1 Peter

1 Peter

Background:

Apparently, Peter wrote to believers who were suffering for
their faith (some form of the word "suffer" appears 16 times
in the book). Part of the reason for their suffering may have
been because unsaved Gentiles slandered them (2:12; 3:16),
perhaps for refusing to engage in a sinful lifestyle (4:4).
The situation of these believers is described as a "fiery
trial" (1:7; 4:12), so the letter comforts and instructs them
on how to deal with it.

Contents:

Peter seems to summarize the letter in 5:12: "I have written
to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true
grace of God. Stand firm in it!" (NAS). Chapter one begins
by explaining how God's grace offers the believer an eternal
inheritance and glory which will be revealed at the appearing
of Christ. Fixing his hope on this grace should motivate the
believer to endure trials (1:3-13), lead a holy life
(1:14-21), show love for the brethren (1:22 - 2:11), get under
authority (2:12 - 3:7), pursue peace (3:9-12), prepare for
suffering (3:13 - 4:19), humble himself (5:1-7), and watch out
for the devil (5:8-11). This kind of conduct also serves as a
testimony of God's grace to the unsaved, and helps silences
their slander.

Theme: Fix your hope on Christ (1:1-13)

1) By staying pure (1:14-21)
2) By loving the brethren (1:22 - 2:11)
3) By getting under authority (2:12 - 3:7)
4) By pursuing peace (3:8-12)
5) By preparing to suffer (3:13-4:19)
6) By making yourself low (5:1-7)
7) By watching for the devil (5:8-11)

1 Peter 1

Theme: Fix your hope on Christ (1:13)

1) By rejoicing in trials

There seem to be several reasons to rejoice in trials:

A) Because inheritance awaits us (3-4)

By grace, God saves you from the penalty, power, and presence
of your sin (1-2). Delivering you from the power of sin
involves suffering. But by raising Christ from the dead, God
assures you that you too will rise with a glorious body like
His (1 Cor. 15). Eternal life in a glorified body and the
presence of God awaits those who now suffer for their faith,
and this should motivate you to fix your hope on God (cf. Rev.
21-22).

B) Because God secures your salvation (5)

God's power protects believers, so that none whom He saves
from the penalty of sin (justifies at the moment they believe)
will fail to also be saved from the presence of their sin in
glory (Rom. 8:30). Nothing is able to separate you from this
love of God (8:31ff.), and this should motivate you to fix
your hope on the glory Christ will bring you.

C) Because testing results in praise (6-7)

In your position before God, you are set apart from sin and
consecrated to God once for all by faith in Christ (Heb. 10; 2
Cor. 5:21). In your daily experience, though, God conforms
you more and more to the image of Christ (Rom. 12). This
process involves testing to purify your faith, but will result
in praise, glory, and honor at the appearing of Christ. Such
praise should motivate you to fix your hope on the grace
Christ will bring.

D) Because rejoicing taps future blessings (8-12)

By faith, you may tap the enjoyment of your future blessings
in Christ, while going through trials on earth. Such faith
results in great rejoicing and "joy inexpressible and full of
glory".

2) By staying pure (13-21)

Since the grace of glory awaits you at His appearing, you
should fix your hope on Christ. This letter explains a number
of ways to do this, and the first is by staying pure. These
verses seem to offer several reasons:

A) Because God is Holy (14-16)

Since you are children of God through faith in Christ (cf.
Gal. 3), and God is Holy, you too should "be holy", allowing
yourself to be conformed to Christ, rather than the sinful
lusts God has saved, and is saving you from (cf. Rom. 12).

B) Because God judges your works (17)

Christ bore the judgment for your sins once for all (Rom.
3:25ff.), so you will never be judged in the sense of having
to pay for your sin. God, however, does judge believers in
the sense of disciplining them as His children, up to and
including physical death (1 Cor. 11:30ff.; Heb. 12; 1 John
5:16). 1 Cor. 3 also seems to say He judges your works,
burning away anything which is not in conformity with the
standard of Christ.

C) Because Christ's blood redeemed us (18-21)

Christ's sinless blood not only satisfied all God's righteous
demands against your sin (Rom. 3:25; 1 John 2:2), but also, it
purchased you out of the slave market of sin. The Holy Spirit
so unites believers to the person and work of Christ, that, in
our position before God, we have actually died with Him to
sin, and been raised with Him to newness of life. This frees
you not only from obligation to the death penalty of the Law,
but also from obligation to yield to your sinful nature (Rom.
6:1-14). Since Christ purchased you with His "precious"
blood, He owns you (1 Cor. 6:12-20), and you should now yield
your members as slaves of righteousness (Rom. 6:1-14), in hope
of future glory (Rom. 8).

1 Peter 2

Theme: Fix your hope on Christ

2) By staying pure (cont') (1:22 - 2:12)
D) Because sin injures your brother (1:22 - 2:3)

Verse 22 tells us to "fervently love one another from the
heart". Christ commanded us to love one another (John 13:34;
15:12), and love means sacrificial concern (John 15:13).
Holiness puts away sin which could injure your brother. God's
word shows us how.

2:1 says "Therefore", that is, since believers were born of
the word of God, and since this word is living and abiding,
believers should put away "all malice [ill will] and guile
[craftiness or deceit] and hypocrisy [fake living] and envy [a
corrupting desire for what others have] and all slander [lit.
"to speak down", "to defame", "speak evil of"]" (NAS).

God uses faith in His word not only to impart spiritual life
in the first place, but also to deliver us from the power of
sin in our daily walk (Rom. 10:17; 6:1-14; Heb. 5:11 -
6:20ff.) You should long for the spiritual food in God's
word, so you may grow in the likeness of Christ, which is
holiness (cf. Heb. 5:11ff.). Holiness shows love for the
brethren.

E) Because holiness convicts the lost (2:4-12)

Verses 4-10 explain how God uses individual believers, as
"living stones", to build a spiritual body known as the
church. This body is also referred to as "a chosen race",
"royal Priesthood", "Holy nation", and a "People for God's Own
Possession" (9 NAS).

One of God's purposes in making you part of a holy people, is
to "proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of
darkness into His marvelous light" (9 NAS). Leading a holy
life silences the slander of the lost (15), wins them to our
gospel (3:1), and brings glory to God (2:12). Holiness
convicts the lost.

1 Peter 2B

Theme: Fix your hope on Christ

3) By getting under authority (2:12 - 3:7)

Suffering makes it difficult to fix your hope on Christ.
Several reasons christians suffer are because the lost slander
them, because they do wrong, or because they are treated
unjustly. Because it helps silence slander (15), prevents
suffering for wrong doing (19-20), follows the example of
Christ (21-25), and wins the lost (3:1-2), getting under
authority helps you fix your hope on Christ when suffering.
This passage shows several ways to get under authority.

A) By keeping the law (13-17)

To submit means to "rank yourself under", and "obey". These
verses tell us to obey secular law. God has established the
governing authorities with the right to avenge His wrath on
evil-doers, and praise those who do right (cf. Rom. 13:1ff.).
When you keep the law, you are getting under God's authority.
Keeping the law would include avoiding crime (cf. Rom.
13:1-5), and paying your taxes (cf. Rom. 13:6-7). When you
obey the law, you don't have to worry about being punished, or
violating your conscience (Rom. 13:5). Keeping the law also
serves as a witness to the lost, and helps you silence slander
from unbelievers (1 Pet. 2:15). You get under authority by
keeping the law.

B) By complying with your boss (18-20)

This passage was written to "oiketai" ("household or domestic
servants"), rather than "douloi" (the word usually used for
"slaves"). The principle of getting under authority may also
apply to your boss at work. According to these words, you
should submit to them with all respect, even if they are
"harsh" or "unreasonable" (from "skolios": meaning "bent" or
"not straight", and from which we get the word "scoliosis").

It is of no benefit to suffer for wrong doing, but if you
endure or bear up under unjust suffering, this is "acceptable
with God. The word "acceptable", literally means "grace", or
"favor". The word "with", also means "from". We might
understand this to mean enduring unjust suffering is "grace
from God". It is when you endure unjust suffering, that God
demonstrates His grace though you.

C) By following Christ's example (21-25)

Christ endured unjust suffering to the point of death to pay
for and heal us of our sins. In the process, the lost heaped
abuse on Him, and He felt it. Still, He didn't sin or return
their reproach. When He suffered unjustly, He kept on (tense
of verb notes repeated or continual action) putting Himself in
the hands of God, the righteous Judge.

D) By obeying your husband (3:1-6)

These verses seem to describe a situation where a saved wife
is married to an unsaved husband, although the principle of
submission also applies when both are saved (cf. v 5-6). Even
if an unsaved husband does not himself believe or obey the
word of God, the saved woman should voluntarily rank herself
under him, and obey. This kind of "chaste" and "respectful
behavior" will do more to win the unsaved husband than
words.

For women, submitting to authority seems to also include
dressing modestly, taking more care to show the inner beauty
of a quiet spirit "which is precious in the sight of God."
This is how "holy women" in the OT days "obeyed" their
husbands, like Sarah, who called Abraham "lord".

E) By respecting your wife (3:7)

If you're a husband, the Bible seems to give you three main
responsibilities toward your wife. Ephesians 5 says you
should "love" your wife. This includes giving yourself up for
her well-being, washing her with the word of God, feeding her
spiritual food, and keeping her warm. This verse adds two
more duties: understand and honor your wife.

The word "understand", refers to a type of knowledge you gain
with experience. It comes from a word "ginosko", which means
"to learn", or "come to know". This would apparently include
coming to know how to treat her as a "weaker vessel"
physically.

As a husband, you should also honor your wife as a "co-heir"
of the grace of life, spiritually. Galatians 3:28 says that
both male and female are equal in their spiritual standing as
children of God and heirs of Christ. Ephesians 1 says that
God has blessed all believers with "every spiritual blessing
in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus". This inheritance
awaits husband and wife alike, and therefore husbands should
treat their wives with honor as "co-heirs" of the grace of
God.

How should you understand the instruction for women to submit
to their husbands, since they're equal as heirs of Christ? The
harmony of these two ideas may be seen in the difference
between your spiritual standing before God, and your role in
daily life. For example, Christ told Peter he was an heir of
the King, yet instructed him to pay taxes to secular
government (Mt. 17:25-27).

Or again, Christ is 100% God, yet always submits to the will
of the Father in His role and function (Heb. 10; John 17). In
the same way, women, although equal to their husbands in
their spiritual standing before God, should submit to them in
their role and function. As a husband, you may get under
authority by understanding and honoring your wife.

1 Peter 3B

Theme: Fix your hope on Christ

5) By preparing to suffer (13 - 4:19)

All those who live godly in Christ Jesus, will suffer
persecution (1 Tim. 3:12). Jesus did, and 1 Pet. 4:1, in
summary of what has been said in 3:13-22, says, "Therefore,
since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also
with the same purpose..." (NAS). There are several ways you
may prepare for suffering:

By making Christ your Lord (13-15a)

Mt. 10:28 says do not fear those who can kill your body, but
are unable to kill your soul, but "rather fear Him who is able
to destroy both soul and body in Hell" (NAS). Romans 8 says
no one can separate you from the love of God, and Hebrews says
that hope of resurrection in Christ can free you from the fear
of physical death.

When you do good works, this helps keep you from suffering for
wrong doing or a guilty conscience, and will "put to shame"
"those who revile your good behavior". By setting Christ
apart from others as the Lord of your heart, you prepare for
suffering in a way which results in good works and helps you
silence your enemies.

By knowing why you hope (15b):

This verse says you should be ready to "make a defense to
everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is
in you, yet with gentleness and reverence" (NAS). The hope to
which Peter refers in this letter, is your hope of grace
Christ will bring you at His appearing. Chapter one explains
you will receive an eternal inheritance.

Your basis for this hope is "the resurrection of Jesus Christ
from the dead" (1:3). Since Christ died for your sins,
raising Him from the dead confirmed a sufficient payment, and
that you too will rise from physical death (1 Cor. 15). You
fix your hope on Christ by knowing why you hope, and this
prepares you to suffer and witness to the lost.

C) By keeping your conscience clear (17-22)

It's important, when you're suffering, to know you are not
guilty. Guilt makes you ashamed of the appearing of Christ
(Heb. 10:37-39), and gives the lost a grounds for slandering
you. Romans 2 says your conscience is that internal witness
which either convicts you of your sin, or justifies your
conduct when it is right. If you thrust away the testimony of
your conscience, it can become defiled or seared, so that you
are no longer convicted of error, begin to drift from sound
doctrine, to practice sin, and to embrace lies (Rom. 14 - 15;
2 Cor. 8 - 9; 1 Tim. 1:3ff.; 1:19-20; 6:3-5).

When you "prove zealous for what is good" (13 NAS), though,
your conscience will not convict you, and the lost will be the
ones who are ashamed for slandering you. Your basis for
knowing that you are not guilty, is the death of Christ for
your sins (18). As your High Priest, Christ has, "once for
all", satisfied all God's righteous demands against all sin of
all time (Rom. 3:25-26; Heb. 10). Christ's priesthood
prevails in the heavenly holy of holies, and gives you grounds
for confident access into the very presence of God (Heb.
4:14-16; 6:19-20; 10:10-22).

Christ's death and resurrection not only free you from the
guilt of your sin, they also free you from it's power in your
daily walk with God (Rom. 6:1-14). The Holy Spirit so
baptizes, or places you into the person and work of Christ,
that you have actually died with Him to sin, and been raised
with Him to newness of life. As you know your position in
Christ and count it to be true, you may, by the power of the
indwelling Holy Spirit, yield your members as instruments of
righteousness to God, rather than sin. This enables you to
maintain good works and a clear conscience.

Verses 19-22, about Christ preaching to the spirits in prison,
and you being saved by baptism, has yielded much discussion
and various interpretations. The one which seems simplest and
clearest, is that Christ preached "in spirit", through Noah's
testimony during the 120 years he built the ark. Just as
getting into the ark brought Noah safely through the waters of
judgment, delivering Him from the mocking of the lost, so now,
your baptism into the person and work of Christ saves you from
a guilty conscience and the slander of the lost.

Verse 18 is talking about preaching which Christ did "in
spirit". The souls to whom Christ preached, are those in
prison, but which were disobedient during the time when Noah
was preparing the ark. We may understand that these souls are
"now" in prison, but this does not necessarily mean that they
were in prison at the time Christ preached to them.

In Genesis 6, God says His Spirit will not always strive with
man, "nevertheless his days shall be one hundred and twenty
years." 2 Peter 2:5 says that Noah was a "preacher of
righteousness", and that holy men of God spoke as they were
moved by the Holy Spirit (1:21). 1 Peter 1:11 says the
"Spirit of Christ" was in the OT prophets, indicating
spiritual truths through them. Thus, the Spirit of Christ was
in Noah, preaching to the disobedient souls for 120 years
before the flood came.

In the NT, "baptism" (a placing under, or into), can refer to
ritual water baptism, or to the baptism of the Holy Spirit,
which places you into the person and work of Christ. Water
baptism is a picture of spiritual baptism, and serves as a
testimony, but is of no saving value. Verse 21 says that the
type of salvation it is referring to is "not the removal of
dirt from the flesh", as baptism in water would accomplish,
but "an appeal to God for a good conscience--through the
resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is at the right hand of God.
As entering the ark brought Noah safely through the waters at
the time of the flood, delivering Him not only from judgment,
but also the slander of the lost, so being placed (or
baptized) into the work of Christ saves you from guilt of your
sin, and the slander of the lost. You prepare for suffering by
keeping a clear conscience, through faith in Christ.

1 Peter 4

Theme: Fix your hope on Christ

5) By arming yourself against suffering [Con't] (3:13 - 4:19)

Chapter four shows several more reasons and ways to arm
yourself against suffering.

A) Reasons to arm yourself against suffering

Because Christ died to sin (1-3)

Sin causes suffering, but living according to God's will helps
reduce it. Christ died for the kind of suffering which sin
causes, and now lives for God's service. Since you were
baptized into this death and resurrection by the Holy Spirit,
you too, should arm yourself against the kind of suffering
which comes as a result of sin (cf. Rom. 6:1-14), because
Christ died to sin and lives for God.

Because Christ will judge the lost (4-7; 17-19)

Those who run after their sinful lusts will give an account
for their conduct. Christ is ready to judge the living and
the dead (cf. James 5). The end of all things is at hand (cf.
Rev. 20). Even the righteous are chastened for sin during
their life on earth (Heb. 12; 1 Cor. 11:30), and the lost will
suffer much worse (2 Thess. 1:8ff.). You should arm yourself
against suffering with the knowledge that Christ will judge
those who cause you misery.

Because suffering purifies your faith (12-13)

Both chapter one and this passage says that one purpose for
suffering is to "test" (purify?) your faith. James said God
tempts no man, and only sends us things which are good and
perfect. Testing is not to make you sin, but to refine your
faith. Testing will also result in glory at the appearing of
Jesus Christ, and with this reason you should arm yourself
against suffering.

Because suffering glorifies God (14-16)

When you suffer for doing wrong, it is of no value. But 1
Peter 2:20 said that when you suffer for doing what is right,
this is favor from God. It is when you endure suffering for
doing what is right, that God is showing His grace and power
in your life. Knowing this should arm you against suffering.

Because God does what is right (19)

Christ kept on putting His case into the hands of God (2:23),
rather than return abuse, when He suffered unjustly. God is a
"faithful Creator in doing what is right" (cf. Rom. 8:28ff.),
and with this fact, you should arm yourself against suffering.

B) Ways to arm yourself for suffering

By yielding to God's will (4:1-6)

Christ died to sin and lives to newness of life. You were
baptized or placed into this work, so you too should consider
yourself dead to sin and alive to God. By the power of the
indwelling Spirit, you may now yield your members as
instruments of righteousness to God, rather than sin (cf. Rom.
6:1-11).

These verses say you have already spent enough time living for
your lusts before you were saved, and should therefore no
longer pursue the course of the Gentiles. Sin invites
suffering, but yielding to God avoids unnecessary misery. You
should arm yourself against suffering by yielding to God's
will.

By staying sober (7a)

"Sober" comes from roots meaning "salvation", or "to reign
in", and "mind, or midriff". Being sober is like holding the
reigns in on your mind, or midriff, and generally seems to
mean that you think in a way which will result in salvation,
rather than loss or destruction.

The reason to stay sober is because "the end of all things is
at hand". Christ will severely judge the inhabitants of the
earth during the Tribulation (Rev. 4 - 19), and then send the
unsaved, spiritually dead people of all ages to an eternal
destruction away from the presence of God (Rev. 20; cf. 2
Thess. 1:8ff.). Even God's own people are disciplined up to
the point of physical death during their life on earth (1 Pet.
4:18-19; cf. 1 Cor. 11:30; Heb. 12; James 5; 1 John 5).
You should arm yourself against suffering by staying sober.

By loving the brethren (7b-11)

This includes hospitality, avoiding complaints, and applying
your spiritual gift to the needs of the body. When you show
love for the brethren, this helps ease their suffering, and
any suffering you might otherwise endure due to a conscience
which convicts you of failing to love your brother (cf. 1 John
3:16-20). You should arm yourself against suffering by loving
the brethren.

By rejoicing in trials (12-16)

Trials should not surprise you, they are designed to purify
your faith (cf. chapter 1). The degree of suffering you
endure should be the degree to which you continue to rejoice,
since Christ will bring saving grace at His appearing. God's
Spirit of glory rests upon those who are reviled for the name
of Christ. You should arm yourself against suffering by
rejoicing in trials.

By entrusting your soul to God (17-19)

Judgment day is coming. Even the righteous are chastened by
God for disobedience. God is the righteous Judge, so you
should arm yourself against suffering by continuously putting
your case into God's hands, as Christ did when suffering
unjustly (cf. 1 Peter 2:21-25).

1 Peter 5

Theme: Fix your hope on Christ

6) By making yourself low (5:1-7)

Verse 6, with its "humble yourselves therefore", seems to
summarize 1-5. The word "humble" ("tapeino") means "to
abase", or "make low". It comes from a word meaning "not
rising far above the ground", "lowly", or "of low degree".
This passage seems to explain why and how you should humble
yourself.

A) Reasons:

Because God opposes the proud (5)

In Acts 5, God struck Ananias and Sapphira dead for secretly
holding back money other believers needed, then lying to God
about it. In 1 Corinthians 11, some made gluttons of
themselves, while other believers went hungry at the Lord's
supper. For this attitude, verse 30 says many among them were
weak, sick, and dead. James 5 and 1 John 5 refer to sin that
results in physical death. Hebrews 6 and 12 warn that God
discipline's His children. Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2 say God
established secular authorities to avenge His wrath on those
who do evil. You should humble yourself, because God opposes
the proud.

Because God exalts the humble (6)

The example of Christ illustrates how God exalts the humble.
Christ showed humility by yielding His rights as God, taking
the form of a servant, and obeying God to the point of death
(Phil. 2:6ff.). For this reason, God highly exalted Him, gave
Him a name above all names, and will cause every knee to bow
to Him.

The exaltation which 1 Peter says awaits you, is the grace of
glory Christ will bring you at His appearing (cf. chapter 1).
Romans 8 and 1 Cor. 15 explain God will give you a new,
glorious body which is incorruptible, free from the sin
nature, eternal, and like Christ's. Rev. 21 - 22 promises
you a glorious city in a new heavens and earth.
John 14 promises you a mansion in that city. You may never be
exalted here on earth, but Christ will bring you glory at His
appearing. You should humble yourself, because God exalts the
humble.

Because God cares for you (7)

"Humble yourselves...under...God...casting all your anxiety
upon Him because He cares for you (NAS). The word "care"
comes from a word which means "a part", meaning to divide into
pieces. When you are anxious, your mind is divided into
pieces, or distracted.

Matthew 6:25-34 explains that God knows what you have need of,
that He provides for the birds, arrays the flowers and grass
with glory, and that He takes even more care for you. Pride
can make you think it is your job to run the universe, and
this will divide your mind in worry. When you cast your cares
on God, you admit He controls things, and will take care of
you. You should humble yourself, because God cares for you.

B) Ways

By setting an example (1-4)

If you're a pastor, it is your job to "shepherd". This would
mean you both feed and oversee the flock. Since the pastor of
a local church is under the authority of the "Chief Shepherd",
he should serve of his own free will, and not out of greed for
money, or as lord of the flock.

Humbling yourself under the Chief Shepherd means you lead by
example of your conduct, rather than as a lord. "Example"
means "a figure formed by an impression or blow", thus "to
print". It also refers to a "pattern" or "form" used to make
things after their likeness. The word "lord", here, was used
in Matthew 25, when some of the disciples fought over who
would be the greatest. It also appears in Acts 19:16, to
describe how a demon possessed man leaped upon, overcame, and
prevailed against the seven sons of Sceva.

Humility does not limit pastors to leading only by doing good
works, though. Acts 6 shows deacons serve to relieve pastors
from waiting on tables, so they may devote themselves to the
word of God and prayer. 2 Timothy 4 seems to say pastors
should reprove, rebuke, and exhort believers from the word of
God. Titus 1 seems to instruct pastors to silence (lit.
"gag") false teachers. It's just that if you're a pastor, you
should model the way you lead people, rather than trying
to overpower them by virtue of your office.

By submitting to elders (5a)

"You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders..."
(NAS). The word "subject' comes from two roots, "under", and
"to rank", or "arrange" yourself. Hebrews 13:7 says "Remember
those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and
considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith."
(NAS). 13:17 says, "Obey [lit. be persuaded by] your leaders,
and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as
those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and
not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you."
(NAS).

Acts 17 says the Bereans were "more noble", because they
searched the Scriptures daily, to see whether the things they
were being taught were so. In Acts 5, Peter said we ought to
obey God rather than men. You do not have to blindly obey
everything a pastor tells you to do, but insofar as they model
and teach God's word, you should imitate their faith and
submit to their instruction.

By respecting the brethren (5b)

"...all of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one
another" (NAS). The word "clothe" ("enkombosasthe"), seems to
come from "enkomboma", which was the white apron, or towel
worn by slaves. Christ girded himself with a towel, and set
an example for the disciples to follow, by serving them (John
13:4, 14-15). You should humble yourself by respecting the
brethren.

By casting your care on God (7)

Mary and Martha illustrate anxiety. Worry over preparing a
meal divided Martha's mind into pieces. Marry, by contrast,
sat at the feet of Christ, choosing the one thing she needed
most (Lk. 10:38-42).

Nebuchadnezzar thought he controlled things, and had gotten
himself all the glory he observed in the kingdom. As a
result, God took away his understanding, so that he became
like a beast, but later restored him to a right mind with the
knowledge that He alone is sovereign (Dan 4).

Romans 8 says God works all things together for good to those
who love God, to those who are called according to His
purpose. Every believer God saves will be brought safely to
glory, and nothing is able to separate you from this love of
God. Job said, "though He slay me, yet will I trust Him" (Job
13:15a). Even though you suffer, God still cares for you. He
takes care of all things, and provides for all creation (Mt.
6:25-34). Pride will make you think this is your job, and
divide your mind into pieces. When you admit God controls all
things, and cares for you, you may unload your worries on Him.

1 Peter 5B

Theme: Fix your hope on Christ

7) By guarding against the devil (5:8-11)

A) Reasons:

Because He preys on you (8)

The devil's name means "slanderer", a word coming from two
roots, "over", and "to throw". Revelation 12:10 describes
him as the "accuser of our brethren", and Job 2:4-6 shows a
case where this occurred.

This passage also calls the devil "your adversary". In
Mt.5:25 and other verses describe "adversary" as someone who
opposes you in court. 1 Peter 3:16 indicates one reason the
readers of this letter suffered for their faith was because
some men falsely accused them of wrong-doing. You should
guard against the devil, because, like a roaring lion, he
seeks to devour you.

Because other brethren resist him (9)

Luke 4 shows that Christ was taken out into the wilderness,
where Satan tested Him with the lust of the eyes, flesh, and
pride of life, and He resisted. Luke 22:32 shows Satan sifted
Peter like wheat, but because of Christ's prayer, Peter
afterward strengthened the brethren.

Knowing other believers stand against the kind of suffering
you do, can motivate you to resist the devil's attacks.

Because God will establish you (10)

After your times of suffering on earth, Christ will bring you
the glory of your eternal inheritance. This will include your
glorified body, freedom from your sin nature (Rom. 8; 1 Cor.
15), and your mansion (John 14) in the city and presence of
God (Rev. 21-22).

This passage also seems to promise God "will Himself perfect,
confirm, strengthen and establish you." This could refer to
your glorified state--certainly all these things will be true
of you then--but some of these benefits may come to you
progressively during life, and even as a result of your
suffering.

Only in glory will you live in a sinless way, yet other
passages refer to becoming "perfect" in the sense you are made
complete or mature in one area or another (1 Cor. 2:6; 2 Cor.
7:1; 12:9; 13:11; Eph. 4:12-13Php. 3:15; etc.). Romans 5:3-5
says, "And not only this, but we also exult in our
tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about
perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven
character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the
love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the
Holy Spirit who was given to us." (NAS). You should guard
against the devil, because God can make you more like Christ
through his attacks, and will bring you final glory.

B) Ways

By staying sober (8a)

In various verses, this word for "sober", appears with
watching, hoping (1 Th. 5:6), and girding up the loins of your
mind for action (1 Pet. 1:13). You guard against the devil by
staying sober.

By keeping watch (8b)

"Vigilant", in the KJV, comes from a word meaning "to rise
again". It means you stay alert and watch for the devil's
attacks (cf. Mt. 26:40ff.).

By standing firm in faith (9b)

The word "firm", in the sentence, "But resist him, firm in
your faith" (NAS), means "steadfast", "strong", "sure", or
"immovable". Christ quoted Scripture to fend off attacks by
Satan (Lk. 4). Ephesians 4 says God gave the church pastors,
teachers, and other gifted people, to build you up in your
knowledge of Christ. This ministry makes you mature, so you
are not "tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by
every wind of doctrine...but speaking the truth in love, we
are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even
Christ." (4:14-15). You guard against the devil by standing
firm in your faith.

--
Have you heard Christ died for our sins, and God raised Him
from the dead? Did you know God saves you from hell and
gives you eternal life through faith in this finished work alone,
not your merits (Jn. 3:16; 1 Cor. 15:1-3; Eph. 2:8-10; 2 Thess.
1:8-9)? This is so man cannot boast, and God alone gets the
glory (Eph. 2:8-9).
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