1 Peter 01
1. OPENING ADDRESS (1:1-2)
2. DIGNITY OF THE CHRISTIAN VOCATION (1:5 -2:10)
A. NEW BIRTH IN CHRIST (1:3-9)
B. TESTIMONY OF THE PROPHETS (1:10-12)
C. BE HOLY YOURSELVES ( 1:13-2: 3 )
D. CHRIST THE LIVING STONE ( 2: 4 - 10)
3. DUTIES OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. (2:11 - 3:12)
A. CIVIL DUTIES OF THE SAINTS ( 2: 11 - 17)
B. SUFFERING LIKE CHRIST ( 2: 18 - 25 )
C. HOUSEHOLD DUTIES OF THE SAINTS ( 3 : 1 - 7 )
D. MORAL DUTIES OF THE SAINTS ( 3 : 8 - 12 )
4. DIFFICULTIES OF CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION ( )
A. CONDUCT DURING PERSECUTION ( 3:13 - 5: 11 )
B. LIVING FOR THE LAST DAYS ( 4: 1 - 11 )
C. SUFFERING AND CHRISTIAN GLORY ( 4: 12 - -19 )
D. SHEPHERDS AND THE FLOCK ( 5 : 1 - 5 )
E. HUMILITY AND VIGILANCE ( 5 : 6 - 11 )
5. CLOSING BENEDICTION. ( 5 : 12 - 14 )
This book was written by Peter from Babylon (5:13) about A.D. 65. This is the area of the original Babylon, not mystery Babylon, Rome as some think. (Arguments for Rome are largely based on tradition.) Rome was never considered mystery Babylon until after John wrote Revelation 25-30 years later. Also Peter did not write in mystery in this epistle, and there is no indication in scripture that Peter was ever in Rome. He was probably martyred within a year and a half after Paul.
v 1. Although he was the apostle to the circumcision, it is written to the same believers scattered, “Diaspora”, exiles, through Asia Minor that the book of Hebrews was written to. They were Jews primarily, but included Gentiles who became Jewish proselytes. Christians were hated by Jews because they worshiped Christ as God. Hated by Romans because they spoke of Christ as King. Roman pagans considered them atheists because they had no temples or visible sacrifices.
v 2. Chosen by the foreknowledge of God.
Sanctified, made holy, by the Holy Spirit
Sprinkled, covered, by the blood of Christ
They were in great need of this grace and peace, freedom from fear and conflict.
v 3. They hadn’t witnessed the resurrection as Peter had, but because of it, they had a living hope, assurance of heaven, just as we have. Here and in v 23; Jn. 3:3-7, “Ye must be born again.”
v 4. Our heavenly inheritance is imperishable and reserved, (Gr. guarded) for us. The Jews inheritance is in the Millennium.
v 5. We are kept in eternal salvation now, but it will be completed in eternity.
v 6,7. These people had suffered and were going to suffer a great deal more. He assured them God was refining them as in Zechariah 13:8,9, to be His people, and they will receive praise from Christ at His return, Mt. 25:21; Jn. 12:26. Our joy is independent of our circumstances. Trials prove the reality of our faith.
v 8,9. We learn to love and continue to love others through our contacts and perceptions of them. Peter had seen Christ, but we cannot see him, so we learn to know Him and love Him by focusing our faith on Him. The greater our love, the greater the joy until our present eternal salvation is complete in heaven.
v 10-12. We know more about Christ than the old prophets, though they prophesied of Him. They could not understand the timing and fulfillment of what the Holy Spirit inspired them to write, but could observe that the things were for a future day, not for themselves. (Ask students the basic things we know about Christ which the prophets foretold without understanding, birth, life, death, resurrection and return.) We even know more about the gospel going to the Gentiles etc. than the angels did before the Church began, Eph. 3:5,6.
v 13. We are to prepare our minds to discipline, self restraint and concentration on the truths of the Word, and we will rejoice when Christ returns.
v 14. Gentiles were to turn from the horrible moral standards of their past and Jews were to turn from religious zeal, both done in ignorance, to true worship of God.
v 15,16. The command to be holy was given Lev. 11:44,45. Four truths:
a. Our new life when we are born again is divine, so it is holy.
b. To obey we must become practically what we are positionally.
At Bar-Mitzvah ceremony a Jew boy is declared a man, then he must act like one.
c. We can only discipline ourselves to do this by the power of the Holy Spirit.
d. With our old nature it is possible to sin, but not necessary to sin in our new. God is holy. Our actions show what kind of God we think He is.
v 17-19. Holy living does not bring salvation, but it is lived if we fear God . It was not money or their religious activity that saved them, but the sacrifice and shedding of Christ’s blood. He was the anti-type of the perfect sacrificial lamb. Redeem is the idea of a ransom paid for a life, being bought out of the market place of sin.
v 20. Christ’s offer of Himself was made before the earth was created, but it was not performed till the day of the apostles and His life on earth.
v 21. God’s stamp of approval of Christ’s offering was shown by His resurrection so we can be encouraged know beyond any doubt that this was of God.
v 22. Fellowship based on mere mutual interests and pleasant personality is not Christian love. Lives pure by confessed sins and obedience to truth, the Holy Spirit, enable us to love those who are unlovely.
v 23-25. Our physical birth is from mortal seed or sperm. Our new birth is from seed which is imperishable, the Word of God, Matt. 13:3-23, which tells us the way of salvation. Not just the written word, but Christ is the true Word and it is He who imparts spiritual life to us. All flesh, our mortal activities are fleeting, but the word of the Lord is everlasting. From it we learn how to receive life everlasting, God dwelling in us.
1 Peter 02
v 1. Malice -wickedness; guile - deceit; hypocrisy - disguised as diplomacy or tact- envies - jealousy, which leads to evil speaking - slurs to outright slander. This should be an instruction to new believers, but is needed by many who should be mature.
v 2,3. Those wrong things removed from a new believer (or others) should not leave a vacuum, but be replaced with a desire for good nourishing spiritual food. Heb. 10:25, assemble with believers, and 1 Jn. 1:9, confess sin. This leads to healthy spiritual growth, but neglect, to spiritual illness and entrance of sin. v 4,5. The corner stone is laid first in the foundation, and all others are built around it. Christ was God’s choice on whom to build, but mankind as a whole have refused to build on Him. Those of us who do are pictured as building stones, individually indwelt by the Holy Spirit, but collectively making up God’s building, as well as the “priests” who serve in that building. Those Jewish believers would have understood the acceptable sacrifices.
a. Sin offering - must be brought in a spirit of repentance and faith in forgiveness.
Words of repentance and faith are acceptable sacrifices to God, Hosea 14:1,2.
b. Burnt offering - was completely consumed, shows complete dedication to God.
We present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, Rom. 12:1.
c. Peace offering - was for thanksgiving, and was just an act of worship.
We offer a sacrifice of praise and the fruit of our lips, Heb. 13:15.
Summary: Christ was the perfect sacrifice and fulfilled all the O.T. sacrifices. His offering was accepted by God, and we are accepted in Him, Eph. 1:6.
v 6-8. This continues the thought of Christ the chief cornerstone, precious to believers, but unbelievers reject Him and refuse to build on Him. As builders disallow an unsuitable stone, Christ did not meet the qualifications of the Jewish leaders. Christ is the:
a. Smitten Stone as in Exodus, that all may come to Him and drink.
b . Foundation and chief cornerstone of the Church as we are built on Him.
c . Stumbling stone to Jews at His first coming as they rejected Him.
d. Headstone of the corner to Israel at His second coming when they accept Him.
e. Smiting stone of Dan. 2:34, crushing Gentile nations in the end times.
Here Christ is represented as a foundation stone, but in Ps. 118:22 and Zech. 4:7 He is the capstone, which would be pyramid shaped. Such a stone would be stumbled over no matter how it was lain until finally used at the top. In either case, men stumble because they disobey and disbelieve God’s Word. Build on or be crushed by the Rock.
v 9,10. The Jews would be familiar with the terms royal priesthood and holy nation from Ex. 19:5,6. Because of Israel’s failure, this now expresses the Church, all believers being priests and all of us a part of a holy nation. Peter refers to Hosea 1:6,9 where Israel had “Not obtained mercy” and “Not my people”, to the day Israel would repent and be “My people”. Nationally this awaits the Tribulation period, but Jews and Gentiles alike who have come under the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ are now God’s people. A “peculiar” people (KJV), or a people of His own, purchased and kept safe. (See Schofield Note 1 on verse 9. Very good on NT priesthood summary. Five points, 1. Originally head of family priest. 2. All Israel to be priests, but after sinning, given to Aaron. 3. Church Age believers all priests. 4. Chief privilege of of priests is access to God. 5. Duties of the NT believer -priest: (A). Sacrificer a. His living body. b. Praise from his lips. c. His substance. d. Service (B). Intercessor.)
v 11. These were indeed strangers as they were dispersed among the Gentiles, and so are believers in this present world. Fleshly lusts, especially sexual lusts, were tempting them at every step, as they are yet today.
v 12. Many unbelievers are suspicious of and try to smear Christians for the way they live. It is important that we not only avoid evil, but have an honest, positive behavior in good works, so when a time of testing comes, instead of calling us hypocrites, unbelievers will acknowledge that it is God working in us.
v 13-16. It may seem easy to obey good government, but this was written in the days of the persecutor, Nero. Crucified Christians, threw in bloody skins to wild dogs and made human torches to light his garden. Believer’s stand then and now may label us as trouble makers, so we need to strictly adhere to the law, being careful not to use our civil liberties in violation of the law. This will not give unbelievers true accusation to use against us. The only exception is in matters of spiritual witness for Christ, when we must obey God rather than man, Acts 5:29. We may be martyrs, but not law breakers. Verse 15 indicates they may have been suffering lies and verbal abuse.
v 17. If we fear God we have no trouble loving the brethren, even evil men can be seen as an object of God’s love, and we must have respect for the office of a president who is admittedly immoral in office and has been a drug using draft dodger.
v 18-20. Whether old time servants or present day employees, we are to give an honest day’s labor to pleasant or unpleasant bosses. Sometimes we may even be put down for our Christian behavior, but don’t give opportunity for rebuke by handing out tracts and witnessing on company time. But if we humbly accept unfair treatment or denial of promotion, this is pleasing to God. Today we have the option to change jobs.
v 21. Believers are called to suffer in the same meek spirit in which Christ did.
v 22,23. When we would not use our fists we might make nasty remarks. Christ did not sin even with His lips, not even when repeatedly provoked by religious leaders. Of course even at death He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, no threats, retaliation.
v 24. Christ took our sins and died for them on the cross. Through Him we died so now we should live righteously.
v 25. Before we were saved we were lost sheep, but now we have come to Christ, the Good Shepherd who cares for His sheep.
Conduct of those in exile, 1 Pet. 2;11 - 3:7:
Christian Conduct
(Geneva pt. 9)
2:11 GENERAL 2:13 CITIZENS 2;18 EMPLOYEES 3;1 WIVES 3;7 HUSBANDS Abstain from lusts Obey rulers Be subject even Be subject to Honor wife when wronged husbands Live honestly Do good; serve Follow example Win husband by life, Be intelligent God; honor all men of Christ meek & quiet spirit in demands
Several titles for believers in 2:1-11:
New born babes; Lively stones; A spiritual house; A holy priesthood; A chosen generation; A royal priesthood; An holy nation; A peculiar people; The people of God; Dearly beloved; Strangers; Pilgrims.
1 Peter 03
See chapter 2 for conduct chart on 2:11-3:7.
v 1,2. The pendulum has swung from pagan culture to women’s lib, and many are becoming dominant over their husbands. Subjection is to be to their own husband, not a pastor or fellow worker. Unsaved husbands may be won by wives proper conduct.
v 3,4. In every age Oriental ladies have prized long braided hair with many rich adornments attached. Even the poor were expected to borrow more for their wedding. Tresses weighted by ornaments might hang to the ground. Faces may wrinkle with age, but a meek, quiet spirit only makes one more appealing. Hidden man is Christ united with our spirit.
v 5,6. Sarah took great risk, posing as Abraham's sister. Nevertheless, God blessed her, and God will bless in homes where the wife is in proper submission.
v 7. Husbands are to be specially considerate of a wife who is submissive for two reasons. First, in most cases she is not as strong and has physical limitations. Second, believing husbands and wives are equal spiritually and can build up one another.
v 8. This addresses all the groups previously mentioned, as brethren. We should be in one accord and in love show active sympathy and understanding for each other.
v 9. This forbids retaliation and goes beyond patient endurance, to actually return good for evil, as Christ has called us to this kind of behavior to be blessed ourselves.
v 10-12. If we would truly enjoy life, there is no place for evil speaking or any other wickedness for the Lord is against that. Instead, actively seek peaceful relationships with the Lord and others, for he will hear us and give us inner peace.
v 13,14. Believers may suffer persecution, but if our lives are above reproach, we can rejoice, because the Lord will not allow it to go beyond the boundary of His will.
v 15. We should set the Lord apart in first place in our hearts and humbly tell others of our eternal hope.
v 16,17. Make sure others will have no basis for accusing us of wrong doing, and if we suffer slander having a clear conscience before God, they shame themselves.
v 18. Christ set the example in suffering innocently, but His was an atoning death, and He rose again, all for the purpose that we might come to God.
v 19,20. This definitely does not indicate that Christ went to Hades after death and preached to the sinners of Noah’s day giving them a second chance, or that He went to Hades to preach victory over death or any other such argument. This continues the context of suffering and of the Holy Spirit mentioned in verses 17 and 18. Christ, by the Holy Spirit, preached through Noah for 120 years to those antediluvian people now in Hades. That “preacher of righteousness” no doubt suffered much ridicule from them, but the eight in his family were borne up by the same water that destroyed others.
v 21,22. Baptism does not save anyone. As Noah was saved by water, we are saved by the death of Christ, followed by His resurrection, both of which are pictured in water baptism by immersion. Not the ceremonial washing of Jewish baptisms, but the outward expression of the change that has taken place in our heart, that we have been buried with Christ and raised to new life, Rom. 6:3,4. Christ is now seated at the right hand of God, everything being made subject unto Him.
1 Peter 04
v 1,2. The servant is not greater than his Lord, so if Christ suffered, why should we not? If we have the mind of Christ, we will cease from intentional sin and the human desires. Instead we will desire to do the will of God as Christ desired.
v 3-5. Believers may find it difficult to make a break in social - business activities which they once enjoyed or in which they were obligated to participate. Those associates may think it strange or even speak evil of us. “He was a good Joe and one of us till he got religion.” But they will have to give account to God.
v 6. This does not refer back to 3:19,20 and indicate a second chance after death. It is possibly a statement that those believers who have been martyred will live with the Lord. At least those believers who have died will not be judged as in verse 5, but will live in the presence of the Lord.
v 7. The disciples lived in the “last days”, that is the days following Christ on earth, just as much as we do. They too believed in the imminent return of Christ, hence the need to live self disciplined, prayerful lives.
v 8,9. If we have intense love for other believers, we are able to accept them in all their faults. It is right to show hospitality to any believers who come our way in good times or times of persecution, but do it without complaining.
v 10,11. We are stewards placed in charge of any ability God has granted to us for furthering the gospel and edifying the body of Christ. These gifts may involve use of natural talents. These gifts are in the basic categories of speaking or serving. We are not to use them to bring honor to ourselves, but to glorify Christ.
v 12-14. These believers were already suffering persecution, and in view of what Christ had suffered and warned, they should not be surprised by it. They, and we, may be in difficult circumstances, but if it is for Christ’s sake, we can rejoice because He is being glorified through it.
v 15,16. This is similar to 2:20 and 3:17. It is shameful to have to suffer for our own wrong doings, but if the sufferings are because we are Christians, we can glorify God.
v 17,18. “Scarcely be saved” does not speak of works for salvation, but indicates that we as believers are not exempt from the natural consequences of sin or chastening from the Lord. However unbelievers will face eternal judgment.
v 19. Any who are ill treated for living as they ought as a Christian are to put their souls in God’s care. He created them and will never fail them. This is not speaking of salvation, but of commitment.
1 Peter 05
v 1,2. Originally this was addressed to the elders and bishops who were the pastors of the churches, the very top spiritual leaders of the Church. It is possible that the church has become so multi purposed today that it would apply to all the special service directors and even through deacons and Sunday School teachers who are spiritual leaders in the Church. The warning concerning lust for money would thus apply to director of music etc. which are paid positions in some churches. Even Sunday School teachers should serve willingly, not because of arm twisting.
v 3. Also the various officers are to set an example, and not just be big shots. Consider implications of this verse with Heb. 13;23.
v 4. When there were numerous flocks and shepherds, one chief shepherd was placed over all. Joseph’s brothers over Egyptian herdsmen, Gen. 47:6 and Doeg over Saul’s herdsmen, 1 Sam. 21:7. In 18th century Spain, one man was over 50 others, and over 10,000 sheep. Christian ministers are pastors or shepherds, but the one over all is Jesus, the chief shepherd.
v 5. The early church had numerous elders in leadership, so others were likely younger in experience as well as age. In washing the disciples feet, Jesus set the example of how we are to be subject to one another. God will give the love and grace to do this and it also eliminates pride.
v 6,7. It is not that the mighty God makes us knuckle under. We cannot really cast all our care on Him unless we have humbly submitted to His control.
v 8,9. As in the two other instances in this letter, “sober” can speak of abstinence from drink, but the deeper meaning is self control. We need to be especially watchful because Satan is always craftily on the attack. We are not just to ignore him, but resist him by our faith in God, not our own strength, realizing that throughout the world, other believers are going through similar trials.
v 10. God’s call to us is seen in 1 Peter 1:15; 2:9, 21; 3:9 and here in 5:10. Peter had no doubt seen how storms took their toll on his fishing boat and knew how it had to be repaired and restored later. So sufferings take a toll on the believer, but after a while God will set us back in order, establish us (fasten our boat so it won’t drift away), and give us strength for ourselves and to help others.
v 11. This benediction to the eternally powerful God who helps us in every trial.
v 12. Silas, who had once traveled with Paul, did the penmanship and probably delivered this letter. Peter had been an eyewitness and had trained under Christ, so he could testify to the truth of the grace of God.
v 13. The church in Babylon on the Euphrates, (see notes introducing chap. 1), and Mark was his spiritual son. No indication when Mark and Silas arrived there, but persecutions around Rome and the death of Paul may have been a factor. Josephus says there were numerous Jews at Babylon at this time, accounting for Peter and others being there, but there is no indication as to where Peter was crucified AD 68.
v 14. Peter encourages the holy kiss of their culture and invokes upon them all the aspects of peace that can come to a believer.
In the early 90's I started studing the bible by taking college courses, because I believe the Lord wanted me to become a pastor in a Nazarne Church. My goal has changed with all my studies. My wife and I have both joined the Catholic Church. I have read and compared numerous translations and commentaries in my many years of studying the bible. Some of these authorities disagree with each other. I come across information on studies and classes that I have taken 15 to 20 years before and I have no documentation of where it came from. Plus I have given away or returned many books for college classes that I have taken. So if I have failed to give someone the credit that is due them I ask for their forgiveness. The following is a list of translations and commentaries that I still have and use.
ANSWERS to 200 of Life's Most Probing Questions by Pat RobertsonOUR ETERNAL HOME by Richard W. Dehaan,
PROPHECY STUDY BIBLE by Tim Lahaye
READER'S DIGEST JESUS AND HIS TIMES by the Readers Digest Association Inc,
REFLECTING GOD STUDY BIBLE By Zondervan Corporation;
SAINT JOSEPH EDITION OF THE NEW AMERICAN BIBLE by Catholic Book Publishing Co.
SEVEN KEYS TO FAMILY POWER by Billy Joe Daugherty,
SIX HOURS ONE FRIDAY by Max Lacado,
THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE by the Zondervan Corporation;
THE BATTLE BELONGS TO THE LORD by Jocyce Meyer,
THE BIBLE PROMISE BOOK by Babbour Publishing Inc,
THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER by Charles Mortimer Guilbert
THE BOOK OF HOPE by Tyndale House Publishiers, Inc,
THE BORN AGAIN CATHOLIC by Albert H. Boudreau,
THE CASE FOR CHRIST by Lee Strobel,
THE CATHOLIC ANSWER BOOK by Peter MJ Stravinsiasi
THE COMPLETE BOOK OF BIBLE KNOWLEDGE by Mark D. Taylor;
THE DAY CHRIST DIED by Jim Bishop,
THE GREAT BIBLE QUESTION AND ANWERS BOOK by Playmore Inc
THE HOME BIBLE STUDY COURSE by Dr. Harold L. Wilmington;
THE KING JAMES BIBLE ARCHAIE WORDS DEFIND by David W. Daniel
THE KING JAMES BIBLE COMPANION by David W. Daniels;
THE KING JAMES STUDY BIBLE by Thomas Nelson Publishers,
THE LAYMAN’S BIBLE DICTIONARY by George W. Knight and Rayburn W. Ray;
THE LAYMAN’S PARALLEL NEW TESTAMENT by Zondervan Bible Publisher
THE LAYMAN'S LIST by Calance Stucup
THE MESSAGE BIBLE by Eugone H. Peterson,
THE NEW AMERICAN BIBLE by World Catholic Press;
THE NEW AMERICAN BIBLE Saint Joseph Edition;
THE NEW STRONG’S EXHAUSTIVE CONCORDANCE OF THE BIBLE by James Strong LL. D S.T.D.;
THE RISKS AND REWARDS OF INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE by Cardinal Francis Arinze
THE TRINITY by Rose Publish
THE VERY FIRST ESTER by Paul L. Maier,
THE WAY CATHOLIC LIVING BIBLE by Tyndale House Publishers;
UNCHRISTIAN by David Kennan and Gabe Lyon
UNDERSTANDING GOD’S LOVE by Ronald Greib
VINE’S EXPOSITORY DICTIONARY OF OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT WORDS By W. E. Vine;
WHAT’S SO SECRET ABOUT THE RAPTURRE? By Christian Record Services, INC
WHEN GOD WINKS AT YOU by Tomas Nelson
WILLMINGTON’S GUIDE TO THE BIBLE by Dr. H.L. Willmington,
WOMAN OF FAITH STUDY BIBLE by Zschech/Heillsong
YESTERDAY TODAY AND FOREVER by New Leaf Press
YOU WERE BORN FOR THIS by Anthony Wilhen
08/19/2011