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1 Peter Chapter
Two
I.
Content of the Chapter
The Identity and
Responsibility of Those Who Have Been Favored
A. As new born babes ---- lay aside, desire and
grow (v.1-3);
B. As living stones ---- be built and offer
spiritual sacrifices and trust and obey (v.4-8);
C. Who are the people of God ----proclaim the
praise of God (v.9-10);
D. Who are sojourners and pilgrims ---- abstain
from fleshly lusts and have one’s conduct honorable (v.11-12);
E. Who are servants of God ---- fear God and
honor the kings and all and love the brotherhood (v.13-17).
F. Who are sheep of the Shepherd ---- imitate
the example of the Lord and do good and suffer (v.18-25);
II.
Verse by Verse Commentary
1Pet. 2:1
“Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil
speaking,”
YLT: “Having put aside, then, all
evil, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envyings, and all evil speakings,”
Meaning of Words:
“lay aside”: put
away, cast off, lay apart; “malice”: evil, wickedness, malignity, naughtiness;
“deceit”: craft, guile, subtlety; “hypocrisy”: dissimulation, condemnation;
“evil speaking”: evil words, backbiting;
Literal Meaning:
“therefore”, here it connects the end of the
previous chapter and the beginning of this chapter. We can know from this word
(“therefore”): 1) because of the “obedience to the truth” and “rebirth”
(1:22-23), believers will be “as newborn babes” (2:2); 2) “pure milk” (2:2)
refers to “the word of God” (1:23, 25); 3) “purify your souls” (1:22), that is,
“laying aside all malice …” (2:1);
“Laying aside all malice”, “laying
aside”, it is “having put aside” in “YLT” ---- cast off all the evil works like
putting off the clothes (see
“All deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all
evil speaking”, “all deceit”: all deceptive words and deeds harming others to
benefit oneself or distorting the facts; “hypocrisy”: cover up unfavorable
one’s true faces and motivations; “envy”: be jealous of things of others
instead of oneself and all excellent works of others; “all evil speaking”: all
the words of defaming or slandering, including public and secret;
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) “All malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking” is totally opposite to “in sincere love of
the brethren …love one another fervently” (1:22).
2) “Malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking” are a plague in the interpersonal
relationship. All groups (including the churches) are deeply harmed by them.
3) C. E. B. Cranfield said, “It is not
difficult for the people who are experienced in the works of the church to find
that envy is the main reason for all difficulties”.
4) The five evil things in this verse are from
the evil heart……., just as the Lord had said, “the abundance of the heart the
mouth speaks” (Matt. 12:34).
5) A regenerated Christian (see 1:23) should
correct his wrong interpersonal relationship and lay aside improper attitudes
and deeds so as to have clean appetite to enjoy the nourishment of spiritual
food, thus growing healthy and mature and experiencing the perfect salvation
(see v.2)
1Pet. 2:2 “as newborn babes, desire
the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,”
YLT:
“as new-born babes the word's pure milk desire ye, that in it ye may grow,”
Meaning
of Words: “desire”: long after;
“pure”: sincere; “newborn”: a young convert; “grow”: increase;
Literal
Meaning: “as newborn babes”, “newborn babes”, it does
not mean the receivers of this epistle are believers who have been just saved,
but refer to all believers that should be “as” newborn babes eating and
drinking continually with the instinct and inclination of eating to be full.
Note that “milk” here refers to the spiritual provision nourishing believers’
spiritual life. “Milk” here is different from that “milk” used by Paul, who
classified spiritual food into two sorts ---- “milk” (which suits young
believers only) and “solid food” (see 5:12-14; 1Cor. 3:2). However, Peter did
not mention the distinction.
“Desire the pure milk of the word”, “desire”: the desire is earnest as
the hart pants after water-brooks (Ps. 42:1); “pure”: the nature and function
are pure without mix; “the pure milk of the word” means that the word of God
(see 1:23-25) is as the milk nourishing spiritual milk.
“That you may grow thereby”, “grow”: the growth of spiritual life; “grow
thereby”: obtain the perfect salvation, especially the salvation of soul (see
1:9).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Desiring the word of God is the precondition
of Christians’ growth. God has given us a desire for His word so as to make us
grow.
2) A normal Christian does not take it as a
burden of studying the word of God. Instead, he will enjoy the word of God ----
the more he reads, the more will he feel nourished and sweet and full.
3) The life of Christians needs the nourishment
of God’s word (see 1:23, 25), for such “reasonable” (see
4) The word of God can be translated into
spiritual “milk” to nourish our life through our “spiritual” mind. Therefore,
let us cut in a straight line the word of truth (2Tim. 2:15).
5) The word of God is the “soundest” word
because of its pureness and righteousness and accuracy (Ps. 12:6; 19:7-9).
Therefore, let us enjoy the divine word with rest.
6) Our spiritual growth is closely connected
with the receiving of the perfect salvation. Christians who have ignored
spiritual growth now will suffer great loss in the future.
7) If Christians are not satisfied with “being
saved only” (see 4:18), we have to press on ceaselessly and expect to gain
possession, seeing that also we have been taken possession by Christ (Phil.
3:12), namely, the perfect salvation.
1Pet. 2:3 “if indeed you have tasted
that the Lord is gracious.”
YLT:
“if so be ye did taste that the Lord gracious,”
Meaning
of Words: “taste”: eat;
“gracious”: kind, good, easy;
Literal
Meaning: “if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is
gracious”, it is quoted from the Book of Psalm (34:8); “if” here is not an
expression of supposition, but “raising a fact”; “the Lord is gracious”, if one
has tasted the Lord, he will know the Lord is gracious and good.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The Lord can be tasted. His is gracious and
good and sweet to our taste (Song 2:3; 5:16). As long as one has tasted the
Lord, he will be drawn by Him and thus desire Him.
2) All real Christians must have tasted the
Lord and His graciousness. Anyone who does not think the Lord is gracious may
have not been really saved.
3) The most important word of preachers is
“feeding the Lord’s lamb” (John 21:15-17) ---- let them taste the Lord, not let
them acquire knowledge. Knowledge is not important, but secondary.
1Pet. 2:4 “Coming to Him as to a
living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious,”
YLT:
“to whom coming -- a living stone -- by men, indeed, having been disapproved
of, but with God choice, precious,”
Meaning
of Words: “living”: alive;
“reject”: cast off after examination; “chosen”: elected; “precious”: valuable;
Literal
Meaning: “come to Him”, it means receiving Him and
being united with Him;
“A living stone”, “living stone” shows the
two great functions of the Lord: 1) He is the living stone that provides life
(see John 3:15-16); 2) He is firm and stable as the stone ---- who is the
cornerstone of God’s building (see 1Cor. 3:11-15; Eph. 2:20-22).
“Rejected indeed by men”, “rejected”: be rejected by the Jews who did
not know Him; since they regarded the Lord useless and valueless, so they
rejected Him (see Mark 6:3).
“But chosen by God and precious”, “chosen and precious” are opposite to
“rejected”; men rejected the Lord because of knowing not His preciousness, but
God chose Him because of seeing His honor.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The Lord is living. Though He became dead,
He is living to the ages of ages (Rev. 1:18). All those who live and believe on
the Lord shall never die (John 11:26).
2) The Lord is the spiritual rock following us
(1Cor. 10:4). Through the provision of the living water, we are changed and
renewed from the useless dust to living stones (se v.5).
3) Christ is the rock in building of the church
(see Matt. 16:18), who is precious in the sight of God. However, in our daily,
do we ignore Him or magnify Him?
1Pet. 2:5 “you also, as living
stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up
spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
YLT:
“and ye yourselves, as living stones, are built up, a spiritual house, a holy
priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus
Christ.”
Meaning
of Words: “build”: establish,
make; “spiritual”: of the spirit; “holy”: hallowed, sanctified; “sacrifice”:
offering;
Literal
Meaning: “you also, as living stones”, “you” refer to
all Christians; “as living stones”: be of the same nature with the Lord (see
v.4; 2Pet. 1:4);
“Are being built up a spiritual house”, “are being built up”, it shows
that the primary purpose of the change of life is being used by God; “spiritual
house”, the habitation of the Spirit is the Lord’s temple (see Eph. 2:21-22).
“A holy priesthood”, “holy”: be separated unto God; “priesthood”, the
ministry of those who are separated to stand and serve before God;
Here we can see two important revelations in the times of the New
Testament: 1) every man is a priest in the new of the New Testament (see v.9;
Rev. 1:6), and offering is on longer a privilege of a special group; 2) God
needs all believers instead of an individual in His spiritual building.
“To offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus
Christ”, “through Jesus Christ”, He is the origin and premise and essence of
our offering; “to offer up … acceptable to God”, it suggests that some
sacrifices may not be acceptable to God (see Lev. 10:1-2); “spiritual
sacrifices” do not refer to the cattle or the herd, but spiritual sacrifices,
including the body (Rom. 12:1), praise (Heb. 13:15), doing good and
communicating (Heb. 13:16; Phil.4:18), and the fruit of the gospel (Rom. 15:16)
and prayer (Rev. 8:3-4) etc.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Man was created by the dust (see Gen. 2:7).
And the dust can merely be used to make bricks that will be used in the
building of
2) Only “living stones” can be taken as the
materials in God’s building. Therefore, it is not enough for us to be saved
only – we must be transformed and renewed by the Spirit from dead dust to
living stone.
3) The Lord has said, “Someone has a name that
he lives, and is dead” (Rev. 3:1). Much possibly, they may seek letter only
instead of ignoring spiritual reality (see 2Cor. 3:6).
4) The main purpose of salvation is not making
us go to the heaven only but also more building us into a spiritual house.
However, many believers are too selfish to care for the will of God, caring
about them only.
5) There are several special points of God’s
building: 1) It should be living, not dead; 2) the material should be living
stone, not dead bricks; 3) it should be spiritual, not material; 4) it should
be cooperate, not individual;
6) “Building” indicates uniting the materials
together rather than heap them up together. The union of life and love of the
saints in truth is the purpose of God’s building (see Eph. 4:3, 15-16).
7) Christ is the way and the truth and the life
(John 14:6). Without Him, we cannot be accepted by God.
8) Since what God desires is “spiritual
sacrifices”, we shall have firstly spiritual experience and enjoyment and then
offer sacrifices.
1Pet. 2:6 “Therefore it is also
contained in the Scripture, "Behold, I lay in
YLT:
“Wherefore, also, it is contained in the Writing: `Lo, I lay in Zion a chief
corner-stone, choice, precious, and he who is believing on him may not be put
to shame;'”
Meaning
of Words: “cornerstone”: chief
stone, first stone; “lay in”: appoint, ordain; “shame”: dishonor, disgrace;
Literal
Meaning: “therefore it is also contained in the
Scripture”, the following words are quoted from the Book of Isaiah (28:16).
“Behold, I lay in
“And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame”, “he who
believes on Him”: the one who receives Him by faith or the one who commits his whole
life unto Him; “will by no means be put to shame”, it means that he who
believes on Him will have nothing to worry about and need not to flee to be in
dishonor.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) “The chief of cornerstone” is known as the
most important stone in building project rather than a kind of decoration.
Unfortunately, many believers regard Christ as only a decoration or slogan
instead of the cornerstone or goal in their life construction.
2) All those who build their life upon Christ
will go through any waving with rest, for He never waves (see Matt. 7:24-25).
3) Any spiritual giants or spiritual knowledge
or spiritual ways cannot replace Christ to be the indispensible “cornerstone”
in the building of the church. If the church upholds Christ apparently but actually
honors anyone or anything more, she will be ultimately divided and put to
shame.
1Pet. 2:7 “Therefore, to you who
believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, "The stone
which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,"”
YLT:
“to you, then, who are believing the preciousness; and to the unbelieving, a
stone that the builders disapproved of, this one did become for the head of a
corner,”
Meaning
of Words: “believe”: trust,
commit; “precious”: honorable, valuable; “corner”: quarter, angle; “head”:
first one;
Literal
Meaning: “therefore, to you who believe, He is precious”, “therefore” it
continues the above paragraphs, showing that the Lord is worthy of trust; “He
is precious”, the attitude toward Him varies from individual to individual; “to
you who believe”, it shows that faith is our spiritual eyes, enabling us to see
what God lets us see.
“But to those who are disobedient”,
“those who are disobedient”: those who have
no spiritual insight;
“"The stone which the builders rejected Has become
the chief cornerstone,"” it is quoted from
the Book of Psalm (118:22); “builders”: the leaders of both politics and
religion of the Jews; “the stone … rejected”, the stone refers to Jesus whom
was rejected and crucified by the builders; “has become…”, Christ has been
raised up by God in resurrection (see Acts 3:10-11; 5:30-31); “the chief
cornerstone” refers to the foundation of the church as well as the chief stone
joining all members.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Faith enables us to see and experience the
preciousness of Christ. The more faith we have, the more will we find the
excellence of Christ.
2) Christ is “the chief cornerstone” of the
church. Those who are out of every tribe and tongue and people are joined
together by Him and are built upon Him.
3) Let Christians walk in Him in everything and
let the Lord’s mind be our mind and take Himself as the standard and purpose.
4) The will of God is not only saving us
through Jesus Christ but also building us through Him. The purpose of salvation
is building. Let us cherish both salvation as well as building.
5) Many times, the views of God’s servants go
against the views of God upon spiritual things. Men even despise what is
precious in the sight of God. However, what is cast off by God is cherished by
men.
1Pet. 2:8 “and "A stone of
stumbling And a rock of offense." They stumble, being disobedient to the
word, to which they also were appointed.”
YLT:
“and a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence -- who are stumbling at the
word, being unbelieving, -- to which also they were set;”
Meaning
of Words: “stumble”: stagger,
tumble; “offense”: snare, trap-stick, stumbling-block; “disobedient”: obey not, believe not; “appoint”: set,
put;
Literal
Meaning: “and”, the following words are quoted from the
Book of Isaiah (8:14-15).
“A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense”, “stone of stumbling” it
means the stones or other things scattered on the way that may hit men’s feet
or make them stumble; “a rock of offense”: the big stone above the ground that
may cause the passerby stumble.
“They
stumble, being disobedient to the word”, “disobedient”: disbelieve (see v.7); “the word”:
the quotations from verse six to eight; “stumble”: unable to run on the right
way;
“To which they also were appointed”, “appointed”, God has preordained that some men
will not be saved and will stumble. This is to way, those who do not obey the
word of truth nor believe Christ must ultimately stumble because of Him.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Only two attitudes that men can adopt toward
Christ: one is to believe Him and regard Him precious, and the other is to
reject Him and stumble because of Him.
2) Faith in Christ means obedience to God’s
word. Disobedience to God’s word is distrust in Christ.
3) Our faith comes from God’s word (see
4) If we hold some “prejudices caused by first
impressions”, we will be unable to receive new revelations of God to us so as
to “stumble in the word”. Therefore, every time when we come to the word of
God, we shall firstly empty us and seek the new light given by God.
5) It is the natural law “appointed” by God of
causal relationship. Therefore, every time when we see “bad fruit”, we shall
ask and seek the “bad reason” before God (see Matt. 7:16-18; 12:33).
1Pet. 2:9 “But you are a chosen
generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you
may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His
marvelous light;”
YLT:
“and ye a choice race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people acquired,
that the excellences ye may shew forth of Him who out of darkness did call you
to His wondrous light;”
Meaning
of Words: “generation”: nation,
race; “royal”:
kingly; “proclaim”:
declare, announce; “call”:
call aloud; “marvelous”:
wonderful, amazing; “praises”:
virtues;
Literal
Meaning: “but you are a chosen generation”, “but
you”, it is emphatic in the original, showing that we Christians are a group of
special people, different from the above-mentioned disbelieving and disobedient
people (see v.7-8); “chosen”, it indicates He who chose (God) had special
purpose on those whom they are chosen. “Generation”, this group of men becomes
an only nation quiet different from men in the world in life and life of
manner.
“A royal priesthood”, “royal”, it shows the honor of one’s identity and
ministry, e.g. royalty, for we serve the Lord of lords (see 1Tim. 6:15) and
will reign with Him together (see 2Tim. 2:12); “priesthood”, in the times of
the New Testament, all believers belong to the priesthood and serve God
together.
“A holy nation”, “holy”: be separated unto God (see 2Cor. 6:17);
“nation”: the realm of reigning, and this nation equals to the
“His own special people”, “His own”, here it emphasizes the ownership, indicating
that God owns us and regards us as His possession; “people” has two aspects of
meaning: 1) since we are of God, we have to submit to Him; 2) God not only
governs us but also protects and nourishes us.
“That you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness
into His marvelous light”, “that you”, here it points out the purpose of
salvation; “proclaim the praises of…”, here it is the responsibility of
believers; “proclaim” includes proclaiming with mouth and by walking (see Phil.
1:27); “praises” refer to the disposition of God (see 2Pet. 1:3-4) manifested
before men; “Him who called you…”: God; “out of darkness into His marvelous
light”, it speaks of our condition from unbelief and corruption to being
favored by faith (see Acts 26:18); “out of darkness”, it points that we are in
the power of darkness and live in sins and darkness and ignorance and death
(see Eph. 2:1-2; 4:18) before we are saved (Col. 1:13); “into His marvelous
light”: we are children of light and bear fruits of light after we are saved
(see Eph. 5:8-9).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Christians are a group of special people,
who are chosen by God unto Himself and live for God and bear witness concerning
God in the world.
2) Since we believers have a “royal” status
before God, we have to be worthy of the name of saints in speaking and walking
(Eph. 5:3) and maintain our dignity so as not to humiliate the name of the
Lord.
3) We are “a royal priesthood”. Every Christian
has the privilege to come to God. And every Christian shall offer his service
and worship and all that he has to God.
4) “Priest” in Latin means “builder of bridge”.
Believers are priests of God and become the bridge between God and men,
manifesting God to men and bringing men to God.
5) The main responsibility of “priest” is to
offer the spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God (see v.5). Everyday, we have
to apply ourselves to spiritual pursuit so that we will get something to offer.
6) The best sacrifices of Christians are our
hearts and whole bodies (see
7) Christians are “owned” by God, who not only
created us but also bought us by the blood of His beloved Son. Therefore, no
one belongs to himself any more, nor live to himself (1Cor. 6:19-20;
8) Since we are “God’s own special people”, we
have to completely submit to God’s authority and wale in His will. Therefore,
let us seek the will of God in everything and do accordingly.
9) On one hand, we are the possession of God.
And on the other hand, God is our possession. God has His works in us and we
shall also cooperate on God’s works and be established in God and thus work out
our own salvation (see Phil. 2:13).
10) Darkness is because of separation from the
Lord, and he who follows the Lord will receive light (see John 8:12). If
believers desire to shine in the world, they have to live with the Lord, for He
is light.
11) Darkness is out of death, and light is out
of life. Since Christians have been passed out of death into life (see 1John
3:14), we shall not “have a name that we live and are dead” (Rev. 3:1).
12) Christians shall proclaim the praises of God
in Christians’ speaking and walking, manifesting the divine life and
disposition and testifying the salvation God has accomplished in Christ.
1Pet. 2:10 “who once were not a
people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have
obtained mercy.”
YLT:
“who once not a people, and now the people of God; who had not found kindness,
and now have found kindness.”
Meaning
of Words: “once”: then, in the
old time; “mercy”: pity, compassion;
Literal
Meaning: “who once were not a people but are now the people of God”, it is quoted from
the Book of Hosea (1:9-10; 2:23). “Once”: before we believed the Lord; “now”: after
we have believed the Lord; “people” refers to our relationship with God and
status before Him; the whole verse means that our identity and status before
God have been transformed.
“Who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy”, “have obtained …”: experience and enjoy;
“mercy”, it is easier to be given to those who are unworthy of being loved, so
mercy is before love. Our condition is unworthy of God’s love, so we have to
obtain mercy before receiving God’s love (see Hos. 2:23;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The special point of the faith in
Christianity lies in the confession that men were nothing in fact and yet the
obtaining of God’s exaltation. We were totally corrupted, but have obtained
mercy of God.
2) We Christians are those who are called out
of the common people and become uncommon people, for we have obtained the
divine life and nature (see 2Pet. 1:3-4) and we have the responsibility of
proclaiming God’s praises (see v.9).
3) “People” has a concept of fellowship.
Christians are a group of people who are called out of the world by God and
gathered to live for the will of God.
1Pet. 2:11 “Beloved, I beg you as
sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the
soul,”
YLT:
“Beloved, I call upon , as strangers and sojourners, to keep from the fleshly
desires, that war against the soul,”
Meaning
of Words: “beloved”: dear beloved; “sojourners”: foreigners, strangers; “pilgrims”: aliens; “abstain”: avoid, refrain; “fleshly”: of the flesh; “lusts”: desires; “war”: fight;
Literal
Meaning: “beloved”, it is mentioned in the epistles
of Peter seven times (1Pet. 2:11; 4:12; 2Pet. 3:1, 8, 14, 15, 17) to express
the true brotherly love (see 1:22; 2:17; 3:8; 4:8; 5:14).
“As sojourners and pilgrims”, “sojourners”, it emphasizes the nature of
the sojourners in a foreign land; “pilgrims”, here it emphasizes that the world
is not our house; the meaning of the two words is similar ---- both remind we
Christians that we are heavenly people and foreigners on the earth. Therefore,
let us set the goal of life on the heaven and walk according to the heavenly
standard, not devote to the earthly business.
“Abstain from fleshly lusts”, “abstain”, it is an unceasing and repeated
act; “fleshly lusts”: the improper lusts in the flesh that are unworthy of the
identity of believers;
“Which war against the soul”, “soul”: the
person of a man; “war against”: it is a continual fight. Since men were created
according to the image of God, there is good conscience in men. However, men’s
conscience became corrupted because of the fall of sin and men had given
themselves up to lasciviousness (Eph. 4:19). After men are saved, since the
conscience is recovered (see Heb. 10:22), there will be the war of the law of
doing right inside against the fleshly lusts (see Rom. 7:21-23).
Note: according to the wording in the New
Testament, three aspects of life of man are mentioned: 1) the life of body,
namely, the life of creature (Luke 21:4 all the “living”, bios in the
original); 2 the life of soul (Luke 17:33 save his “life”, psuche in the
original); 3) the life of spirit (Luke 12:15 his “life”, zoe in the original).
Therefore, man has spirit and soul and body. However, traditional theology in
Christianity confuses spirit with soul (see 1:9; 2:11, 25; 4:19) so that there
is no distinction between the salvation of spirit and the salvation of soul.
Even the enjoyment of “soul” is regarded as the enjoyment of “spirit” and some
superficial activities of soul are sought, e.g. the lively and noisy gatherings
like crying or speaking the tongues in the flesh;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Though we believers are heavenly people (see
v.9), we are also people on the earth that cannot be isolated from the society.
2) We are only “sojourners” and “pilgrims” in
the world and our home is not here. Therefore, let us not set earthly things as
our goal nor be overwhelmed by the worldly tide.
3) We are debtors, not to the flesh, to live
according to flesh (
4) Though the good part in our soul often wars
against the fleshly lusts, the law of doing right cannot overcome the lusts
(see
5) Remember that we have to submit to the
Spirit and walk by the Spirit (
1Pet. 2:12 “having your conduct honorable
among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by
your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.”
YLT:
“having your behaviour among the nations right, that in that which they speak
against you as evil-doers, of the good works having beheld, they may glorify
God in a day of inspection.”
Meaning
of Words: “Gentiles”: heathens,
nations; “conduct”:
conversation, walking; “honorable”:
good, fair; “speak
against”: slander, speak evil of; “observe”: watch, inspect, behold; “visitation”:
inspection;
The Background: “that
when they speak against you as evildoers”, at that time, in the
Literal
Meaning: “having your
conduct honorable among the Gentiles”, “the Gentiles”: unbelievers, the common
people in the world; “conduct”: the conversations including words and works;
“honorable”: things that are true, noble, just, pure, amiable, and things of
good report honest (Phil. 4:8) ---- all of them are regarded as good and
gracious and elegant in the eyes of the world.
“That when they speak against you as evildoers”, “they speak against you
…”: those who are against Christians; “as evildoers”: Christians are slandered
and accused by feigned sins;
“By
your good works which they observe”,
“observe”, it is different from hearing. To the words of slander, our response
is not words, but our obvious works. “Good works” equals “walking honorably”,
namely, “the light in the world” in the words of the Lord Jesus (see Matt.
5:14-16).
“Glorify
God in the day of visitation”, “the day of
visitation”, many Bible expositors believe it refers to the day of the Lord’s
second coming. Then, He will judge according to the works of each one (see 1:7;
4:13-17; 5:4) and avenge us (see 2Thess. 1:7-10). And there are also some
people who believe that the day of visitation aims at the “visitation” upon
those who speak against Christians as evildoers, so it should be the time when
Christ comes again in the throne of glory to judge all the nations (see Matt.
25:31-32), or the last days when God sits on the white throne to judge all the
dead (see Rev. 20:11-12; Rom. 2:5). “Glorify God”, attribute the glory of good
works unto God (see Matt. 5:16);
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) We are the light of the world, bearing
witness of the glory of God by honorable and good conduct among unbelievers
(Matt. 5:14-16).
2) It is inevitable of being spoken evil of for
believers. Contrarily, woe, when all men speak well of us (see Luke 6:26).
3) No matter how men say, “good conduct” of
Christians can stop many mouths and overcome arguments with much word.
4) “The day of visitation”, whether it is
blessing or curse, it is decided by our present conduct ---- have we glorified
God and profited men? Or have we indulged in the fleshly lusts?
1Pet. 2:13 “Therefore submit
yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king
as supreme,”
YLT:
“Be subject, then, to every human creation, because of the Lord, whether to a
king, as the highest,”
Meaning
of Words: “submit”: obey;
“ordinance”: creation, building; “supreme”: above, better, higher;
The Background: “the king as supreme”, at that time, it was the
tyrant Nero in the
Literal
Meaning: “for the Lord's sake”: for the sake of the Lord’s will and the glory of
God;
“Submit
yourselves to every ordinance of man”,
“submit ... to”: be submissive in a certain condition: “every ordinance of man”
refers to the basic social structure that governs and works normally, including
governmental agencies, and legal regulations and morality and ethics etc. The
objects of Christians’ obedience are: 1) to the ordinance that does not go
against the will of God (see Acts 4:19; 5:29); 2) to the ordinance that does
not go against the belief of Christianity; 3) to the ordinance that does not go
against morality or ethics 4) to the ordinance that does not go against basic
human rights; 5) to the ordinance that is what it seems to be without any fault
in execution.
“Whether
to the king as supreme”, “as supreme”:
from empires and presidents to officials at all levels (see v.14); what
Christians respect is their ministry, not their personality.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The highest principle of Christians’ conduct
is “for the Lord’s sake”. Let everything be done for the sake of obedience to
the Lord and glorifying the Lord (see 1Cor. 10:31).
2) Above all the ordinances, our eyes shall be
focused on Christ who creates and upholds all (Heb. 1:2-3), the supreme Lord
above all authorities (1Tim. 6:15).
3) Christians’ obedience to all normal
ordinances is obedience to the Lord who allows the establishment of all
ordinances. Obedience to all normal authorities is obedience to the Lord they
represent (see
4) To all the abnormal ordinances and
authorities, Christians do not make any revolution (e.g. the apostles did not
advocate the movement of release of slaves) nor become associated with the evil
tide.
1Pet. 2:14 “or to governors, as to
those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of
those who do good.”
YLT:
“whether to governors, as to those sent through him, for punishment, indeed, of
evil-doers, and a praise of those doing good;”
Meaning
of Words: “punishment”:
vengeance, retribution; “praise”:
reward; “good”:
right, upright; “governor”:
leader, ruler;
Literal
Meaning: “governors … as to those who are sent by
him” can be explained as executive officers who are “legally chosen or
appointed by the ruling authorities” or “elected or acknowledged by the
people”;
“The
punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do good”: both of them are two great missions
political administration;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) “For the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of
those who do good”, it is the
principle appointed by God not only on the earth now but also in the Lord’s
presence in the future (see
2) The basic attitude of Christians towards
officers at all levels is: to whom fear, fear; to whom honor, honor (Rom.
13:7).
1Pet. 2:15 “For this is the will of
God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men--”
YLT:
“because, so is the will of God, doing good, to put to silence the ignorance of
the foolish men;”
Meaning
of Words: “doing good”: do
righteously; “put
to silence”: muzzle; “foolish”:
unwise; “ignorance”:
lack of knowledge;
Literal
Meaning: “for this is the will of God, that by doing good”, “the will of God”: the will that God
pleases (see Rom. 12:2); “doing good”: good works (see v.12);
“You may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men--”, “the ignorance of foolish men”: those who
speak evil against Christians (see v.12) ---- they speak foolishly because of
ignorance.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Many religious leaders “say and do not”
(Matt. 23:3). Many Christians only seek “the knowledge” of good instead of “the
practice” of good ---- this is our sin (James 4:17).
2) Unbelievers are often foolish in ignorance.
Believers often know and yet do not do. Both of them may provoke the wrath of
God.
3) The way of dealing with the ignorant is “to
put them to silence”. And the way of dealing with those who think they “know”
is “to bridle their tongues” (see James 3:1-2).
1Pet. 2:16 “as free, yet not using
liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.”
YLT:
“as free, and not having the freedom as the cloak of the evil, but as servants
of God;”
Meaning
of Words: “free”: at liberty;
“clock”: cover; “vice”: evil, malice;
Literal
Meaning: “as free”, be released from the bondage of
sins and the law (see Gal. 5:1);
“Yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice”,
“a cloak for vice”: make oneself and others ignore the evil. It means that
Christians shall not do any evil things by using any right reason. For example,
some heresy or cult groups teach the followers to achieve some noble purposes
by unlawful means.
“But as bondservants of God”, “as bondservants of God”: hear the command
of God and be governed by God. Here it indicates that Christians’ liberty is
limited and they cannot disobey the command of God or be delivered from the
bondage of God.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Do not take the liberty into an opportunity
to the flesh (Gal. 5:13).
2) Though we Christians are free, we are
bondservants of Christ (see 1Cor. 7:22) who keep the law of Christ in
everything (see Gal. 6:22) and let the peace of Christ preside in our hearts
(Col. 3:15).
3) All believers, no matter in the upper class
or in the lower class, “shall be bondservants of God” and stand in the status
of God’s bondservants, governing and being governed.
1Pet. 2:17 “Honor all people. Love
the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.”
YLT:
“to all give ye honour; the brotherhood love ye; God fear ye; the king honour
ye.”
Meaning
of Words: “honor”: respect; “brotherhood”: brethren; “fear”: be afraid, frighten;
Literal
Meaning: “honor all people”, “honor”: the humble and
respectful attitudes; “all people”: believers and unbelievers;
“Love the brotherhood”, “love” (agapao), the love (agape, see
“Fear God”, be afraid of sinning against God; such mind makes us
self-controlled and dare not speak or walk flippantly.
“Honor
the king”: respect the
representative authority of God; note the first is fearing God and then
respecting the representative authorities. It is not showing respect foolishly.
This verse speaks of four basic conditions of the interpersonal
relationship for Christians on the earth as a part of the church and the
society: 1) respect all people; 2) love brethren; 3) fear God; 4) honor those
who are supreme; none of the four is dispensable. Only when
all of them are all prepared in a man, may he advance “in favor with God and
men” (Luke 2:52)
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) We Christians shall treat with “man” as a
man, for every “man” is created according to the image of God and after the
likeness of God (see Gen. 1:26-27; 5:1).
2) “Love” is not “friendship”, for friendship
is often conditional, and love is unconditional. Our love to brothers and
sisters should be kept in balance and equality.
3) Though we shall not love those who are afar
only without showing any love to those who are near, our love shall still not
be restricted in the members of the local church. No matter where we are, let
us love brothers and show love to one another in the body of Christ.
4) Let Christians walk according to the fear of
God. Everyone shall firstly ask himself whether his activity will sin against
God, and whether he has peace inside.
5) Let our respect to everyone be out of “the
fear of God” ---- fear God first and then fear men. We shall in no wise “fear
men but not God”.
1Pet. 2:18 “Servants, be submissive
to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the
harsh.”
YLT:
“The domestics! be subjecting yourselves in all fear to the masters, not only
to the good and gentle, but also to the cross;”
Meaning
of Words: “servants”: fellow
residents, household servants; “gentle”: meek, mild; “harsh”: crooked,
perverse;
Literal
Meaning: “servants”, household servants who are directed and ruled by
the master; today, though slavery has been appeared in the present society,
there is still the distinction between “employee” and “employer”. Therefore,
this paragraph relates also to all Christians “receive wages” (including the
white-collars and blue-collars and public officers).
“Be submissive to your masters with all fear”, “with all fear” has
two aspects of meaning: 1) with fear of God and fear of sinning against God in
various conditions (see 1:17; 2:17;
“Not only to the good and gentle”, “the good and gentle”: the kind masters with
good character who are just and sympathetic and considerate and not easily
provoked;
“But also to the harsh”, “the harsh” refer to the cruel masters with bad
character who are unjust and ruthless and selfish and easily provoked. It is
difficult to serve such masters.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Above Christians’ masters in flesh, there is
a Lord in the heaven (Eph. 6:9; Col. 4:1). Apparently we serve men, but
actually we are serving God (see Col. 3:24).
2) Let us fear both God and men, and fear God
first and men secondarily. The fear of men is because of the fear of God. One
shall in no wise fear men but not God.
3) Now there is few good and gentle masters in
the world, but there are many harsh ones. Many times, we have to be faced with
the masters whom we are not satisfied with. However, we cannot decide the
masters, but we can decide our attitudes. It is better of obedience than
struggle for changing the masters or seeking other new masters.
1Pet. 2:19 “For this is commendable,
if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.”
YLT:
“for this gracious, if because of conscience toward God any one doth endure sorrows,
suffering unrighteously;”
Meaning
of Words: “endure”: bear,
undergo; “suffer”:
feel, experience; “wrongfully”:
unjustly; “grief”:
sorrow, sadness; “commendable”:
acceptable, gracious;
Literal
Meaning: “if because of conscience toward God”, “conscience toward God”: have a good and clean conscience toward
God (see 3:16; 1Tim. 1:5, 19; 3:9; 2Tim. 1:3). From this verse, we can perceive
that “fear” in the previous verse refers more to the fear of God.
“For this is commendable …one
endures grief, suffering wrongfully”,
“wrongfully”: be treated unreasonably by the Lord; “suffering wrongfully”: the harsh masters (see v.18) do the
masters wrong; “commendable”: pleasant in the sight of God (see v.20), namely,
be acceptable before God (see 1Tim. 2:3; Col. 3:20).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The most important principle of Christians’
walking is to let our conscience toward God ---- have a good conscience before
God (see Acts 23:1; 24:6; Heb. 13:18).
2) It is very painful of suffering wrongfully.
Therefore, most of many people cannot refrain from avenging themselves, but let
Christians not avenge ourselves (
1Pet. 2:20 “For what credit is it if,
when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do
good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.”
YLT:
“for what renown , if sinning and being buffeted, ye do endure ? but if, doing
good and suffering , ye do endure, this gracious with God,”
Meaning
of Words: “fault”: offense,
trespass; “beaten”:
be buffeted; “take…patiently”:
suffer, bear; “credit”:
glory, honor; “do
good”: do righteously;
Literal
Meaning: “what credit is it if, when you are beaten
for your faults, you take is patiently”, “faults”: it means that one has done
things wrong or disobeyed the will of the Lord; “are beaten”: take the
responsibility of one’s faults and be thus punished; “take…patiently”: be able
to bear; “what credit is it”, it shows that such suffering is just but not
praiseworthy.
“But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is
commendable before God”, “do good”: do good things or be in the normal
condition; “suffer and take …patiently”: be able to bear sufferings; “this is
commendable before God”, it indicates that God will please it and reward such
man.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) It is just of the normal principle in the
world of the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do good (see
v.14). However, in the unrighteous world, the reversal of good and evil and the
confusion between white and black are too numerous to enumerate. Christians
have to learn how to be faced with such abnormal situations.
2) Do we seek to satisfy men or God? Men in the
world choose rather to wrong others than to let themselves suffer loss.
However, believers would rather please God than avenge themselves to appease
the anger.
3) “Do good and suffer”, it is the way that God appoints for us. Good
works without suffering has little value before God. Believers’ value lies just
in the cost paid for good works.
1Pet. 2:21 “For to this you were
called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you
should follow His steps:”
YLT:
“for to this ye were called, because Christ also did suffer for you, leaving to
you an example, that ye may follow his steps,”
Meaning
of Words: “example”: copy for
imitation; “follow”:
accompany; “steps”:
tracks;
Literal
Meaning: “to this you were called”, “to this”:
Christians have to suffer for the sake of unjust treatment (see v.18-20).
“Because Christ also suffered for us”, “because”, it will give the
explanation why it is commendable before God of doing good and suffering (see
v.20); “Christ also suffered for us”, it indicates that Christ’s suffering is
innocent for the purpose of bearing our sins ---- He suffered for sins, just
for unjust (see 3:18);
“Leaving us an example”, it refers to the
example of the conversations of the Lord Jesus in the flesh as well as His mind
and attitude toward suffering.
“That you should follow His steps”, here it indicates that purpose of
His leaving the example; “follow His steps”: imitate His examples;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) God has called us out of the world for not
only salvation unto eternal life but also a more positive purpose ---- the
testimony of “doing good and suffering” in the world to bear witness concerning
Jesus Christ.
2) Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who does not
need to suffer. However, He was even willing to be crucified for the sake of us
and unwilling to come down from the cross (see Matt. 27:42-43) ---- this is the
example that He left for us that one needs not to suffer but is willing to
suffer for the sake of others.
3) The Lord Jesus had said, “If any one desires
to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me”
(Matt. 16:24). “Follow His steps”, it is none other than following His steps of
taking the cross and suffering and walking in His steps for the will of God’s
calling of us.
1Pet. 2:22 “"Who committed no
sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth";”
YLT:
“who did not commit sin, nor was guile found in his mouth,”
Meaning
of Words: “commit”: do, work;
“sin”: miss the mark; “deceit”: guile, craft, trick;
Literal
Meaning: this verse is quoted from the Book of Isaiah
(53:9) ---- “Because He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth”.
“Who committed no sin”, “who”, it is emphatic in the original, which
shows that it is Him only; “committed no sin”, it indicates that his suffering
is by no means a trouble of his own making, but is totally on account of doing
good (keeping the will of God) (see v.20).
“Nor was deceit found in His mouth”, He is innocent in both His works as
well as His words (see
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The Lord Jesus is a “perfect” Savior (see
Heb. 7:26-27). He has been tempted in all things like as we are, sin apart
(Heb. 4:15).
2) It is most difficult to be perfect for a man
in his words (see James 3:2). However, there is no “Yes and No” found in the
mouth of the Lord Jesus (see 2Cor. 1:19; Matt. 5:37).
1Pet. 2:23 “who, when He was reviled,
did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed
Himself to Him who judges righteously;”
YLT:
“who being reviled -- was not reviling again, suffering -- was not threatening,
and was committing himself to Him who is judging righteously,”
Meaning
of Words: “revile”: rail in
reply, put sb. to shame by words; “commit”: deliver, surrender;
Literal
Meaning: “who, when He was reviled, did not revile in
return; when He suffered, He did not threaten”, it is possibly quoted from the
Book of Isaiah according to its meaning (53:7); “not revile in return”, not
render evil for evil, and keep silence when He is reviled; “suffered”: suffer
affliction, both physical and mental; “threaten”, warn the one who persecutes
that he will take the consequence; the whole verse indicates that He had no
indignation when he suffered and yet prayed for those who persecuted Him ----
“Father, forgive them” (Luke 23:34).
“But committed Himself to Him who judges righteously”, “Himself”, it
refers to not only the person of Him but also all his sufferings; “Him who
judges righteously”: the righteous God (see Ps. 9:8; 98:9);
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The real spiritual Christians do not render
evil for evil (see 3:9) nor even plead for themselves (see Rom. 12:9).
2) When we Christians are faced with the
slander and revilement and persecution of others, the best way is to pour out
the afflictions to the Lord who is just and to commit ourselves unto Him, thus
receiving comfort and encouragement from Him.
1Pet. 2:24 “who Himself bore our sins
in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for
righteousness--by whose stripes you were healed.”
YLT:
“who our sins himself did bear in his body, upon the tree, that to the sins
having died, to the righteousness we may live; by whose stripes ye were
healed,”
Meaning
of Words: “tree”: staff, wood;
“bear”: take up; “died”: absent, depart; “stripes”: blow-mark; “heal”: make
whole;
Literal
Meaning: this verse is quoted from the Book of Isaiah
according to its meaning (53:4-5);
“Who Himself … in His own body on the tree”, “tree”: the cross made of
the wood; “on the tree”: be crucified on the cross;
“Bore our sins”, the Lord Jesus is sinless and innocent (see Luke 23:4,
22), but was crucified for bearing our sins (see Heb. 9:28).
“That we, having died to sins”, “died to sins”: be delivered from sins;
the old man of believers had been crucified with Christ and had died to sin
(see
“Might live for righteousness”: live to
righteousness and for righteousness;
“By whose stripes you were healed”, “stripes”: wounds leaving on the
body after the whip, which are used to represent all his sufferings and afflictions
in body and in heart; “were healed”, it refers to physical healing (see Ps.
103:3) as well as mental and spiritual healing. Here the healing echoes “living
for righteousness”, it emphasizes spiritual healing more than physical healing.
Those who participate in the Charismatic Movement like to adopt this verse in
the divine healing and exaggerate the effect of physical healing. But it seems
to be too farfetched.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) We believers “have died to sin”, so let us
not live in sin (see
2) We lived to “sin” before we believed the
Lord, and we live for “righteousness” after we have believed the Lord. As we
presented our members as servants to uncleanness and were under the bondage of
sin, even so now yield our members in bondage to righteousness and will be
governed by righteousness (see
3) “Live for righteousness”, it shows that we
are enabled to live out righteousness. In the past, we have willingness yet no
strength. But now we are able yet infirm in mind ---- we have not set our mind
sufficiently to obey the might power of God working in us (see Phil. 2:12-13;
Eph. 3:20).
4) “By whose stripes you were healed”, the
effects of the redemption of the Lord Jesus cover all illnesses of our spirit
and soul and body. Therefore, all the problems in our spirit and soul and body
can be resolved by appropriating the salvation of the Lord accomplished on the
cross.
1Pet. 2:25 “For you were like sheep
going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your
souls.”
YLT:
“for ye were as sheep going astray, but ye turned back now to the shepherd and
overseer of your souls.”
Meaning
of Words: “go astray”: be lost,
err, wander; “return”: convert, come again; “Overseer”: bishop;
Literal
Meaning: this verse is quoted from the Book of Isaiah
according to its meaning (53:6);
“You were like sheep going astray”, “sheep going astray”, it points that
men in the world have been lost on their path of life and departed from the
goal and significance set by God and thus become ignorant of “where they are”
(see Gen. 3:9) and “where to go” (see 1John 2:11).
“But have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls”,
“soul”: the real person of us; “the Shepherd and Overseer”, the two words
(Shepherd and Overseer) enjoy one definite article, showing that Shepherd and
Overseer refer to the name person and the same work, namely, “the chief
shepherd” (see 5:4).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) God is our shepherd (see Ps. 23:1; Is.
40:11). And we are the sheep of his pasture (see Mark. 6:34).
2) We were lost sheep before we believed the
Lord (see Luke 15:3-7). And even after we have believed the Lord, we may also
often go astray (see Matt. 12:14).
3) The Lord Jesus is the good shepherd, and the
good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep (John 10:11). Now He has been
raised from the dead and become the great shepherd of the sheep (Heb. 13:20)
and shepherds us personally.
4) The Lord is the shepherd, and He comes that
we may have abundant life (John 10:10). The Lord is the Shepherd and Overseer
that we shall hear His voice and follow Him (John 10:27).
5) The Lord is the “Shepherd and Overseer” of
our souls, who takes care of us in His love and keeps us in His power and leads
us in the right path in His wisdom.
6) The Lord is the “Shepherd and Overseer” of
our souls, who not only provides our need in spiritual life but also takes care
of our soul life for the purpose of transforming and renewing “our old men”
distorted by sins into His image (see Col. 3:10).
7) The greatest privilege of God’s workers is
to shepherd and take care of the sheep of God (see 5:2; John 21:15-17).
Nevertheless, privilege is accompanied by responsibility. If they have failed
to fulfill the duty, they shall be punished.
III.
Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons
Two Great Conditions for Spiritual Growth
A. Passive side ---- “laying aside all malice, all deceit,
hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking”
(v.1);
B. Positive side ---- “desire the pure milk of the word” (v.2);
Three Manifestations of Life
A. Remove the elements that prevent growth ----
remove all spiritual illnesses (v.1);
B. Absorb the nutrition that fosters growth
---- desire the pure milk (v
C. Maintain the growth of life ---- grow
thereby (v.2b);
Four Aspects of Spiritual Life
A. Life ---- “as newborn babes …as living stones”
(v.2, 5);
B. Growth ---- “desire the pure milk of the word, that … grow thereby” (v.2);
C. Living ---- “are being built up a spiritual house …proclaim the praises of Him
who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (v.5, 9);
D. Conduct ---- “having your conduct honorable … good works
… do good and suffer” (v.12, 20);
The Lord is a Stone
A. The Lord is a living stone ---- who makes
those who come to Him be built up a spiritual house (v.4-5);
B. The Lord is a precious chief cornerstone elected by God ---- he
who believes on him will by no means be put to shame (v.6);
C. The Lord is a stone rejected by the builders
---- who is rejected by unbelievers (v.7);
D. The Lord is the chief cornerstone ---- who
is the foundation of the building of the church (v.7; see Eph. 2:20);
E. The Lord is the stone of stumbling and the rock of offense ---- who makes those who are disobedient to
the word stumble (v.8);
Things Christians Are Supposed to Know About
Themselves
A. Know the identities of Christians (v
1. Who are a chosen generation;
2. Who are a royal priesthood;
3. Who are a holy nation;
4. Who are His own special people;
B. Know the responsibility of Christians ---- proclaim the praises of Him
who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (v.9b);
C. Know things that have happened on Christians
(v.10);
1. Who once were not a people but are now the people of God;
2. Who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy;
Reasons for Abstaining From Fleshly Lusts
A. Reason one: as sojourners and pilgrims (v
B. Reason Two: fleshly lusts war against the soul (v.11b);
C. Reason Three: the Gentiles are observing us
(v.12);
1. They may speak against us;
2. They will finally be submissive because of
our good works;
Obedience of Christians
A. Motivation for the obedience:
1. For the Lord’s sake (v
2. For the will of God (v
3. For the conscience toward God (v.19);
B. Objects of the obedience:
1. Every ordinance of man (v.13b);
2. The king as supreme (v
3. Governors, as to those who are sent by kings (v.14);
4. Masters ---- no matter good or evil (v.18);
5. The Shepherd and Overseer of souls (v.25);
C. Attitudes of the obedience:
1. Be bondservants of God (v.16);
2. With all fear in everything (v.18);
3. Suffer wrongfully (v.19);
Examples of the Lord’s Suffering
A. The steps of the Lord were doing good and
suffering (v.20-21);
B. The Lord’s suffering was not because he
committed any sin (v.22);
C. The Lord did not avenge Himself in suffering
(v.23);
D. The Lord’s suffering had borne our sins (v
E. The Lord’s stripes had healed us (v.24b);
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Mary Zhou