1 Peter

Book Outhne

Key theme: God’s grace and the living hope

Key verses: ;

I. God’s Grace and Salvation ()

A. Live in hope ()

B. Live in holiness ()

C. Live in harmony ()

II. God’s Grace and Submission ()

A. Submit to authorities ()

B. Submit to masters ()

C. Submit in the home ()

D. Submit in the church ()

III. God’s Grace and Suffering ()

A. Make Jesus Christ Lord ()

B. Have Christ’s attitude ()

C. Glorify Christ’s name ()

D. Look for Christ’s return ()

IV. Conclusion ()

Book Overview

“While there’s life, there’s hope!” That ancient Roman saying is still quoted today and, like most adages, it contains an element of truth but no guarantee of certainty. The fact of life does not determine hope, but the faith of life. Christian believers enjoy “living hope” () because their faith and hope are in God (). This living hope is the major theme of Peter’s first letter. He is saying to all believers, “Be hopeful!”

He identified himself as “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ” (). Some liberals have questioned whether a common fisherman could have penned this letter, especially since Peter and John were both called “uneducated and untrained men” (). That phrase, however, only means “laymen without formal schooling”; that is, they were not professional religious leaders. We must never underestimate the training Peter had for three years with the Lord Jesus, nor should we minimize the work of the Holy Spirit in his life. Peter is a perfect illustration of the truth expressed in .

First Peter is a letter of encouragement (). The theme of suffering runs throughout the letter, but so also does the theme of glory (see , , , ; ; ; , , , ). One of the encouragements that Peter gives to suffering saints is the assurance that their suffering will one day be transformed into glory (, ; , ; ). This is possible only because the Savior suffered for us and then entered into His glory (; ). The sufferings of Christ are mentioned often in the letter (; ; , ; ).

Following Peter’s train of thought is not difficult. Everything begins with salvation, our personal relationship to God through Jesus Christ. If we know Christ as Savior, then we have hope! If we have hope, then we can walk in holiness and in harmony. We should have no problem submitting to those around us in society, the home, and the church family. Salvation and submission are preparation for suffering; but if we focus on Christ, we can overcome, and God will transform suffering into glory.

“Be Transformed”

One of the recurring themes of Peter’s letter is submission (acceptance of the authority of another) in the life of a believer. Submission does not mean slavery or subjugation but simply the recognition of God’s authority (and His delegated authority) in our lives. God has established the home, human government, and the church, and He has the right to tell us how these institutions should be run. God wants each believer to exercise authority, but before we can exercise authority, we must be under authority. We can never be submissive to each other until we are first submissive to God. Submission is the ultimate expression of trust. Satan’s offer to our first parents was freedom without authority, but Adam and Eve ended up losing both freedom and authority. The Prodigal Son found his freedom when he yielded to his father’s will ().

Submission is an act of faith. We are trusting God to direct our lives and to work out His purposes in His time. This kind of living exemplifies the transformed life that catches the attention of the world. Those who don’t know God find it almost impossible to submit. After all, submitting to others can be dangerous; they might take advantage of us—but not if we trust God and if we are submitted to one another! A person who is truly yielded to God, and who wants to serve his fellow Christians, would not even think of taking advantage of someone else, saved or unsaved. The “mighty hand of God” () that directs our lives can also direct the lives of others.

Greeting to the Elect Pilgrims

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ:

Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

A Heavenly Inheritance

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

5who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,

7that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,

receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.

10Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you,

11searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.

12To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.

Living Before God Our Father

Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

14as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance;

15but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,

because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

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;

knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers,

19but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

20He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you

21who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

The Enduring Word

22Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,

23having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,

24because

“All flesh is as grass,

And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass.

The grass withers,

And its flower falls away,

25But the word of the LORD endures forever.”

Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.

Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking,

2as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,

3if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

The Chosen Stone and His Chosen People

Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious,

you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

6Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture,

“Behold, I lay in Zion

A chief cornerstone, elect, precious,

And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”

7Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient,

“The stone which the builders rejected

Has become the chief cornerstone,”

8and

“A stone of stumbling

And a rock of offense.”

They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

10who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

Living Before the World

11Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,

12having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Submission to Government

Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme,

14or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.

15For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men—

16as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.

17Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

Submission to Masters

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

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

20For 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.

21For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:

22“Who committed no sin,

Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;

23who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;

24who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.

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

Submission to Husbands

Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives,

2when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.

Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—

4rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.

For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands,

6as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.

A Word to Husbands

7Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.

Called to Blessing

Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;

9not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

10For

“He who would love life

And see good days,

Let him refrain his tongue from evil,

And his lips from speaking deceit.

11Let him turn away from evil and do good;

Let him seek peace and pursue it.

12For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous,

And His ears are open to their prayers;

But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.”

Suffering for Right and Wrong

And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?

14But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”

15But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.

17For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

Christ’s Suffering and Ours

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,

by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison,

20who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.

There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.

Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,

2that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.

3For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.

In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.

5They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

6For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

Serving for God’s Glory

But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.

8And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”

9Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.

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

11If 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.

Suffering for God’s Glory

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

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.

14If 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.

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

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

17For 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?

18Now

“If the righteous one is scarcely saved,

Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?”

Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

Shepherd the Flock

The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed:

2Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;

3nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;

4and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

Submit to God, Resist the Devil

Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for

“God resists the proud,

But gives grace to the humble.”

6Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,

7casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

9Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

11To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Farewell and Peace

By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand.

13She who is in Babylon, elect together with you, greets you; and so does Mark my son.

14Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Annotations for 1 Peter

Peter’s use of the term “pilgrims of the Dispersion” does not imply that he was writing only to Jewish Christians, because some statements in his letter suggest that some of his readers were converted out of Gentile paganism (vv. , ; , ; ). Undoubtedly, the churches that received this letter had a mixture of both Jews and Gentiles. We will notice a number of Old Testament references and allusions in these chapters. Recalling the Israelites’ life as foreigners in Egypt (), Peter calls Christians to live as “foreigners” in the world. Because of this, they are considered to be strange in the eyes of the world (). Christians’ standards and values differ from those of the world, and this gives opportunity both for witness and for warfare. We will discover in this epistle that some of the readers were experiencing suffering because of their different lifestyle.

This miracle all began with God: We were chosen by the Father (). This took place in the deep counsels of eternity, and we knew nothing about it until it was revealed to us in the Word of God. God’s choice (election) was not based on anything we had done because we were not even on the scene. Nor was it based on anything God saw that we would be or do. God’s election was based wholly on His grace and love.

, Note the description of this inheritance, for it is totally unlike any earthly inheritance. For one thing, it is “incorruptible and undefiled.” Because it is “undefiled,” it cannot be stained or cheapened in any way. It will never grow old because it is eternal; it cannot wear out, nor can it disappoint us in any way.

, We must keep in mind that all of God’s plans and actions here are preparation for what He has in store for us in heaven. He is preparing us for the life and service yet to come. Nobody yet knows all that awaits us in heaven, but this we do know: life today is a school in which God trains us for our future ministry in eternity. This explains the presence of trials in our lives: They are some of God’s tools and textbooks in the school of Christian experience.

The important truth for us to know about these “pilgrims” (v. ) is that they were going through a time of suffering and persecution. At least fifteen times in this letter Peter referred to suffering, and he used eight different Greek words to do so. Some of these Christians were suffering because they were living godly lives and doing what was good and right (; ; , ). Others were suffering reproach for the name of Christ () and being railed at by unsaved people (, ). Peter wrote to encourage them to be good witnesses to their persecutors, and to remember that their suffering would lead to glory (, ; , ; ).

Faith means surrendering all to God and obeying His Word in spite of circumstances and consequences. Love and faith go together: When you love someone, you trust him or her. And faith and love together help to strengthen hope—for where we find faith and love, we will find confidence for the future.

We trust God, and He meets our needs. If we love Him, trust Him, and rejoice in Him, then we can receive from Him all that we need to turn trials into triumphs. What Peter urged his readers to do was exercise love, faith, and rejoicing, so that they might experience some of the glory of heaven in the midst of suffering now.

When we center our thoughts on the return of Christ and live accordingly, we escape the many worldly things that would encumber our minds and hinder our spiritual progress.

The Word of God has a sanctifying ministry in the lives of dedicated believers (), making us holy. Those who delight in God’s Word, meditate on it, and seek to obey it will experience God’s direction and blessing in their lives (). The Word reveals God’s mind, so we should learn it; God’s heart, so we should love it; and God’s will, so we should live it. Our whole being—mind, will, and heart—should be controlled by the Word of God.

In view of the fact that the Father lovingly disciplines His children today and will judge their works in the future, we ought to cultivate an attitude of godly fear. This is not the cringing fear of a slave before a master, but the loving reverence of a child before his father. It is not fear of judgment (), but a fear of disappointing Him or sinning against His love. It is godly fear (), a sober reverence for the Father.

Peter reminded his readers of what they were. To begin with, they were slaves who needed to be set free. Not only did we have a life of slavery, but it was also a life of emptiness. Peter also reminded them of what Christ did. He shed His precious blood to purchase us out of the slavery of sin and set us free forever. When we meditate on the sacrifice of Christ for us, certainly we should want to obey God and live holy lives for His glory.

God’s Word has life, gives life, and nourishes life. It is “pure milk.” We should have appetites for the Word just like hungry newborn babies! We should want the pure Word, unadulterated, because this alone can help us grow.

Believers are living stones in God’s building. Each time someone trusts Christ, another stone is quarried out of the pit of sin and cemented by grace into the building. To us the church on earth may appear to be a pile of rubble and ruins, but God sees the total structure as it grows (see ). What a privilege we have to be a part of His church, “a dwelling place of God in the Spirit” ().

God’s people enjoy a unity that transcends all local and individual assemblies and fellowships. Having been built together, we belong to each other because we belong to Christ. This does not mean that doctrinal and denominational distinctives are wrong because each local church must be fully persuaded by the Spirit. But it does mean that we must not permit our differences to destroy the spiritual unity we have in Christ. We ought to be mature enough to disagree without in any sense becoming disagreeable.

In the Old Testament period, God’s people had a priesthood, but today God’s people are a priesthood. Each individual believer has the privilege of coming into the presence of God (). We do not come to God through any person on earth but only through the one Mediator, Jesus Christ (). Because Christ is alive in glory, interceding for us, we can minister as holy priests. However, the fact that each individual believer can go to God personally and offer spiritual sacrifices should not encourage selfishness or individualism. We are priests together, serving the same High Priest, ministering in the same spiritual temple. The fact that just one High Priest and heavenly Mediator exists indicates unity among the people of God. While we must maintain our personal walk with God, we must not do it at the expense of other Christians by ignoring or neglecting them.

, We belong to one family of God and share the same divine nature. We are living stones in one building and priests serving in one temple. We are citizens of the same heavenly homeland. Jesus Christ is the source and center of this unity. If we center our attention and affection on Him, we will walk and work together; if we focus on ourselves, we will only cause division.

Peter was careful to point out that Christians in society are representatives of Jesus Christ. Thus, regarding human government, we should respect the office even though we cannot respect the man or woman in the office. As much as possible, we should seek to cooperate with the government and obey the law, but we must never allow the law to make us violate our conscience or disobey God’s Word.

All that Jesus did on earth, as recorded in the four gospels, is a perfect example for us to follow. But He is especially our example in the way He responded to suffering. Despite the fact that He was sinless in both word and deed, He suffered at the hands of the authorities. Jesus proved that a person could be in the will of God, be greatly loved by God, and still suffer unjustly. Today, a shallow brand of popular theology claims that Christians will not suffer if they are in the will of God. As we live godly lives and submit in times of suffering, we are following Christ’s example and becoming more like Him. We submit and obey, not only for the sake of lost souls and for the Lord’s sake, but also for our own sake that we might grow spiritually and become more like Christ.

A Christian husband must minister to his wife and help to beautify her in the Lord (). A Christian wife must encourage her husband and help him grow strong in the Lord. Parents and children must share burdens and blessings and seek to maintain an atmosphere of spiritual excitement and growth in the home. If unsaved people are in the home, they will be won to Christ more by what they see in our lives and relationships than by what they hear in our witness.

God has commanded authority in homes because, in His wisdom, He knows that this is the best arrangement for a happy, fulfilling marriage. Subjection does not mean that the wife is inferior to the husband. In fact, verse clearly states that the husband and wife are “heirs together.” The man and woman are made by the same Creator out of the same basic material, and both are made in God’s image. God gave dominion to both Adam and Eve (), and in Jesus Christ, Christian mates are one ().

Catalyst

Peter devoted more words for instructing wives in marriage, but he packed a single, pointed verse to husbands with a lifetime’s worth of practical wisdom. In all, verses provide the basic outhne for a healthy marriage. Difficulties in a relationship can usually be traced back to a violation of one or more of these principles by either husband or wife or both.

Peter summarized a wife’s plan of action to two points:

Trust God. He made the point that this is a particular challenge when the husband doesn’t seem to “obey the word.” The husband in mind here might be a non-believer or he might simply be an insensitive husband who is not treating his wife in the manner Christ would use. The wife’s key recurring question will be: “Will I decide to manage my husband, or will I decide to let God manage him?”

Accept the authority of your husband. Since two people cannot form a democracy, someone in a marriage must have the responsibility for leadership. This is not intended to be “makes all decisions” kind of leadership but the duty to share decision-making unless a deadlock occurs, at which time God expects the husband to step up and exercise authority. A man is more likely to give his wife’s perspective serious consideration if he knows that the tough choices really are going to be left to him.

Peter reminded husbands that care for their wives must be practiced in four areas:

Emotional (“giving honor”). The term means that a husband respects his wife’s feelings, thoughts, and desires. He may not agree with all her ideas, but he respects and honors her right to speak. He desires her input. He learns that God can guide him through his wife’s sensitivity and natural cautions.

Intellectual (“with understanding”). Despite the old saw about men not being able to understand women, a husband has the delightful challenge to learn to understand his wife. He must pay attention. A Christian husband must get to know his wife’s moods, feelings, needs, fears, and hopes. He needs to listen with his heart and seek to approach her always in an understanding way.

Physical (“dwell with them”). This implies much more than sharing the same address. Marriage is fundamentally a physical relationship (“the two shall become one flesh” ). Of course, Christian mates enjoy a deeper spiritual relationship, but the two go together (see ). A truly spiritual husband will fulfill his marital duties and love his wife.

Spiritual (“being heirs together of the grace of life”). In the central place of life—access to God in relationship—both husband and wife have equal standing. This is why when both are growing closer to God they inevitably grow closer together. Praying together and living spiritual lives in harmony are the too-often neglected building blocks of a strong marriage.

Peter attached an important personal application by indicating that the effectiveness of a husband’s prayer life will be determined by the way he treats his wife.

Go to the

De-emphasizing outward appearance does not mean that a wife should neglect herself and not try to be up-to-date in her apparel. It simply means that she should not major on being fashionable just to keep up with the crowd. Any husband is proud of a wife who is attractive, but that beauty must come from the heart and demeanor, not the store. We are not of this world, but we must not look as though we came from out of this world!

Wardrobe and makeup can simply be wisely chosen accessories for an inner beauty that flows from deep trust in God, or they can be expressions of a woman’s decision to try to manipulate and control circumstances around her by charm and physical beauty.

We must always be reminded of our calling as Christians, for this will help us love our enemies and do them good when they treat us badly. We are called to inherit a blessing. The persecutions we experience on earth today only add to our blessed inheritance of glory in heaven someday (). But God also blesses us today when we treat our enemies with love and mercy. By sharing a blessing with them, we receive a blessing ourselves!

Our enemies might hurt us, but they cannot harm us. Only we can harm ourselves if we fail to trust God. Generally speaking, people do not oppose us if we do good; even if they do, however, suffering for righteousness’ sake is better than compromising our testimony. Peter discussed this theme in detail in .

, Conscience may be compared to a window that lets in the light of God’s truth. If we persist in disobeying, the window gets dirtier and dirtier, until the light cannot enter. This leads to a corrupted conscience (). A dead conscience is one that has been so sinned against that it no longer is sensitive to what is right and wrong (). A person’s conscience can become so poisoned that it approves actions and activities that are bad and accuses the good. If we are to maintain a clear conscience, we must deal with sin in our lives and confess it immediately (). We must keep the window clean. We must also spend time in the Word of God and let in the light.

Everything else in this section is incidental to what Peter had to say about Jesus Christ. This material is parallel to what Peter wrote in . Peter presented Jesus Christ as the perfect example of one who suffered unjustly and yet obeyed God.

, The word translated “preached” simply means “to announce as a herald, to proclaim.” It is not the word that means “to preach the gospel” that Peter used in and . Our Lord yielded His spirit to the Father, died, and at some time between death and resurrection, visited the realm of the dead, where He delivered a message to spirit beings (probably fallen angels; see ) who were somehow related to the period before the flood. Peter did not tell us what Jesus proclaimed to these imprisoned spirits, but it could not be a message of redemption because angels cannot be saved (). It was probably a declaration of victory over Satan and his forces (see ; ).

The flood pictures death, burial, and resurrection. The waters buried the earth in judgment, but they also lifted Noah and his family up to safety. The early church saw in the ark a picture of salvation. Noah and his family were saved by faith because they believed God and entered into the ark of safety. So sinners are saved by faith when they trust Christ and become one with Him.

The main point Peter wanted to emphasize was Christ’s complete victory over all “angels and authorities and powers,” referring to the evil hosts of Satan (; ). The unfallen angels were always subject to Him. As Christians, we do not fight for victory, but from victory—the mighty victory that our Lord Jesus Christ won for us in His death, resurrection, and ascension.

Suffering, plus Christ in our lives, can help us have victory over sin. But the central idea here seems to be the same truth taught in : We are identified with Christ in His suffering and death, and therefore can have victory over sin. As we yield ourselves to God, and have the same attitude toward sin that Jesus had, we can overcome the old life and manifest the new life.

Unsaved people do not understand the radical change that their friends experience when they trust Christ and become children of God. The unsaved may judge us, but one day God will judge them. Instead of arguing with them, we should pray for them, knowing that the final judgment is with God. This was the attitude that Jesus took (), and also the apostle Paul (). We must fear God and not people ().

If we really look for the return of Christ, then we shall think of others and properly relate to them. Love for the saints is important. This love should be “fervent.” The original word pictures an athlete straining to reach the goal. It speaks of eagerness and intensity. Christian love is something we have to work at just the way an athlete works on his or her skills. It is not a matter of emotional feeling, though that is included, but of dedicated will. Christian love means that we treat others the way God treats us, obeying His commandments in the Word.

Persecution is not something that is alien to the Christian life. Throughout history the people of God have suffered at the hands of the unbelieving world. Christians are different from unbelievers (), and this different kind of life produces a different kind of lifestyle. Much of what goes on in the world depends on lies, pride, pleasure, and the desire to get more. Dedicated Christians build their lives on truth, humility, holiness, and the desire to glorify God.

, Our suffering means fellowship with Christ (v. ). To suffer with Christ and be treated by the world the way it treated Him is an honor and a privilege. Suffering with Christ is a gift from God (; ). Not every believer grows to the point where God can trust him or her with this kind of experience, so we ought to rejoice when the privilege comes to us.

In the furnace of persecution and suffering, we often have more light by which we can examine our lives and ministries. The fiery trial is a refining process, by which God removes the dross and purifies us. This truth ought to motivate us to be as pure and obedient as possible.

Note that not all of the difficulties of life are necessarily fiery trials. Some difficulties are simply a part of human life, and almost everybody experiences them. Unfortunately, we bring some difficulties on ourselves because of disobedience and sin.

God the Creator meets the needs of His people (). The Creator provides food and clothing to persecuted Christians and protects them in times of danger. With that kind of a Father, we have no need to worry! He is the faithful Creator, and His faithfulness will not fail.

A faithful shepherd not only would protect the flock but also would lead them from pasture to pasture so that they might be adequately fed. The shepherd would always go before the flock and search out the land so that nothing there could harm the flock. The shepherd would check for snakes, pits, poisonous plants, and dangerous animals. “Elders,” as “shepherds” of believers, must lead their people into the green pastures of the Word of God so that they might feed themselves and grow.

Peter had already admonished the saints to be submissive to government authorities (), the slaves to submit to their masters (), and the wives to their husbands (). Here he commanded all of the believers to submit to God and to each other. The younger believers should submit to the older believers, not only out of respect for their age, but also out of respect for their spiritual maturity.

, Satan is a dangerous enemy. He is a serpent who can bite us when we least expect it. He is a destroyer and an accuser (; ). He has great power and intelligence, and a host of demons who assist him in his attacks against God’s people (.). He is a formidable enemy; we must never joke about him, ignore him, or underestimate his ability. We must “be vigilant” and have our minds under control when it comes to our conflict with Satan.

, Peter closed on a positive note and reminded his readers that God knew what He was doing and was in complete control. No matter how difficult the fiery trial may become, a Christian always has hope.

First Peter is a letter of encouragement. We have noted that the theme of suffering runs throughout the letter, but so also does the theme of glory (see , , , ; ; , , , ). One of the encouragements that this letter gives suffering saints is the assurance that their suffering will one day be transformed into glory (, ; , ; ). This is possible only because the Savior suffered for us and then entered into His glory (; ). The sufferings of Christ are mentioned often in this letter (; ; , ; ).

Suffering does not automatically bring glory to God and blessing to God’s people. Some believers have fainted and fallen in times of trial and have brought shame to the name of Christ. Only when we depend on the grace of God will we be able to glorify God in times of suffering. Peter also emphasized God’s grace in this letter.

1 Peter 1

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1:8 M-Text reads known.

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1:12 NU-Text and M-Text read you.

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1:22 NU-Text omits through the Spirit.

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1:23 NU-Text omits forever.

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1:24 NU-Text reads all its glory.

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1 Peter 2

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2:2 NU-Text adds up to salvation.

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2:7 NU-Text reads to those who disbelieve.

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2:21 NU-Text reads you.

2:21 NU-Text and M-Text read you.

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2:25 Greek Episkopos

1 Peter 3

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3:8 NU-Text reads humble.

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3:15 NU-Text reads Christ as Lord.

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3:18 NU-Text and M-Text read you.

3:20 NU-Text and M-Text read when the longsuffering of God waited patiently.

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1 Peter 4

4:1 NU-Text omits for us.

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4:3 NU-Text reads time.

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4:14 NU-Text omits the rest of this verse.

4:16 NU-Text reads name.

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1 Peter 5

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5:2 NU-Text adds according to God.

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5:8 NU-Text and M-Text omit because.

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5:10 NU-Text reads But the God of all grace . . . will perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

5:10 NU-Text and M-Text read you.

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