2 Peter 1:3-4 - Resources for effective living

In these two verses, Peter highlights the resources that God has made available to us. These resources will enable us to attain a godly life. He also shows us the person through Whom these resources flow is none other than Jesus Christ, our Lord.

As believers truly know Him, these two massive resources become available to them. They are: the divine power that flow through Him (verse 3) and the promises that are made in Him (verse 4).

In knowing Christ Jesus through the Gospel, believers have available to them His divine power to attain a godly life. For in Him, everything the believers need to attain a godly life is found. This echoes what Paul said in Colossians 2:9-10, "For in Him (Christ) all the fullness of Deity dwell in bodily form and in Him you have been made complete..."

By these, i.e. His own glory and excellence, Peter also said that believers had been granted His precious and magnificent promises. These promises stated here are two: the promise of being partakers of divine nature and the promise of escaping the corruption of this world of lust.

No wonder Paul prayed for "the eyes of our heart may be enlightened so that we will know what is the hope of our calling, what is the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints." We must tap these gracious provision and live triumphantly!

2 Peter 1:1-2 – Embracing Jesus Christ and the true Gospel

Like all New Testament letters, Peter began by stating himself as the writer unambiguously. He openly presented himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ, one who was an eye-witness to the life and ministry of Jesus. In mentioning his name and title in full, he had made abundantly clear that he was the one who wrote this Epistle. In calling himself Simon Peter, he had combined both his given name, Simon, and also Peter, the one given to him by the Lord Jesus. This was deliberately done to show the two phases of his life: before and after he followed Jesus Christ. Besides, he also saw himself both as the bond-servant as well as the apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. He, together with the other apostles, formed the band of spokesmen of Jesus Christ. Their authority and teachings would form the yardstick where the teachings of others would be evaluated.  

Living in an environment where there was a proliferation of false teachers and their teachings, we can sense Peter’s concern for believers. We get the feeling that he wanted to ensure that the Gospel the believers had received, embraced, lived and passed on to others, was the true one and not a spurious one. So here in two verses, Peter dealt with four areas that would help his readers to distinguish the genuine from the fake. As he did, he dealt with the origin, quality, results and content of the Gospel.

The genuine Gospel is the reception of a faith. Yet it is not just any faith, but that which is the same as the apostles. The word “ours” in verse 2 was intentionally used to put the apostles together. In other words, the faith that believers received was the same as that of the apostles. In the phrase “by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ”, Peter was pointing to the upright character of God and the Lord Jesus Christ. It is because of the upright character of God the Father and Jesus His Son, our Lord, believers of all times could be assured of the same genuine message and gift of salvation.  

He then plunged into talking about the genuine Gospel that would ensure genuine results. This Gospel would give grace and peace through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. The first result for the believers would be receiving God’s grace and peace. In grace, God had chosen to treat sinners based on His mercy rather than on what the sinners rightly deserved. That result in forgiveness and peace brought about by the death of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Apart from grace and peace, believers would also receive knowledge. The word “knowledge” here is not the kind that one could acquire through reading a book. This knowledge here is the personal experiential knowledge of a person. Here, Peter was referring to an encounter and experience with God and Jesus Christ. 

Peter’s choice of the words in these verses were intentional. He wanted to spell out the content of the Gospel and who it is all about. It is about God, who came as the Savior. It is about Jesus the Christ, the Anointed One and the Lord, the Sovereign Lord of all. As God, His works and words are irrevocable; as Savior, He died to secure our forgiveness and redemption; as Christ, He fulfilled the Old Testament promises; and as Lord, He deserved our total allegiance, love and obedience. 

Authorship of 2 Peter

In reflecting the second letter of Peter, we begin by establishing the authorship. Without going to external sources, we will stay close to what the letter had testified for itself. The best prove of the authorship of Peter is found in the letter itself.

In the very first verse, Peter plainly said that he was the author of this letter. He even made it indisputably certain who he was. He was none other than Simon Peter, the bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ. Besides, 2 Peter 3:1 firmly establish this fact. The author, Peter himself, states it clearly that this is his second letter. Here, he was alluding to the first letter, which we know is referring to 1 Peter.

In addition, the internal testimonies from the letter itself point to Peter’s authorship. In 2 Peter 1:13-15, he made mention of the Lord Jesus’ prediction of the kind of death that he was to undergo. It collaborates with the Lord’s statement made in John 21:18. In 2 Peter 1:13-15, we also sense that he knew his death was imminent. And Church fathers placed his martyrdom around AD 67-68 in Rome, where he was said to have spent his last three decades.

In 2 Peter 1:16-18, he alluded to his presence at the Mount of Transfiguration, and was himself a witness of what transpired then. All these facts made his claim to the authorship of 2 Peter undeniable. Just as 2 Timothy was Paul’s swan song, this letter was Peter’s. Their two books bear some similarities in that they were both warnings about impending apostasy. While Paul warned of heresy among the laity; Peter warned of heresy among the teachers. In his former letter, Peter warned of trials and sufferings, here he would warn about false teachers and teachings. 

While the author is explicit, the addressees seem ambiguous. Peter did not identify specifically who his readers were. However, he did mention his recipients as “those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours …” He was generally writing to believers who had embraced the same faith as them, the apostles.

This letter is worth our meditation so that we will not be hook-winked by the flurry of false teachers and teachings in our day. It will motivate us to walk circumspectly and not fall prey to heresy. We will give some time to carefully consider Peter’s instruction in his second letter so that we can live to glorify God.

1 Peter 5:12-14 – Standing firm in the grace of God

In the last three verses of his first Epistle, Peter ended with a final exhortation and greeting to his readers. In verse 12, he mentioned Silvanus whom we know was also known as Silas. This Silas was Paul's companion on his second missionary journey. He was probably the amanuensis who wrote the letter under the dictation of Peter. And he was also the likely person who delivered this letter to its destination.

A close-up look of verse 12 tells us that Peter wants us to be encouraged and stand firm and testify to the true grace of God. At the back of his mind, he wants us to be witnesses to the reality of the grace which God had so freely bestowed upon us. We can do so effectively only when we consistently conduct our lives in ways that have been affected by God’s kind dealings with us in Christ. He initiated it and we are to live out its effect faithfully.

In verse 13, the pronoun “She” probably refers to the Church in the place where Peter was writing this letter. He used the term “Babylon” to refer to Rome and not the actual Babylon. Mark, whom Peter mentioned here was likely to be John Mark, who was his protégé. He was in Rome at that time. From this verse, we get the implication that believers are not just individuals living in isolation and unconnected to other believers. Know it or not, every one of us, a believer in Christ, is connected and related to other believers, regardless of our nationality. Beloved, we must never be tempted to think that we are the only one God is using to impact the world.   

In verse 14, we discover that a common practice in that culture was to greet each other with a kiss. This was the common expression of pure affection for each other in the fellowship. This affectionate expression was normally a kiss on the cheeks, forehead, or hands. With that, Peter rounded up this Epistle by wishing peace to be with them all. Yes we need His peace more than ever before. This peace is about the wholeness in our whole being – spirit, soul and body.

1 Peter 5:8-11 – Resisting the roaring lion

In verses 8-9, Peter also called on all the believers to be sober in spirit, meaning to have self-control. Not only that but also to stay alert. Why? It is because Satan is on the loose and he prowls around like a predator seeking to devour his prey.

Here, Peter used the lion to illustrate the ferociousness of the devil, the believers’ main enemy. The devil’s intention had been to totally destroy all believers. His tactic had been to make Christians doubt, deny, disregard, and disobey the instructions of God. So in verse 9, Peter told them how to deal with this “roaring lion”.

He called on believers to resist him. The term "resist", means to defend oneself against the advancement of the devil. The devil would use suffering to petrify the believers and make them doubt and disobey God. Peter’s call was for the believers to resist the devil’s ploy.

There are three positive actions believers need to take to arm themselves against the devil. Firstly, believers must exercise self-control. Secondly, they must stay alert; and thirdly, believers must resist the devil’s advance.

To help believers to be confident, Peter then reminded believers of the One Who would stand by them to enable them to deal with their enemy, the devil. Even if believers had to suffer a little while, the victory had been assured. The God, Who stands by the believers’ side, is the God of all grace. The believers here were assured that God Himself will establish, perfect, confirm and strengthen them. Peter wanted them to know, the outcome of enduring the trials would be infinitely worth all the sufferings. In verse 11, he let out an exaltation proclaiming, “To Him be dominion forever and ever.”

Yes we need to learn to put on the armor of God and stand firm in Him while resisting the devil and his advance. With God on our side, we are more than able to resist the enemy and stand victorious! 

1 Peter 5:6-7 – Learning to rest in the Lord

In these two verses, we are called to do two things. The first is to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, and the second is to cast all our anxiety upon Him. There are also two reasons why we should do these two things. When we humble ourselves before God He will exalt us in due time. And when we cast all our anxiety on Him, He takes it upon Himself to help us because He cares for us. These two steps are sure ways to come out of our fiery ordeal triumphantly.

A person who is full of pride will want to take matters into his own hand. He wants to fight his own battles. He wants to settle his own problem. He maintains his rights to set his own course and fulfill his own cause. His whole aim would be to try and take care of his own life without having to depend on God.

Peter says if we are to overcome our ordeals and be free of any anxiety, the secret is to cast all of them, anxieties and worries upon the Lord who cares for us. It’s true that we can save ourselves untold sorrows and worries, when we trust Him with our problems, for He will make it his business to see us through.  

Where can we find the courage to cast all our anxieties upon the Lord?  Peter says that it can be found in a deep assurance that God cares about us. It can be achieved through accepting God’s divine providence. For in His providence, God has only good intention to benefit us. In all our experiences, let there be the element of trust that He only has good will toward us.  

How can we find these promises to be true? We learn to commit all matters to God confidently. Then we act believing that God had already undertaken to meet our needs. God deals best when we refer everything to Him.

Let’s put these words of a song into effect in our life:

I will rest in His love,

Put my trust in His goodness.

Set my thoughts on peaceful things above.

I will cast away my cares

And find myself in Your presence

I will rest, I will rest,

In Your love.

1 Peter 5:5 – Cultivate humility and respect

This verse gives us the impression that Peter was just addressing the men, especially those who are younger of age. Bear in mind that in his days, women played a more subservient role. In conformity to his time, Peter addressed the man. In our days where women are given equal footing as the men, this verse would include the younger ones of the opposite gender.

The term younger is chosen to contrast the age between those who are younger in years and those who are older in years. Peter wasn’t merely referring to those who played the role of an elder in the church, although he certainly had the elders of the church in mind.  We must not only show respect to those who are chosen to govern the church but also those who are more senior in age to us.    

However, regardless of age, all Christians were exhorted to be clothed with humility towards one another. Peter used the word “garment”, a rare word that describes the apron that slaves would wear over their clothes. In his mind, Peter probably saw humility as an important attitude for service. He also said that we should be humble under the mighty hand of God. Peter’s call here is that we should not only be willing to serve others, we must also be willing to obey those in authority.  

In the second half of this verse, Peter quoted Proverbs 3:34 to substantiate his call to humility. From this quotation we see two clear reasons why we should be humble.   Firstly, it’s because God resists the proud. Meaning when we refuse to submit, we become an adversary to God. Proud people are detrimental to the work of God and His Kingdom. Secondly, it’s because God gives grace to the humble. When we acknowledge we need God, He pours His grace upon us.

If we want to be great in God’s kingdom, we must learn to be a servant. What do we take away from this verse? Be respectful we must, but we should also stay humble and pliable in the mighty hand of God!    

1 Peter 5:1-4 – Be a servant leader

In verses 1-4, Peter gave instructions for the elders. He did not exert his position but saw himself as one leader among leaders of equal. What he had done by putting himself on par with them was to let them know that he was also a fellow sufferer, and not one who was just giving advice as a bystander. Here, Peter also used the word “witness”. In calling himself a witness, he made reference to his experience in the suffering of Christ and the partaker of the glory to be revealed. This formed the basis for his instruction to them. 

His instruction revealed his prime concern for the people of God. It was for the elders to take care of the believers as shepherds would care for their sheep. Thus he called the Church, the flock of God. The word “shepherd” also indicates a role an elder had to play, i.e. the role of a pastor. An elder, as a shepherd, should tend to the need of the flock. He must feed, lead, guide, guard, protect and provide for the sheep. Here, Peter also showed them how they should go about it.   

Firstly, in verse 2, he told them to serve willingly and not grudgingly. For this is God’s will on how an elder should serve. God desires that an elder should discharge his duties willingly for Him. He should not do it due to other considerations or pressure. When the ministry of the pastor is discharged with a willing attitude, the ministry becomes a joy and not a drag.

Secondly, an elder should also serve with enthusiasm and not with selfish motive. An elder should not serve because of what he could get out of his ministry, but because of his love for his Lord. This suggests to us that even in the Church then, elders did receive monetary reward. Hence, there was temptation regarding money.

Thirdly, in verse 3, elders should lead by providing examples on how to conduct godly lives. They should show by modeling godly lifestyles. They must not drive the people as tyrants. Essentially, Peter was dealing with three flaws that elders could commit: laziness, greed, and tyranny.

Finally, Peter wanted the elders to know that they were only under-shepherds serving under Jesus Christ, the Chief Shepherd. Peter’s desire was for the elders to perform excellent and faithful services so that when the Chief Shepherd returned, they would be rewarded with the crown of glory, a glory that would never fade. 

All of us are leaders in a sense because leadership is about influencing others for the better. At some level, we will be influencing others, and we need to come to whatever role we are required to play, with Christ-like attitude. Christ was a servant leader and so must we. Like Him we must lead by serving in whatever capacity He had endowed us.   

1 Peter 4:15-19 – A Perspective on Christians and suffering

In these verses, Peter expanded on what he touched briefly in 1 Peter 2:20. He dealt with suffering brought about by one’s own foolish acts. In verse 15, he mentioned a few of those foolish acts - murder, theft, committing evil, and being meddlesome. Believers should make sure that the suffering they had to endure was due to their faith and not their foolish sinful acts. However, in verse 16, he asserted that should a believer suffer for being a Christian, he should not be ashamed. He should by his patient endurance bring glory to God’s wonderful name. 

   

Peter had dealt with how faith would be refined through suffering. He spoke about the fire of trials that would purify believers. So, trials and sufferings were placed in the setting of hope. But here in verses 17-18, Peter seemed to have alluded suffering to the judgment of God. This judgment however, was for the purpose of purifying His house. He said if God’s own people had to endure these judgments, what would become of those who would not embrace the Gospel.

In verse 18, Peter roughly quoted Proverbs 11:31 to indicate that even the Old Testament showed that both the righteous as well as the wicked would receive something from the Lord. However, the wicked would receive even more severe punishment than what the righteous would receive as reward. In verse 19, Peter concluded this section with the word “therefore”. He wanted to elicit the audience’s response in the light of his discussion. He urged them to entrust their souls to God, their Faithful Creator. Here, Peter used the word “souls” to mean the total person.

Trials in life can be endured when we see them as God’s servant to perfect us. When facing a difficult time, deliberately turn your focus on God. He said that He will never leave us or forsake us, so that we can say “if the Lord is with me, whom shall I fear?” In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us!

1 Peter 4:12-14 – Trials is part of Christian experience

Remember that the Christians whom Peter was writing to were facing hostility. Here he wrote to them to instruct them on how to face it as a community. He began by emphasizing the role of suffering in God’s overall plan for the believers. His intention was again to encourage the believers to persist and maintain a proper attitude in God.

We cannot but to feel the eschatological orientation from the content. Peter reminded the believers that what they were experiencing was not something new and unexpected. Therefore, they should not be overtaken by surprise as if they were strange happenings. Sufferings such as insults, accusations, intimidation, humiliation, hurts and the whole array of them were not abnormal. They were part and parcel of the believer’s life.

Peter used two words “fiery ordeal” to describe their persecution. Since fire has always been seen as a refining tool, Peter’s choice of this word was deliberate. He wanted to help them see that what they were going through was part of God’s refining process in their lives. Just as the heat from the fire would intensify, they would feel more and more uncomfortable. However, these were all parts of God’s plan to make them more complete. Peter also wanted them to keep on rejoicing in their sufferings.

In verse 13, he told the believers that when they experienced those sufferings they were in reality sharing in the sufferings of Christ. As the Lord Himself experienced great suffering yet remained faithful to God’s will, believers ought also to emulate His endurance and fulfill God’s will. He assured them that they would ultimately be greatly rewarded with great joy. The use of the term “revelation” implies the appearing of Jesus Christ at His Second Coming. Peter wanted them to know that just as the Lord will be glorified, so also will the believers be glorified at the Lord’s appearance. Hence, they should have a rejoicing attitude and keep rejoicing in their sufferings.

In verse 14, he then urged believers to look at the brighter side of things in the face of the insults hurled at them. Here, he suggested that they were already blessed. Why did Peter suggest so? It is because the Holy Spirit Who is both the Spirit of glory and of God, dwelled within them. The indwelling Spirit in the believers indicated that they already had the first-fruit of their inheritance. Therefore, they had already received the blessing while on earth and not only when they reached eternity.

Remember that if we want a warm place in the sun, we have to expect some blisters. No matter how trying our circumstances may be, we must persist with the help of God and not give up. For in due time we will reap the peaceful fruit of righteousness.   

1 Peter 4:7-11 – Living in readiness for Christ’s second coming

Peter’s main purpose in verses 7-11 was to prepare his readers to meet the Lord when He returns. Although they were still experiencing fiery trials, He encouraged them to maximize their time to be ready for that meeting. In reading this letter that he had written, we can safely surmise that Peter believed that the return of Christ was imminent.

There are several things that he said that believers ought to do in their preparation. Firstly, Peter encouraged the cultivation of two important mindsets. Be sound in judgment and sober in spirit. It simply meant that they ought to be clear-headed and self-controlled. Why? His reason was: so that they could engage purposefully in prayers. 

Secondly, they ought to exercise mutual love for each other. The word here is “fervent”. His exhortation was for them to go all out in full steam to demonstrate that love. With that kind of love, they would be more than prepared to forgive and overlook any wrong. This kind of love makes one less likely to take offence. Furthermore, he advocated that the best way to demonstrate love was to show hospitality without murmuring or complaining. 

Thirdly, every believer was encouraged to deploy the gift that God had given them to serve the fellowship. God had given everyone at least one gift. In fact the two words “manifold grace” tell us that God had given different gifts in a variety of ways. Therefore, no one can excuse himself or herself, claiming that he or she has no gift and has nothing to offer to the church. The multi-faceted gifts would also help one to meet the different circumstances in trials. In talking about the gifts, Peter seemed to have categorized them into two broad groups – gifts for speaking God’s Word and gifts for serving in God’s work. Wanting to give God the honor, Peter attributed the believers’ gifts as coming from God through Christ. With that, he let out a longing for God.

Be ready for Christ’s second return! What is happening in the world and the signs of the time tell us that this climactic event is near. So let us wait in anticipation for it. It won’t be long when He will return in the clouds!

1 Peter 4:1-6 – Adopting the call to a renewed attitude and conduct

Since Christ had successfully endured His suffering, believers should also arm themselves with the same attitude and purpose as Him. As Christ suffered and died, so also should the believers emulate Him and be willing to go through their suffering. What exactly did Peter mean when he said, “… he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin ...”? Peter was very likely referring to the baptism that he mentioned earlier. He wanted them to know that they had identified with Christ in His suffering, and death in water baptism. Due to that, they should now conduct their lives in a new way. Believers should no longer live the rest of their earthly life to gratify the sinful passion of their basal and carnal nature. They should instead live for the holy will of God.

In verse 3, Peter delineated some of those sinful activities of their past indulgences. The list of activities was mainly sex and alcohol related. He told them that they had spent far too much time in those unsavory practices. He wanted them to take action and change course now. In fact, the changes of some of the believers were so obvious that their persecutors were taken by surprise. They were puzzled that those regenerated believers would no longer do the same things as them, and so they slandered them. Peter wanted them to know that their persecutors would eventually have to answer to God, who would be sitting in judgment. It implies that they should, therefore, not return to their former lifestyle.

Peter’s point in verse 6 is this: some Christians who received the Gospel preached to them had already died. In their physical death, they had experienced judgment for their sins. They now lived on in a new spiritual realm of life since they were believers. Peter’s assertion was that physical death is sin's last effect on believers during their earthly lives. He was not implying that one could have another chance to hear the Gospel after death.

What Peter is asking believers to do can be traced to the very call that Jesus made for all His followers. What He instructed them to do is also what He is calling us to do today. He is still saying to us, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”  

1 Peter 3:17-22 – Following the example of Christ

In verses 17-22, Peter called the attention of his readers to how Christ Jesus responded to His unjustified persecution. Again his intention was to empower his readers with the determination to confidently rededicate themselves to follow God's will for their lives. Here, he also assured them of their ultimate triumph in Christ.

In verse 18, Peter skillfully used the conjunction “for” to connect verses 18-22 to verses 13-17. He also resumed 1 Peter 2:21-25 and used Christ as an illustration of suffering. The phrase “once for all” tells of the efficacy of Christ’s death for believers. His death was a once for all act. It speaks of the finality of the atonement of Christ and debunked the teaching that one can work for his or her salvation. “The just for the unjust” speaks of Christ’s vicarious suffering on the believers’ behalf. In the three words “in order that”, Peter showed the purpose for Christ’s vicarious suffering and atoning sacrifice. He did it to bring believers to God. How? By being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the Spirit. The statement “in the flesh” means Christ in His human form. The term “in the spirit” means Christ in His heavenly spiritual realm of existence, including His physical resurrected form. In saying that Christ was “made alive in the spirit”, Peter meant that Christ was raised from the dead in the realm where the Spirit and power of God are displayed without hindrance or human limitation. It does not mean that only His Spirit is made alive but not His body.

Peter’s point is simply this: Jesus Christ, through His suffering, was the Victor and not the victim. Like Jesus Christ, believers now share that victory. Hence, they should be encouraged. They should also emulate Jesus and commit themselves to God’s will. Like Jesus Who was vindicated by His resurrection, so they too would be vindicated ultimately.

This section also contains some of the most difficult interpretive problems.  Who are the spirits that Christ went to hades to proclaim to? When did Jesus make this proclamation? What was the content? Why did Peter mention Noah? In what sense does baptism save us? Did Peter mean that Jesus went to the realm of the dead and preached to Noah's contemporaries between His crucifixion and His resurrection? Did He offer salvation to them? Did He go there to preach the Good News to the saved among them? Is this verse talking about Jesus preaching through Noah to his sinful generation while Noah was living on the earth? Did Jesus go there to proclaim His victory on the Cross to fallen angels?

The Bible has no indication that the dead would be given another opportunity to hear and respond to the Gospel. This interpretation is further thrown off by the word “proclamation”. The word “preached” used in the King James Version also complicates the issue. A better term is the word “announcement”. It is very likely that Peter simply meant that Christ went to Hades in between His death and resurrection to announce to the spirit world that He is now the Lord of both life and death. 

Another difficult issue would be whether or not baptism saves a believer. The word “correspondingly” indicates that Noah’s ark was a type of water baptism.  Note here that Peter made clear that baptism does not cleanse a believer from physical and spiritual defilement, thus saving the believer. Just as the ark of Noah was an indication of faith in God, so also would the baptism indicates one’s faith in Jesus Christ. Baptism is seen here as a pledge of a good conscience, a conscience now made right with God. He was talking about baptism as a public indication of one placing faith in the Resurrected Christ, Who is now enthroned at the right hand of God, and made ruler over all angels, powers and authorities.

Jesus is Lord! O'er sin the mighty conqueror,

From death He rose; and all His foes shall own His name.

Jesus is Lord! Jesus is Lord!

Praise him with alleluias, for Jesus is Lord!

1 Peter 3:13-16 – Christian witness in the face of hostility

It is needful to conduct well within the community of believers but it is equally needful, if not more, when it comes to dealing with people outside the church. Peter now urged believers to live rightly among non-believers so as to influence them for Jesus Christ. We need to know that he was calling for right living in the context of suffering. His intention here was for believers to be geared up with the right attitude, so that they would know how to deal with hostility in their quest to glorify the Lord. So in verses 13-16, he began by telling believers to live right to overcome suffering.

In verse 13 he asked a rhetorical question goading them to disarm hostility by doing good zealously. Generally, people welcome good deeds. So Peter’s point is this: do good deeds because people normally would welcome the good done for them. The structure of this question implies no for an answer. However, he also wanted them to know that well-doing did not mean that they would be spared persecution. This is demonstrated in the Lord’s life. He was not spared persecution even though He came to do His best for humanity. Matthew 5:11 affirms this. It says, “Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me.” Peter’s point to them is this: just behave uprightly and passionately, even if you are persecuted for doing it, you will be blessed.

In verse 14, Peter strengthened his argument further with a quotation from Isaiah 8:12-13. His purpose was to encourage them, so that in the midst of suffering, they would not be intimidated and stop acting right altogether. They should instead continue in doing right because that would determine their ultimate reward. Peter wanted them to see that suffering could be a source of blessing when endured. This would prevent them from compromising with the world.

In verse 15, Peter gave the second way to deal with the world’s hostility: by sanctifying Christ as Lord in the heart. Rather than being fearful, believers should commit themselves to the Lordship of Christ. They should make up their minds to live to honor Him. Verse 15 also instructs the believers that they should seize those moments to testify of the hope they have in the Lord. However, all answers ought to be given with a gentle spirit to those asking and in a reverent spirit toward God. This would be the third way to deal with hostility. They were told to see that as opportunities to testify of the hope in them.

Finally, the fourth way is found in verse 16. Peter told them to exercise a good conscience. This is possible only if believers endured because of right living and not because of wrong conduct. One’s critic would be proven wrong and brought to shame, when a believer keeps a good conscience and keeps on living rightly despite being wrongly accused and maligned.

If we return evil for evil we would be acting like animals. If we return good for good, we are only acting as humans. And if we return evil for good, we will be doing what Satan would do. But if we return good for evil, that’s exactly what God in Christ had done and we should strive to emulate Him. Let’s emulate Christ!

1 Peter 3:8-12 – Christian behavior at its best

Peter concluded his call for Christian behavior by summing up what he had said about respect and relationships. He outlined five critical qualities to a healthy interpersonal relationship.

Firstly, he calls them to exist harmoniously. This is a call to a peaceful existence. Believers must be co-operative despite personal differences to bring about harmony. Secondly, he asked them to be sympathetic. Being sympathetic requires believers to feel with others in their experiences, especially in pains. Thirdly, he told them to be brotherly. Since believers are related by the precious blood of Christ, there ought to be a kinship that would unite them in God’s love. Fourthly, each must show kindheartedness. There must be affection and compassion for each other within the family of believers. Finally, believers must be humble in spirit. This would make the interests of others before personal interest.

Wanting believers to live at the optimal level, Peter urged them not to seek revenge and return evil for the evil done to them. They should instead be the ones who bless others. This was exactly what the Lord Himself had demonstrated in His life. The basis of this argument is found in the latter half of verse 9: to inherit God’s blessing. Peter’s point is this: By being people who bless, believers would have acted in the will of God. In so doing, they would invite blessing from the Lord.

In verses 10-12, Peter then quoted from Psalm 34:12-16 to clarify and support the point that he had already shared in verses 8-9.  As we conclude, let us hear what the Psalmist has to say:

¹²Who is the man who desires life and loves length of days that he may see good?

¹³ Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.

¹⁴ Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

¹⁵ The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and His ears are open to their cry.

¹⁶The face of the Lord is against evildoers, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.

1 Peter 3:1-7 – Christian behavior between husband and wife

Having dealt with Christians and their relationships with government and bosses, Peter now turned to deal with behaviors between husbands and wives. He began the discussion of wives’ behavior toward their husbands, especially non-believing ones. It appears as if he was lopsided in his discussion, using only one verse for the husband and six verses for the wives. Peter had his reason. When a wife became a believer, her potential problems in the marriage would be much greater than when a husband became a believer. This was so because in the first place, the husband was already in charge of the home. Therefore, Peter wrote a little more to encourage the wives.

The phrase “In the same way …” brings us back to all that Peter had said so far. Whether it was to God, governmental authority, or employers, the call was one of an attitude of submission. Here again in relationship to their husbands, he urged the wives to adopt an attitude of submission. The reason he gave was so that their non-believing husbands might be won to the Lord because of their chaste and respectful behavior.   

In verses 3-4, Peter wanted them to place more emphasis on cultivating their inner spirit rather than being primarily concerned about outward appearance. Perhaps the NASB has captured the essence by inserting the word “merely” in verse 3. Here, Peter was not renouncing the proper adornment. He was admonishing them to have right priority that would please God. Peter told the wives to pursue inner virtue that would be far more precious in God’s sight.

In verses 5-6, Peter gave an illustration implying that women of the Old Testament who placed their hope in God put on the spirit of submission. He then used Sarah as the point of reference. She was a model for all believers to emulate. Her submission to Abraham was demonstrated by the way she responded to Him. Sarah’s obedience was evidenced by the gentle spirit and servitude in addressing Abraham. By following Sarah’s example, believers would be known as her children and by implication also Abraham’s children. Peter probably knew that what he was asking could be intimidating to the wives. So in verse 6, he sought to assure them by telling them not to be intimidated but just do what is right and submit even to unbelieving husbands. 

In verse 7, he turned to address the husbands. He told the husbands that likewise they should have the attitude of submission. This submission, however, was not to one as a leader or authority but to the needs of the wives. He was advocating that husbands should be sensitive to the wives’ needs and feelings. Not only that, but also to consider that they belong to the weaker but not inferior sex. Here, we see two other reasons to treat wives gently. Firstly, they together with the husbands were joint-heirs to the grace of God. Secondly, by treating them with consideration, the prayer of the husbands would not be hindered.

As believers in the Lord, when these admonitions are adhered to, we will definitely become better witnesses. All of us, whether wives or husbands, should seek to live God honoring lives. We will not be short changed when we live these injunctions outlined by Peter. May God be magnified in our marital relationship!  

1 Peter 2:21-25 – The example set by Christ

Keep in mind that Peter was writing to believers undergoing trials and facing hostility. In verses 21-25, he turned to encourage all slaves and Christians alike to endure their trials and suffering patiently. He first told them that the calling of Christians includes suffering. To illustrate it, he used Christ, the supreme example for why believers should endure suffering patiently. In the manner He endured His atonement and suffering with patience, Christ Jesus had set believers an example to follow.

In five short verses, Peter was able to give an account of the atoning work of Christ succinctly. Quoting from Isaiah 53:9, he showed that Christ in both His conduct and words totally fulfilled the will of God. He lived an earthly life of total integrity and no deceit was found on His lips. Even in His trials, Jesus did not reply while His accusers heaped abuses upon abuses on Him, and falsely accused Him. He just abandoned Himself totally to the Father, trusting that He being the just God, would deal with His persecutors.

In verse 24, Peter did not merely quote Isaiah 53:6-7, he summarized the thoughts of those verses. In so doing, he had affirmed the veracity of the prophetic portrait of Christ. Not only did Christ’s atonement secured the believers’ redemption but also their physical healing. Still in the vein of Isaiah 53:6, Peter told the believers that while like the straying sheep described in Isaiah, they had now returned to Jesus Christ, the Shepherd and Guardian of their souls.

No wonder the writer of the book of Hebrews urged us to look to Jesus, as the supreme example of suffering. This is how Hebrews 12:1-3 describe it: “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Let’s look to Christ and be encouraged!

1 Peter 2:18-20 – Christian behavior in working with tough bosses

In these verses, Peter focused on slaves in the believers’ fellowship. It was very likely that there were more slaves than masters among his readers, so he wrote to tell them about their relationship with their masters. He exhorted them to adopt an attitude of respectful submission to them regardless of how their masters were treating them. In other words, whether the masters treat them gently or harshly or unreasonably, the way to respond would still be, to be respectful toward them.

In verse 19, we are told that when slaves respond respectfully toward their master despite suffering unjustly, they would find favor with God. And because this was God’s prescribed manner, it would be a good enough reason for slaves to comply. As they consciously pleased God by bearing up with their hardship and suffering, their conscience toward God would remain intact.  

Peter painted two scenarios for the readers’ consideration. It is one thing to be treated harshly when one has done wrong, and has to suffer and endure the wrong and the mistake that he made. But it would be quite another if he was being treated harshly when he had done right, and he had to suffer for it. It is in the second scenario that he would receive God’s approval when he endures the harsh treatment of the master.

How do we apply these biblical injunctions of Peter? None of us are slaves in the true sense of the word. But we are all employees and have to report to some immediate superiors and employers. They can be seen as equivalent to the masters whose treatment we will have to endure. Let’s live with a clear conscience before God by acting right in our work, so that we give them no cause to malign us unnecessarily. But should we have an unreasonable one, just explain our action as best as situations allow but leave God to vindicate us. There’s really no point to tear out our hair just because of their unreasonableness.

Bear in mind that while happiness may keep us pleasant, it is trials that will keep us strong. We must know that while sorrows will keep us human, it is failures that will keep us humble. And success may keep us glowing, but know that it is faith in God that will keep us growing and going.

Beloved, let us do what we can and leave God to do what we cannot. He will vindicate us in due course for He is our true and ultimate boss. In both pleasant and unpleasant encounters God will use them to mold and perfect us. Let’s endure them for God’s sake!        

1 Peter 2:13-17 - The believers’ behavior in society

Peter shows us what exemplary life is all about and how it would silence the critics in verses 11-12. The kind of lifestyle Peter talked about must affect every facet of life. In both the society and home; whether with people in authority or commoners; slaves or masters; husbands or wives, believers must know how to relate with each other. So in verses 13-17, he patiently explained how believers ought to conduct their lives regarding civil authority. In dealing with people within the society, Peter first called on believers to relate rightly with those in authority. He said that believers must submit to all in authority. In writing this in the imperative mood, Peter did not give his readers any option. This was a command to adhere to.

He knew that submission must first begin with the attitude. So here he urged believers to have an attitude of submission to all in governmental authority. For these authorities, he said, were appointed by God to ensure orderliness within a society. Governmental authority is seen here to have a two-fold task: to punish those who do wrong and reward those who do right.

The basis why believers should submit is stated in verse 13 as well. The phrase “for the Lord’s sake” speaks clearly what Peter meant. By responding rightly to civil authority, a believer would be honoring God. The issue here should not be whether the person to be shown respect is worthy of it or not, but that in so doing, one is actually submitting to God’s will.

Furthermore, verse 15 tells us that in being obedient to the law of the civil institution, believers would demolish unnecessary criticism. In verse 16, Peter told believers that freedom received through Christ should not be used as an excuse to do evil. Instead, this freedom should enable them to witness for God so as to advance His purpose.

Peter then rounded up in verse 17 by summarizing the believers’ obligation to the society. He gave four injunctions in two pairs. The first pair called for respect to be shown to everyone but love must be given to fellow believers. The second pair exhorted believers to fear God but honor must be given to the king. Peter probably had to include this because the Emperor Nero, the cruel emperor, was on the throne at that point in time.

When we begin to see all issues in perspective, we know how we ought to live when it comes to our relationship with the government. God has placed them over us, hence as we submit to them, we are indirectly submitting to God and honor His name. And in so doing, we will have a civil society. Praise the Lord! 

  

1 Peter 2:11-12 – Our mission as God’s beloved

It is interesting to note that Peter used an endearing term to address the believers in verse 11. He called them “beloved”. It gives us the feeling that believers are privileged to have this relationship with God. Being God’s people, their spiritual uniqueness and eternal purpose are all bound in Christ. With their status made clear, he was going to discuss about the price they had to pay for that privilege.

Peter wanted believers to know that they were obligated and their conduct had to be congruent with their status as the people of God. Bear in mind that Peter was writing to believers living in a hostile society. He was about to deal with godly living in three areas: (1) godly living in the society; (2) godly living in their work places; and (3) godly living in the home. In verses 11-12, he began first by dealing with their personal mission as God’s dearly loved people.

These two verses are vital to effective evangelism. Peter knew the call to be God’s witnesses would entail a godly lifestyle. Actions certainly would speak louder than words. Words carry more weight when backed up by actions. Hence, in verses 11-12, he began with a call for the believers to develop a godly lifestyle. Here, he provided three reasons why they should do so.

Firstly, they were “aliens” and “strangers” of this world. In other words, the believers’ real citizenship is not of this world and they do not belong here. This being the case, they should not be influenced by the lifestyle of this world. Secondly, the indulgent lifestyle of fleshly lusts would be in conflict with their new nature as the people of God. This would lead to turmoil within their souls. Thirdly, their godly lifestyle would also bear testimony to unbelievers. Peter’s point is this: if they, the believers, would persist in their God-honoring lifestyle, the evil accusations of their critics would be proven wrong, and their critics could be won to Christ.  

Peter also knew that for such a lifestyle to be enhanced, it had to begin from the inner man. The word “abstain” indicates the necessity for inward discipline. Abstinence would require strong inner resolve. Here, Peter was urging them to exercise inner restraint on indulging in worldly lusts. Secondly, there is the outward aspect, the part about keeping the behavior excellent. In other words, a believer’s uprightness should be tangible, obvious and visible. Believers must let their light shine for all to see. 

When the church of Jesus Christ understands her mission, we shall be the greatest force on earth that Satan has to reckon with. It must all begin with each one of us recognizing that we are God’s beloved and that our lives are wrapped around our identity in Him, and the eternal destiny we are called to. Bear in mind that we are God’s emissaries in the world today, so let’s live to fulfill our mission for His glory!     

1 Peter 2:9-10 – We are Christ’s royal priesthood

Peter pointed out in the last part of verse 8 that those who had rejected Christ and failed to acknowledge Him, were people appointed to doom. But in contrast to them, those of us who have acknowledged Christ’s Lordship are different. Borrowing words from Isaiah 43:20-21 and Exodus 19:6, Peter shows us the true Christians’ identity. Five things are said about us Christians.

We are (1) a chosen race, (2) a royal priesthood, (3) a holy nation – a holy people, (4) a people of God’s own possession, and (5) the recipients of God’s mercy. Peter further points us to the task we are called to do. We are to proclaim God’s goodness and His generous grace and mercy. And it is to this end and purpose that we are called into this family.  

When we think of the priesthood we think of Aaron. He stood before God on behalf of a sinful nation. His role was intermediary – he stood before God and the people, and by implication would know God more intimately than the people. Today we are all called into that role. What a thought! Think of the impact of our role as priests. We are called to have an intimate relationship with God. We are His holy (set apart) and royal (noble) priest. We are to represent God before the people to instruct them about His plan and to guide them to do what pleases God. Meanwhile we are also called so that we can represent the people before God, to present their needs and petitions to Him.  

These awesome truths should encourage us in our faith. In Christ, our identity and our calling in life had changed. We are privileged to know Christ, our Lord. More importantly, we are also called as proclaimers of the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness into the kingdom of His marvelous light. By all means, we should enjoy our privilege of knowing God intimately, but we need to remember that we are also called to make Him and His Kingdom known! 

1 Peter 2:4-8 – We are God’s dwelling place

Since every believer is called into the family of faith, Peter now shifts from focus on the individual to the believers collectively as the spiritual house of God. He was looking at corporate growth of the fellowship of believers. His purpose was to help each believer see the importance of each being related to Christ. The Church is God’s temple and Christ is the foundation stone. Each member must relate to Christ. Because Jesus is the Living Stone, each believer is also described as a living stone. As every believer aligns himself or herself with Christ, all together they become God’s spiritual house to accomplish His purpose. Collectively, they become God’s royal priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices to Him through Jesus Christ.   

Here Peter quoted from a series of Old Testament Scriptures. In verse 6 he quoted from Isaiah 28:16, saying that believers who put their trust in Christ will never be disappointed. Lives that are built in Him will be able to weather the storms of life. He would be their security and they will never be put to shame. As the foundation stone, Christ will last forever. When believers build their lives in Him, they will never crumble in the midst of storm. There is security in Him and those whose lives are built in Him will never be put to shame. Christ the foundation stone will stand forever and those who built their lives in Him will not be disappointed. Peter added his commentary in the first part of 7, saying that, to the believers, Christ is precious. Why? It is because their security is in Him. He also provided a contrast for those who would not believe in Christ. To emphasize what they would experience for their unbelief in Christ, Peter quoted from Psalm 118:22 to show that those who would reject Christ would lose eventually. They would be rejecting the very stone that God has placed as the Cornerstone. Christ is the main stone in the building of the Church, the people of God. To reject Him would be putting one’s life in danger. These two verses define clearly two categories of people, those who would believe and those who would not. Their outcome would depend on whether they chose to build their lives in Christ or not. But in verse 8, he emphasized the loss to the one who would reject Christ. Peter quoted Isaiah 8:14 to drill home the point that: if they chose disobedience instead of obedience; self-reliance instead of self-abandonment, they would be choosing their ultimate destruction.  

Just think of this: we believers are right smack at the core of God’s work in the world. Corporately, we are the very building of God where His presence dwells. We are God’s unique building, a spiritual house. Each and every one of us individually is a living stone fitted together to be His glorious dwelling. Knowing that we are the center of God’s activity should lift us upward and cause us to bring praises and worship to our matchless Lord. So let’s praise and worship Him!     

1 Peter 2: 1-3 – Growing in the Word of God

In calling the believers to live a life of love, Peter made it clear that it is the imperishable seed, the enduring Word of God that brought about our new birth. Therefore, as believers, we must now hunger for more of the Word that will enable us to grow in our salvation. And in order for the Word of God to take effect in our lives and bring about growth, Peter identified several negative areas that we should deal with, so that they will not impede growth. He said that we must remove all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander, as if they were soiled garments to be taken off and discarded. At the back of Peter’s mind, he could well be thinking about his call for brotherly love. That’s why he brought up these five negatives that are incompatible with brotherly love. Malice and deceit had to do with attitude, while hypocrisy, envy and slander are specific actions. All of them, Peter said, ought to be removed.

Then in verse 2, Peter used the term milk to describe the Word. At the same time we need to take note of the two words “newborn infants” that Peter used to describe the believers. The point Peter was getting at is this: as believers, who are brought into the family of God, we must grow up in Christ. He wants the believers corporately to be mature, strong and robust. Hence, newborn spiritual babies should not remain babies. Every believer, especially the spiritual infants, should determine to grow up. And for growth to take place, believers must develop an appetite for the Word of God. Just like babies who would desirously drink their mother’s milk, believers should go for the Word of Truth with similar yearning and desire. Consuming more of the Word will enable believers to grow toward maturity.

Are we growing in Christlikeness? Are we growing in our love for each other? We cannot discount the importance of consuming the Word if we want to grow, both in love and in Christlikeness. We should develop a passion for the Word, then find time to dig and mine for ourselves the rich and nutritious Word of God. As we desire more and more, and consume it more and more, we will definitely grow in Him.

1 Peter 1:22-25 - Living a life of love

Having called them to a life of holiness and reverence, Peter now called on them to demonstrate sincere love for the brethren. This love must begin from the heart and ought to be a duty that they offer to each other in the family of faith. For the evident and mark of a true Christian is love. And it must be love that is sincere and earnest. What Peter said here in these verses is precisely this: true love is genuine and it comes from the heart. And it is something that Christians are called to show. Loving one another should be the natural outcome of one who is born again. How so? Having obeyed the truth, Christians would also have purified souls. This would enable them to love the brethren.

In verse 23, Peter showed that it was the Word of God that brought about the believers’ new birth. And the Word is seen as seed that is imperishable. And this Word is also enduring. It gives life and accomplish God’s purpose, and will never return to the Lord void. This Word will make God and all His fullness known to us. And since God is also love, the Word will also give us love. Peter wants us to know that through the Word of God, not only did we gain Christ but we are also given love.   

In verses 24-25, we find the quotation of Isaiah 40:6-8 that contrast the momentary makeup of natural things with the permanent quality of the Word of God.  Every natural thing will eventually die and pass away, but the Word of God will never disappear. And this is the abiding, eternal Word of God that believers heard. We have found life in God through His Word. So Pater’s point is this, let us then express love in this gift of life. We should be people who are known for living a life demonstrating the love of God.  Earthly life is short and while we are here, why don’t we live life to the fullest, expressing God’s love in the way we live it?

1 Peter 1:17-21 – Living life reverentially

In these five verses, Peter now called on the people to live a life of reverence. By the new birth, believers entered into a relationship with God and should now give Him the due reverence that He deserves. In these verses we see three reasons why we should live a life of reverence.

The first reason is found in verse 17. Peter reckoned that since believers have God as Father, and He is One Who would judge impartially, believers should therefore conduct their earthly lives in reverential fear of Him.

In verses 18-19, he gave the second reason, now that we believers know that the salvation and hope we have obtained was through the shedding of the precious Blood of Christ, God’s precious Son. We are not redeemed by perishable things such as gold or silver, for redemption cannot be done with perishable things that would subject to decay and corruption. God used the precious blood of Christ, the unblemished spotless Lamb of God, to secure our redemption from our slavery to sin. This gives us another great reason to live a life in awe of Him.

Finally verses 20-21 provide the third reason for us to live in reverent fear of God. Peter tells us here that the work of redemption by Christ transcends time. God had already chosen Christ for this work before the creation of time. So when men fell, it did not take God by surprise. He already knew what He would do. He sent His Son so that fallen men through Him could become believers of God. All these did not take place as an after-thought of God, neither did it happen by accident. It was God’s plan made before the foundation of time. Now, God had also raised Christ from the dead and gave Him glory. And in this same glorious resurrection, believers found their faith and hope in God. Therefore, let us live in awe of Him and set our faith and hope in Christ.