1 Peter 2:13 – 3:12
(Scripture version - New Living translation)
Peter reminds his readers to live honorable lives and to honor God by submission to the authorities, at home, in career, and in the fellowship of the church. Even though you may be persecuted, God wants you to give respect to authorities and submit to the law out of God's grace and love. No matter how you are treated, respect everyone. Follow God’s design for the biblical family. Live the way God has called you to at home, in the body of Christ, and in community.
“Respect Everyone, Including Those in Authority & Government.”
1 Peter 21:3-17
Key verses – “For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state, or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right. It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. Respect everyone and love the family of believers.”
Meditation – We must highlight something Peter says here: “IT IS GOD’S WILL that your honorable lives would silence those who are against you. God doesn’t ask us to fight for our own desires but rather, to represent Him in all aspects of our lives, including a respect for the authorities above us. This is difficult to do when we are dealing with people of different views, beliefs, and religion. Yet God does not differentiate any area of this, but calls us to this same living across the board. We need to give respect to our authorities out of our love and relationship with God. Doing this brings honor to God and God’s blessing to us. (Note – God’s blessing is receiving His honor upon us. Just like our children find great joy in our approval and pride in them, we are blessed when God is proud of our life’s actions and showers His approval on us.)
“Slaves Should Submit to Their Masters.”
1 Peter 2:18-25
Key verses – “You who are slaves must submit to your masters with all respect. Do what they tell you—not only if they are kind and reasonable, but even if they are cruel. For God is pleased when, conscious of his will, you patiently endure unjust treatment…”
“For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. '
Meditation – The word slave as used here in this text is better described in this modern day as a servant, butler, or maid. This was a career of many people and it was right for Peter to address this in the culture of society. For us still today, it is a good general reminder to respect and submit to the authorities over us in our vocations, even if we experience unfair treatment. Do not stoop to that level but remember the life God has called you to AND that your reward for that life awaits you from Him. Let Christ be our examples in EVERY aspect of life.
“Instructions For Wives.”
1 Peter 3:1-6
Key Verses: “In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over by observing your pure and reverent lives.
“Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes.”
“This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful: They put their trust in God and accepted the authority of their husbands.”
Meditation – Peter now addresses husbands and wives and reminds them of what God has called them to. For the wives, God has structured the biblical home with the husband as the head of household and in that, wives should respect that design, (see also Eph 5:25-33) even going so far as to say that living that way is also an example to that husband to get his act together! Peter also advises wives in modesty with outward appearances and that trusting God and following Him in these things is what truly makes a woman beautiful. Note also that in the next section, Peter reminds the husbands that they are equal to their wives in the marriage relationship. Respect must be given to the spiritual authority God gives a husband, but that it does not take away from the equal partners God has made them to be as well.
“Instructions For Husbands.”
1 Peter 3:7
Key Verses: “In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.”
Meditation – Husbands have a great responsibility as the head of the biblical family. This headship is NOT a dictatorship, and NOR is the husband some sort of “ruling-over-all” King. He is a spiritual leader, and as Peter also clearly points out, “equal partners” with his wife. A husband’s role is a sacrificial one, just as Christ sacrificed himself, husbands should live the same way for their wives and families. (see also Eph 5:25-33) Do not let the world and misinterpretations of scripture influence you to be different. Husbands and wives are equal to each other, even though they have specific roles in the family as well as a specific God-given physical & emotional designs. Husbands must give respect and love to their equal female partner in the marriage relationship, as well as providing for her (and the family) physically and spiritually.
“Instructions For ALL Christians.”
1 Peter 3:8-12
Key Verses: “Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.”
Meditation – Following the specificity given to servants, wives, and husbands… Peter now puts the blanket-call out to all Christians with more instruction reminders on living in harmony. (Remember, harmony is a beautiful blending of different tones…) This harmony involves living in one mind, (see also Acts 2:42-47 & 4:32-35) loving one another, being tenderhearted, humble, and non-retaliatory. “This is what God has called you to”, Peter reminds us. Living this way provides us with a joy-filled life but following the worldly ways of evil does not. In all of your daily living as Christians, let Paul’s words in Galatians 5:16-26, guide you in evaluating the fruit of Holy Spirit led living.
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