Author: SFJ Bible

2 Peter 1

Greeting

1:1 Simeon¹ Peter, a servant² and apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:

2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

Confirm Your Calling and Election

3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to³ his own glory and excellence,⁴ 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue,⁵ and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities⁶ are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers,⁷ be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

12 Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. 13 I think it right, as long as I am in this body,⁸ to stir you up by way of reminder, 14 since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.

Christ’s Glory and the Prophetic Word

16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son,⁹ with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 19 And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Footnotes

[1] 1:1 Some manuscripts Simon

[2] 1:1 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface

[3] 1:3 Or by

[4] 1:3 Or virtue

[5] 1:5 Or excellence; twice in this verse

[6] 1:8 Greek these things; also verses 9, 10, 12

[7] 1:10 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters

[8] 1:13 Greek tent; also verse 14

[9] 1:17 Or my Son, my (or the) Beloved

(ESV)

1 Peter 5

Shepherd the Flock of God

5:1 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight,¹ not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you;² not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings

12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. 13 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son. 14 Greet one another with the kiss of love.

Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

Footnotes

[1] 5:2 Some manuscripts omit exercising oversight

[2] 5:2 Some manuscripts omit as God would have you

(ESV)

1 Peter 4

Stewards of God’s Grace

4:1 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh,¹ arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. 4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; 5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.

7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Suffering as a Christian

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory² and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And

  “If the righteous is scarcely saved,
    what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”³

19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

Footnotes

[1] 4:1 Some manuscripts add for us; some for you

[2] 4:14 Some manuscripts insert and of power

[3] 4:18 Greek where will the ungodly and sinner appear?

(ESV)

1 Peter 3

Wives and Husbands

3:1 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct. 3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. 5 For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.

7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you¹ of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

Suffering for Righteousness’ Sake

8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 10 For

  “Whoever desires to love life
    and see good days,
  let him keep his tongue from evil
    and his lips from speaking deceit;
11   let him turn away from evil and do good;
    let him seek peace and pursue it.
12   For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
    and his ears are open to their prayer.
  But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

18 For Christ also suffered² once for sins, 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, 19 in which³ he went and proclaimed⁴ to the spirits in prison, 20 because⁵ they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

Footnotes

[1] 3:7 Some manuscripts since you are joint heirs

[2] 3:18 Some manuscripts died

[3] 3:19 Or the Spirit, in whom

[4] 3:19 Or preached

[5] 3:20 Or when

(ESV)

Going Deeper

Exile Hope (6-27-15)

Grab your Bible and let’s go deeper into 1 Peter 1:

1 Peter 1:1-2  “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.”

1> Who are the elect exiles?

Peter opens his letter by referring to his audience as elect exiles.

First Peter was written to Christians who were experiencing various forms of persecution. Both men and women whose stand for Jesus Christ made them aliens or exile strangers in the midst of a pagan society.   Let’s look into this deeper…

The Elect:

1 Peter 1:1  “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles …”,

then notice in

1 Peter 3:2

2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct.

(ESV)

that He qualifies those who are chosen or elect with three phrases:

-according to the foreknowledge of God the Father,

-in the sanctification of the Spirit,

-for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood.

Do you notice that they are elect by the work of the Trinity? 

The elect are chosen by God the Father through God the Holy Spirit based on the atoning work of God the Son.

This is a meaty endorsement for Peter’s audience and for us who are the body of Christ today! 

This is also an important clarity at the opening because Peter wants to lay a strong foundation in the hearts of his Christian brothers and sisters who read this as He is about to talk about all the trials they are and will experience.  He is putting it in their minds that they are special because they are chosen by God.

It’s like he is saying, remember how significant it was when God came to Israel and said, you will be my people?  How significant it was when he came to Moses and said, you are my chosen man, my chosen mouth piece? Like when he came to Abraham and said, you are my chosen patriarch.  It’s like he is saying, you are a part of that special election now.

This is special!  It is special because not all are chosen.  Just look at…

Deuteronomy 7:6 “For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.”

So Peter is saying in just a few short phrases right out the door, you are special too.  As you endure hardship in this foreign land, know that you are God’s chosen people.  You are elect!   So, as I get ready to talk to you in this letter about hardship and obedience know that you are not a mistake. You are the LORD’S chosen.

You are not His by obligation nor by your merit, but solely by His predetermined plan and sovereign free will to choose whom He will.

He wants them not to wonder if their exile is all for not.  He wants them to understand in the deepest part of their mind and heart that they are His.  They are selected, secure and sent forth for his purposes.

Exiles:

He calls the church elect exiles. Other translations say aliens.

What do you think of when you think of aliens?   Big-headed, green creatures or people who are of a foreign land or kingdom.  I’ll give you a hint- it’s not the former!  It’s not the green creatures.

Christian exiles are like immigrants, foreigners, temporary residents, and refugees. We do not belong any longer to this world. Hebrews 13:14  “For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.”

We are still aliens and exiles and sojourners.

You could say it like this…

We are citizens of God’s eternal kingdom while exile residents in this world’s temporal kingdom. 

Do you know that in your soul?  

Do you know that you, too, are an exile and sojourner in this time and place?

If not, this world makes no sense.   Because to build your LIFE in the here and now is to not understand the hope that brings endurance in anticipation for your true HOME.

Brothers:  THIS IS NOT OUR HOME!    

And because we are aliens here, because we are exiles in a foreign land, we should expect troubles and suffering.

1 Peter 4:12- “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.”

But, instead, we need to hold to the truth the apostle Paul gives us “…the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us…” (Romans 8:18).   This is what Peter is going to say all throughout this letter.

2> What is our living hope?

1 Peter 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

He says, “According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again”.

Once again, Peter says that it is God who is sovereign in our salvation.

Meaning, it is his work. He is in control.  He is the author and perfecter of our faith as Hebrews 12 describes.

Our salvation is “ACCORDING TO THE MERCY OR GRACE OF GOD ALONE”, not according to anything we offer, contribute, do, say, believe, or earn.   According to his mercy alone!

”Unwarranted confidence in human ability is a product of fallen human nature. This false confidence now fills the evangelical world; from the self-esteem gospel, to the health and wealth gospel, from those who have transformed the gospel into a product to be sold and sinners into consumers who want to buy.” – The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals; 1996 

Deep down, human nature is convinced that there is a way for us to save ourselves or at least play our part.

Too many believe, while we may require divine assistance, perhaps God will show us the way, or even send a messenger to lead us back, but, in the end, mankind can follow the plan and/or do their part to pull it off.

In a democratic culture such as ours, we believe that our vote counts, and that by exercising our right to choose, we can actually and significantly change the world around us. We are all taught from our youth that we have it within ourselves to accomplish anything if we simply put our minds to it and give it our best efforts.

But, not according to God’s Word.  All we offer, all we contribute is sin.  We are in pursuit of selfishness and no help at all. “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all…” – John 6:63

We are desperate for God’s mercy to take what is spiritually dead and give it life!

Who has caused us to be born again?   God. 

No one takes credit for his or her own physical birth!

The baby never comes out of the womb and says, “Glad I could help”.

Our birth is something that happens TO us.

For those whom God causes to be born again, it is the same thing.

John 3:3 “Jesus answered him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.’”

John 1:13 “…who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”

This is the sovereign act of God to bring about new spiritual life to that which was formerly spiritually dead.

The prophecy of Ezekiel says it well,

Ezekiel 36:26 “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”

Regeneration is a sovereign act of God in which he imparts new spiritual life to us.

This is sometimes called “being born again”.

No one repents of their sin and believes in Jesus for conversion (salvation) until God does this in your heart.

Why? Because we don’t even see our sin.  And we don’t yet have eyes to see and savor the cross and Jesus’ atonement yet.  Not until the heart is reborn by God’s work.

Once brought to life, the new heart always responds to God’s saving grace in repentance and belief!

This is great news!  This is THE GOOD NEWS!  This is what Peter is highlighting-

that God acts according to his great mercy and causes new birth in dead and condemned hearts.

We are pitiful exiles in this land of our own understanding and we cling to the sovereign work of God to save us and set us on his path of service.  This is made light of or misunderstood.

So, Peter has said, God is due, “all praise and blessing”!  Because of his great mercy which caused his elect to be born again, we are reborn unto new life in Christ.  We are spiritually made alive.

The question that comes next is:   What are we born to?     1 Peter 1:3c  “…to a living hope through… “

Let’s break this down…

1. HOPE: First, what is the HOPE?

The definition of hope is 2 parts….

1• a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen (hope for this or that to happen).

2• a person or thing that may help or save someone  (hope in something or someone).

So, there are two ways to look at hope…

1. What we hope for… 2. What we hope in…

What or who do you hope in?

When you wake up in the morning, hope is what makes you do something.  It’s what motivates us to live! If there is no hope, why live? Why endure the hardships of this exile life?

Psalm 146:5 “Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God,”

We must hope in Jesus!  When we encounter hardship and our hope is in Christ we are not dashed in despair!

If we are going to endure the hardship we face, we must not lose HOPE!   We need living hope.

Have you been losing hope as the hardships come at you and things continue to not go your way?

Hear Peter’s words!   Listen to these truths!

Let them be like firm ground under your feet after being lost at sea for months.

Why is it significant that our HOPE is living?    What is this hope based on?

1 Peter 1:3  “…to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,”

It is genuine and vital HOPE in contrast to being empty and vain HOPE.

It is based on the perfect, sovereign work of God’s election, regeneration and conversion.

Peter has laid the ground work- the base.   This hope is not baseless superstition contrived in the hearts of folly men.

It is built on the work and the security of God.

But, he takes it farther here, saying it is living because Christ is LIVING!   We trust in a resurrected Savior- not a long dead and gone messiah like all the man-made religions of this world.

1 Corinthians 15:17-19  “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.”

If Jesus did not rise from the grave- if he was not the first born of all God would redeem- then we have NO HOPE!   

Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness!

This a great lyric of old!   Why? Because it is our battle cry. It is our wake up alarm in the morning to get up and do another day.  Because our hope in the resurrected Jesus is living.  It is not dead!

Our HOPE is LIVING!  It is active. It is thriving in the fertile soil of Jesus’ victory.

Remember:  Jesus’ victory is not just a victory over death.  It is a victory over all this momentary suffering.  This is the basis of our living hope in the midst of the suffering and struggle of our exile.

We endure persecution, struggle, suffering, loss and even death because we know that we are secure. We are not losable, we are bound, and we are cemented in the resurrection of Jesus!

The victory of our bloodied champion who is the first born of God’s redeemed family.  The one who claimed our victory.

Peter is reminding the elect exiles that whatever you encounter in this world, it is trivial compared to the blessing of the future resurrection.

PETER SAYS IN THE REST OF

1 Peter 3:4

4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.

(ESV)

& 5 THAT OUR “inheritance is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

THIS IS WHY WE ENDURE HARDSHIP IN OUR EXILE:

BECAUSE WE ARE CHOSEN BY GOD AND GROUNDED IN A LIVING HOPE THAT IS SECURE BY GOD’S POWER.

SOLDIERS: HOPE IN GOD as you face hardship and suffering in this exile!

Hope in our bloodied champion as you bleed.

Hope in the power of the resurrection of Jesus as this body is failing you.

May your LIVING HOPE in Christ cause you to LIVE IN HOPE!

“Christ in you the HOPE of Glory”  -COLOSSIANS 1:27

By His grace and for His glory,

-Shepherd

Soldiers for Jesus MC

National Chaplain