1 Peter 2 & 3

October 15, 2010
    

1 Peter 2: 1-25

1.       2:1 SO BE done with every trace of wickedness (depravity, malignity) and all deceit and insincerity (pretense, hypocrisy) and grudges (envy, jealousy) and slander and evil speaking of every kind.

                1. This is a close connection with the preceding chapter and the subject continues to the end of  1 Pet 2:10.

                2. The KJ says: “laying aside all malice”: These tempers and dispositions must have been common among the Jews, as they are frequently spoken against.

                3. Christians cannot have such because they are not the attributes of the mind of Christ.

2 Like newborn babies you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) spiritual milk, that by it you may be nurtured and grow unto [completed] salvation,

                1. They have been born again and as new-born infants desire heavenly nourishment which is suited to their new nature, and they can have not spiritual growth but by the pure doctrines of the Gospel.

                2. Grow up in your salvation: Gr. Eis sooteerian was added by the Vulgate and about 40 other of  the ancient fathers; the original language stopped at : “you may grow” :Gr. Auzano: to grow, to  wax, enlarge.

                                a. The meaning is definitely to grow up into your salvation.

3 Since you have [already] tasted the goodness and kindness of the Lord. [Ps 34:8.]

                1. Ps says: Taste and see that the Lord is good: still a reference to the sucking child that, having once tasted its mothers mile, ever after desires and longs for it.

                2. As they were born of God, and tasted His goodness, they would naturally desire the same pure milk of the word.

4 Come to Him [then, to that] Living Stone which men tried and threw away, but which is chosen [and] precious in God's sight. [Ps 118:22; Isa 28:16.]

                1. Jesus Christ is represented as the foundation on which the Christian church is built, and on     which it must continue to rest; the foundation is living; meaning that He is the source of life to his followers, and it is in union with Him that they live.

                2. Rejected by men: the Jews (Ps 118:22)

                3. He was chosen by God to be the Savior of the world, and held in infinite honor by God; those who are united to Him by faith partake of that same honor.

5[Come] and, like living stones, be yourselves built [into] a spiritual house, for a holy (dedicated, consecrated) priesthood, to offer up [those] spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ.

                1. This is a true metaphor: The spiritual house is the spiritual family; and this family is composed of the sons and        daughters of God Almighty.

                2. As a building rests upon a foundation, and this foundation is its support; so a family or  household rests on the father, who is considered  the foundation or support of the building.

                3. All the stones-sons and daughters, that constitute the spiritual building are made partakers of the life of Christ, consequently, they are called living stones because Christ Jesus lives in them.

                4. These various living stones become one grand temple in which God is worshipped, and in  which He manifests Himself as He did in the temple of old.

                5. Every stone-son and daughter, being a spiritual sacrifice or priest, offer up praise and thanksgiving to God through Christ, and such sacrifices, being offered up in the name and through the merit of His Son, are all acceptable in His sight.

6 For thus it stands in Scripture: Behold, I am laying in Zion a chosen ( honored), precious chief Cornerstone, and he who believes in Him [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] shall never be disappointed or put to shame. [Isa 28:16.]

                1. The foundation of the Christian church is laid at Jerusalem; that’s where Christ was crucified and the Gospel began to be preached there.

                2. The corner chief cornerstone is laid at the angle of the building where its 2 sides form the ground work of a side and end wall; In Jesus both Jew and Gentile were to be united.

                3. This was probably the reason why it was called a stone of stumbling, because nothing offended the Jews so much as the calling of the Gentiles into the church of God and admitting them to the same privileges which had belonged only to the Jews.

7 To you then who believe (who adhere to, trust in, and rely on Him) is the preciousness; but for those who disbelieve [it is true], The [very] Stone which the builders rejected has become the main Cornerstone, [Ps 118:22.]  

                1. The Jews, who continue to reject the Gospel and the very person they reject is head of the  corner, the Lord over all, Jesus, and has all power in heaven and earth.

8 And, A Stone that will cause stumbling and a Rock that will give [men] offense; they stumble because they disobey and disbelieve [God's] Word, as those [who reject Him] were destined (appointed) to do.

                1. They rejected Christ because He did not come as a secular prince.

                2. They were offended because His Gospel called the Gentiles to be a peculiar people whom the Jews believed to be forever lost and incapable of any spiritual good.

                3. Is. 8:14-15 and Matt 21:42-44

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God's] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. [Ex 19:5,6.]

                1. These titles were formerly given to the whole Jewish church, to all the Israelites who were in the covenant of God by circumcision, are now given to Christians, in general, in the same way: To all who believe in Christ, whether Jews or Gentiles.

10 Once you were not a people [at all], but now you are God's people; once you were unpitied, but now you are pitied and have received mercy. [Hos 2:23.]

                1. This is a quotation from Hosea, where the calling of the Gentiles, by the preaching of the Gospel is foretold.

                2. These Gentiles, covered with ignorance and superstition, and now had obtained mercy by the preaching of the Gospel of Christ.

11 Beloved, I implore you as aliens and strangers and exiles [in this world] to abstain from the sensual urges (the evil desires, the passions of the flesh, your lower nature) that wage war against the soul.

                1. Strangers & pilgrims: Heb 11:13

                2. As you profess to seek a heavenly country, do not become entangled with earthly things;  others spend all their time and employ all their skill, in acquiring earthly property, totally  neglecting the salvation of their souls; they are not strangers, they are here at home; they are not pilgrims, they are seeking an earthly possession: heaven is your home, seek that, God is your     portion, seek Him.

                3. These earthly desires fight against the soul, either to kill it, or to bring it into captivity; this is  the object of every earthly and sensual desire; those that indulge in them have no idea of the  ruin which they produce.

12 Conduct yourselves properly (honorably, righteously) among the Gentiles, so that, although they may slander you as evildoers, [yet] they may by witnessing your good deeds [come to] glorify God in the day of inspection [when God shall look upon you wanderers as a pastor or shepherd looks over his flock].

                1. In all the pagan countries, in the first church age, the Christians and Jews were lumped together in their mind, and whatever the pagans thought of the Jews, (some were very arrogant) they automatically felt the same about Christians; therefore it was doubly necessary that the Christians should be very cautious in their conduct.

                2. Some believe this time of visitation refers to the day of judgment, some to times of  persecution; some to the destruction of Jerusalem, and some to the time when the gospel was  preached among the Gentiles, as a period when God visited them with mercy.

13 Be submissive to every human institution and authority for the sake of the Lord, whether it be to the emperor as supreme,

                1. Submit where the laws are not in opposition to the laws of God.

                2. The Jews thought it unlawful to obey any ruler that was not of their own people; The apostle tells them they should obey the civil magistrate, whether Jew or Gentile, and let him exercise the government in whatever form it may be.

14 Or to governors as sent by him to bring vengeance (punishment, justice) to those who do wrong and to encourage those who do good service.

                1. Governors are chief magistrates sent by the emperor, or king.

                2. Their mission was to punish delinquents, and encourage and protect the law-abiding citizens.

15 For it is God's will and intention that by doing right [your good and honest lives] should silence (muzzle, gag) the ignorant charges and ill-informed criticisms of foolish persons.

16[Live] as free people, [yet] without employing your freedom as a pretext for wickedness; but [live at all times] as servants of God.

                1. The Jews pretended they were a free people, and owed allegiance to God alone; hence, they were continually rebelling against the Roman government, to which God had subjected them because of their rebellion against Him.

                2. They used this liberty to cover up their rebellious conduct.

                3. As servants of God, it was their duty to obey the civil magistrates, and they served God by submitting to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake.

17 Show respect for all men [treat them honorably]. Love the brotherhood (the Christian fraternity of which Christ is the Head). Reverence God. Honor the emperor.

                1. Pay respect to the emperor which his high authority requires, know that civil power is of God.

                2. If that man is evil or bad, and not worthy of reverence, yet he should be respected on account of his office.

18[You who are] household servants, be submissive to your masters with all [proper] respect, not only to those who are kind and considerate and reasonable, but also to those who are surly (overbearing, unjust, and crooked).

                1. Your time belongs to your master; obey him in everything that is not sinful.

19 For one is regarded favorably (is approved, acceptable, and thankworthy) if, as in the sight of God, he endures the pain of unjust suffering.

                1. That these Christians considered their obligation to God did not depend on the character of  the person who were their masters.

20[After all] what kind of glory [is there in it] if, when you do wrong and are punished for it, you take it patiently? But if you bear patiently with suffering [which results] when you do right and that is undeserved, it is acceptable and pleasing to God.

                1. It appears that the poor Christians, and especially those who had been converted to  Christianity while they were in a state of servant hood, were often abused because they would  not join with their masters in idolatrous worship.

21 For even to this were you called [it is inseparable from your vocation]. For Christ also suffered for you, leaving you [His personal] example, so that you should follow in His footsteps.

                1. We will be persecuted in this life; even as Jesus was persecuted.

22 He was guilty of no sin, neither was deceit (guile) ever found on His lips. [Isa 53:9.]

                1. Christ was persecuted and He was sinless.

23 When He was reviled and insulted, He did not revile or offer insult in return; [when] He was abused and suffered, He made no threats [of vengeance]; but he trusted [Himself and everything] to Him Who judges fairly.

                1. It is a great advantage in all such cases to be able to refer our cause to God, and be assured    that the Judge of all the earth will do right.

24 He personally bore our sins in His [own] body on the tree[as on an altar and offered Himself on it], that we might die (cease to exist) to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.

                1. Righteousness should be our master now, as sin was before.

25 For you were going astray like [so many] sheep, but now you have come back to the Shepherd and Guardian ( the Bishop) of your souls. [Isa 53:5,6.]

                1. Formerly you were not in a better moral condition than your oppressors, but Christ called you  back from your wanderings, by sending you the Gospel of His grace.

1 Peter 3:1-22

3:1 IN LIKE manner, you married women, be submissive to your own husbands [subordinate yourselves as being secondary to and dependent on them, and adapt yourselves to them], so that even if any do not obey the Word [of God], they may be won over not by discussion but by the [godly] lives of their wives,

                1. Wives, consider that, by God’s appointment, your husband is the head and ruler of the house.

                2. If the husband is not a believer in the Christian doctrine, by your actions he will be convinced  of the truth of the gospel.

2 When they observe the pure and modest way in which you conduct yourselves, together with your reverence [for your husband; you are to feel for him all that reverence includes: to respect, defer to, revere him — to honor, esteem, appreciate, prize, and, in the human sense, to adore him, that is, to admire, praise, be devoted to, deeply love, and enjoy your husband].

                1. The word fear here is the word (phobos) or reverence as used in (Eph 5:33) denoting reverence due the husband.

3 Let not yours be the [merely] external adorning with [elaborate] interweaving and knotting of the hair, the wearing of jewelry, or changes of clothes;

                1. Interweaving or plaiting the hair and variously folding it about the head is very ancient. It was  practiced anciently in every part of the east and also among the Greeks and Romans, as ancient  busts and statues sufficiently declare.

                2. Among the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Persians, and other nations, thin plates of gold were  often mixed with hair to make it appear more ornamental by the reflection of light.

                3. It was said that the wife of Phocion, a celebrated Athenian general, receiving a visit from a     lady who was elegantly adorned with gold and jewels, and her hair with pearls took an occasion  to call the attention of her guest to the elegance and costliness of her dress, remarking at the  same time, “My ornament is my husband, now for the twentieth year general of the Athenians.

4 But let it be the inward adorning and beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which [is not anxious or wrought up, but] is very precious in the sight of God.

                1. See Rom 7:22: The inner man, that is, the soul, with the whole system of affections and  passions.

                2. Every part of the Scriptures treats man as a compound being; The body, the sou, the inward,  hidden, or invisible man, and the spirit.

5 For it was thus that the pious women of old who hoped in God were [accustomed] to beautify themselves and were submissive to their husbands [adapting themselves to them as themselves secondary and dependent upon them].

6 It was thus that Sarah obeyed Abraham [following his guidance and acknowledging his headship over her by] calling him lord (master, leader, authority). And you are now her true daughters if you do right and let nothing terrify you [not giving way to hysterical fears or letting anxieties unnerve you].

                1. Sarah called Abraham Lord, inferring that he was her superior, and that he had a right to rule  in his own house and it was her duty to be in subjection to him as the head of the family.

                2. It was common among the Romans and Greeks for the wives to call their husbands Lord. This  doesn’t imply that Christian wives should address their husbands as Lord now, but it proves that there should be the same respect today for the husband as in patriarchal times.

7 In the same way you married men should live considerately with [your wives], with an intelligent recognition [of the marriage relation], honoring the woman as [physically] the weaker, but [realizing that you] are joint heirs of the grace (God's unmerited favor) of life, in order that your prayers may not be hindered and cut off. [Otherwise you cannot pray effectively.] 

                1. Honor your wife by becoming her protector & support.

                2. The female has what the man wants, beauty and delicacy, and the male has what the female  wants, courage and strength.

                3. God has made an equality between the man & woman so there is very little superiority on  either side.

                4. The apostle is not saying that if there is prayer, but taking it for granted that there would be and in a proper relationship and unity between husband & wife, there would be agreement in  prayer. (when 2 or more agree, etc.)

                5. The Christian female owes her elevation in society to Christianity, for this makes a happy  home to allow the Spirit of Christ and His gospel to reign there.

8 Finally, all [of you] should be of one and the same mind (united in spirit), sympathizing [with one another], loving [each other] as brethren [of one household], compassionate and courteous (tenderhearted and humble).

9 Never return evil for evil or insult for insult (scolding, tongue-lashing, berating), but on the contrary blessing [praying for their welfare, happiness, and protection, and truly pitying and loving them]. For know that to this you have been called, that you may yourselves inherit a blessing [from God — that you may obtain a blessing as heirs, bringing welfare and happiness and protection].

                1. We are called to do good, to return good for evil.

10 For let him who wants to enjoy life and see good days [good — whether apparent or not] keep his tongue free from evil and his lips from guile (treachery, deceit).

11 Let him turn away from wickedness and shun it, and let him do right. Let him search for peace (harmony; undisturbedness from fears, agitating passions, and moral conflicts) and seek it eagerly. [Do not merely desire peaceful relations with God, with your fellowmen, and with yourself, but pursue, go after them!]

                 1. This is a quotation from Ps. 34:12-16

                2. He must refrain from evil-speaking, lying, and slandering.

                3. He must avoid flattery and speeches which cover hypocritical and wicked intentions.

                4. He must avoid evil: keep going away from evil.

                5. He must do good; he must walk in the way of righteousness.

                6. He must live peaceably with all men; seek peace where it has been lost; restore and pursue it  where it has been broken.

                7. There is an edifying story told in one of the ancient Jewish writings: “A certain person,  traveling through the city, continued to call out, Who wants the elixir of life? The daughter of   Rabbi Joda heard him, and told her father. He said, Call the man in. When he came in, the rabbi  said, What is that elixir of life thou sellest? He answered, Is it not written, What man is he that  loveth life, and desireth to see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from  speaking guile! This is the elixir of life, and is found in the mouth of man.”

12 For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with God), and His ears are attentive to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who practice evil [to oppose them, to frustrate, and defeat them]. [Ps 34:12-16.]

                1. The righteous man always attracts divine notice, and wherever he is, there is the ear of God.

                2. Every righteous man is a man of prayer, wherever he prays, there is the ear of God and the  answer is immediate.

                3. Far from His eye being upon the, or His ear open to their requests (For those that do evil, their  prayers fall on deaf ears), God face, His providence and blessing are turned from them, and He  looks upon them to abhor them.

13 Now who is there to hurt you if you are zealous followers of that which is good?

                1. All the devices that the Devil or wicked men bring against you will fail to him who has God for  his friend.

                2. Rom 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who  have been called according to his purpose.

14 But even in case you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, [you are] blessed (happy, to be envied). Do not dread or be afraid of their threats, nor be disturbed [by their opposition].

                1. Suffer: Gr. “pascho” To experience a sensation or impression (usually painful) tried and  persecuted for righteousness’ sake, but this won’t harm you, and even this He will work it for  good.

                2. We should rejoice in this, because it a man were not holy and righteous, the world would not  persecute him.

                3. He who fears God need have no other fear.

15 But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy [and acknowledge Him] as Lord. Always be ready to give a logical defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully. [Isa 8:12,13.]

                1. Most religious systems and creeds are incapable of rational explanation, because they are  founded on some misconception of the divine nature.

                2. The system of humanizing God, and making him, by our unjust conceptions of him, to act as we ourselves would in certain circumstances has been the error of most religions.

                3. This is also true of many Christians who humanize our Lord; We have to constantly labor to  sanctify the Lord God in our hearts, and separate Him from everything earthly and human.

16[And see to it that] your conscience is entirely clear ( unimpaired), so that, when you are falsely accused as evildoers, those who threaten you abusively and revile your right behavior in Christ may come to be ashamed [of slandering your good lives].

17 For [it is] better to suffer [unjustly] for doing right, if that should be God's will, than to suffer [justly] for doing wrong.

                1. Nestle numbers (interlinear) says better, for well doing, if be the will of God ye suffer than for  evil doing. (According to 1 Pet 4:12-19 and 5:19 the Scripture tells us that we will  be persecuted      and suffer as Christians, therefore this is a fact and it doesn’t doesn’t make sense here that it  says “if it should be God’s will”.

                2.Should be in the Gr. is “thelo” to determine, choose, prefer, to wish, be inclined to.

                                i. by Hebraism: to delight in.

                3. This could read : “better to do good, to delight in God’s wil, than to suffer for doing wrong; as  Christ did according to the next verse 18.

18 For Christ [the Messiah Himself] died for sins once for all, the Righteous for the unrighteous (the Just for the unjust, the Innocent for the guilty), that He might bring us to God. In His human body He was put to death, but He was made alive in the spirit,

                1. The original language says “quickened by the Spirit”: Vitalized make alive, give life

19 In which He went and preached to the spirits in prison,

                1. Some interpret this as He went and preached by the ministry of Noah, 120 yrs. These were the inhabitants of the antediluvian world, who, having been disobedient and convicted of the  most evil transgressions against God, were sentenced by His just law to destruction; but, their  punishment was delayed to see if they would repent, and God gave them 120 yrs, which were            granted to them for this purpose; during this time, as criminals tried and convicted, they are  represented as being in prison-detained under th arrest of Divine justice, which waited for their  repentance or finally punishment.

20[The souls of those] who long before in the days of Noah had been disobedient, when God's patience waited during the building of the ark in which a few [people], actually eight in number, were saved through water. [Gen. 6-8.] 

                1. Some interpret this verse thusly: that Christ went into Hades, “the paradise side?” ,where the  souls of the patriarchs were detained, to whom he preached, and whom he delivered from that  place and took with him to paradise.

                2. These are the only Scriptures that the Roman Catholic Church uses for their explanation of  purgatory.

                3. There were 10 generations from Adam to Noah, and each of these generations provoked Him  to anger, and went on in their sin, until at last the flood came.

                3. While the ark was being built, only Noah’s family believed; Many of them, while the rains  came and the waters rose daily, undoubtedly humble themselves before God, call for mercy,  and receive it, but as they had not repented at the preaching of Noah, the ark was now closed, they lost their lives, though God “might” have extended mercy to their souls.

21 And baptism, which is a figure [of their deliverance], does now also save you [from inward questionings and fears], not by the removing of outward body filth [bathing], but by [providing you with] the answer of a good and clear conscience (inward cleanness and peace) before God [because you are demonstrating what you believe to be yours] through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

                1. Noah believed in God, and found grace in His sight, he obeyed him in building the ark and God  made it a means of his salvation from the waters of the flood.

                2. Baptism implies a consecration and dedication of the soul and body to God the Father, Son,  and Holy Spirit; He who is faithful to his baptismal covenant, taking God through Christ, by the  Holy Spirit is saved from his sins; and through the resurrection of Christ from the dead, has the  well-grounded hope of eternal life.

                3. Since the ark was not “immersed” in water and just received a “sprinkling” of rain, many have  interpreted this as the means of “sprinkling” rather than “immersion” for baptism in water!!!!!

22[And He] has now entered into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with [all] angels and authorities and powers made subservient to Him.

                1. The right hand of God is the place of the highest dignity, honor, and influence.

                2. All creatures and beings, both in the heavens and in the earth, are put under subjection to Jesus Christ.

                3. He has good (angels), and evil spirits, (demons) under his absolute command.

                4. He created the world, He can destroy it, and he can recreate it; This same omnipotent Being is the friend of man, so we can come to Him with confidence and expect the utmost salvation of  our souls and bodies.

AMP