Peter's Preplexing Passage - Part 2

"THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER"

Peter's Perplexing Passage (3:18-20) Part 2

Having looked at four different views regarding our text and three of the difficulties of these views, we start this part of our lesson by looking at the difficulties of the view Friedrich Spitta (1900 A.D.) supported. We will then look at a fifth view that is in beautiful harmony with Peter's wording and context...

The major difficulties with this view of Friedrich Spitta is that in responding to the Sadducees, Jesus taught that angels of God do not marry - Mt 22:30 “For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as angels in heaven.” Of course, Jesus may have been referring to angels who "keep their proper domain", and do not leave "their own habitation". If righteous angels could temporarily take on human form to deliver God's message (as in the case described in Ge 18:1-8; 19:1-3) where they ate food, it might have been possible for "fallen angels" to take on human form and cohabitate as some believe Ge 6 suggests. But it is just as feasible to understand Ge 6 differently.... That the "sons of God" were the descendants of Seth (in other words, godly people), and the "daughters of men" were descendants of Cain (ungodly people). This view stays clear of speculation which can easily take on mythological proportions!

We come to a fifth interpretation, one that I think has much to commend for it. There is the view of some present contemporary commentators we need to look at. The basic elements are that the resurrected Christ, WHEN HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN, proclaimed to imprisoned spirits his victory over death. That the exalted Christ passed through the realm where the fallen angels are kept and proclaimed His triumph over them (Ep 6:12 “For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”; Co 2:15 “having despoiled the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”, is offered as support for this view). This interpretation has met favorable response in both Protestant and Roman Catholic circles. More importantly, this view is in beautiful harmony with Peter's wording and context...

Note that there are some major distinction in this view over the prior views presented. The preaching was made by Jesus Himself (not through Noah). The preaching was made by Jesus AFTER "being put to death in the flesh" (not in His pre-incarnate form). The preaching was made by Jesus AFTER He was "made alive by the Spirit" (i.e., after His resurrection, not during the three day period between death and resurrection). The preaching was made to "THE SPIRITS". Not to "the spirits of men" (which is how the souls or spirits of men are commonly referred to, notice He 12:23 “to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,”; Re 6:9 “And when he opened the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of them that had been slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:” ; 20:4 “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God, and such as worshipped not the beast, neither his image, and received not the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand; and they lived, and reigned with Christ a thousand years.”). But rather the preaching was to "angelic spirits". The preaching was made to them "IN PRISON" (that there are angels so bound is clearly taught in 2 Pe 2 and Jude). The preaching was made to them who were "FORMERLY DISOBEDIENT...IN THE DAYS OF NOAH". This view does not require that the rebellious angels were the "sons of God" in Ge 6, but simply were somehow disobedient at that time (as some were later during Christ's time). The preaching was a proclamation of victory over death, not an offer of a second chance of salvation to a select few!

As suggested, this last view is not only in harmony with the very words and grammatical constructions used by Peter, but it is harmony with the CONTEXT.... Peter had been teaching us to be willing to suffer, if necessary, for doing good - 1 Pe 3:17 “For it is better, if the will of God should so will, that ye suffer for well-doing than for evil-doing.” He appeals to the example of Christ - 1 Pe 3:18a “Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God;”. Who despite His suffering and death, was made alive, proclaimed victory to those spirits who had not been willing to submit to God in Noah's day, ascending to the right hand of God, over all angels and authorities! - 1 Pe 3:18b-20 “being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; in which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison, that aforetime were disobedient, when the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water:”, note especially v. 22 “who is on the right hand of God, having gone into heaven; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.”

In view of Jesus' triumph over suffering, we should be willing to do the same! - 1 Pe 4:1 “Forasmuch then as Christ suffered in the flesh, arm ye yourselves also with the same mind; for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;”. Admittedly, this passage is difficult, so one needs to be careful and not be dogmatic in one's treatment of it. I hope that by presenting this survey of the various views it may serve helpful in drawing your own conclusions about "Peter's Perplexing Passage". But one thing Peter mentions in this passage that is not perplexing is his reference to baptism, and it's necessity for salvation (1 Pe 3:21 “which also after a true likeness doth now save you, even baptism, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the interrogation of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ;”)...

Peter's Perplexing Passage 1 Peter 3:18-20

"THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER"

Peter's Perplexing Passage (3:18-20)

For the sake of brevity we will break this lesson into two parts. Now let's begin our lesson. In 2 Pe 3:15-16, Peter mentions that Paul wrote some things that were hard to understand. The same could be said about some of Peter's own writings, especially the passage in 1 Pe 3:18-20 “Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God; being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; in which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison, that aforetime were disobedient, when the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water:”

Considered by some to be one of the most difficult passages in the Bible, various and sometimes fanciful interpretations have been given. In a lesson designed to inform rather than exhort, we shall examine several of the interpretations that have been offered and suggest which one seems to be the right one (to me, at least). We shall examine five interpretations, in the chronological sequence in which they have been offered.

The view of Clement of Alexandria (200 A.D.). The basic elements of Clement's is that Christ went to hell in His spirit BETWEEN His death and His resurrection. That He proclaimed the message of salvation to the souls of sinners imprisoned there since the flood.

Major difficulties with this view would suggest that for some reason these souls were given a "second chance". Whereas the Bible consistently teaches against such an idea.... "it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment" - He 9:27. Peter himself later wrote that the wicked souls before the flood were being "reserved... under punishment for the day of judgment" - 2 Pe 2:4-5, 9. Why would people before the flood be given a second chance when those after the flood are not?

The view of Augustine (400 A.D.). The basic elements of Augustine's view is that the "pre-existent" Christ in His spirit proclaimed salvation through Noah to the people who lived before the flood. We know that Noah was "a preacher of righteousness" in his day - 2 Pe 2:5. We know that the Spirit of Christ was at work in O.T. prophets - 1 Pe 1:10-11. This view is held by many brethren today.

The major difficulties with this view is that the wording of Peter would more naturally suggest that he is speaking of the Christ who was "put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit". In other words, the "crucified & resurrected" Christ, not the "pre-incarnate" Christ. Also, the wording would more naturally suggest the preaching occurred to the spirits "in prison", not before they were imprisoned when they "formerly were disobedient", not during their disobedience. Augustine's view dominated the theological scene for centuries, but then other views were presented.

The view of Cardinal Bellarmine (1600 A.D.) is that in His spirit Christ went to release the souls of the RIGHTEOUS who repented before the flood and had been kept in "LIMBO". In Catholic theology, "limbo" is the place between heaven and hell, where the souls of the O.T. saints were kept.

The major difficulties with this view is that the Bible is silent about a place such as "limbo". The "spirits" under discussion by Peter were "disobedient" in "the days of Noah" according to Ge 6:5-13; 7:1, only Noah and his family were righteous. If others had repented, would they not also have been on the ark? In other words, there were none righteous before the flood save Noah and his family!

The view of Friedrich Spitta (1900 A.D.) is that after His death and BEFORE His resurrection, Christ preached to "fallen angels", also known as "sons of God", who during Noah's time had married "daughters of men". This view is based upon a particular interpretation of Ge 6:1-4“And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the ground, and daughters were born unto them, that the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all that they chose. And Jehovah said, My Spirit shall not strive with man for ever, for that he also is flesh: yet shall his days be a hundred and twenty years. The Nephilim were in the earth in those days, and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them: the same were the mighty men that were of old, the men of renown....”. Job 1:6“Now it came to pass on the day when the sons of God came to present themselves before Jehovah, that Satan also came among them.”; 2:1“Again it came to pass on the day when the sons of God came to present themselves before Jehovah, that Satan came also among them to present himself before Jehovah.”is offered as evidence that angels are sometimes referred to as "sons of God". Jude 6“And angels that kept not their own principality, but left their proper habitation, he hath kept in everlasting bonds under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.”, also, is offered as referring to "fallen angels"in the days of Noah because it sounds very similar to references in a book called I Enoch. I Enoch expounds in detail the idea that the "sons of God"in Ge 6 were "fallen angels". Jude seems to quote directly from this book in Ju 14“And to these also Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, Behold, the Lord came with ten thousands of his holy ones,”, 15“to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their works of ungodliness which they have ungodly wrought, and of all the hard things which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” , a Jewish historian born in 37 A.D., took a similar view of Ge 6. This view is held by many Protestant scholars.

For the purpose of brevity we will look at the difficulties of this view when we continue this lesson in Part 2. We will also look at a view that is in beautiful harmony with Peter's wording and context...

Preparing For Persucution 1 Peter 3:13-18

"THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER"

Preparing For Persecution (3:13-18)

Having described the proper conduct of Christians in various relationships, Peter now turns more specifically to the subject of suffering. That the first recipients of this epistle were experiencing or would experience persecution is evident from 1:6 “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, ye have been put to grief in manifold trials,”; 4:12-19 “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial among you, which cometh upon you to prove you, as though a strange thing happened unto you: but insomuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory also ye may rejoice with exceeding joy. If ye are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are ye; because the Spirit of glory and the Spirit of God resteth upon you. For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil-doer, or as a meddler in other men’s matters: but if a man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name. For the time is come for judgment to begin at the house of God: and if it begin first at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous is scarcely saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear? Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God commit their souls in well-doing unto a faithful Creator.”; 5:8-10 “Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour, whom withstand stedfast in your faith, knowing that the same sufferings are accomplished in your brethren who are in the world. And the God of all grace, who called you unto his eternal glory in Christ, after that ye have suffered a little while, shall himself perfect, establish, strengthen you.”

Now, under normal circumstances, what Peter writes in verse 13 is the rule... "And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?" But there are times when Satan will make every effort to bring harm to those who try to follow the will of God (remember Job?) - 1 Pe 5:8-9 “Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour, whom withstand stedfast in your faith, knowing that the same sufferings are accomplished in your brethren who are in the world.”; Re 12:17 “And the dragon waxed wroth with the woman, and went away to make war with the rest of her seed, that keep the commandments of God, and hold the testimony of Jesus:”

How, then, should Christians prepare themselves so that they might be victorious in overcoming whatever persecution might come their way? In verses 14-18, we can glean at least five points in "Preparing For Persecution"... Remember, you are blessed if you suffer for Christ (3:14,17). This truth is stressed twice by Peter in this epistle. In our text - 1 Pe 3:14 “But even if ye should suffer for righteousness’ sake, blessed are ye: and fear not their fear, neither be troubled;”. Even more definitively in 1 Pe 4:14 “If ye are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are ye; because the Spirit of glory and the Spirit of God resteth upon you.” Where he adds that the "Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you". Those who suffer for the cause of Christ are fortunate, for God is with them.

This reinforces what Christ taught; that those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake are blessed - Mt 5:10-12 “Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets that were before you.” In this passage, two reasons are given for such blessedness. Your reward will be great in heaven and you are in the company of God's prophets of old.

Certainly you are better off suffering for Christ, than suffering for evil. There are no blessings or promises in the latter. As Peter writes in 1 Pe 3:17 “For it is better, if the will of God should so will, that ye suffer for well-doing than for evil-doing.” Suffering for evil is what WILL happen if we are not willing to stand up for Christ. And suffering for Christ is only temporary, but the suffering for evil is eternal!

Sanctify the Lord in your hearts, (3:14-15) “But even if ye should suffer for righteousness’ sake, blessed are ye: and fear not their fear, neither be troubled; but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord: being ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear:”

What does it mean to "sanctify the Lord God in your hearts"?. The word "sanctify" means "to set apart". Thus it means to set the Lord up on the throne of your heart, to make Him the Lord and Ruler of your life; ruling over your own desires; His Will taking precedent over your own will and that of others. The NU-Text suggests that it is Christ under consideration as referencing the "Lord God".

This is the key to facing persecution without fear or without being troubled. For unless we sanctify the Lord in our hearts, we will be afraid of what man might do, or be troubled by what he threatens. But when we make Christ and God, Lord, we will not fear what man might do - He 13:5-6 “Be ye free from the love of money; content with such things as ye have: for himself hath said, I will in no wise fail thee, neither will I in any wise forsake thee. So that with good courage we say, The Lord is my helper; I will not fear: What shall man do unto me?”

Always be ready to give a defense for the reason of your hope, (3:15) “being ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear:”

Observe carefully what Peter is not saying. He is NOT saying that we need to be ready to give an answer for EVERY question on religious matters that someone might ask. As some have used this verse as a proof-text. While we should certainly strive to be able to explain why we do what we do in matters of religion, that is not the point Peter is making here.

Instead, Peter is saying to always be ready to give a reason why you have the HOPE you do. To explain the basis of your hope (your strong desire and expectation). This implies that our desire and confidence for the future is so strong that it is observable by others. Even in the midst of persecution, we are demonstrating joy over the hope we have - 1 Pe 1:6 “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, ye have been put to grief in manifold trials”, 8 “whom not having seen ye love; on whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory:”. To do so in the proper spirit. In the spirit of MEEKNESS. This pertains to our attitude toward men. We should be humble, not arrogant or angry. In the spirit of FEAR. This pertains to our attitude toward God. It should be reverent, not flippant.

Keep your conscience clean, (3:16) “having a good conscience; that, wherein ye are spoken against, they may be put to shame who revile your good manner of life in Christ.” reason to keep your conscience clean is given by Peter in our text. That this together with your good conduct will likely cause your enemies to be ashamed for mistreating you. If not ashamed in this life, they will certainly be ashamed on the day of judgment!

Another reason to have a clean conscience is that a guilty conscience will not enable one to face the threat of death without fear and trembling. For before we can stand before men without fear we need to be able to stand before God without fear. That is impossible without a clear conscience! - 1 Jn 3:21 “Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, we have boldness toward God;”

Remember the example of Christ, (3:17-18) “For it is better, if the will of God should so will, that ye suffer for well-doing than for evil-doing. Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God; being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;”

He suffered for our sakes that He might bring us to God - 1 Pe 3:18 “Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God; being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;”; also 2:20-25 “For what glory is it, if, when ye sin, and are buffeted for it, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye shall take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: who his own self bare our sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were going astray like sheep; but are now". So we see that suffering for good can sometimes accomplish much good in the long run.

We have been called to follow his example. As Peter already indicated in 1 Pe 2:21. And which he does again in 1 Pe 4:1 “Forasmuch then as Christ suffered in the flesh, arm ye yourselves also with the same mind; for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;”

More will be said later in this epistle on the subject of how to deal with persecution, b ut in this text, we find five good ways to prepare ourselves... applying these five principles to our lives we will be more useful to the Lord, ready for whatever may come. Even if we are not faced with the prospects of physical persecutions in our lifetime, it will help in times of social or verbal persecution.

In this lesson, we noticed the value of having a good conscience; in 1 Pe 3:21, Peter speaks of that which he calls "the answer of of good conscience toward God" (i.e., baptism). Have you considered what else he says about it in that passage...?

Our Duties to Each Other

"THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER"

Our Duties To Each Other (3:8-12)

In his epistle, Peter has defined the Christian's duties in various relationships:

1) Our duty in relation to those of the world - 1 Pe 2:11-12

2) Our duty in relation to governmental authorities - 1 Pe 2:13-17

3) Our duty in a servant-master relationship - 1 Pe 2:18-25

4) Our duty in wife-husband relationships - 1 Pe 3:1-7

Beginning now in verse 8 of the third chapter, Peter defines our duty to each other as brethren in Christ. Peter will provide motivation to fulfill our duties to one another in verses 10-12, but let's first consider what these duties are. Our duties to each other, (8-9) “Finally, be ye all likeminded, compassionate, loving as brethren, tenderhearted, humbleminded: not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; but contrariwise blessing; for hereunto were ye called, that ye should inherit a blessing.” To "be of one mind" (NASV, "harmonious"). That is, to be united in the same purpose, the same goal. Jesus prayed for this kind of unity in Jn 17:20-21 “Neither for these only do I pray, but for them also that believe on me through their word; that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us: that the world may believe that thou didst send me.” A church that demonstrated this "oneness of mind" is that of Jerusalem - Ac 4:32 “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and soul: and not one of them said that aught of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.” How can we have this "oneness of mind"? It is attainable only to the extent that we all submit to the will of God. Therefore, we all need to make God's Will our will, His Purpose our purpose just as Christ did while on earth - Jn 5:30 “I can of myself do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is righteous; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.”

To have "compassion for one another" (NASV, "sympathetic"). This means to have pity, a feeling of distress toward the ills of others. It is that disposition which is moved by the problems of others (like sickness, hardships, etc.). This is the attitude manifested by Jesus during His earthly ministry - Mt 9:35-36 “And Jesus went about all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of disease and all manner of sickness. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were distressed and scattered, as sheep not having a shepherd.” The Hebrew writer tells us of His heavenly ministry and continued compassion - He 4:15 “For we have not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but one that hath been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

Such compassion can only come from a tender, loving heart, which may be why Peter goes on to say that we need to "love as brothers". Literally, this means to be "brother lovers". This attribute is essential, if we are to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ - 2 Pe 1:7-8“and in your godliness brotherly kindness; and in your brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to be not idle nor unfruitful unto the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”This attribute is essential, if we are to cthe world that we are truly disciples of Jesus - Jn 13:35“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” you a "brother lover"? If not you are not a lover of God, either! - 1 Jn 4:20“If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, cannot love God whom he hath not seen.” do not even know God! - 1 Jn 4:7-8“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is begotten of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” is one way to know if you are a "brother lover".... Ask yourself this question: "Do I even know my brother?" you don't, how can you honestly say that you are a "brother lover"?

We are to "be tenderhearted", (NASV, "kindhearted"). It is this kind of heart that is compassionate, capable of loving our brethren. The opposite would be "cold-hearted", where we are insensitive to the needs and feelings of others. Even if we start out as "cold-hearted", in Christ Jesus we can and must undergo a transformation, in which we develop a "tender heart" - Ep 4:22-24 “that ye put away, as concerning your former manner of life, the old man, that waxeth corrupt after the lusts of deceit; and that ye be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man, that after God hath been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.”, 31-32 “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and railing, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, even as God also in Christ forgave you.”; Co 3:8-10 “but now do ye also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, railing, shameful speaking out of your mouth: lie not one to another; seeing that ye have put off the old man with his doings, and have put on the new man, that is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of him that created him:”, 12 “Put on therefore, as God’s elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering;” . Have you considered what kind of heart you have?

We are to "be courteous" (NASV, "humble in spirit"). Literally, to be "friendly of mind, kind". Such courtesy would imply a humility of spirit, for an arrogant or proud spirit does not bother to be courteous. Christians are to imitate their Lord and Savior, and not think so highly of themselves that they cannot be kind and courteous to others - Ph 2:3-5 “doing nothing through faction or through vainglory, but in lowliness of mind each counting other better than himself; not looking each of you to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others. Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”

We are to "return blessing for evil". When someone (a brother or sister) does us evil, we are to respond with a blessing! While this may go against "human nature", Peter gives two reasons why we are to react in this way. We are called to follow the example of Christ - 1 Pe 3:9 “not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; but contrariwise blessing; for hereunto were ye called, that ye should inherit a blessing.” with 1 Pe 2:21-23 “For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:”. That we might receive a blessing from God - Lk 6:35 “But love your enemies, and do them good, and lend, never despairing; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be sons of the Most High: for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil.”

These are six duties that we have one toward another. They are part of what constitutes the Christ-like character that we are to develop as His disciples.

Being saved, then, is not the end of God's plan for us; He would have us become like His Son (cf. Ro 8:29 “For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren:”). To motivate us in fulfilling these duties, Peter quotes from the 34th Psalm... What then should motivate us to fulfill these duties? (10-12) “For, He that would love life, And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips that they speak no guile: And let him turn away from evil, and do good; Let him seek peace, and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, And his ears unto their supplication: But the face of the Lord is upon them that do evil.”

First, that we might "love life and see good days". Everyone wishes to enjoy life as they experience it from day to day. But too often, many make their own lives miserable by their own self-seeking, self-destructive attitudes. Constantly complaining, contentious, retaliating to evil with evil, they only aggravate the situation. But David in his psalm gives the secret to loving life and seeing good days. Refrain the tongue from evil, and lips from speaking guile - 1 Pe 3:10 “For, He that would love life, And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips that they speak no guile:” In other words, don't engage in slander, backbiting, complaining, lying, murmuring, and grumbling. It doesn't solve difficulties, but only makes them worse. Do good, seek peace and pursue it - 1 Pe 3:11 “And let him turn away from evil, and do good; Let him seek peace, and pursue it.” In other words, do the very kind of things mentioned by Peter in 1 Pe 3:8-9 “Finally, be ye all likeminded, compassionate, loving as brethren, tenderhearted, humbleminded: not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; but contrariwise blessing; for hereunto were ye called, that ye should inherit a blessing.” Only then will your life be pleasant, for the qualities described by Peter will make the best out of difficult situations. They will make good situations even better!

Second, so the Lord will be open to us - 1 Pe 3:12. Only by doing the will of God (as found in 1 Pe 3:8-9) can we ensure that His gracious eyes will watch over us and His ears will be open to our prayers. On the other hand, the Lord's face is against those who do evil, and will not hear their prayers. Indeed, consider the list of abominations found in Pr 6:16-19 and notice how many are the direct opposite of how we are to be. We are to be courteous (humble) - but the Lord hates a proud look! We are to be compassionate - but abusing the innocent is an abomination to the Lord! We are to be tender-hearted - but the Lord hates a cold heart that thinks evil of others! We are to return good for evil - but those who respond quickly with evil, the Lord abhors! We are to be of one mind - but if we sow discord by murmuring and complaining, we are abominable in God's sight!

So if we want the Lord to watch over us, if we want Him to heed our prayers, let us be sure to fulfill our duties to each other as brethren as outlined by Peter in verses 8-9. In so doing, we will enjoy life to its fullest, and see many good days during our pilgrimage here on earth!

Our Duties as Wives and Husbands 1 Peter 3:1-7

"THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER"

Our Duties As Wives And Husbands (3:1-7)

In this study of 1st Peter, we are seeing that God teaches the Christian how to conduct himself in all relations of life. BEFORE GOD, he is to be holy, even as God is holy - 1 Pe 1:14-16. BEFORE THE WORLD, he is to live an honorable life, one filled with good works - 1 Pe 2:11-12. AS A CITIZEN, he is to submit to civil authorities - 1 Pe 2:13-17. AS A SERVANT, he is to do good, even it means to suffer patiently the mistreatment of others - 1 Pe 2:18-25.

As we come to chapter three, we find there are also certain responsibilities in our relations as husbands and wives - 1 Pe 3:1-7. In a society where "dysfunctional families" seem to be the norm, it is even more imperative that the people of God demonstrate through their families that which is the will of God, and is "honorable" (good, beautiful to behold) conduct.

Our text goes a long way in describing the sort of conduct that is "honorable" for wives and husbands, beginning with instructions to the wives. Be submissive to your husbands (1-2); “In like manner, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, even if any obey not the word, they may without the word be gained by the behavior of their wives; beholding your chaste behavior coupled with fear.” The word "likewise" refers back to the discussion in the previous chapter in which the principle of submission has already been applied to: our responsibility to governmental authorities; the servant's relationship to his master. This would suggest that the same principles discussed earlier hold true to wives in their relationship with their husbands to submit not only to the good, but also to the harsh - 1 Pe 2:18 “Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.” That if a wife suffers wrong from her husband when she was doing good, it is commendable before God if she bear that mistreatment patiently - 1 Pe 2:19 “For this is acceptable, if for conscience toward God a man endureth griefs, suffering wrongfully.”

The value of submission is best illustrated in the case where a Christian wife is married to an unbeliever. He might be converted by her "conduct" even though he might not have previously obeyed "the" word (the gospel)... Without "a" word (persistent nagging), he may be reached by her conduct! The type of "conduct" likely to have that effect is described as: "chaste" - that is, purity in all manner of life; "accompanied by fear" - that is, reverence; which in this case is manifested toward the husband and is an attitude consistent with the principle of "submission". So the first duty of wives as outlined by Peter is that of "submission", especially if the husband is an unbeliever.

Adorn yourselves properly, verses (3-4); “Whose adorning let it not be the outward adorning of braiding the hair, and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptible apparel of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” It is likely that Peter's comments are in the form of a "Hebraism". In other words, a Hebrew idiom (form of speech) commonly found in the Scriptures. In this case, there is a contrast ("not this...but this") for the sake of emphasis. A good example of this is found in Jn 6:27 “Work not for the food which perisheth, but for the food which abideth unto eternal life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him the Father, even God, hath sealed.” Jesus is not saying that it is wrong to work so we can eat, but that our priority in life should be to have everlasting life.

A similar emphasis by way of contrast is being made by Peter. In other words, don't let your emphasis on "beauty" pertain to outward adornment. Not that it is always wrong to arrange the hair, wear gold, or put on apparel, but place your emphasis elsewhere! Let your beauty be "the hidden person of the heart". Conduct yourself so that beauty of the "inner person" shines forth, where people notice more "who" you are rather than "what" you wear! It is a "gentle and quite spirit" that constitutes true inner beauty. Unlike hair, gold, and apparel, it is incorruptible! - 2 Co 4:16 “Wherefore we faint not; but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day.” It is also very precious in the sight of God - Isa 66:1-2 “Thus saith Jehovah, Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: what manner of house will ye build unto me? and what place shall be my rest? For all these things hath my hand made, and so all these things came to be, saith Jehovah: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and that trembleth at my word.”

So Christian women, let your inner beauty be your most noticeable feature! Without inner beauty, any outward beauty is like a ring of gold in the nose of a pig! - Pro 11:22 “As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout, So is a fair woman that is without discretion.” Parents, are we teaching this truth (by word and example) to our daughters?

Be "daughters of Sarah", verses (5-6) “For after this manner aforetime the holy women also, who hoped in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands: as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose children ye now are, if ye do well, and are not put in fear by any terror.” Remember, the holy women in the Old Testament who trusted in God adorned themselves with a gentle and quiet spirit and were submissive to their husbands. A case in point is that of Sarah who was so beautiful outwardly that Pharaoh wanted her when she was over 65 years old; that the king of the Philistines wanted her when she was over 90 years old, and long past the age of childbearing. Yet her true beauty was demonstrated by her submissive spirit (calling her husband "lord"). Christian women can become the "daughters of Sarah," provided they "do good" (be submissive to their husbands) and "are not afraid of any terror" (composed with a gentle and quiet spirit). To be considered a "daughter of Sarah" by God would be a very special honor! It can be had by any woman who heeds the words of the apostle Peter. But a failure to heed these words will result in being more like a "daughter of Jezebel." Remember, she delighted in her physical beauty and in manipulating her husband. May such never be true of women professing godliness and wearing the name of Christ!

Peter's instructions to husbands are brief, but nonetheless extremely important. “Ye husbands, in like manner, dwell with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor unto the woman, as unto the weaker vessel, as being also joint-heirs of the grace of life; to the end that your prayers be not hindered.” Peter writes, "dwell with your wives with understanding" although the KJV says "with knowledge". Husbands are expected to know, and understand their responsibilities in marriage - Ep 5:25 “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself up for it;”. The nature of women, as "weaker vessels" refers to physical strength, not to intellectual abilities, moral courage, or spiritual strength. Such understanding is to govern how the husband lives with his wife -- with love and thoughtfulness.

"Give honor" to the wife. The word "give" means "to assign". "honor" involves the idea of that which is "precious, of high value". So the husband is to assign to his wife the honor of being precious and of high value in his sight. A good reason to consider our wives in such light: they are truly "heirs together of the grace of life". In other words, they are sisters in Christ, and therefore worthy of the respect we give any other child of God!

"that your prayers may not be hindered". Here is good reason to heed Peter's instruction! The word "hindered" literally means "cut off". Thus the way we treat our wives may result in our access to God being cut off! This is what happened to the O.T. priests who divorced their wives - Mal 2:13-14 “And this again ye do: ye cover the altar of Jehovah with tears, with weeping, and with sighing, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, neither receiveth it with good will at your hand. Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because Jehovah hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously, though she is thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.” Would Christian husbands that mistreat and/or abuse their wives expect any different?

We learn from Peter, then, that how we conduct ourselves as husbands and wives can have a bearing on our personal relationship with God. If wives are to be considered "very precious in the sight of God..." If husbands are to keep open the avenue of their prayers to God... -- Then we must apply the principles in this passage (1 Pe 3:1-7) to our lives! If we do, then we all can be "heirs together of the grace of life!" If not, then we put a barrier between ourselves and God!

Speaking of being heirs of the grace of life, do you know how one can become such an heir? - Ti 3:4-7 "But when the kindness of God our Saviour, and his love toward man, appeared, not by works done in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, which he poured out upon us richly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life."