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Kingdom Living: One to All
From 2:11-4:6, Peter's primary concern has been with
our ethical conduct amongst unbelievers and in the
face of persecution: Believers to the government,
slaves to unbelieving masters, and wives to unbelieving
husbands. In this passage, he encourages us to cling
to one another as our community in the face of a hostile
world.
Verse 8
Peter begins with "Finally" (NIV, NKJV),
to indicate that he's wrapping up his injunctions
addressing specific kinds of people (slaves, wives,
husbands). Developing these five virtues will promote
biblical community and support. We are given five
imperatives that, with God's help, are attainable
virtues:
- "Live harmoniously" (see Acts 4:32;
Rom. 12:16; 1 Cor. 1:10; Philip. 2:2).
- "Be sympathetic" a prerequisite for
number 1 above (cf., Rom. 12:15; 1 Cor. 12:26; Heb.
10:34).
- "Love as brothers" (John 13:35; 1 Thess.
4:9-10).
- "Compassionate" (Matt. 9:36; Mk. 1:41;
Lk. 15:20; 2 Cor. 1:3; Eph. 4:32).
- "Humble" (Pr. 29:23; Eph. 4:2; Philip.
2:3, 8).
How do we develop these virtues? How do we obey these
commands?
Verse 9
Our ethical relations to a hostile society are to
be impeccable. Peter sees our response to pressures
not as aggressive retaliation, but with active grace.
The term for "insult" (NIV) or "reviling"
(NKJV) has to do with insolent talk or abusive speech.
These are words intended to harm another's character
or feelings. This injunction has everything to do
with what we say, which, according to Jesus, issue
forth from our heart (Mt. 15:18).
Read Mt. 5:44, Lk. 6:27-28; Rom. 12:14; 1 Cor. 4:12-13.
What kind of words should come from your mouth when
you are wrongly treated?
"Bless" literally means, "to speak
well of." This is not merely a friendly disposition
toward enemies to active prayer and intercession.
A kind word and a sincere prayer will go a long way
toward moving people closer to God in faith and repentance.
The "blessing" Peter says we will inherit
is likely imminent rather than the future blessing
of heaven. In essence, what we do and how we live
makes a huge difference for us in this life! Consider
the following (taken from Grudem, First Epistle
of Peter):
| Verse |
Right Conduct |
Resulting Blessing |
| 1:8 |
Loving Christ |
Unutterable joy |
| 1:9 |
Continuing faith |
More benefits of salvation |
| 1:17 |
Holy life with fear |
Avoiding God's fatherly discipline |
| 2:2 |
Partaking of spiritual milk |
Growing up toward salvation |
| 2:19-10 |
Trusting God and doing right while
suffering |
God's approval |
| 3:1-2 |
Submitting to husbands |
Husbands won for Christ |
| 3:7 |
Living considerately with wives |
Prayers not hindered |
| 4:14 |
Enduring reproach for Christ |
Spirit of glory and of God rests
upon you |
| 5:7 |
Casting cares on God |
He will care for your needs |
| 5:9-10 |
Resist the Devil |
God will restore, establish, strengthen |
Verses 10-12
Beyond our desire to receive a blessing, we should
be motivated by the fact that God is the final Judge
and jury of all human life. Ps. 34:12-16 indicates
God is watching, evaluating, and listening to everyone.
God turns his entire countenance ("face")
against those who do evil. This passage is filled
with abstractions that are not hard to understand,
but difficult to implement.
Brotherly love, not retaliating against injustices,
living harmoniously and obediently is fundamental
to being Christian. In our society, the challenge
is how we should face persecution when we can do something
about it. According to Peter, we should not be known
for retaliation, retribution, or fighting for our
rights at any cost. We are called, not only to be
known for our love, but for our peacefulness (1 Pt.
2:23).
 1 Peter 3:13-22
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