1 Peter

Tuesday, 17 December 2019

Now
“If the righteous one is scarcely saved,
Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” 1 Peter 4:18

Peter now explains his words concerning judgment beginning at the house of God. The house of God means those who have come to Christ. They have an imputed righteousness which covers their sins. However, there will still be a judgment for reward and loss. In this, the things which are of no value will be burned up (see 1 Corinthians 3:11-15). As Paul says there, and as Peter agrees with here, “If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.”

In complete agreement with Paul, Peter says, “If the righteous one is scarcely saved…”

Peter’s words are a direct quote, word for word, from the Greek translation of Proverbs 11:31. The Hebrew version reads –

“If the righteous will be recompensed on the earth,
How much more the ungodly and the sinner.”

Paul says that in the judgment there will be loss, “but he himself will be saved.” Peter says that “the righteous one is scarcely saved.” What does being “scarcely saved” mean? It means he is…? Anyone? Yes, you get an A+! He is “saved.” The doctrine of eternal salvation is, once again, explicitly taught in both Paul’s and Peter’s words. There is no verse which says a person will go from being “in Christ” to “out of Christ.” Once one is in Christ, they are covered in Christ. He has moved from Adam to Christ and the change is complete. He is deemed “righteous.” From that point on, he is saved.

In contrast to this being “scarcely saved,” Peter then says that if this is so, “Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” Here, there are two terms, almost being used synonymously. First are the “ungodly.” The word signifies “lacking due respect.” It is a person who doesn’t care about God, and he shuns him in his life’s walk. The second is the “sinner.” This is a person who misses the mark God has set out for salvation. He falls short of God’s approving standard and is never converted from his state. He remains in fallen Adam.

So, the question is asked, “Where will these type of people appear?” The answer is, “The ungodly and the sinner will appear for judgment leading not to salvation, but to condemnation.” The thought is obvious on the surface. In theology, 1+1 will inevitably equal 2.

A person who is a sinner is a person who has his sins imputed to him. A person who is not a sinner does not mean he will not sin, but that his sin is no longer imputed to him. Paul speaks of such a person in Romans 4:8 and 5:13. He further speaks of him in 2 Corinthians 5:19. In Christ, God is no longer imputing trespasses to the people who have come to Him. Rather, those who come to Christ “become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Life application: What is implied here is that there is a fixed and firm standard of righteousness and ungodliness. This standard wasn’t unknown to either Solomon, who recorded the proverb or Peter who used it. They both speak with the knowledge that “the righteous” are in one category and the “ungodly and the sinner” are in another. If they speak in this manner, then they must know what the dividing line is. As both of these men participated in the Day of Atonement ritual, they would certainly have reasoned out that their righteousness didn’t come from them. If it did, they wouldn’t have needed a Day of Atonement at all.

Peter, unlike Solomon, saw the fulfillment of the Day of Atonement in the Person of Jesus Christ. He understood that the righteousness of God is imputed, not through the blood of bulls and goats, but through the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the propitiation for our sins and is the dividing line of righteousness the Bible records.

If you have called on Jesus as Lord (see Romans 10:9, 10), you will be saved (even if “scarcely” due to a failure to grow in sanctification). If you are trusting in anything else under the heavens for your righteousness, you will appear – not in heaven and God’s glorious presence – but in hell and eternally separated from the goodness which was offered to you as a gift. Choose life, choose heaven…choose Christ!

Lord, we know that in us is nothing good, but through Jesus we are declared righteous. Thank You for canceling our infinitely large debt and covering us with His righteousness. Thank You for the garments of white that He alone has given us. Glory to You, O God – thank You for Jesus! Amen.

Monday, 16 December 2019

For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 1 Peter 4:17

Peter has been speaking of suffering – either for doing good or evil. Now he speaks of the consequences of our earthly conduct which leads to suffering if it is because of evil-doing, meaning judgment. And so, he begins with, “For the time has come for judgment.” The word translated as “for” gives the sense of “because,” or “for it is.” More literally translated then, the words say, “…because it is the time of the beginning of the judgment” (YLT).

Those who die in Christ will be judged by Christ. Our conduct in this life is what defines what our judgment will be like. There are no second chances, and there is nothing that can be amended after we die. What we do now is what our judgment will be based on. Peter then continues with, “to begin at the house of God.”

In other words, God’s judgment is directed first towards his own people who are in His own household, meaning those who are in Christ and who are sons of God through adoption. Paul speaks in the same manner in his epistles concerning the household of God, such as –

“…but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” 1 Timothy 3:15

Paul speaks of the household of God in 1 Corinthians 3:16, and etc. It must be noted that Scripture speaks of one such household, not two. The lie of hyperdispensationalism is that God is giving out two different gospels to two different groups of people, and which then leads to two different households. Scripture does not teach this false doctrine. There is one gospel and those who believe it are adopted into God’s one household.

Peter says that judgment will begin at this household of God. This is a judgment, as clearly revealed in Scripture, not for salvation or condemnation, but for rewards and losses. This is then made evident by his next words when speaking of unbelievers. He says, “and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?”

The obvious first meaning of this is that those who are saved cannot lose their salvation. Judgment will be rendered upon God’s people. There is one end, and it is the same for all of them, despite the individual judgment being different in terms of rewards and losses (see Paul’s words of 1 Corinthians 3:9-15 & 2 Corinthians 5:9-11).

There is then another end for those who are not believers. It is a judgment for condemnation. Peter’s words then take that premise and basically say, “If there is condemnation for all who do not believe, then how great will be the judgment upon believers. They have believed and yet they have either lived properly or they have squandered their time here. God is not a cosmic pushover, and we need to be ready to face this awesome and terrifying moment.”

What Peter has done is repeat a concept which reaches back into the Old Testament – that judgment begins at the house of God. In Ezekiel, during the time of the destruction of the first temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Babylonian exile, we read this –

To the others He said in my hearing, “Go after him through the city and kill; do not let your eye spare, nor have any pity. ⁶ Utterly slay old and young men, maidens and little children and women; but do not come near anyone on whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary.” So they began with the elders who were before the temple. ⁷ Then He said to them, “Defile the temple, and fill the courts with the slain. Go out!” And they went out and killed in the city.
⁸ So it was, that while they were killing them, I was left alone; and I fell on my face and cried out, and said, “Ah, Lord God! Will You destroy all the remnant of Israel in pouring out Your fury on Jerusalem?”
⁹ Then He said to me, “The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great, and the land is full of bloodshed, and the city full of perversity; for they say, ‘The Lord has forsaken the land, and the Lord does not see!’ ¹⁰ And as for Me also, My eye will neither spare, nor will I have pity, but I will recompense their deeds on their own head.” Ezekiel 9:5-10

God didn’t spare those who sinned against him then; He didn’t spare them at the destruction of the second temple. Further, those who were saved were still exiled from the land because they were a part of God’s corporate judgment on Israel. The severity of God’s judgment is not to be overlooked or dismissed. What we do has real consequences which must be considered. All will be presented before God for judgment.

Life application: What would make anyone think that the God, who is unchanging and perfect in all His ways, would suddenly do “something different?” Rather, God has judged, and He promises to continue to judge all wickedness. And His judgment begins at His house. The religious leaders who are filled with bloodshed, greed, and perversity will receive both the first and also the strictest judgment. The Bible records that “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31). Let us prepare ourselves for that great Day when we stand before the Lord now. Let us live by faith, and let us live in obedience to His word.

Lord God, You are filled with love and compassion, but You are also Holy and righteous. You cannot tolerate sin and we know You will judge all wickedness. We pray for the faithless religious leaders – that they will repent and turn to You before they are swept away. May You be exalted by their conversion to the truth of who You are, so that those they lead will also come to a saving knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Sunday, 15 December 2019

Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. 1 Peter 4:16

Peter now turns from the negative traits that a person may suffer for, and to the highest and most glorious state for which a person might suffer. To contrast his thought from the previous verse, he says, “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian.”

This is the third and last time that the title “Christian” is used in Scripture. The other two occurrences are in Acts 11:26 and Acts 26:28. The word simply signifies a follower of Christ. Countless commentaries state that the term “Christian” is one which was considered lowly and derogatory, even disgracefully used by others. This is an unfounded claim. The first use of the word states –

“Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. ²⁶ And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.”

There is nothing to suggest that the term here is used exclusively by those outside of the body of believers, or the other only by those inside the body. It is simply a statement of fact. Just as today a Presbyterian is identified as such, and just as a Baptist is identified as such. It is true that those outside may have used the term in a negative way – “Look at those holy-roller ‘Christians’ over there.” However, to a believer in the Greek-speaking world, the name is the only logical and proper title.

The word Christos is transliterated into “Christ,” and it has the same meaning as “Messiah.” Both mean “Anointed One.” As the majority of believers moved from Jews to Gentiles, as would be the case in Antioch, the title “Christian,” or “Christ-follower,” would naturally and gladly be used. There would be no hint of derision, but only a welcome bearing of the word.

For those on the outside who were not at enmity with the believers, it would be a name to be used without either derision or exaltation. And for those who disliked believers, it would be a title of derision. This is how any name is given. For a family – “Those ‘Garretts’ are a bunch of yahoos.” For a nationality, “I really respect those Americans.” For a type of car – “A ‘Ford?’ No way Jose! That means ‘Found On Road, Dead.’ I would never own a ‘Ford!’”

Peter, acknowledging this now commonly used term (the term “Christ,” which leads naturally to the use of “Christian,” is used almost 600 times in the New Testament) to instruct his audience. Remember that Peter is writing to Jews, but they are Jews of the dispersion. Therefore, the commonly used language would have been Greek. Therefore, writing in Greek, and using the term “Christian,” are in perfect harmony with that thought. And so, he says, “let him not be ashamed.”

One can see very clearly that the title was, in fact, also being used as a term of derision by those outside in his words. These Jews certainly were proud of the title, but family, friends, and other opponents used it in a negative way – just as Jews are proud to be Jews, but those outside will call them “Jews” in a negative way. Peter lets them know that the title should not be borne with any sense of shame at all. Rather, he says, “but let him glorify God in this matter.”

His words tell the believes that they should take what may be another’s form of derision and to turn it around and make it a point of honor – as if wearing it as a cloak which all could see and decide upon. In their conduct, in their attitude, and in their allegiance to Christ, they would exalt and bring glory to God. Each person who saw them as “Christians” would have to decide which way they would speak the term – as derogatory or as a compliment – but all would see that the intent of these believers was to bring glory to God.

Life application: Here is the account of when the apostles were beaten by the ruling leaders of their time –

“And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. ⁴¹ So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. ⁴² And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.” Acts 5:40-42

The apostles were called into the ruling council and strictly warned to not speak in Jesus’ name. They were beaten for their witness, and then were warned to not speak in the name of Jesus in the future.

One would think that facing the highest court in the land, and being threatened by those who sat there, would scare these men. Additionally, one would think that being beaten would make them timid about speaking out in the future. Instead, it says they departed “rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.”

The next sentence then proclaims that they “did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.” If you think it through clearly, what is there to worry about if your faith is sound? We proclaim Jesus as Lord and that we believe His promises. One of them is that we are given eternal life through His name. Whatever little trouble we face in this world, if this promise is true (and it is!), then every trial and every pain is simply a temporary matter.

Jesus Christ has prevailed, and we really do have a sure hope. If you suffer for His name, don’t be ashamed. Instead, glorify God because of it.

We know in our hearts that Your word is true, and that Jesus Christ is Lord. O God, please help us to understand this in a rational way and never to forget that with this confession comes the promise of eternal life. What can man do to us when You are at our side? We are safe and secure in the hands of our Creator! Amen.

Saturday, 14 December 2019

But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. 1 Peter 4:15

Peter had just spoken of receiving reproach in the name of Christ, and when it occurs, as he said, “on your part He is glorified.” Now as a means of explaining that, he cites the words of this verse by saying, “But let none of you suffer.”

The Greek reads, “For let none of you suffer as a…,” which is followed by several negatives. He is expressing cause, not contrast, from the preceding verse. Peter’s words are precautionary because many Christians have come from the troubled of society. Not every believer is from a Christian home and raised in a godly atmosphere. People are brought out of all kinds of wicked lives. Further, even those who were raised in a godly home may think that they are immune from judgment because they were raised as Christians. In spite of the cause for their behavior, Peter will speak against those who do these improper things.

Believers are “in Christ,” and when they are reproached as Christians, it is “in the name of Christ,” just as he said in the previous verse. It is contrary to being “in Christ” to be one of the negatives which he will next state. If one is reproached as a Christian, God is blasphemed by them, but he is glorified by the believer. So how can God be glorified by something negative?

The suffering itself is not the thing which brings blessedness to the individual and glory to God. Rather, it is the faith and endurance of the believer which brought about the reproach, and which then brings about the blessedness and glory. This is the thought that is being presented, and it is why the Greek word gar should be translated as “for” and not “but.”

With that in mind, he begins with, “as a murderer.” The idea of murder is that of an action which is unsanctioned and which results in death. Killing in war is not murder. Executing a capital criminal is not murder. It is an act defined by the Fifth Commandment in the Old Covenant, and it is sanctioned under the New (see Galatians 5:21 and elsewhere).

Next, Peter cites being “a thief.” The word is kleptés. One can see the root of the word kleptomaniac there. It is a thief, someone who steals in secret, rather than someone who does so openly and with violence.

Peter then says as “an evildoer.” The Greek word is used in Scripture only by Peter. This is the last of three times he uses it. It is someone who makes trouble and looks for opportunities to injure others or cause unnecessary damage.

Finally, he says, “or as a busybody in other people’s matters.” This is a word found only here in Scripture. A literal translation would be an overseer in the affairs of others. In other words, he takes authority in matters which he has no right to meddle in. Thus, it speaks of a busybody, sticking his nose into the business of others and failing to mind his own business.

Life application: All of us are susceptible to doing wrong and falling back into evil patterns, and we need to be continuously on guard about how we conduct our lives. Should we fail and turn back to the things Peter mentioned, we are bound to get caught and suffer for our actions.

His point then is that we should rather suffer for Christ than for something so inappropriate.

Also, realizing the severity of the first three categories mentioned – those of murderers, thieves, and evildoers, it is notable to see the fourth item in the list, that of busybodies. Most of us would agree that being a murderer is a really bad thing. Thieves are a scourge in all societies, and there are usually strict penalties when one is caught stealing. Likewise, the term “evildoer” isn’t the type of label most people would want to be associated with. There are plenty of modern terms we use to describe a person who is a general evildoer, none of which are light and flowery.

But here Peter adds in something which carries the same weight, and yet which is as common as birds chirping in the morning – busybodies. We tend to dismiss this type of person as someone not to be trusted and to stay away from, but they don’t receive prison sentences, nor do we have colorful metaphors we direct towards them. From a biblical perspective though, this type of behavior is held on the same level as murder!

This is because being a busybody destroys the lives of those it touches. It infects and ruins congregations, and it never accomplishes anything but unhappiness and disaster. The next time you are tempted to mention a private matter, get involved in someone else’s business, or interfere in some unwanted way, remember that Jesus will hold you to account for your actions. Determine now to be the epitome of ethical behavior in all of your dealings.

Lord Jesus, we pray that you keep us from the willful desire to get involved in areas that are none of our business. Should we hear a busybody in action, please don’t let us get sucked into their poisonous trap, but rather keep us from them so that harmony may prevail. This is a tough area and we pray that You keep us safely from it. Amen.

Friday, 13 December 2019

If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 1 Peter 4:14

Peter continues with the same general idea as he has written about for the past two verses. He mentioned the fiery trial of believers, and of partaking in Christ’s sufferings. These things are to be expected and actually are to be a point of honor for those who face them. As he now begins to say, “If you are reproached for the name of Christ.”

The Greek reads, “in the name of Christ.” In other words, this is not speaking of suffering which is a result of faith in Christ as much as it is a title of honor for bearing the name of Christ. The reproach is because of the honorable name the believer bears, but which is used as a reproach by those who do not bear it. It is a title which can belong, and only belongs, to a “Christian.” This will become evident in verse 4:16.

If one is reproached in this way, Peter says, “blessed are you.” One who bears the name of Christ, and who is reproached for bearing that name, carries with him a blessing. In being a Christian, it means that something happened when they became a Christian. That is then seen with Peter’s next words. He says, “for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.”

Very few translations properly render these words. Vincent’s Word Studies explains –

“Lit., the spirit of glory and that of God. The repetition of the article identifies the spirit of God with the spirit of glory: the spirit of glory, and therefore the spirit of God: who is none other than the spirit of God himself.”

A more suitable translation would be, “the Spirit of glory and the Spirit of God.” It is a note implying the doctrine of the Trinity – One essence with individual “Persons” within the Godhead.

The blessing, then, is that this Spirit of Glory, meaning the Spirit of God, rests upon the person who bears the name of Christ. This is what Paul refers to in Ephesians 1 –

“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, ¹⁴ who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:13, 14

A person has the Spirit of God resting upon them, because they have trusted in Christ. In trusting in Christ, he bears the name of Christ. Peter calls this a blessing because it is the sign and the seal that we are restored to God. Therefore, to be reproached in the name of Christ can only be the highest honor of all.

Peter then explains this by saying that the reproach does not fall on the believer as much as it does on Christ (the subject of the verse) in whom the believer is reproached. As he says, “On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.” Christ is blasphemed when people reproach “Christians,” it is true, but Christ is glorified at the same time by those Christians who are willing to stand and receive reproach in His name, because it is He who is honored by the believer in the process.

The contents of the verse are important to follow properly, because Jesus says elsewhere these words –

“And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven.” Luke 12:10

It is these words which were probably on Peter’s mind. In Peter’s words, he speaks of being reproached in the name of Christ – something which can be forgiven. It is not the Holy Spirit who is being reproached, but rather the name of Christ. Those who reproach Christians because of the title they bear are doing so for exactly that reason. The Spirit has sealed the person and rests upon him, but that is unseen to the one who is reproaching. It is the name of Jesus, the Christ, who is the Subject of Peter’s words.

Life application: A few points to consider –

1) You cannot logically be reproached for the name of Christ if you are not a Christian;
2) Normally and rightfully, you won’t be reproached for the name of Christ, even if you are a Christian if you keep it a secret;
3) You can’t expect the blessing promised here if you are not reproached for the name of Christ, but this doesn’t mean you won’t be otherwise blessed.
4) Having the Spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, upon you is not necessitated upon bearing reproach for the name of Christ.

These four points should be obvious, but some people tend to miss one or more of them. For example, some people in the church age have been openly belligerent in their Christian life, seeking to be reproached and even martyred. They did this expecting a greater blessing in the afterlife (see point 4). This kind of thinking is abnormal. We are to live our lives in a manner which brings glory to Jesus, not to ourselves.

This then leads back up to point 2. You cannot bring glory to Jesus if you keep it a secret. What is the point of growing in the knowledge of Jesus if we don’t share it with others? Being timid about His role in your life is like being timid about eating dinner. When you share your faith in, and love for, Jesus – whether you are reproached or not – you can expect the Lord to favor it and bless you (see point 3). No matter what you face, a pat on the back or a punch in the head, you will be rewarded.

Don’t worry about your here and now! Instead, look to the needs of those who haven’t heard about Jesus, and share His name with them. If you do, the Spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, will lead you and support you because He rests on you. Have no fear in what man can do; the Lord can do so very much more!

Heavenly Father, how glorious You are. May we be willing to openly, and without timidity, stand on the title which we bear – Christian. Overwhelm our reticence, and give us the desire, ability, and action necessary to proclaim the name of Jesus. Whether we suffer reproach or thanks, may our words be filled with His great name! Amen.