1 Peter 3:8–12

8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; 9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For “He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. 11 Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Commentary

Vs.8 "Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous"

Finally, or to sum it all up, the Apostle Peter exhorts us to all be of one mind, that is to be like minded towards each other, by living like Jesus Christ towards each other. Thus the unity of the Spirit is what is driving the exhortaion given here. Now to forward this the Apostle Peter lays down some serious character virtues or reflections on Christ-likeness of just how we can do that. Peter gives us first then a command to have compassion for one another. For if we cannot be compassionate towards each other, in each others time of need, then how can we possibly call ourselves true followers of Jesus Christ?  Now the word translated compassion here appears only here in the N.T. and is the word from which we get our English word sympathy from. It literally means "to feel anothers pain". And thus we must never be indifferent, callous, or have any hardness of heart towards anyone who is suffering, and certainly not another believer as commanded here, either in their fall, or in their time of need (consider Zechariah 7:9; Matt 9:36; 14:14; 15:32; 18:27, 33; 20:34 etc.).
The next is "love as brothers" that is literally to have and show brotherly love (φιλάδελφος) for each other. For just as people inherently love their own parents, siblings and children etc. so should all believers have and show a mutual love and concern for each other. For it is highly unlikely that an unfriendly church fellowship will do much of anything to grow up either each other, nor anyone else in Christlikeness, if they are unwilling to to show the fundamental grace based hospitality and love generosity that is foundational to Jesus Christ's Person and Kingdom.

The next Christian virtue Peter gives us (which like all others can only be exemplified through us when we are led by the Spirit of God) is for us to "be tenderhearted". That is literally to show from the heart, the compassionate heart of God, towards each other and all. Which is best seen and expressed by Jesus Personally in passages like: Matt 9:36; 14:14; 15:32; 20:34; Luke 7:13 or in His parables of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32, vs. 20), the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37, vs. 33), or even Jesus' parable of the Unforgiving Servant, whose mercilessness is radically exposed and rebuked by Jesus while being contrasted with the unconditional mercies of God (Matt. 18:25-31, vs. 27).

The finial Christian virtue that the Apostle Peter gives us here is for us to "be courteous". This word also only appears here in the N.T. It's core meaning is to be humble-minded, as opposed to being proud, arrogant or rude. All which is contrary to the Kingdom of God and what it's citizens are to be like (consider Matt 5:3; James 4:6). By rendering it courteous the NKJV then is emphasizing the fruit of such a humble disposition. Therefore as opposed to being proud or arrogant; which is the manner of life of the scoffer (Prov 21:24), and or the wicked (Psalm 10:2). The humble minded person has a right perspective of themselves and others (consider Luke 18:9-14). And thus they maintain a healthy relationship with God and their fellow persons, because they also see all people through the eyes of Christ as image bearers of God, no matter how far they have fallen from that image. And thus they do not judge people according to the flesh or outward appearance (consider 1 Sam 16:7; John 7:24, 8:15). But rather by the unlimited potential that the new life of Jesus Christ can do in them, and through them. For if we saw and treated each other as Jesus sees us and would have us treated, imagine how much more better this world would truly be! Instead we often let the world and its ways and what it values dictate how we view and treat others, even other believers. And so the Apostle Peter in giving us these exhortations brings us back to the Kingdom of heavens perspective. For the truly humble minded person will afford others the same grace, courtesy and respect that they themselves would have God afford them (consider Matt 5:47; 7:12).

Vs. 9 "not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing."

And so the Apostle Peter having given some positive exhortations on personal conduct that will help maintain the unity of the Spirit amongst all who believe. Now goes on to say that we are not to return evil for evil or reviling for reviling, "but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing." For truly God's blessing is on all who seek to do good, rather than repaying evil with evil, or reviling with reviling. But rather seek to bless when under provocation, which is what Jesus has commanded of us all (Matt 5:44-45). Which seems so very hard to practice when in the heat of the moment. Nonetheless when we subject ourselves to Jesus Christ's Lordship we will overcome the fleshes tendencies.

Vs. 10-12  10 For “He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. 11 Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

God's promise of long life and personal peace; even having our prayers being answered; is conditional on our refraining our mouths from speaking evil (cursing others, using slanderous or defamatory speech etc.). As well as keeping ones lips from speaking deceit (i.e. lies, and or knowingly misleading statements by which one seeks to deceive) all which is contrary to Jesus Christ's Person and Kingdom. But rather we are to turn away from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it. Which I believe is in the heart of every true child of God. A desire to do good to all, to seek peace with all, and and live peaceable with all. If that is your hearts desire and yet you don't know how to get there, there is a way. Jesus came so that you and I could have peace with God and each other, and thus experience life and peace in all its fullness. A life and peace that does not leave us when troubles come, or everything else does, but is as steadfast as God's love.  As Jesus promises to us all who believe in Him: "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27 
Now it all begins with Jesus' death on the cross for our sins atonment. Which makes it fully possible for our being reconciled back to God the moment we believe in Him. That's what if takes to have God's salvation and what God requires of us all, repentance and faith which then brings God's Spirit within us who brings Jesus Christ's Life and Peace into us and ultimately manifests it through us. If you have not yet made that critical decesion to Call on the Name of the Lord and receive remission of all your sins and everlasting life, by all means do so now. By a simple prayer done in faith you can have all the love and peace and life that God wants you to have, and sent Jesus to bring into us all who believe in Him.  Simply Pray something like this: Dear Lord Jesus I know that I am a sinner and I need your Person to not only atone for all my sins but also to bring all of the life and peace of God that You yourself bring into everyone who believes in You. Therefore I now invite you into my heart and life to be my Lord and Savior, amen.

Scripture Citations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982

1 Peter 3:7

7 Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.


Commentary
The Apostle Peter having commanded servants to be submissive to their masters, wives to their husbands, now gives us a word of wisdom for the husbands. Which is a nice compliment to previous exhortations by now bringing in the husbands responsibility towards their wives. In this, Peter says to the husbands to dwell with their wives with understanding (lit. with knowledge of them). And thus to be considerate of them (NASB 1995), and their unique persons and roles within the marriage. Peter goes on to say that husbands are to give honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, not the "inferior" vessel, but the weaker vessel. And as the Apostle Peter also states here of their person: "being heirs together of the grace of life" with their husbands, and all believers, and thus highly cherished in the eyes of God. Therefore husbands are to lead in their families and be sensitive to their wives unique person, position and or her personality in their handling of them, and not lord authority over his wife, children, nor anyone else. For if a husband cannot treat his wife with gentleness and care, honoring her person and appreciate her exceedingly important contribution she brings to their home, family and beyond, then he should expect nothing other than to be treated with contempt by his own male piers; both inside and outside of the house of faith.


Scripture Citations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982
 

1 Peter 3:1–6

1 Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. 3 Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— 4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. 5 For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.


Commentary
Following up from his exhortation that commanded servants submit themselves to their masters (and by implication we as believers submit ourselves to every lawful ordinance and authority), the Apostle Peter now moves into the realm of the home. He begins by addressing believing wives, reminding them that it is their responsibility to submit themselves to their husbands, believer and unbeliever alike. So "that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear." vs. 1-2
Here the Apostle Peter's exhortation is given for the sake of the unbelieving husband that he may be won for Christ. Not by a nattering wife telling him all that he is doing wrong according to the Gospel, but rather by his observing all that she is doing right in obeying Christ, so he may be won by observing her chaste conduct with fear. The fear mentioned here is not a fear of her husband, but rather a holy reverent fear of the Lord; which is commanded of us all; as she seeks to keep the commandment. Thus a "silent witness" with good behavior is a far more effective that a verbal one with none at all. Now the word translated chaste maybe a bit ambiguous to some as to its meaning, here it means purity of life and or blamelessness of person, and indicates to be "without moral fault or defect" (LN), and or "moral purity and sincerity" (TDNT). In the Bible it is often linked to virginity. Thus her chaste conduct is to be living pure, holy, Godly etc. and thus without fault, or being innocent of violating the Apostles' commandment. For that's the attire that the Lord Jesus Christ wants from her and has given as a commandment through His Apostle for us all (vs 1-2). That being said the Apostle Peter in verse three then moves onto outward adornment. An area of life that woman put much time and effort into, yet is not the primary thing that matters to Christ, for it reveals nothing about the person's character or nature, and thus it is not to weigh in on our opinions of others either. Therefore though outward adornment is often a women's focus. The Apostle Peter here seeks to redirect that misguided emphasis from merely the external, i.e. "arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel" (vs. 3). To what really matters, and that is what she is adorned with on the inside? Though she may be adorned in all manner of outward beauty and opulence is she only a raucous, disagreeable, and or unteachable person who must always have her way (consider Prov 9:13-18; 27:15). Or is she as the Apostle Peter commends here a person whose beauty is primarily emanating from inside her (consider Prov 31:30). Who as as Peter commands here puts on the cherished and highly desirable beauty of a quite and meek spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God (vs. 4). "5 For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror."
And so the Apostle Peter in commanding believing wives to be submissive to their husbands and to adorn themselves with a gentle and quite spirit, gives us Sara, Abraham's wife as a model of true excellence in Godliness. And again though beautiful to behold on the outside, Sara was far deeper a person than just that. She was a women whose first focus was living right in the sight of God. And this she did by submitting herself to her husband "calling him lord" whose daughters all believing women are if they chose to follow her reverent and Godly example. Now unless you misunderstand and think this a means by which men can find a cause to dominate their wives think again. For the Apostle Peter will address the husbands duties and responsibilities towards his wife in the next section. For a marriage is a union of two unique individuals; requiring both to fulfill their unique part in the relationship for it to function well.



Word Studies
Chaste: (Str 53; GK 53; LN 88.28; TDNT 1.122; TDNTA 19); (2 Cor 7:11; 11:2; Phil 4:8; 1 Tim 5:22; Titus 2:5; James 3:17; 1 Peter 3:2; 1 John 3:3) 8x


Scripture Citations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982

Note: this is a draft version sections may be changed or deleted when edited.





 

1 Peter 2:18-25

18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. 19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 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. 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; 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; 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. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Commentary
Vs. 18 "Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh."

The Apostle Peter here commands that servants be submissive to their masters, with all fear, and not just to the good and gentle but also to the harsh. The exhortation given here for believing servants/slaves to be submissive towards their unbelieving masters, even the harsh, was given in a culture and time when such was often the norm. Nonetheless it was through the excellent witness and work of many early Christians in obedience to the gospel that would eventually overturn many of the Roman Empire's long established oppressive institutions and practices. And so, though this passage commands the submission of servants/slaves to their masters, (even harsh masters), it did not forbid their gaining their freedom if they lawfully could (1 Cor 7:20-24). Instead it was given to prevent the lawless rebellion of servants/slaves which would've wreaked havoc on the early church and it's witness (see 1 Tim 6:1-2). For though we have liberty In Christ, we are not at "liberty" to throw off all our earthly obligations and responsibilities. And so there are times when remaining at ones "post"; in whatever area of life this is for us; though it maybe difficult for a season; is still far better than abandoning it altogether. Now in regards to Christian servant/master relationships, it is commanded that servants not only submit to their masters, in all sincerity, but there also must be a mutual love and concern for each other, as well as a fair remuneration to all servants/slaves for their services rendered (see Ephesians 6:5-9; Col 4:1; Philem 16; also consider Deut 15:12-19). 

Vs. 19-20
"For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 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."

"For this is commendable...", the word used here is the word translated grace in the New Testament, and here is to indicate that in so doing, in enduring wrongs patiently, that we demonstrate the grace of God; not only that we have ourselves have received it, but by doing so, we hope that others might receive it as well (In this consider the Apostle Paul and Barnabas' wrongful beating and imprisonment and the positive results of their enduing that injustice well, see Acts 16:16-34).
That's the first half of the Apostle Peter's statement, the second is that "...if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully." That is the qualifier, because of conscience towards God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully (consider Matt 5:10). Thus suffering though wrongfully, because of ones conscience towards God, is what is commendable in the sight of God. Similarly suffering because one refuses to compromise their Christ centered values and integrity is likewise commendable in the sight of God, as opposed to merely suffering patiently because one has done something deserving of punishment (vs 20). Therefore we as believers are to live lives that are distinguished by not only doing good, but also suffering for what is good and right in the sight of God, as opposed to suffering because one has done something evil. That's the first part of Peter's exhortation, the second is just how we are to do that, and that is by following Jesus' example.

Vs. 21-23
21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; 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; 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. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

"For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps" vs. 21 Thus we are not only called by God to be partakers of the Lord Jesus Christ's salvation, but also His sufferings (Rom 8:17). For everyone who desires to live godly In Christ Jesus will suffer persecution (2 Tim 3:12). Whether servants at the hands of their unbelieving masters, or more broadly believers everywhere, in every generation, from even family members and people once thought friends. That is an ongoing reality that each and every believer must accept and ultimately pass through, in seeking to be faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ in whatever generation one believes in Him (consider Matt 10:34-42). For the powers of darkness will always oppose the powers of light (consider Luke 23:53). That said, Jesus' suffering and just how He endured such hostility and injustice for us at lawless hands is to be our example, that we should follow His steps (vs. 21). “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; 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 (vs 22-23). For beginning with Jesus' plotted arrest, trial and scourging and ultimately the execution order given by Pontius Pilate for His Crucifixion death. Jesus remained sinless throughout the whole terrifying ordeal. Just as He had done during His life. Though tempted by Satan, threatened and plotted against by men. Jesus never retaliated, either verbally, physically or Spiritually. For neither against Rome, nor against anything written in the Law of God was Jesus found in violation of, either by the scribes, Pharisees and Sadducee's who watched Him with an intense scrutiny so as to find something to accuse Him of, or even during His feigned trial by the Sanhedrin council, where they had to produce their own false witnesses in order to find a fault with Him to bring Him before Pilate. Jesus truly had committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth. And so as verse twenty three expounds Jesus when reviled did not revile in return, when He suffered He did not threaten those who were hurting Him, rather He committed Himself to God who judges righteously. And thus we when faced with difficult people or circumstances we must learn to do the same.
Knowing that whatever wrongs, insults, injuries and or injustices that occur to us God will ultimately make right in the end. For God is a God of Justice blessed are those who wait for Him (Isaiah 30:18)! Thus our first focus must always be on how can I pass through is in a Christ like manner, rather than defaulting to the fleshes impulses to lash out at the ones harming, or seeking to harm us.

For again though all authority under heaven is given by God, not all who are in authority live and act Godly. That is a reality and thus our obedience towards such cannot be conditioned merely on how they first treat us (consider Matt 5:43-44). Both the Apostle Peter and Apostle Paul knew and experienced this first hand, as both were no strangers to being beaten and or imprisoned simply because they were being faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ as gospel preachers and His church leaders (consider Acts 4:1-31; 5:17-42; 12:1-19; 13:49-52; 14:1-20; 16:16-40 etc). But they were never justly found to have violated nor incited rebellion against, nor disobedience towards any lawful authority or ordinance. On the contrary both were adamant that such submission is what we are called to as Jesus Christ's disciples. For again our submission to all lawful authority and ordinance is a reflection of our own submission (or not) to Jesus Christ and His Lordship of our lives (Rom 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17).
That said the Apostle's Paul and Peter in commanding our submission to lawfully authorities, and here enduring wrongs patiently, whether from lawfully authorities, or anyone else, is not commanding believers to submit themselves to cruel and abusive treatment from the hands of wicked and evil people. Who have neither authority, nor the right to abuse or afflict anyone. In such instances believers should again in seeking to follow Jesus' example conduct themselves as persons of peace, reconciliation, and justice, and thus turn the other cheek whenever possible personally, while always acting in the defense of those who are oppressed by such continually. For we must never be complacent towards, nor compliant with the abusive treatment of anyone. For domestic violence, child abuse, online, schoolyard, or workplace bullying, and or the physical, verbal, emotional or spiritual abuse of anyone is never to be tolerated, nor partaken in by anyone who calls on the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and is seeking to do His Will. Thus though the commandment here is for submission of servants to their masters, even those who are harsh. The conduct of each and every believer should always be to seek to alleviate the suffering and oppression of all.

Vs. 24-25 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. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

These verse are given not just as an exhortation of what Jesus has done for us but are to be a motivation and ultimately empowering of us for righteous living, for Jesus Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree (that is the Roman cross on which He was crucified). So that we having died to sins by our faith in His Person (see Rom 6:1-14 to understand), might live for righteousness.
For it is only by Jesus' stripes, that is the horrific wounds and marring of His body by Roman scourging culminating with His Crucifixion death for our sins that we are healed (Isaiah 53, vs. 4-6). For it is only by Jesus' suffering our sins penalty and punishment that God's justice having been served. He now heals us. That is by reconciling us back to God by His death on the cross we now have new birth by the Holy Spirit the moment we believe in Him and thus we have new and evelasting life in the Kingdom of God with Him. For we were all like sheep going astray, but we have now through the Gospel returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls. For that is the call of God through the Lord Jesus Christ to everyone, everywhere, to turn away from the powers darkness and return to God by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and receive remission of ones sins and everlasting life (see Acts 26:18-19).

I don't know where your at in your life but if you have strayed please return to God while you still can. For there is no sin so great, no failure so large, that God cannot forgive it the moment one turns from it and turns too or returns to Him! Therefore please friend and enemy alike be reconciled to God our Creator who loves you and me alike. Who sent Jesus to suffer and die for you and me so that we having our souls reconciled back to Him can spend our eternity with Him in perfect harmony and peace. For He will receive you, (just as He did me) when you receive what He has done to reconcile you back to Himself by faith in His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. For there is no other way to know God (John 14:6) nor receive His love for you (John 3:16), than to simply believe in the Lord Jesus Christ crucified and risen from the dead. And thus no other way to have lasting peace (John 14:27) or assurance in this life, other than to know that one belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ (John 10:27-20).  The Overseer and Shepherd of God's flock who not only secures each and every one of us for eternity, but also watches over and cares for each and every one of us here and now who believes.
If you have not yet made that heart felt decision to receive the Lord Jesus Christ and just what He has done to save you (and me) from God's wrath that will come on those who do not believe, than please by all means do so now. By a simple prayer of faith (which is really just a confession to God that one believes in Jesus as testified to in the Scriptures (see Rom 10:9-10, 13), you can receive remission of all your sins and everlasting life.
Therefore if you believe simply pray something like this:
Dear Lord Jesus I believe that you were crucified for my sins remission, and that you were buried, and that three days later You rose again from the dead. Than forty days later you ascended back to God the Father, so that by doing so, You can both forgive me and heal me by Your Spirit whom You poured out into the world, who indwells everyone who believes in You bringing new and everlasting life the moment I believe in You. Therefore Lord Jesus I want You to come into me and do for me what neither I nor anyone else can do, and that is restore my soul back to God (Rev. 3:20). Therefore I now invite You Lord Jesus Christ into my heart and life to be my Lord and Savior, forever amen.



Word Studies
servants: household servants, or a personal servant, generally a servant (or a slave) who lived within their masters home and was lawfully bound under his/her authority. See Luke 16:13; Acts 10:7; Rom 4:14; 1 Peter 2:18 for N.T. usages (STR 3610; GK 3860; LN 46.5).
Compare δοῦλος slave/servant (STR 1400, 1401; GK 1528; TDNT 2.261; TDNTA 182; LN 87.76) 127x

submissive: be in subjection to, be obedient towards (STR 5293; GK 5718; TDNT 8.39; LN 36.18; 37.31) 40x
 
fear: fear as a state of terror; an occasion for, or source of fear; to regard someone or something with reverence (STR 5401; GK 5832; TDNT 9.189; LN 25.251; 25.254; 53.59) 47x


Scripture Citations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982

 

1 Peter 2:13-16

^13 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, ^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. ^15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— ^16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. ^17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

Devotional

 The Apostle Peter having exhorted us to have our conduct honorable amongst the Gentiles, i.e. everyone who is outside of the house of faith, now tells us how to practically do that. Previously Peters exhortation was to abstain from fleshly lusts; here it is to submit to all God given authority on earth; that is every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, for as the Bible teaches, when one does so they show themselves submissive to the Lord (consider Rom 13:1-7). And thus we are to submit to every ordinance of man whether to the king as supreme, i.e. a nations ruler, or to the governor, i.e. a regional representative of his, as those who are sent by him for the punishment (lit. vengeance upon) evildoers, that is those who defy his ordinances, while being sent for the praise of those who do good. Thus the parallel between submitting to God's Authority and mans is rather obvious as both carry the same results, for the praise to one who does good, and punishment to the other who does evil. Therefore people who claim to follow Jesus Christ yet live in open rebellion and or hostility to clear and obvious decrees given by ruling authorities; that are for the benefit of us all; are not only hindrances to peace in the societies in which they dwell. But if professing believers, they are very poor representatives of the true King and what He requires of us all. For if Satan has one clear trademark it is that of a rebel. If you want to see him at work in mankind then watch and see those who neither receive instruction nor regard correction, but are consciously and continually defiant towards every sound decree and just ordinance, whether originating from God or man. Like the untamable sea, they only to stir up trouble and strife wherever they are (consider Isaiah 57:20-21).
Again there are ordinances of man given by lawful authority for us all to obey. And that is what Jesus wants of us all, because it honors God and is irrefutable by man. Whether traffic signals and cross walk signs, (given for the protection of both driver and pedestrian) or handicap parking zones that are specifically set aside for those who are handicapped or disabled. For these help ease the burden of the disabled and elderly and thus are honoring to God (consider Lev 19:32; Prov 29:7; Isaiah 11:4). But they are not given for yours nor my shopping or waiting convenience!
And so there are numerous other lawful ordinances of man that are good and sound and are to be obeyed by us all who believe. "For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— ^16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. ^17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king."

Therefore as Peter says in verse sixteen we are free, free from our sins, by the power of Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection (Rom 1:16-17). As well we are free and or freed from every form of religious servitude that mankind loves to heap up on themselves and others in trying to earn God's favor (consider Col 2:20-23). And so we are free to love and grow and experience life in all its fullness, by being led by the Spirit of God and not the lusts of the flesh (Gal 5:16-24). For our liberty purchased for us by Jesus is not to be a cloak for vice. But rather we as former captives to sin and Satan, but now set free, are to live and love like freed people who truly know Him, and thus who serve God and their fellow man abundantly and joyfully in all the fullness of His Son's life and His Holy Spirit's gifts and power. Thus we are to honor all people, that is give do regard to all, showing neither partiality to one or to the other because of race, gender, age or nationality. But rather treat all people as being created in the image of God. Love the brotherhood, that is all brethren, regardless of how they came into the faith. For we who believe are all brethren, i.e. family and thus we are all beloved by God the Father and Jesus Christ the Lord, and so we are to love each other as He loves us. Fear God because this is the beginning of all wisdom (Prov. 1:7; 9:10) from which comes all peace, prosperity and safety (consider Prov 10:27; 14:26; 19:23; 22:4; Ecc 7:16-18; 1 Samuel 12:14-15, 24-25; Isaiah 45:7; 48:18 etc.).


Scripture Quotation
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982

1 Peter 2:11-12

11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 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.

Commentary
The Apostle Peter begins with a plead for us, as sojourners and pilgrims, to abstain (lit. hold oneself off) from fleshly lusts which war against the soul. While the word Peter uses here to describe us as sojourners is the same word translated strangers in Eph 2:13, where the Apostle Paul says of us Gentiles who believe that we are "no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God." Thus in contrast to our being sojourners in this world, we are not strangers to God's household of faith where our heart and home truly is. The other word Peter uses here and is translated pilgrims is also a derivative word of the word translated foreigners in Eph 2:13. Thus all share a common linguistic pedigree. That all said lets not loose the important message in the exhortation given here for us. Which is for us all to abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul. Now what is being commanded here is not the abstinence of natural sexual desires given by God to be exercised in the context of heterosexual marriage. Rather Peter is warning us not to be ruled by them, whether through the unlawful use of them (consider John 8:34-35) or by the over indulgence of them. For when awakened and yielded too outside of a lawful marriage and or self controlled context they truly bring, and will leave all kinds of sorrows and ruin in their wake (consider Gal 5:16-26 and the contrast of the works of the flesh compared with the works of the Spirit and thus our need to be led by the Spirit of God and not the lusts of the flesh). Therefore Peter is not condemning the healthy exercise of God given sexual desires within a heterosexual marriage (Heb 13:4). For to unnecessarily abstain from those things would only be to give the Satan the tempter a foothold in ones own, or ones spouses life (see 1 Cor 7:2-5).
Therefore the lusts of the flesh that we are to abstain from are those sinful fleshly lusts and impulses that everyone struggles against (to a lessor or greater degree) because of their sin nature, and or their submitting themselves to them. Thus those lusts of the flesh and bodily appetites which the world promotes and justifies and unregenerate person lives for and pursues. What the Apostle Peter elsewhere says is "the corruption that is in the world through lust" 1 Peter 1:4 (same word translated lust there). Therefore we are to abstain from those lusts of the flesh which enslave one and will lead to ones own destruction and ruin in the end (consider Matt 5:29-30; Mark 9:42-48). For we who believe in Jesus must learn to be led by the Spirit of God and not the sinful desires of the flesh, but rather resist these (1 Cor 10:13). For in doing so we become liberated to pursue those things that are wrapped up in the purposes of God, and thus that have heaven as there finial destiny, and will end with our being rewarded at Christ's judgment seat as faithful stewards then, but also point to Jesus Christs life within us here and now. And thus bring life, peace and prosperity in all it's fullness to us and to all here who likewise believe and obey the truth (Eph 5:9). For to live by the "lusts of the flesh" as the world does, is only to live as one who does not know God, nor the power of His salvation to transform a life and bring it out of sins darkness and into His glorious and liberating light. Therefore in having our conduct honorable amongst the Gentiles, as the Apostle Peter commands here, amongst those who are outside of the household of faith. So that even if they speak against us as evildoers, they may, by our good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation (vs. 12). That is in the Day of God 's visitation, whether for salvation for those who having observed Christian good works and behavior came to their senses and repented and believed, or eternal destruction and ruin to those who did not (consider Luke 1:68, 78; 19:41-44, vs. 44). For that is a purpose of our lives to bring glory to God and this we do when we abstain from fleshly lusts and rather choose to do what is good and right in the sight of God. 

 

Scripture Quotations

The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982

Word Studies
abstain: ἀπέχω, Str 567; GK 600; LN 85.16
sojourners: πάροικος, Str 3941; GK 4230; LN 11.77
pilgrims: παρεπίδημος, Str 3927; GK 4215; TDNT 2.64; TDNTA 49; LN 11.77
visitation: ἐπισκοπή, Str 1984; GK 2175; TDNT 2.606; TDNTA; LN 34.51