10:10).

Peter asks us, above all, to show love for each other because love covers a multitude of sins (vs. 8). He asks us to be hospitable to each other without complaining (vs. 9).  He says that because each of us has received at least one spiritual gift, and we ought to use it to serve one another as a way of demonstrating the grace of God (vs. 10). Paul reminds us that the “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (Gal 5:22-23).

Peter finishes by instructing those who speak or serve to do so as if we are doing it for God and by His strength (vs. 11). This short list can be compared and strengthened by the one Paul shares in Romans 12:6-8, “6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. In his list of gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:27-31, he adds “Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.”  He wants to emphasize God’s gifts for His glory to meet all our needs.

Understand the Context (1 Peter 4:12-19)

Nero, Rome’s Emperor from 54 to 68 AD, took the throne at the age of 16. History mentions his first five years as “The Five Good Years.” During these years, he realized his weaknesses and need for the wisdom of his advisors. During the remainder of his reign, Nero became far less dependent on his advisors and exponentially more evil as he lived out the horrors of his own mind. Many commentators throughout history believed he was insane. The persecution he forced on Christians is well documented and includes every imagination of terror and torture his insanity could invent. Originally, Nero was following typical Roman belief that the emperor was the supreme deity, and any other claimed deity was blaspheming that of the emperor. By 64 AD, Nero had learned to separate Christians from Jewish believers. Rome had tolerated the religions of the indigenous people of the lands they occupied as a simple way to effectively control them. If, however, religion stopped serving the goals of the occupiers, they would simply end their toleration of it and kill off all who would not recognize the deity of the emperor. The 64 AD depth of Nero’s evil mind caused him to have Rome set of fire so he could blame the Christians. Nero is also charged with the murders of Peter and Paul in Rome. In his mind, the more notable the murdered Christian was, the more important he would seen to be in the eyes of his enemies. 

Peter did this writing to the Christians at Asia Minor where the believers were persecuted by the Romans and the religious Jews, as well. During these very dark days it became well known that serious persecution and/or death was not just possible, it was probable. The Book of Acts and the Epistles provide ample evidence of the constant presence of these dangers. 

The focal passages in this week’s study, 1 Peter 4:12-19, show the absolute necessity for everyone with a visible presence in the community to be ready to provide the reason for what they believe to anyone who might ask. The simplest presentation of the contrast between Christian beliefs and worldly beliefs is the evidence of righteous living. Christians simply acted differently.

Be Ready (1 Peter 4:12-14)

So, Peter speaks directly to the issue here. First, he advises the beloved, the believers in Jesus Christ, that they should not be surprised at the fiery ordeal, that is, the level of persecution and trouble surrounding them daily. Just as Paul warned throughout his Epistles, the persecution is real, and it has been leveled at him on numerous occasions, and he did not expect it to end. But recall also that Paul encouraged the saints by promising that God would never allow them to be tempted beyond that which they could endure unless He provided an escape along with the trial (1 Cor 10:13). Second, he warned them not to be surprised that it is happening specifically to them. As soon as Jesus was baptized and started His ministry, the tempter came after Him at His weakest moment. Jesus had fasted for 40 days and nights when Satan arrived to do his work. Knowing Christ was hangry after 40 days without food, he suggested Jesus turn the stones to bread. Jesus assured him that man does not live by bread alone but by every word that God speaks (Matt 4:4 & Luke 4:4). 

Knowing that Jesus must have been feeling drained and inadequate, he suggested that Jesus prove who He was by casting Himself off the pinnacle of the Temple because the Scripture says He would not be harmed. Jesus responded, “It is written, “Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God” (Matt 4:7 & Luke 4:12). Next, Satan took Jesus to the highest mountain where He could see all the kingdoms of the world and told Him he would give Him all the kingdoms He could see if He would just worship him.  But Jesus said, it was written that thou we shall worship the Lord thy God only. The devil left and Jesus was ministered to by the angels of glory (Matt 4:11). So, if all this took place to temp Jesus, we should not only not be surprised when it happens to us but be elated and grateful that we are counted worthy of being tempted. In fact, we should rejoice endlessly that we can share in His sufferings.

In fact, if we are counted worthy to be reviled for the name of Christ, we are completely blessed to be selected for such an honor. It means that the Spirit of glory and of God is resting upon us.   

Be Righteous (1 Peter 4:15-16)  

Peter realizes that sometimes people might get the suffering for good confused with suffering for evil. Here he clarifies that the saints must never be proven to be a murderer, thief, evildoer or troubling meddler (vs. 15). It does not glorify God when a believer surrenders to do the same things the unsaved do. Many of us have experienced situations where the intensity of the attacks against us or those we love has been so severe that given an opportunity to retaliate, we would gladly do so. Many of the movies we see show the kind of revenge we would gladly take if we had the opportunity, but this is the kind of thing Peter is speaking against here. 

Look at the events of October 7th against Israel. They were vicious attacks, and they were not committed against uniformed combatants, law enforcement or uniformed military. Most of those murdered that day were young civilians, musical event attendees or other innocent citizens in the park that day. Many were tortured, raped, beaten and assaulted for simply being there. Every rule of military operations was violated in those attacks against those at the event. Anger burned in the hearts of those who witnessed the atrocities of that day, but the response could not be of like kind. The murder, rape and other illegalities could not be returned against Hamas. The sin of the latter would not be any more justified than the sin of the former.

Peter is saying that Christians cannot become or behave like their persecutors to get revenge against them. Christians cannot murder, steal, commit immoral acts or meddle in the affairs of justice. Paul reminds us, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord” (Rom 12:19). The senseless bloodshed and torture that took place on October 7th cannot be avenged by repaying them in like kind.  But in truth, every person who was a part of that day, the planning of it, the taking or killing of hostages and all the rest must face harsh punishment for their parts in it. But whatever is done to us as Christians must not be allowed to cause shame in us, rather, it will result in glory for God in His name. And we who fight the urge to take that vengeance but refuse glorifies God.

Be Assured (1 Peter 4:17-19)

Peter says in verse 17 that “it time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” First, Peter is suggesting that we who are the born-again must look inward to see what judgment is due within our house before we move to judgment of those who refuse the Gospel. Peter is suggesting that if we look at ourselves first, it might have an impact on how we look at judging others. The looking within our ranks first is done to keep us aware of the need to maintain righteousness within out own ranks as we claim judgment outside our ranks. Jesus was very clear in John’s Gospel when He said, “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18). So, Peter says we need to look inward to see how we have implemented living the Gospel of Christ before looking those who have not obeyed or accepted the Gospel. Second, he continues that if we, who have been made righteous by Jesus’ work on the cross, find it difficult to live in that righteousness, what can we say to those who do not have the power of God’s Spirit within them to live in that life? Recall that the work of sanctification is characterized as God allowing trials to enter our lives to prepare us for ministry to others, so we will be tried and tested to see how to help others. Peter’s question in verse 18 regarding the fate of the godless man and sinner is that they will be providing more evidence of God’s just condemnation for their failure to receive the Gospel He provided for them. The hope is that they will see the fact that there is absolutely no way to be saved from the penalty of their sin other than through the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12). 

As Peter sums in verse 19, if we are suffering in the way that God has allowed into our lives, we must trust our very souls to that faithful Creator to provide the power for us to persevere within that suffering. Jesus provides an excellent picture in Revelation 3:20 saying, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” We hear Him knocking as we recognize there is no solution to living the righteous life short of accepting the righteousness He had imputed to us. He is waiting! 

Understand the Context (1 Peter 5:1-14)  

This study has a little information on the leadership of churches. As we see in the qualifications of Bishops and Deacons in 1 Timothy 3 and the mention of an Elder (Greek presbýteros), these are the three offices of the church with the Bishop and the Elder likely being the same. The mention of the word “Pastor” (Hebrew râʻâh) which is a synonym for shepherd is only mentioned in Jeremiah 17:16. It is clear that the message is for Bishops and Elders to be examples for the rest of the flock or church. The extremely hostile environment of 1 Peter (that is, 64 AD in Asia Minor) made leadership and it’s example for the congregation very important. The persecution forced daily stress and anxiety on these Christains, not knowing from day to day whether it would be their last. Their leaders and ours shepherd us in the ways of finding and living in humility while protecting all that we hold holy. It is typically their strength that maps out the path we will follow after their leading. 

1 Peter 5:1-14 shows us how those leaders used humility to make it through the pressures. Solomon says that arrogance brought disgrace while humility brough wisdom (Prov 11:2) and honor follows humility (15:33). He said God mocks the proud but give grace to the humble (3:34). Isaiah 2:11 and Jerimiah 44:10 taught that God would humble the proud. Zephaniah taught that the hope for humanity was through humility. The New Testament followed suit in showing the great humility of Jesus Christ (Matt 11:29, 1 Cor 4:21 & Phil 2:1-11). Jesus urged others to follow Him in humility (Matt 18:1, 23:12). Paul encouraged all Christians to live in humility (Eph 4:2, Col 3:12, Rom 12:6). James taught how God blesses the humble but resists the proud (4:6, 4:10).

Certainly, the teaching and actions of humility set a counter movement to the arrogance of Greek and Roman cultures. Recall that Jesus’ strongest teachings was that the greatest among us would be our servants. After Peter pridefully told Jesus that others might forsake Him, but he would never forsake Him, Peter failed and showed Jesus’ humility when he was oppressed or attacked.  

For Pastors (1 Peter 5:1-4)

Here, Peter is strongly encouraging the elders (Greek presbýteros) of the churches of Asia Minor because he is a fellow elder and one who personally witnessed the sufferings of Jesus Christ and also one who was a partaker of the glory to be revealed, that they shepherd  the flock of God among you (vss. 1-2a). He wants them to provide leadership and example to the people of these flocks. In verse 2b and following, he says exactly how to do this. He does not want them to use compulsion or forcing of practices and procedures on these people. Rather, he wants these presbyters (pastors) to lead their flocks to perform voluntarily, according to the will of God as He revealed or reveals it to them. And he does not want their motivation be to get sordid gain (KJV says “not for filthy lucre). In other words, Peter is saying if you are in the ministry of Pastor for the money, get out! He wants Pastors who are eager about shepherding God’s flock and caring for them because of the love he has for them and the God who called him to that ministry. He wants ministers who are driven by and for Jesus Christ because of their submission to Him and His will (vs. 2). 

 Nor does Peter want Pastors who “Lord it over those allotted to their charge” (vs. 3). In other words, Peter is looking for Pastors who can lead by example. He does not need those who stand over the congregation to tell them what to do. Rather, Peter is looking for Pastors who lead by saying “Follow me! I will be your example.” When starting work as Senior Pastor at my most recent church, the leaders asked how I wanted to handle the outreach, evangelism and visitation programs. I told them I wanted Deacon Visitation every Monday night, Visitor’s Visitation every Tuesday Night and Infirmed Visitation every Thursday night. They asked who will you get to lead all this visiting? I replied, “Your Pastor will be there for each of them, and he will lead each of them expecting certain lay members to be present for at least one each week.” One leader protested saying, “You realize that most of us work for a living and have families to care for?” I responded, “Of course you know I am a bivocational Pastor having executive management roles at four companies and am raising five children? I will be present for and lead all three visitation programs. How many will you support?” Peter said he wanted Pastors who eagerly served as Pastor.  

For Believers (1 Peter 5:5-7)

In verse 5, the Greek word for elder is the same as for verse 1 (presbýteros), but the context of the verse shows the intent is for the word elder to mean older people. That does not mean the younger people should not be subject to their Elders (Pastors) as well, but here, the subject seems to be older Christians. In the same sentence, Peter switches to address all of the congregation saying that they should dress themselves, i.e., be completely covered with humility toward each other. This speaks of self respect as well as respect toward one another. At the end of verse 5, Peter uses an example from the Old Testament references in the “Understanding the Context” section above saying, “God is opposed to the proud, but give grace to the humble” (Prov 3:34).  This is where the example of humility goes from the originally specified younger toward the elder Christians to the application of the whole church and beyond (1 Peter 3:15). 

Verse 6 starts with the word “therefore” and reminds us that we must look back to see what it is there for. Verse 5 tells us of God’s requirement that we must be humble to our elders and everyone else. Verse 6 says, because of this, we must humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God. Peter is saying that the requirement for our humility does not come from some local source but from the very hand of our God. So, the requirement is universal, and the application is equally universal. It is not just a requirement for behavior within the churches of Asia Minor, but in all the earth. And remaining humble while discussing Christ with those who do not believe can be very challenging! But here is a key thought from Peter, we are to remain humble so that God can exalt us when the time is right. When is that time? I believe it is at the Judgment Seat of Christ where we will give account for what we have done with the Gospel of Christ (2 Cor 5:10). And it is there where Jesus’ words of “Well done, my good and faithful servant” will sound the sweetest.

Peter finishes this thought with the encouragement to throw all our anxiety on Him, because He cares so much for us (vs. 7). We are not operating in vacuum as we minister for Christ here; rather God gave us the Holy Spirit to dwell within us through everything we do for Him. Never alone!!

A Warning (1 Peter 5:8-11)

This part of Peter’s teaching is so very valuable for us. Peter says we must be sober (exceedingly serious) in our spirit and always alert. Why? Because our adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (vs. 8). Recall that the writer of Hebrews tells us that Jesus was tempted in every way the same as we are, yet He never sinned (Heb 4:15). And, certainly, if our Lord and Savior was tempted by Satan, so will we. The difference is this: “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it” (1 Cor 10:13). God has a leash on Satan’s neck for us, and He will only allow him to move against us after He has prepared us to win. God assures us of this truth in 1 John 4:4 where John states, “Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world!” And these truths work together to transition us into 1 Peter verses 9 and 10. Peter says, “But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm strengthen and establish you.” In other words, the devil might be on your case, but God has given you the power over him, and further, your Father, the God of the universe, is on the way to cause your victory over the devil to be complete! 

The limitation of this awesome power over the devil is not to be used frivolously. Recall that when Jesus was tempted of the devil in the wilderness after He had fasted for 40 days and nights, “5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God” (Matt 4:7, Luke 4:12 & Deut 6:16; KJV). Go against the devil knowing he will lose, but not for show or demonstration. “To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen (Let it be so!).