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
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
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