1 Peter

Saturday, 2 November 2019

For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 1 Peter 2:20

It was just noted by Peter that it is commendable for suffering wrongly if it is done with a good conscience towards God. He now asks an opposing thought to get his audience to think through why this is so, beginning with, “For what credit is it…?” The word translated as “credit” is found nowhere else in the Bible. It is akin to a word which signifies being called by name. Thus, an appropriate translation would be, “For what praise is it…?”

It is as if he is focusing on those who would claim such a thing. If a person of a minority race, religion, or culture, in a given society, was to be punished for doing something wrong – we’ll say attacking people with a knife, or maybe killing his sister because she “dishonored” the family name, or something similar – and then he claimed that he was suffering because of racial or religious persecution, rather than for the actual wrong he had done, then he would be such a ridiculous fool.

And so Peter continues, “when you are beaten for your faults.” The person is rightly punished for the wrong he has done. Understanding that, Peter then says, “if … you take it patiently?” The person is obviously a criminal. He has done wrong. And yet he calls out during his punishment, “I am receiving this as persecution for my religion, and so I accept the punishment for the honor of it.” Those who hear, and who aren’t ridiculously dull, would laugh at him. He is a criminal, and he is rightly deserving of what he got. Such a thing is what Isaiah referred to –

“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” Isaiah 5:20

It is perverse and illogical to claim that something which is obviously wrong is good and noble. However, and in contrast to that notion, Peter then says, “But when you do good and suffer.” This is completely the opposite scenario. A person goes as a missionary to another country to spread the gospel. Or maybe the person stands on the corner of the street and reads the Bible, proclaiming salvation through Christ, or any other such good and reasonable action which is meant to help others, be productive in society, establish right morals, and etc. In doing such a thing, Peter says that “if you take it patiently.”

While having done nothing wrong, the individual is being persecuted, punished, imprisoned, or whatever, and yet he takes his suffering patiently. In such a case, Peter notes again (as in verse 19) that “this is commendable.” And it is not just commendable in and of itself, but it is so “before God.”

God is witness to the act, because it was right, good, and honorable. And in his seeing it, He notes that what has been done is proper.

Life application: If you are punished for doing something wrong and you take your punishment patiently, what credit is there in that? In fact, it is not only something that should be done, but if it is not done there is bound to be more punishment. No one likes a whiner and to fight back over just punishment shows a person that needs more of it. Peter contrasts this, however, with the one who suffers patiently when the punishment is undeserved.

On the other hand, if a missionary who is proclaiming salvation through Christ fights back, what will be the result? It will be more conflict and an even greater animosity towards the gospel. But, if the missionary suffers after having done no wrong and accepts the unjust punishment, what will be the response? As has so often been the case in the history of the church, the gospel wins over because of such patient suffering. The exact opposite of what is expected occurs.

Let us then consider the epitome of unjust suffering as contrasted to just suffering and remember what occurred –

“Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? ⁴¹ And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Luke 23:40, 41

The criminal on the cross next to Jesus realized that He was being crucified even though He was innocent. In return, the world has become a vastly different place – light shines in the darkness and many souls that would otherwise have been eternally condemned will now stand in the presence of God without fear. Hallelujah to the Lamb of God!

Lord God, Jesus suffered patiently when no punishment was due. He became an example to each of us that we too can endure through unjust punishment. And so, give us that ability as well; give us the ability to bear up under unjust punishment and to bless, not revile, our false accusers. And through this, may You be glorified. Praises to You, O God. Amen.

Friday, 1 November 2019

For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 1 Peter 2:19

Peter is speaking to “servants” as noted in the previous verse. He then told them that they were to reverently submit to their masters, both the good and the harsh. Speaking of submitting to the harsh masters now, he says, “For this is commendable.”

The literal reading is, “For this is grace.” The meaning of this is debated. Some interpret it as being a mark of grace as a Christian, such as, “Look at how he endures under such harsh treatment. Those Christians are gracious indeed.” Others see it as a point which deserves divine favor (grace) for enduring though such things. Others look to it as meaning that it is what is expected of believers (because this is what the word says) and though not deserving of any particular grace, it is pleasing in the sight of God.

The last is surely true. God is pleased with such an attitude. But the first is also true. It is a mark of grace, and such a mark has purpose. It is to reveal the intended character of Christians to the world. In other words, bearing up under harsh treatment is the sphere of grace in which the believer exists. As Peter says it, “For this is grace.”

Imagine him in front of a TV pointing out different types of people. He shows a clip of a servant who fights back at his master – “This is an example of ‘lacking wisdom.’” He shows a clip of a servant who curses his master after his master leaves the room – “This is an example of ‘wickedness.’” He then shows a servant who bears up under the harsh treatment of his master with only courtesy, reverence, and respect – “This is ‘grace.’”

Peter then explains this state by saying, “if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.” The ill-treated servant displays grace, but it isn’t because he doesn’t want to punch the head of his master. It is because he is doing what God expects him to do, even as he endures grief. It is against the natural state of man to bear up under such trials in a contended manner, but he does so out of a greater fear of God, and thus he displays grace even when suffering wrongly.

Peter will give a logical reason for this first, and then he will show that this is exactly what Christ Jesus did. He, the grace of God incarnate, was willing to act in such a manner, and so Peter says that when we do, “This is grace.” It is reflective of Jesus’ words found in Luke 17:6-10. Take time to read that.

Life application: Peter’s words are tough to practice and few people are able to master what they say. Even if we suffer wrongfully, our conscience toward God should tell us to accept what has happened rather than diminish our testimony of Him in our lives.

Being magnanimous in the face of obvious wrong treatment isn’t easy, but Paul says elsewhere –

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
      If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
      For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Romans 12:20

In today’s unreasoning society, we are often faced with real unfairness. Hard work and dedication are no longer rewarded and are, in fact, condemned. For example, students in school who perform to the best of their abilities are not granted “top of the class” awards because others who failed to perform might feel left out. This is just as unfair as a boss who mistreats you. But a student who is magnanimous in such an instance will be remembered for his attitude.

There are so many instances in our lives where we can show ourselves approved by God, but the difficulty is in actually doing it. Let us ask the Lord for His help –

Heavenly Father, You know how difficult it is for us to overlook mistreatment and unfairness, but if it will bring You glory, then give us the ability to act properly in these instances. May Your divine hand be there to guides us, or we will surely not be able to act in the way You expect. Thank You for being with us in such times. Amen.

Thursday, 31 October 2019

Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. 1 Peter 2:18

Peter now turns from a general exhortation of being submissive to the leaders, which he says “is commendable before God,” to a specific exhortation directed to “servants.” The word is oiketes, or “servants.” It is not the common word which speaks of a bonded servant, or a slave. Rather, it speaks of a servant in a household who works for a family. This implies that it is work accomplished with devotion and affection. Paul uses it in Romans 14 when speaking of believers –

“Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.” Romans 14:4

What Peter will say here extends to the end of the chapter, the contents of which certainly applies to all believers. But the focus is on servants because it is servants whom this particular aspect of Christ and His ministry reflects. He came to be the “suffering Servant.”

The word translated as “master” is despotés. It “implies someone exercising ‘unrestricted power and absolute domination, confessing no limitations or restraints’” (R. Trench). It is where our modern term “despot” comes from. It is used ten times in the New Testament, and six of them are speaking of the Lord.

Paul uses it when speaking of an earthly master several times, such as in 1 Timothy 6:1 –

“Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed.”

The idea that Peter is conveying is like that of Paul’s words. Whoever is a believer, while a member of such a household, is still obligated to be submissive to his own earthly authority who exercises control over him, and to do so “with all fear.” It is the same word as Peter used in verse 1:17 –

“And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear.”

After saying that, he then tied the reason for this conduct in with the work of Christ. He will do the same thing here in the verses ahead. We are to have reverent fear of our masters because Christ also conducted Himself in this same manner. The point, then, is that we are to be like Christ in our earthly walk.

He then explains this by saying, “not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh.” It is not difficult to yield to a good and gentle master. In fact, it is a privilege to do so. But Peter says that servants are expected to be this way toward those who are harsh as well.

The word Peter uses, translated as “harsh,” means “crooked.” John the Baptist used it to speak of the crooked paths which Christ would make straight. The only other two uses of it need to be seen to understand why Peter is speaking as he is –

“And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, ‘Be saved from this perverse generation.’” Acts 2:40

“Do all things without complaining and disputing, ¹⁵ that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” Philippians 2:14, 15

In both instances, the apostles speak of the state of the world in general. Christ came into this state and submitted Himself to this crooked generation. Thus, believers are to conduct themselves in the world in the same manner. In the verses ahead, Peter will show us that this was a part of Christ’s plan in order to bring men out of this state and to Him. The crooked paths are made straight by Christ, and a part of that work is incumbent on us to see that it is accomplished.

Life application: Have you have had a really terrible boss in the past? Do you have a really crummy boss now? Peter is telling you today that you are to be submissive to your masters.

Obviously, we normally don’t have bondservants and house masters in today’s society, but we do have bosses that we are accountable to. As long as we are working for them, we have made the voluntary choice to submit to them. We are to show them proper respect regardless of how moody or uncaring they are. Fortunately for many of us, we work in a hierarchy and bad bosses can be monitored by higher bosses. Further, we have workplace standards in place which were set by government bodies at all levels.

In the time of the Roman Empire, such wasn’t the case. Slaves, hired hands, etc. were at the whims of their overlords. No matter whether they were gentle or harsh, Peter told them (and thus us today) that they were to be submissive. Jesus set the perfect example in this. If the Creator was willing to show such humility, how much more should we also be submissive?

Lord, we can see how terribly short we fall from Your high standard. We have not been submissive to those who are over us in the way Your word directs. At times, we have complained against, gossiped about, and even talked back to our superiors. Give us a full-cleansing that we might be acceptable employees in the future. May our actions bring You the glory that You are due. Amen.

Wednesday, 30 October 2019

Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. 1 Peter 2:17

Peter has been speaking of submitting to the authorities which are duly established over believers, meaning those of the secular world. He said that this is the will of God, and the reason for it includes putting to “silence the ignorance of foolish men.” He then noted that a Christian’s liberty is not to be used as a cloak for vice.

With these thoughts in mind, he next says to “Honor all people.” The word signifies to fix a value to another, and thus holding in personal esteem. If one is to fix a value to the foolish, as noted in verse 15, there will obviously be lesser esteem for them than for others. It cannot mean that all people are honored equally. In fact, that would go contrary to what Paul says of the believer’s spiritual teachers –

“Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.” 2 Timothy 5:17

Therefore, it must be that honoring all people is a way of showing the respect due to each individual accordingly. Paul speaks of exactly this in Romans 13:7 as well. Next, he says, “Love the brotherhood.” This word, brotherhood, is found only here and then again in 1 Peter 5:9. It speaks of the fraternity of believers.

There should be a sense of fraternal love between believers. It is true that we may not like every believer we encounter. And yet, we should endeavor to love them as believers, even if we don’t actually like them. There is nothing contradictory in this. Rather, it is how we would conduct ourselves in any situation, be it work-related, assignments in the military, and so on. We are to put our allegiance to the greater bond over our personal likes or dislikes of the individual. In the case of those redeemed by Christ, we should esteem them in the way that Christ did, saving them despite their fallen state.

Next, Peter says, “Fear God.” The word signifies dread, terror, reverent awe, and so on. The context of the situation explains the meaning. When Jesus performed miracles, the people around Him are said to have feared. In this case, it was an awe of the power of God. Jesus told the people to fear God because He has the power to save, or to cast into hell. He also said that believers are not to fear those who can only kill the body. If this is all they can do, but God can save even the dead from that state, then truly God is to be feared. We are to hold Him in the highest awe who created all things, and who has the power over all things and for all eternity.

Finally, Peter says, “Honor the king.” Most scholars are in agreement that this is speaking of the emperor at the time (meaning the governing authority at any time) who was also referred to as “king,” such as in John 19:15. This is based on the words of verse 13 where Peter spoke of the king when referring to the highest official of the land. This is probably not the case. Rather, Peter is speaking of the King of kings who is Christ. This would be in line with Paul’s words of 1 Timothy 1:17 –

“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”

The same word used in the first clause, “Honor all people,” is used here. What is obvious then is that the personal value, or esteem, which is assigned to the King, is to be of infinite measure. We are to hold our God in such esteem that our praises and respect for Him continue at all times, even unto eternity.

Life application: Four wonderful imperatives are wrapped together in one verse to sum up the paragraph we have been looking over. Rather than getting wordy, Peter leaves no doubt and no ambiguity as to what sums up his thoughts. We are to –

1) Honor all people. All people – the poor, foreign, homeless, toothless, aged, young, annoying, etc. – are created in God’s image. All people are deserving of some level of our respect and attention.

2) Love the brotherhood. A little more specific than “honor all people,” and really, maybe a bit more difficult too. How annoying are some of the people in our church! Isn’t it easier to ignore them, or avoid them, when you see them coming? Sometimes it’s easier to travel to foreign countries and hang out with people who don’t speak our language than be nice to people in our own church. But we are called to love our fellow Christians no matter how different they are.

3) Fear God. Direct and to the point. Solomon said it this way –

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:
Fear God and keep His commandments,
For this is man’s all.” Ecclesiastes 12:13

4) Honor the King. This is surely talking about Jesus. Peter has moved from the general to the specific: people > brotherhood >  God > King. How do we honor God? By honoring Jesus. As Jesus Himself said, “He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him” (John 5:23).

Yes Lord, give us wisdom and kindness in dealing with others – in the family of man, in the family which is the church, towards You as our Creator, and to Christ as our King. May our actions be appropriate in all ways and at all times, and may You be glorified through them. This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Tuesday, 29 October 2019

…as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. 1 Peter 2:16

Peter has been speaking of submitting to the authorities and the rules they lay down for society. He then equated those who fail to do this as “foolish men.” There is no doubt he is including believers in this. They profess to love God, but they fail to do what God expects of them. Now he says that believers are to do this “as free.”

This means that believers are free from the world because of Christ, and yet God has mandated that we are to live within the confines of the law. However, some reject this and act as if they are above the laws of the land. This would, and will, bring about a hatred of believers and of Christ because of their haughty arrogance. It would further set the body apart as a rebel group. Any government would then see it as a threat.

This is exactly why believers are to submit to the authorities established by God. They are to be seen as upstanding and obedient within the lands in which they reside. The purpose of Christ leaving a body of believers behind is to bring more into it, not to exalt itself above others and turn them away from it.

However, Peter next says, “yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice.” The word translated as “cloak” is more rightly stated as “covering” or “veil.” It is something that would hide the true intent, and thus it forms a pretext. Further, the word “vice” speaks of that which is evil. It is that which is morally wicked because there is no shame in doing wrong.

A believer could say, “I am free and therefore I can do whatever I want.” Thus, he could promote any worldly vice and claim that his actions don’t matter. But this is not what God has called his people to. He has saved them from this fallen world to live for Him. It is only an arrogant, foolish, and ignorant person who would willingly continue in his old life of debauchery and claim that it didn’t matter. “I am saved, so I can do what I want.”

The very idea of this, however, confirms the doctrine of eternal salvation. Peter could not use these words if eternal salvation was not true. He would, instead, say that the consequences for such a life would result in condemnation. The negative (not threatening damnation) affirms the positive (eternal salvation). And he then explains why it is so by saying, “but as bondservants of God.”

This is the heart of the matter. The believer is saved, but is saved unto righteousness. Only a perverse fool would stand saved by the blood of Christ and then willingly do what is contrary to the salvation he has been given. But even such a fool, if saved, remains saved. It shows the immense mercy of God because of what He has done in Christ Jesus for those who come to Him.

As bondservants of God, we are given freedom from sin. When we fail to live to that standard, we are the ones who will suffer – both in this life, and in the judgment to come.

Life application: The context of this verse is what Peter has been discussing for the last couple of verses – we are to submit to the authorities appointed over us and to live in harmony with the laws they have duly established. He said we are to do this because –

1) It is the will of God.
2) Our actions will silence the accusations of “foolish men.”

Peter then goes on to say that we are free. This certainly means that we are free from the restrictions of this world; we have a higher allegiance. But our higher allegiance is actually of a much stricter moral code than the code of our earthly rulers.

Even though we are actually free from society’s mandates, this in no way excuses us from living morally and in an upright manner. Others are watching who are bound to the rules of society. If they were to see us exercising our freedom in a licentious manner, it would give them every opportunity to accuse us and also rail against the God we claim to follow. It would further possibly lead them to call on a false Jesus who accepts such behavior. Thus, they would never come to true, saving faith.

As Peter says, we may be free in one sense, but we are “bondservants of God” at the same time. How can we claim liberty leading to moral perversion under a lesser master? It makes no sense, and yet this is the exact way much of Christendom lives. When you move about society, be careful that others understand that the One you serve is far more precious to you than freedom from the world system in which you live. Let us pray for strength and fortitude in this area –

O Lord God, we are Your servants, and yet we have acted as if we are free from Your law and bound to the laws of man and the chains of sin. You freed us from this life and yet, unfaithful as we are, we often return to it. Please transform us to holy living and right moral direction, so that You precepts will be held in high esteem by those who see our behavior in this life. Amen.