1 Peter

Thursday, 12 December 2019

…but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 1 Peter 4:13

To keep the context, the entire thought should be considered –

“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; ¹³ but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.”

In contrast to thinking it strange for a believer to face fiery trials, Peter says that they are to “rejoice.” To think something strange is to indicate a lack of understanding why something is occurring. There should be no doubt as to why believers face trials, and they are to not only accept them, but to rejoice in them.

Peter then provides the exact reason for this seemingly contradictory state. He says you are to rejoice “to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings.” The translation is incorrect. It says, “in the sufferings of the Christ” (YLT).

Believers do not suffer in the same sufferings as Christ. Rather, they participate in sufferings which are the same model as those which Christ suffered. The difference is similar to the concept of the Catholic mass (transubstantiation) and communion. We do not actually participate in eating the body and blood of Christ. Rather, we participate in a remembrance of that act. Likewise, our sufferings may be emblematic of the sufferings of the Christ, but we are not participating in His actual sufferings.

The sufferings, which we participate in, are because of our being in Christ, and they are a point by which we are to rejoice. Peter then explains why this is so by saying, “that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.”

Again, the translation is lacking. The word translated as “be glad” is the same verb as at the beginning of the verse, and it is followed by a second verb to highlight the state. It should say, “rejoice exulting.”

There is a time ahead which will put all sufferings of Christ’s faithful into its proper perspective. Today, if we have joy, it will be remembered for the rest of our lives. However, if we have sickness or trouble, the memory – though maybe still painful to an extent – will fade. This is all the more so as joys of life fill up the painful thoughts. When believers come before the Source of all joy, the trials and the sufferings that were once faced will be completely forgotten as they are consumed by the everlasting joy which fills the once painful space of our memories.

Peter was probably thinking of Christ’s words which were spoken on the Mount of Beatitudes. Though spoken under a different dispensation, the truth of what Christ said is an eternal truth concerning suffering for the sake of Christ –

“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. ¹² Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:11, 12

Life application: When you suffer as Christ did, as a believer you are likewise partaking afflictions as He did. This is obviously of great value to the Lord and something for which you will be rewarded, so don’t be disheartened. Like Matthew above, Luke also speaks of this in Luke 6:22, 23.

Paul also used this same terminology in 2 Corinthians 7:4 when he said, “I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation.” Jesus set the pattern, Paul and the other apostles confirmed the pattern, and we are to live by it to the greatest extent possible.

Peter likewise suffered in this way, both as recorded in the book of Acts and at the end of his life – something he will mention later in his writings. Peter isn’t asking us to do anything that he and the other apostles hadn’t already endured. Be firm in your convictions now that you will be willing to suffer for Christ. When He appears, you will be exceedingly joyful at the approval He lavishes upon you!

Jesus, if we are to face persecution and reviling, we ask that You fill us with Your Spirit of grace so that we may be a pleasing example of patience and faithfulness during the fiery trial. This we ask so that You – You, O Lord – will be glorified through our sufferings. To Your honor and glory we pray. Amen.

Wednesday, 11 December 2019

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 1 Peter 4:12

Peter now returns, once again, to the idea of suffering and trials. In doing so, he again uses the word translated as “beloved” as he did in verse 2:11. He is tenderly addressing his flock and asking them to consider his words as a heartfelt truth that must be considered. In this, he says, “do not think it strange.”

Here, he uses the same word as in verse 4:4. It signifies “to receive as a guest.” Thus, it is something surprising. They are not to be surprised or alarmed “concerning the fiery trial which is to try you.”

Here, the verb is a present participle. It should read, “the fiery trial which is trying you.” They were already facing fiery trials, and they should not consider that this is something unusual or which was unexpected. The word translated as “fiery” is introduced here, and it will be seen two more times in Revelation 18 when speaking of the burning of Babylon. It is that which burns for purification. In this case, it is combined with another word, translated as “trial,” to signify a test of burning which purifies. One can think of silver being refined and purified through the work of the refiner.

Peter says that there should be no surprise in this. If believers are the Lord’s, and we are imperfect, fallen beings, then we require purification through such testings in order for us to grow and mature. Therefore, it should not be in their minds that this is “some strange thing.”

This is how God worked with Israel while under the law –

“For My name’s sake I will defer My anger,
And for My praise I will restrain it from you,
So that I do not cut you off.
¹⁰ Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver;
I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.
¹¹ For My own sake, for My own sake, I will do it;
For how should My name be profaned?
And I will not give My glory to another.” Isaiah 48:9-11

As Peter’s audience is first and foremost Jewish believers, they would be aware of the words of the Lord, and they should understand that the Lord purifies His people in order that His name would be glorified. Hence, such testing was for their good and for His glory. Peter says this is why the trials “happened to you.”

Again, it is a present participle. Therefore, it should read “are happening to you.” It is something that had begun, and it is something that will continue until the end of this age. God’s hand of purification will continue until His people are finally glorified.

Life application: Each person who attempts to live a godly life will be facing their own trials. These are allowed in our lives to try us, to test us, to strengthen our armor, and to build our Christian character. However, none of these things are allowed without the approval of the Lord.

To understand God’s sovereign hand in all things – even in calamity – read the first two chapters of Job. Satan had to get permission to bring trial and disaster on Job. The Lord allowed these things to happen, and He will allow difficulties to come about in our lives as well. This doesn’t in any way demonstrate an uncaring or unloving attitude in the Lord. Instead, all things are brought about for our benefit (whether we understand it at the time or not) and for His glory.

In the end, we will see the wisdom of everything that has happened to us in our lives. The thing for us to remember now is that it is a demonstration of God’s confidence in us and our ability to learn and grow from what has occurred, or is occurring, in our lives.

Heavenly Father, we don’t like the fiery trials we have faced in the past, and we certainly don’t look forward to the ones yet to come, but we know that You have ordained them for our learning and growth. When they come, remind us of this, so that we can bear up under the pressures they bring about. In the end, we know that You will be glorified, and we will be edified. Amen.

Tuesday, 10 December 2019

If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:11

Peter now details two gifts which may have been imparted to individuals which demonstrate “the manifold grace of God,” which he referred to in verse 4:10. In naming them, he will explain how they should be handled. Along with this, he will give the reason for it. First, he begins with, “If anyone speaks.”

This display of grace is speaking. The context, however, is more than just speaking in general. And yet, it certainly should be inclusive of all speech. To define what he means, he says, “let him speak as the oracles of God.” One might think, “Oh, Peter is referring to preaching because he is referring to someone speaking about Scripture.”

It is certainly true that if a person is preaching, he is to do it based on Scripture. A sermon which is not based on the word may be a motivational speech, it may be an incitement to wage war, it may be a political rally, but it is not “preaching” as intended by Scripture. But there are other types of speaking that must surely be on Peter’s mind, such as teaching, counsel, tongues, prophecy, etc. Each of these must be “as the oracles of God.”

For example, if someone speaks in tongues, and it is not in accord with God’s will and his directives for tongues (which are laid out clearly in Scripture), then that person is in violation of Peter’s exhortation here.

Understanding this, all forms of speaking which involve Scripture are to be “as the oracles of God.” But should that be the end of the directive? No. In Deuteronomy, it says this –

“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. ⁷ You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. ⁸ You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. ⁹ You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:6-9

This set of words was probably what was on Peter’s mind. It is not merely speaking by someone invested with an office, but all people at all times. “When you speak, do so as you have the oracles of God on your lips.” And this does not mean the fulfilled law of Moses, but the entire body of Scripture. As Paul says elsewhere –

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. ¹⁷ And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:16, 17

Next, Peter says, “If anyone ministers.” This display of grace is ministering.  The word signifies caring for the needs of others in a practical way, and as the Lord guides. This is obviously a function within the church. The word is translated into English as “deacon” in 1 Timothy 3:10. However, it is a word which is broadly used to refer to any type of ministering, serving, etc.

Again, the thought should not be limited to those in church employ, but rather to all people who minister at any time. In such, Peter says, “let him do it as with the ability which God supplies.”

People are given the ability to minister in an almost infinite variety of ways, but the thought is inclusive of talent, level of authority, amount of strength, level of wealth, availability of property for use, and on and on. God has supplied all people with their station in life. It is the obligation of God’s people to then use that station for His glory in the conduct of the service of others.

Peter then says this is so “that in all things God may be glorified.” What good is speaking without bringing glory to God? What good is serving without glorifying the One who gave the abilities to serve in the first place. Everything is temporary and fleeting except that which is done for the glory and honor of the Creator. Our station is not to work independently of Him, but in accord with Him and His will for us.

And this can only truly be done properly when God is glorified “through Jesus Christ.” Without Jesus, we truly only have a limited idea of who God is. Jesus is the Christ, meaning “Messiah.” It was He who was prophesied to come, even moments after the fall. It is He who was the hope of all of the faithful of ages past.

The Lord directed the people’s attention to this coming One, so that when He came, it would be He who expressed God in a way in which we could concretely see and understand. Without him, religions have formed 7 jillion “gods” out of their own imaginations. But in Christ is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15), and He is, therefore, the way that God has chosen to express Himself to us.

Understanding this marvelous thing, Peter finishes with a short doxology by saying, “to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” All things came from God, all things belong to God, and all things are to bring glory to God forever and ever. He alone is sovereign over all things, and it is right that all things are to be done by us to bring Him all of the glory that He is due.

Life application: Deuteronomy 11 repeats the same idea as cited from Deuteronomy 6, which is quoted above. Peter uses this familiar idea. Whenever we speak, our language should be continuously salted with verses and our words should be sprinkled with glorifying God. It doesn’t matter who we speak to, we should be bringing the knowledge of Jesus to those around us.

Likewise, Peter tells us that God doesn’t supply half-heartedly And so, we shouldn’t minister that way either. In all we do – whether speaking or ministering, we need to do it to glorify God. If we are doing otherwise, then we are depriving the Lord of the honor, glory, and dominion that He alone is due. Let us never fall into this error, but rather let us be living testimonies to the Lord, the Lord Jesus Christ – to the glory of God. Amen!

Lord, as Isaiah cried out – “I am a man of unclean lips and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips.” We ask you today to purify our hearts and souls and bring us to the place where we speak, act, and live solely for You and Your glory. On our own, we cannot do this, but with Your Holy Spirit surely we can. Glory to You O God! Amen.

Monday, 9 December 2019

As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 Peter 4:10

Peter now gives a reasonable explanation for the courteous behavior he just exhorted his reader to display by saying, “As each one has received a gift.” What gift has been given has been left indeterminate by Peter. He simply says, “a gift.” Unfortunately, the older KJV uses the definite article, “the gift.” This causes a confused reading of Peter’s intent, as if there is a particular gift which has been received.

What is true, however, is that every saved believer has received a gift, even if it is only the gift of grace bestowed upon him by God in Christ. Supposing he cannot think of anything else he excels at, he can at least display grace towards others, just as he himself has received.

Whether only this, or one of a list of gifts noted by Peter or by Paul elsewhere, Peter says to “minster it to one another.” A gift which is hoarded has value only to the recipient, and if it goes unused, its value actually diminishes. If one has received grace, and he fails to grant it to others, the grace which was received will soon be considered as having been deserved. A person who has the gift of excellent speech could increase the blessing to others many times over. But if it is unused, the eloquence of the tongue will begin to fade.

Therefore, it is the wise person who takes the gift he possesses and passes it on to others. In doing so, others will be blessed, and the giver will be strengthened in the gift he possesses. Peter continues by saying that each one should do this “as good stewards.”

A steward is a person who tends to others. Therefore, the gift is not intended to end with the recipient of the grace. Nor is he the originator of the grace, as if he is the ultimate benefactor who is to be praised for his granting of it to others. Rather, a steward is one who carries out a duty on behalf of another – receiving and passing on as intended. And what he has received is that which consists “of the manifold grace of God.”

The word translated as “manifold” signifies “of various kinds.” One can think of a tapestry of many colors, each providing the eye with delight. Or maybe one could think of a bowl of many different types of ice cream, each providing a unique and tasty sensation.

Thus, the “manifold grace of God” is not specifically speaking of the grace which leads a sinner to salvation, but of the display of God’s care and love for His creatures which is transmitted to and through them for their doctrine, comfort, guidance, healing, and etc.

Life application: Each of us has been given different likes and different abilities. These are gifts from God, and He asks us to use them in a way which will return glory to Him. Several times in his epistles, Paul lists gifts useful to the church. Here is his list from Romans 12:6-8 –

“Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; ⁷ or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; ⁸ he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”

As you notice, these are the same gifts found in the secular world (prophecy, in this case, can be equated with public speaking). The difference then between our abilities and those of non-Christians is that we, as Christians, are to use them for the glory of God.

Instead of using our God-given gifts and talents only for our own benefit, we are now to exercise them –

1) to the glory of God’s grace in our life, and
2) for the ministering of others.

Are you a salesclerk? Then sell with cheer and by bringing Christian light into your store. Are you a lawyer? Then administer your gift in a way which will define proper ethical behavior. Are you a service technician? Then conduct your job knowing that God has blessed the work of your hands when you do it for His glory. Whatever your life’s work and skills are, remember to exercise them to the honor of the Lord who has delivered you into His eternal kingdom!

Heavenly Father, sometimes we look at other jobs that people have and think they must be closer to you because of what they do – preaching, working in a church, or serving as a missionary. But Your word shows us that we can bring just as much glory to You in the work we do. Please give us the opportunity to share Your gospel right from our place of work, by living as Christians filled with the hope we possess because of Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Sunday, 8 December 2019

Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 1 Peter 4:9

The word “Be” is inserted here in order to tie it to the previous clause, as it rightly belongs. Peter had just said that we should have fervent love for one another. Using the same thought, he continues the idea with “be hospitable to one another.” It is an adjective used by Paul in 1 Timothy 3:2 and Titus 1:8. Peter now uses it for the last time.

It literally means “fond of guests,” and thus it conveys the idea of being welcoming of others and given to hospitality. One could think of the saying, “Our doors are always open to you.” And to further define this, Peter next says, “without grumbling.”

The word signifies “muttering,” and the intent is obvious. One who is supposedly hospitable should not be grudging in their hospitality. Rather, they should be filled with accommodating speech and words of blessing.

Life application: There is a ton of difficulty for many of us in these seven words! In 1 Timothy and Titus, Paul says that elders are to be hospitable; it is one of the requirements of the job. Peter now says that everyone in the brotherhood is to be hospitable.

Logically, if an elder fails to be hospitable, then the congregation is going to be equally inhospitable. The old truth that a “nation won’t rise above its leader” applies to the church as well. The pastor of a church sets the tone for the entire congregation. If his doctrine is faulty, the congregation will be led astray. If he tolerates sin, the congregation will fall into the same sin. If he is a backbiter or a gossip, the congregation will tear itself apart. Likewise, the pastor of the congregation needs to be hospitable. When he is, the rest of the congregation will normally take on this favorable quality.

Being hospitable, however, needs to be genuine. If it is done in a spirit of grumbling, can anyone expect to see it as anything but a grudgingly committed act? Of course not! It is important to keep this in mind as we relate to others. Christ didn’t head towards Jerusalem hemming and hawing about the difficulty that lay ahead.

Instead, the Bible says, “Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51). The NIV translates the word “steadfastly” as “resolutely.” Jesus faced the coming trial with determination and did it in such a way that Luke, while compiling his gospel, could state the matter in this strong and reliable language. Let us have a similar steadfast and resolute demeanor when we demonstrate hospitality towards those who come across our path.

Lord, we must admit that we are not always as hospitable as we should be. In addition to this, when we attempt to be, our heart isn’t always behind the act. Instead, we inwardly grumble about whatever inconvenience we perceive in the matter. Lord, give us a right heart as we deal with others – deferring to their needs and not to our own comfort. This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.