1Peter2

1 Peter 2:1-12   ESV

A Living Stone and a Holy People

2 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. ² Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— ³ if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

⁴ As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, ⁵ you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ⁶ For it stands in Scripture:

“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone,

a cornerstone chosen and precious,

and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

⁷ So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,

“The stone that the builders rejected

has become the cornerstone,”

⁸ and    “A stone of stumbling,

and a rock of offense.”

They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

⁹ But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. ¹⁰ Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

¹¹ Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. ¹² Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

 

V1-3

1 Peter 2:1-3 (NASB77)
¹  Therefore, putting aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisy and envy and all slander,
²   like newborn babes, long for the pure (adolos) milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,
³  if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.

 

Malice (kakia) Depravity

Deceit (dolos) Craftiness

Hypocrisy (hypokrists)  Hypocristy-acting      (1Pet2V1)

Peter listed several types of sin to remove from our lives. The sins Peter listed here fight against love and cause dissension among believers. The first two sins mentioned refer to general categories. The last three sins refer to the specific acts that flow out of them.

• Malice means doing evil despite the good that has been received; the desire to harm other people. Malice may be hidden behind good actions. Christians should have no part in evil actions toward others (see Colossians 3:8; James 1:21).
• Deceit means deliberately tricking or misleading by lying (see also 3:10).
• Hypocrisy means that people say one thing but do another; playacting; presenting good motives that mask selfish desire.
• Envy means desiring something possessed by someone else. This causes discontent and resentment as believers make unhealthy comparisons to one another. It also makes them unable to be thankful for the good that comes to others.
• Slander means destroying another’s good reputation by lies, gossip, rumor-spreading, etc. Malice often manifests itself through slander. We should not treat fellow Christians the way the world treats us (3:16). (LABC quote)…

 

SO MUCH FUN TO TALK

Most of us wince to admit it, but having “the goods” on someone and commanding a group’s attention by reporting our news is just plain fun. We like to share intimate details of someone else’s weakness.

Peter warns that our conversation should not slip into slander. You’re getting close to the border when you are glad that the subject is out of earshot. You’ve crossed the border when your report begins: “It doesn’t leave this room, but …”

If you cannot avoid gossip or spreading rumors, tell your story to a tape recorder, and don’t bother using a tape.

Real friends don’t broadcast each other’s weaknesses. Real Christians strive to build each other up in love. When it comes to gossip, don’t pass it on.^[1]   (LABC quote)

 

(1Pet2v2)

G97 ἄδολος [adolos /ad·ol·os/] 1 guileless. 1a in things: unmixed, unadulterated, pure. 1b in persons: without dishonest intent, guileless.^[2]

 

LN79.98 ἄδολος, ον: pertaining to being pure, with the implication of not being adulterated—‘unadulterated, pure.’ τὸ λογικὸν ἄδολον γάλα ἐπιποθήσατε ‘thirsty for the pure, spiritual milk’ 1 Pe 2:2.^[3]

 

G3050 λογικός [logikos /log·ik·os/] adj. 1 pertaining to speech or speaking. 2 pertaining to the reason or logic. 2a spiritual, pertaining to the soul. 2b agreeable to reason, following reason, reasonable, logical.

 

LN73.5 λογικός, ή, όν: pertaining to being genuine, in the sense of being true to the real and essential nature of something—‘rational, genuine, true.’ … as ‘spiritual,’ so as to make the reference not literal but figurative.

 

LN5.19 γάλα, γάλακτος n—‘milk.’ … 1 Cor 3:2 it is probably the latter reference which is important, though the passage is highly figurative and the emphasis is upon food for babies.

 

Quote from LABC – a challenge of how to interpret his verse.

By using the term newborn babies, Peter was not implying that his readers were young believers; indeed, some of them had been Christians for as many as thirty years. Instead, he may have been picking up the reference to being “born again” in 1:23. Peter was saying that believers should always crave more and more of God’s Word in the same way that a baby eagerly desires milk. (Note that “milk” is used in a positive context. This verse should not be compared to 1 Corinthians 3:2 and Hebrews 5:12–13, where the writers employed a similar metaphor but used milk—in contrast to meat—as depicting the diet of immature believers.)

While believers receive salvation when they accept Christ as Savior, salvation is an ongoing experience from the time of the new birth until the time Christ returns. At that time, salvation will be completed (1:5). In the meantime, as we live on this earth, we must constantly partake of God’s Word so that we can grow up in our salvation. We must not remain spiritual babies, but become mature in Christ (2 Peter 3:18).^[4]

 

V.3 – 1 Peter 2:3 (NASB77)
³  if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.

 

Dig into the Bible and see how good our God is.

 

V.4-5 – 1 Peter 2:4-5 (NASB77)
⁴  And coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected by men, but choice and precious in the sight of God,
⁵   you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

 

The metaphors would relate to the audience as in reference to the Old Testament where only the Priests had the privilege of going into the presence of God.  Here, all believers have a relationship with God and can come to Him at anytime.

 

“The living stone” – (Psalm 118:22  –  Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10-22; Luke 20:17)

 

Psalm 118:22 (NASB77)
²²  The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief corner stone.

 

This stone described Christ where salvation is by nonother and He imparts life to those who believe in him.    Reflecting to 1 Peter 2 where we are ‘chosen’ by God.

 

“living Stones” – would be built into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, and offer sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

The house of God would be made up of these ‘living stones’ and would be building God house (His Church).  They serve as a “holy priesthood” 0 offering spiritual sacrifices.  As we have been cleansed by the Holy Spirit we will do our work in the presence of God in our lives.

 

What are these spiritual sacrifices?

*    “I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship” (Romans 12:1). We offer ourselves and our wills to God’s control.

• “Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2). We offer love, to God and to others.
• “[The gifts the believers had sent to Paul] are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God” (Philippians 4:18). We offer our money and possessions freely to help spread the gospel.
• “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name” (Hebrews 13:15). We center our lives around continual praise to God.
• “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased” (Hebrews 13:16). We do good and share freely with others.

 

LABC quote:

 

OFFERING OURSELVES

When sacrificing an animal according to God’s law, a priest would kill the animal, cut it in pieces, and place it on the altar. Sacrifice was important, but even in the Old Testament God made it clear that obedience from the heart was much more important (see 1 Samuel 15:22; Psalm 40:6; Amos 5:21–24). God wants us, his “holy priesthood,” to offer ourselves, not animals, as living and spiritual sacrifices—daily laying aside our own desires and following him, putting all our energy and resources at his disposal and trusting him to guide us.

 

HOUSE BEAUTIFUL

Peter portrays the church as a living, spiritual house, with Christ as the foundation and cornerstone and each believer as a valuable element. Paul portrays the church as a body, with Christ as the head and each believer as a contributing member (see, for example, Ephesians 4:15–16). Both pictures emphasize community. One stone is not a temple or even a wall; one body part is useless without the others. In our individualistic society, we can easily forget our interdependence with other Christians. When God calls you to a task, remember that he is also calling others to work with you. Together your individual efforts will be multiplied. Look for those people and join with them to build a beautiful house for God.^[5]

 

 

V.6 – For it stands in scripture: “See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” 

 

 

“..a cornerstone chosen and precious”  Peter is quoting Isaiah 28:16 (ESV)
¹⁶  therefore thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’

 

With Christ as the cornerstone that it would replace the old Temple in Jerusalem and the Old Covenant.

Peter described this cornerstone as a person just as Paul did in Romans 9:33; 10:11.

Since a building rests on  its cornerstone, so we rest on Christ as we put our confidence in Christ.

 

V.7 – “Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious…”

The word therefore refers beck to V. 4 to the ‘living stone’ and V.6 – to Jesus Christ.

 

In Psalm 118:22 where the builders rejected a building block that later turned out to be the final stone in the building (Mark 12:10-12).

 

Psalm 118:22 (ESV)
²²  The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

 

Mark 12:10-12 (ESV)
¹⁰  Have you not read this Scripture: “‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone;
¹¹  this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?”
¹²  And they were seeking to arrest him but feared the people, for they perceived that he had told the parable against them. So they left him and went away.

 

V.8 – the second warning quotation is from Isaiah 8:14, where the disobedient are portrayed as a stumbling over the stone.    “…they stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.”

Verse 8 contains the 2^nd warning is a quote from Isaiah 8:14….

Even if human disobedience is within the plan of God IT still does not become less blameworthy.

 

Isaiah 8:14 (ESV)
¹⁴  And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

 

 

Quote LABC:  Scripture in other places teaches that human disobedience is within the plan of God (cf. Rom 11:8, 11, 30–32). Yet it must be recognized that though human disobedience is within God’s plan, it does not become less blameworthy (cf. Acts 2:23). It is important to recognize also that human disobedience is not necessarily final or irretrievable (cf. Hort, p. 123 Selwyn, p. 164–65). Paul says, “God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all” (Rom 11:32).^[6]

 

1 Peter 2:9-10 – the Nation of Priests

1 Peter 2:9 (ESV)
⁹  But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

The verse contrasts the privilege and destiny of believers with that of unbelievers.  A group distinct from the world that is unified by the Holy Spirit.  Isaiah 43:20 – “My chosen people”

 

Isaiah 43:20 (ESV)
²⁰  The wild beasts will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches, for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people,

 

Believers also are a royal priesthood, a holy nation  (1 Peter 1:2; Eph. 2:19)

1 Peter 1:2 (ESV)
²  according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

 

Ephesians 2:19 (ESV)
¹⁹  So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

Christians speak of “the priesthood of all believers.”

 

Quote:  LABC:

In 2:5, Peter referred to believers as “a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (niv). Being part of a “priesthood” is a high honor for believers. Christians speak of “the priesthood of all believers.” In Old Testament times, people did not approach God directly. Instead, a priest would act as intermediary between God and sinful human beings. With Christ’s victory on the cross, that pattern changed. Now believers can come directly into God’s presence without fear (Hebrews 4:16). Also, they have been given the responsibility of bringing others to him (2 Corinthians 5:18–21). United with Christ as members of his body, believers join in his priestly work of reconciling God and people. This priesthood is called “royal” because believers have become members of God’s family, brothers and sisters of Christ, the King of kings. As members of the King’s family, we are royalty! “Holy nation” refers to Christians as a people who are distinct from all the others because of their devotion to God.
Believers are God’s own special people. This phrase is more literally translated “a people for his possession.” Similar language is found in Exodus 19:5 (“Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people” nkjv) and in Malachi 3:17 (“‘They will be mine,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘in the day when I make up my treasured possession’” niv). God’s “special people,” his “special treasure,” and his “treasured possession” are those who are faithful to him; thus this refers to Christians.^[7]

 

 

Including V9 & 10 – The Expositors Bible Commentary states this so well:

9 “But you” marks the contrast with the disobedient who were mentioned in vv. 7–8. Peter applies to the church various terms originally spoken concerning Israel (cf. Exod 19:5–6; Deut 4:20; 7:6; Isa 43:20–1). But this does not mean that the church is Israel or even that the church replaces Israel in the plan of God. Romans 11 should help us to guard against that misinterpretation. Why then does Peter apply OT terminology to the church? He does so chiefly because of the conviction of the church that the OT writings are for it (2 Tim 3:16) and that these writings speak of Jesus and his times. The functions that Israel was called into existence to perform in its day of grace the church now performs in a similar way. In the future, according to Paul, God will once again use Israel to bless the world (cf. Rom 11:1–16, 23–24).

The title “chosen people” stresses God’s loving initiative in bringing the church to himself. “Royal priesthood” may be understood as “a royal house,” “a body of priests” (see Notes). Both titles stress the dignity of the church because of its union with Christ. Jesus is King, and all in his “house” belong to a royal house. Calling the church “a body of priests” emphasizes its corporate role in worship, intercession, and ministry. “Holy nation” shows that God has “set apart” the church for his use. The title “a people belonging to God” stresses ownership (cf. Titus 2:14: “A people that are his very own”). “That you may declare the praises” gives the purpose of grace to men. “The praises” (aretai) often mean his “self-declarations” or his manifestations to men (cf. TDNT, 1:457–61). So then the church is to “advertise” (Selwyn, p. 167) the noble acts of God in history and thus make him known. Specifically, the Father (“him who called” [cf. 1:15]) is revealed by Jesus in his death and resurrection. Light-darkness is a common dualism in the Bible to describe God-evil, good-bad, revelation-ignorance, new age-old age (e.g., Isa 8:21–9:2; John 1:4, 8–9; Eph 5:8; 1 John 1:5–2:2). Christians are once again reminded of God’s action in bringing them out of darkness into his marvelous light (cf. Ps 34:5: “Those who look to him are radiant”).
10 Peter closes this section with another free use of the OT. This time the words of Hosea (1:6, 9–10; 2:23) are put together. In their original context they describe God’s rejection of disobedient Israel followed by future restoration to grace. Here Peter applies them to the salvation that has come to the Asian Christians. Once they were not a people (laos is used for Israel; the nations were ethnē), now they are “God’s people” (lit. Gr).^[8]

 

1 Peter 2:10 (ESV)
¹⁰  Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

 

LABC – on CREATIVE WITNESSING

How do we proclaim God’s praises in a hostile world? A bank manager wants his staff to hear God’s Good News. He considers inviting them all to church, giving each a devotional book, or hosting a dinner party with a gospel magician entertaining. Will these plans reach the goal?

In many settings, no. Surely not as the first approach. People are often offended by pushy evangelists, and some people consider a Bible on your desk overly aggressive.

A Christian’s first approach to skeptics, cynics, and burned-out saints must be to serve them in love, with justice as the keynote. A consistent servant-leader appears so odd, by today’s standards, that soon the difference God makes becomes apparent, and then words start to take root. Try communicating Christ through love and service.

 

We’re been chosen by God in mercy, not that we deserved it.

 

QUOTE LABC:  –  CHOSEN BY GOD

People often base their self-concept on their accomplishments. But our relationship with Christ is far more important than our jobs, successes, wealth, or knowledge. We have been chosen by God as his very own, and we have been called to represent him to others. Remember that your value comes from being one of God’s children, not from what you can achieve. You have worth because of what God does, not because of what you do.^[9]

 

1. 11&12 – Wage war against your soul

 

1 Peter 2:11-12 (ESV)
¹¹  Beloved, I urge parakaleo – G3870-LN33.168 – to exhort)  you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.
¹²  Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.  (1Pet2v11)

G3870 παρακαλέω [parakaleo /par·ak·al·eh·o/]; AV translates as “beseech” 43 times, …. 1 to call to one’s side, call for, summon. 2 to address, speak to, (call to, call upon), which may be done in the way of exhortation, entreaty, comfort, instruction, etc. 2a to admonish, exhort. 2b to beg, entreat, beseech. 2b1 to strive to appease by entreaty. 2c to console, to encourage and strengthen by consolation, to comfort. 2c1 to receive consolation, be comforted. 2d to encourage, strengthen. 2e exhorting and comforting and encouraging. 2f to instruct, teach.^[10]

 

1 Peter 2:11 (NLT)
¹¹  Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.

1 Peter 2:11 (NIRV)
¹¹  Dear friends, you are outsiders and strangers in this world. So I’m asking you not to give in to your sinful longings. They fight against your soul.

1 Peter 2:11 (NASB77)
¹¹   Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul.

 

V.12 – to “live…good lives” refers to daily living and day-by-day interactions that are filled with good deeds.

 

1 Peter 2:13-25 – Obey Those in Authority

V.13-17 – ESV – ¹³ Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, ¹⁴ or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. ¹⁵ For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. ¹⁶ Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. ¹⁷ Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. ^[11]

 

We are to “submit to” – ‘human institution’ – the scope refers to more than just governmental authority.  What about other established institutions?  Could it not also include the mutual cooperation between husband and wife? 

What other areas are there that authorities are placed?

Employer/employee  –   church leaders/church members – parents/children

 

V.13 – WHY?

1. – because the authority is divinely ordained; thus, we are going God’s will…
2. – because Christ accepted the Father’s authority—we must follow in his steps…
3. – because our actions commend Christ to others…

 

The word authority (institution – ktisei)  literally means ‘creature’ or ‘that which is created”  the sense could  be that every believer should willingly put them first, showing respect for everyone, friends and enemies alike.

 

(IPet2v13)

At this time Emperor Nero was the authority and hard times were melted out to the Christians.  Since God appoints these people if we were to resist that authority we were actually God’s plan.    Christians were not to rebel against Rome – Roman law was the only restraint against lawlessness.  Their quiet submission might allow them to continue to spread the gospel freely.

 

(In support of the above, quote LBC.:)  For the Lord’s sake accept the authority of every human institution, whether of the emperor as supreme.  Peter commanded believers to accept authority. The expression “accept the authority” means “submit to” (see 2:18–3:1). The phrase of every human institution broadens the scope to refer to more than just governmental authority (2:13–17), to other institutions of authority established for orderly relations among people, such as household slaves to masters (2:18–20) and the mutual cooperation between husband and wife (3:1–7). The word “every” leads us to conclude that not in these situations alone, but in every area where authorities have been placed (parents/children, employer/employee, church leaders/church members) God is honored when we accept and respect those in authority over us. We do this for the Lord’s sake, so that he is glorified by our orderly submission. We glorify God when we accept others’ authority over us

• because the authority is divinely ordained; thus, we are doing God’s will;
• because Christ accepted the Father’s authority—we must follow in his steps;
• because our actions commend Christ to others.

Peter’s meaning goes even deeper. The word authority (ktisei) literally means “creature” or “that which is created.” Thus Peter explained that believers should, in a sense, accept every other person as an authority because God was their Creator. In other words, believers ought to defer to others, willingly putting them first, showing respect for everyone, friends and enemies alike.^[12]

 

It was stated that 1/3^rd of all Christians live in freedom and 2/3^rd live under repressive governments. 

V.14 – or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.

 

God ordained functions of those in authority for them to punish those who do wrong and praise those who do right.  Even if not perfect, most governmental authorities try and carry out these functions to maintain peace and safety for their citizens.

 

V.15 – For ^asuch is the will of God that by doing right you may silence (phimoo – G5392 LN33.123) the ignorance of foolish men.

The word silence is more literally ‘to muzzle’ or to just ‘shut up’   (1Pet2v15)

 

 

G 5392 κημόω, φιμόω [phimoo /fee·mo·o/] v. From phimos (a muzzle); … 1 to close the mouth with a muzzle, to muzzle. 2 metaph. 2a to stop the mouth, make speechless, reduce to silence. 2b to become speechless. 3 to be kept in check.^[13]

 

LN 33.123 φιμόω^b: to cause someone to have nothing to say—‘to silence.’ … ‘when the Pharisees heard that he had put to silence the Sadducees’ Mt 22:34.^[14]

 

V.16 –  Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God.

LABC calls this a “paradox”   –  and warning:  quote:

Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.  Here Peter was outlining a paradox of the Christian life. Christians are free yet they are servants. They can live as free people but must use their freedom to glorify God. We glorify God when we serve him faithfully. Christian freedom does not mean that anything goes; believers are not free to do whatever they want or to use their freedom as a cover-up for evil. In other words, believers must not hide behind their freedom in Christ in order to sin. We cannot use freedom and forgiveness as a cloaking device for self-indulgence, adultery, or poor spending habits. Christ is our leader, and serving him provides our limits.^[15]     The quote continues:

 

RESPONSIBLE FREEDOM

Christians have freedom in Christ, but the apostles defined freedom more narrowly than the normal use of the word in common language. Christians use freedom as a tool for a life of exuberant service. It’s the foundation that God gives to us to reach our highest potential. Because God gives us freedom from religious rules and eternal guilt, we must not seek to indulge our own desires; instead, we should reach for the best God has for us.

Don’t be fooled if someone tries to sell you other versions of freedom like:

• You’re free, party on!
• Freedom! Let’s get stoned!
• No more rules! Let’s pick up some babes and …

Such “freedom” becomes a fast track to the prison of guilt and brokenness. Let your freedom sing of power, joy, and love—accountable to God, devoted to others. 

 

V.17 – Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.

 

1. Show respect to everyone
2. Love the family of believers
3. Fear God
4. Honor the king

 

V.18 – Servants (oiketai – G3610 – Household Servant)  , be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable.

 

Servants – These would not be permanent salves, but merely servants.

Peter explained that God wanted Christian slaves to fulfill their responsibilities with the right attitude—with all respect. The Greek word for “respect” is not the same word used in 2:17. It is phobos, which refers to healthy fear. The slave should do his or her best not to incur the displeasure of the master

Meaning:  The people we employ we are to be considerate of them as a person and to provide fair pay. 

 

Quote LBAC – Who’s in Charge?

Peter was writing to slaves. Slavery hardly exists in our twentieth-century society, but much in this section applies to our work relationships.

Because God is in control, we face each day with his power and love. If you receive some hard knocks today, turn them over to God. If you’ve been cheated, give the problem to God. If employees do not fulfill their responsibilities, admit your loss and trust God fully. Christians must never seek revenge, no matter how bad the circumstances. The impulse for revenge comes from people who think that systems or bosses or powerful people are in control. Christians believe that God has ultimate power.

Be careful. This verse does not advocate passivity or weak-willed submission to cruel people. Rather, it frees victims from screaming in pain to an empty sky.^[16]

 

V.19 – For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly.

 

One needs to be conscious of God when we suffer and remember that God’s care and love go to them and us.  If Christ suffered by an injustice, where would we be?

 

V.20 – For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.  (1Pet2v20)

 

LABC – quote:  The Face of Suffering:

 

We may suffer for many reasons. Some suffering comes as the direct result of our own sin; some happens because of our foolishness; and some is the result of living in a fallen world. Peter writes about suffering that comes as a result of doing good. Jesus never sinned, and yet he suffered so that we could be set free. When we follow Christ’s example and live for others, we too may suffer. Our goal should be to face suffering as he did—with patience, calmness, and confidence, knowing that God controls the future.

 

V.21 – ²¹ For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps…

“this you have been called” – refers back to suffering for doing good….. A list of Jesus’s example:

 

• He endured the unbelief of his own people (John 1:11).
• He endured a trial by religious leaders already committed to his death (Mark 14:1; John 11:50).
• He endured the lies of false witnesses (Matthew 26:59–60).
• He endured beating and mockery from his people and from the Roman soldiers (Mark 14:64–65; 15:16–20).
• He endured the insults of bystanders as he suffered on the cross (Mark 15:29–32).
• He endured a time of separation from God (Mark 15:33–34). –  and more…..

 

V.22 – He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth…

V.23 – When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten.

Allusion to Isaiah 53:7   Christ did do any abuse back – (verbally or otherwise).  Isaiah 53:7 (NASB77)
⁷  He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth.

 

Jesus suffered patiently as he knew that God would have the final say.

Dealing with Abuse – LABC quote:

Peter urged Christians not to retaliate with abusive speech; instead, they were to endure government persecution as a testimony to the Lord.

Some have taken this verse and verses like Matthew 5:38–42 to mean that people should be passive victims of violence, but Peter did not have that in mind. When Christians are tortured and martyred and have no recourse, they must call to God for deliverance and strength. When we encounter people who have a pattern of abusing others, however, we do not need to suffer as victims.

If you grew up with or live with an abusive person, you should not retaliate, but neither should you try to appease the person. You should seek professional help and a safe location. Don’t minimize or deny the sick person’s cruel behavior, for that will only encourage the person to continue to be abusive and discourage him or her from getting help. You may need to confront the problem in order to protect innocent family members from danger.

Don’t rationalize or excuse abuse. Seek help from the professionals God has given us. Those who don’t stop the cycle of abuse may live to see those victims become abusers themselves.

V.24 – He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross.

²⁴ He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

²⁵ For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

This echoes Isaiah 53:6 – Isaiah 53:6 (NASB77)
⁶  All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him.

Sheep need constant protection of a shepherd or they will wander away, following their noses, and sometime getting into great danger.

 

Chapter 3 will continue on after laying the foundation just studied in chapter two.

 

^[1] Barton, B. B. (1995). 1 Peter, 2 Peter, Jude (p. 50). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Pub.

^[2] Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship.

^[3] Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 702). New York: United Bible Societies.

^[4] Barton, B. B. (1995). 1 Peter, 2 Peter, Jude (p. 51). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Pub.

^[5] Barton, B. B. (1995). 1 Peter, 2 Peter, Jude (p. 56). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Pub.

^[6] Blum, E. A. (1981). 1 Peter. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews through Revelation (Vol. 12, p. 230). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

^[7] Barton, B. B. (1995). 1 Peter, 2 Peter, Jude (pp. 59–60). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Pub.

^[8] Blum, E. A. (1981). 1 Peter. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews through Revelation (Vol. 12, p. 231). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

^[9] Barton, B. B. (1995). 1 Peter, 2 Peter, Jude (p. 61). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Pub.

^[10] Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship.

^[11] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (1 Pe 2:13–17). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

^[12] Barton, B. B. (1995). 1 Peter, 2 Peter, Jude (p. 66). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Pub.

^[13] Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship.

^[14] Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 402). New York: United Bible Societies.

^[15] Barton, B. B. (1995). 1 Peter, 2 Peter, Jude (p. 69). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Pub.

^[16] Barton, B. B. (1995). 1 Peter, 2 Peter, Jude (p. 72). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Pub.