1 peter 2.....follow his steps
We can outline the material as follows:
Verses 1-3 Spiritual progress Two main thoughts...giving up and growing up.
Verses 4-10 Spiritual priesthood Again in two parts, a holy priesthood, and a royal priesthood.
Verses 11-25 Spiritual pilgrimage Integrity of walk and patience in suffering
Verses 1-3 Wherefore...” Always throws us back to what has gone before, and how illuminating is this! Elect of God the Father, preserved by God the Holy Spirit, and covered by the blood of God the Son, destined for future glory, purified in our souls, born again of incorruptible seed, and given eternal life. Now live out what you are!
What we are to give up- verse 1 “..laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings...” These are incompatible with the new life. The word for “laying aside” is apotithemi which suggests a complete separation from them and is variously translated “put off”, “cast out”, and occurs in Romans 13 v12 “casting aside the works of darkness” and in Ephesians 4 v22 and Colossians 3 v8 in the sense of putting off or discarding old clothes unfit for public appearance. Note the repetition of “all” meaning that every form of these evils is to be cast off. All malice, this is ill-will toward any person, bearing grudges, seeking their downfall, always wanting to put them down, always opposing. All guile, this is deception, operating on a hidden agenda, secret manipulation of people or events (interesting that the word “sincere” used for the milk of the word is literally “without guile”, there is no deception or hidden agenda in God’s word), guile is the tool of the devil (Genesis 3 v1). All hypocrisies, that is spiritual acting, proclaiming to be something we are not, saying one thing doing another, all show no substance. All envies, lustful desires for what others have, either of possessions or abilities or status. All evil speakings, slanders, false accusations, defaming, exaggeration of faults. Every form of these is to be discarded from our lives and fully cast away.
How we are to grow verses 2-3 “ As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby, if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious”. Instead of perpetuating the old ways we are to see ourselves as newborn babes, and he means “just-born”, fresh from the womb. There is nothing malicious or evil about a babe just born, rather do they depend utterly on the life-giving milk. This natural metaphor depicts what the Christian should be, not questioning the one who feeds him or her, but gladly and earnestly accepting the milk. “Desire” is earnestly desire and anyone who has fed a new born knows just how strong that is. This is to be the way to growth in spiritual life. The A.V. masks the true force of this...most of the later versions translate “that you may grow up into salvation” or “grow up in salvation” and these would seem to enhance what is here. Christianity begins with new birth and continues to grow, the catalyst to growth being the “sincere milk of the word”. In other scriptures the word is described as “meat” and this is for adults so ongoing growth is assumed. The word of God is the very seed by which we were born, now the newborn can grow up into the full understanding of his salvation. Salvation as presented in scripture has a past present and future element and constant growth is envisaged. The means of growth whether of milk or meat is the incorruptible and sincere word of God which is eternal. The word is able to feed the babes as well as the mature. All this assumes of course that his audience have already tasted that the Lord is gracious. This leads on to a whole new aspect of Christian development.
Verses 4-10 Spiritual priesthood 4-8 a) an holy priesthood
First we must note the link between verses 3 &4. Oftentimes, in our haste to reach the “juicy” parts, we miss out on the connecting words which are revealing. Verse 3 “...ye have tasted that the Lord is good”, Verse 4 “To whom coming...”. Peter continues the food metaphor, that if we taste something good, then naturally we want more, so having tasted already we will come and come again, for our continued growth depends not only on the written word but also on the Living Word. Every part of scripture draws us to the One who is our Saviour as our sustenance and our leader. His words to the disciples should be ringing in our ears “Apart from me ye can do nothing!” These inviting words “to whom coming” are these an echo of Peter’s words in John 6 v68? “Lord to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life” We came for salvation, we are to keep on coming.
Worship then witness, this is always the order, we go in to worship and we come out to witness, and these are the twin truths from now to the end of the letter. First we must understand our relation to Christ as the Living Stone. No doubt Peter has in mind his first meeting with the Lord as recorded in John 1 v42 “Thou art Simon the son of Jona, thou shalt be called Cephas which being interpretation a stone”. This must have intrigued Peter for the old testament revealed Christ as the “stone” a strange metaphor yet one which spoke of Him as the reliable foundation for the faith of God’s people. These verses contain truth vital to us today. They view our corporate rather than our individual standing. Christ is the living stone, we are living stones, we are part of a spiritual house, in which we are all priests, offering up to God sacrifices which are acceptable to Him. The meaning of these things are enormous; Christ the living stone is a bible wide subject progressively unfolded in Genesis 49 v24; Psalm 118 vv21-22; Isaiah 8 v14-15; 28 v16; Daniel 2 vv34-35 and v45; Zechariah 3 v9, and is quoted by Paul in Romans 9 v33 to substantiate the permanent fall of some in Israel. The stone is a title of Messiah and presents Him as dependable, as chosen of God, as extremely valuable and as the ultimate instrument of judgment in the future. We stand or fall by our attitude to Him. God has made it clear that the stone which is the foundation and the cornerstone and the headstone of the great temple of worship, is elect by Him and precious. In this context in Matthew 21 v44 Jesus said “And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken, but on whomsoever it will fall it will grind him to powder”. The difference between the believer and the unbeliever could not be more marked than it is here. To the believer His is “precious” (or alternatively “is imputed the preciousness”), to the unbeliever He is “a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence”. The unbeliever will perish in their disobedience, the believer will have the promises fulfilled.
We are also living stones, not bricks and mortar but a living entity, a vast community of saints in communal worship as holy priests, occupied in worship to God in an acceptable way for He must be worshipped acceptably. This corresponds to Romans 15 v16 in relation to the Gentiles “..that I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost”. Paul to the Gentiles, Peter to the Jews, and the result? Global worship! This is our first and foremost occupation.
Verses 9-10 b) a royal priesthood
Not now to offer up Godward, but to “shew forth” manward. Our priestly role does not cease when we come out in public, we are priests continually wherever we are, we represent God to the people in witness in whatever sphere we are. Indeed the rest of the letter is all about our public decorum as we serve the Lord in the midst of a pagan society. Our testimony to them is not merely by our preaching to them, but also by our living before them, and by far this is the most effective.
All these descriptions of the global community of saints.....”Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people”...are taken from the old testament as applied to Israel. They are now applied to the saints of the present day which includes many from Israel and also from the Gentiles, and Peter is applying these terms to the faithful Jews who have accepted Jesus as Lord. We must avoid errant interpretations of this in that the church is not replacement Israel, nor is it continuity Israel, rather is it complimentary to Israel. Indeed God will use the predominantly Gentile church to woo Israel back to Himself (Romans 11). The structure of these verses are very powerful and says “this is what you are....therefore this is how we must live”. These titles of the community of saints are taken from Exodus 6 v7; 19 v5-6; Deuteronomy 7 v6; and others like Psalm 33 v12 and Isaiah 60 v21 and they are now God’s declaration of what we are now to Him:
“a chosen generation....” Chosen before the world was created (Ephesians 1 v3); chosen before we were born (Jeremiah 1 v5, Psalm 139 v16, Galatians 1 v15); chosen not because we were greater than any others (Deuteronomy 7 v7); chosen only for reasons known to Himself (Deuteronomy 7 v8, Jeremiah 31 vv1-3); chosen from mainly the poor of this world (James 2 v5); chosen from the lower ranks of humanity...not many noble(highborn), not many wise (from academia, philosophy etc.), not many mighty (powerful-high ranking-ruling classes(1st Corinthians 1 v26); chosen from the foolish among men (considered so by the elite), from the weak things of the world (people of little influence and status); from the base things (those living sinful immoral lives), from the despised of men (those looked down upon by others), from the things that are not (the non entities-those that make up the numbers)—1st Corinthians 1 vv27-28. All this that we might bring to nothing the things that are. We are God’s elect.
“ a royal priesthood...” Israel was called to be “a kingdom of priests”. The offices of king and priest could only be merged on obedience to the law. Only in Christ was the law fulfilled and now these offices are combined as it says in Revelation 1 v6 “and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father”. The function of the priest is to provide access to God on behalf of men; the function of the king is to impose authority on men on behalf of God. The merging of these two functions can only be satisfactorily done by one who is acceptable to God and man, and who can combine both functions in perfect balance. This brings great responsibility on all of us as we are to be sympathetic to men and faithful to God. We are to conduct ourselves in a regal way with our fellow men since we are the royalty of heaven and as such we function in a way commensurate with our status. Members of the royal family are taught royal protocol so as to maintain regal standards for the monarchy they represent. This involves public appearance, mode of speech, and sympathetic concern for the needs of the people. Peter expresses this in spiritual terms as “..shewing forth the praises( virtues or excellencies) of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvellous light.” We represent God to the people and we reflect to them the light of heaven, and we do it by lives that proclaim the excellence of the Majesty of our God. This involves all of us in this great work of priesthood every day that we live, and wherever we go. We are the royal family of heaven.
“an holy nation...” Again thinking of the corporate whole using the word “nation” to describe us, he reminds us that in service for God “holiness becomes the house”, those fitted to serve must maintain themselves in a way befitting the light we have been given. God is holy and so must we who represent Him. If in the royal priesthood we are to display His virtues, in the holy nation we are to display His holiness. Also as a “nation” we are under His authority, we live by His statutes.
“a peculiar people...” Literally a people for God’s possession, an elite people, a privileged people, a people blessed of the Lord. This aspect is seen in the scriptures in Exodus 6 v7; Exodus 19 v5 “..a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people for all the earth is mine.”; Deuteronomy 7 v6 “..a special people unto Me above all people that are on the face of the earth..”; 2nd Samuel 7 v23 “And what one nation on the earth is like thy people, even like Israel..”; also 1st Chronicles 17 v21/Psalm 33 v12/Isaiah 60 v21. Paul uses a similar picture in Titus 3 v14 “...a peculiar(special) people zealous of good works. In short we are to remember “whose we are and whom we serve”. We are His precious possession.
Next he reminds them what they were and what they now are: “..not a people, now the people of God; which had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy”. This is a quotation from Hosea chapters 1&2 where the context is of Israel’s unfaithfulness to God on a consistent and deliberate fashion “..the land hath committed great whoredom in departing from the Lord” and “..ye are not my people and I will not be your God” but the promise was to them of restored relationship and mercy. Peter refers often to our former state to remind us of what He has done for us (chapter 1 v14 “..not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance; chapter 1 v18 “redeemed from your vain manner of life”; chapter 2 v10 “..in time past not a people”; chapter 2 v25 “ye were as sheep going astray...”; chapter 4 v3 “..for the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles...”. It is only as we compare what we were with what we now are we properly value our salvation.
Verses 11-25 Spiritual pilgrimage 11-12 This brings to mind the wilderness journey of Israel when they were without a land (strangers), and travelling towards a new land (pilgrims). Strangers away from home, pilgrims going home. The name “Eber”(Genesis 10 v21 and 11 vv14-16), from which Hebrew (see Genesis 14 v13), means “passing through”, they were sojourners in a strange land. This is the position of the Christian today, we don’t belong here, we are passing through, we are journeying on. In our journey we represent God in all that He is and so our manner of life should reflect that. He addresses them as “Dearly beloved”, a term of endearment which all the apostles used, and we should too. He beseeches, rather than imposes, as some of the situations may be costly and dangerous. As such we are to be clean within ourselves “abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul”. The nature of the new life will be one of conflict within to overcome the natural and sometimes sinful cravings. These powerful inward forces will trouble us and we need to fight them by abstinence. Paul said in Romans 14 v14 “Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh...”. Remove yourself from it, put it away, cut off the supply route, and enjoy the Lord, thus bringing the war within to an end.
Also we are to act godly toward the outside world, even when they misjudge us. We are to render good for evil, something that will ultimately bring glory to God, who will bring all things to right in what he calls “the day of visitation”.
13-17 Subjection to all in authority and honour to all
Living as strangers in this world we are expected to live as those who are called of God. This will involve submission to the demands of authorities at different levels, since God has placed them there for the good order of society. Note the greatest reason of all “..for the Lord’s sake”. All we do reflects on Him, the decision to act in a certain way in a given situation should be for His approval; ”..to the king as supreme(or prime minister or president) or unto governors as unto them that are sent by him”. To the supreme power and his emissaries we are to submit, and not just sometimes, but to “,,every ordinance of man..”. Today these might include traffic laws, local by-laws, payment of taxes, public order demands. There are however limitations and Peter makes this clear; submission to them is when these ordinances are “..for the punishment of them that do evil, and the praise of them that do well”. Where these are for the general public good, Christians are to be exemplary citizens, and this testimony will please the Lord and pacify men. What they cannot accept of our doctrine they will acknowledge of our well doing. Peter, himself made the difference between loyalty to the Lord and submission to authority in Acts 4 v19 when he refused to obey the edict of the elders not to preach. In all other matters we are to submit.
There is also the manner to consider, for the Lord has freed us from the dominion of men, but the day of restitution is not yet and we are not be arrogant in our approach; “..as free and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God”. When we have occasion to refuse their demands due to the call of higher authority, we do not secretly hold ill will toward them but humbly submit to the Lord. Our public decorum is made clear in unmistakeably simple terms; Honour all men(people); love the brotherhood; fear God; honour the king”. These cover all people in the world, all believers in the family of God, the highest authorities in heaven and earth. What a different world it would be if all observed that!
Verses 18-20 Submission to earthly masters
This was imposed in a time of slavery when many employers were not believers and not all masters were reasonable. How much more is this incumbent on us in easier times. They ruled using fear of loss of benefit and status, and in many ways they do so today. Reward is based on performance and this controls the behaviour of servants. We are to revere them for their position and also for their provision of welfare. Grandmother says “don’t bite the hand that feeds you!!”, scripture agrees (although it probably came the opposite way). They may not always be nice or reasonable people but we are to fear them. Even when we “suffer wrongfully” we are to be patient, for conscience toward God dictates we submit to them. God is assessing every situation and He is well pleased if we remain calm.
Verses 21-25 Our calling, the supreme example of Christ
Living in this world for God is difficult at times and can become nigh on impossible, so how should we cope, and the answer is always in Christ....how did He cope? How did He act and react in difficult times. Peter places this as part of our calling; he uses this term “called” several times in his writings. It means “summoned” in the sense of a call from a4 superior. This calling is an honour and it brings responsibility: chapter 1 v15 called by the Holy one; chapter 2 v9 called out of darkness into marvellous light; chapter 2 v21 called to suffer as Christ; chapter 3 v9 called to a compassionate lifestyle; chapter 5 v10 called to eternal glory; 2nd Peter 1 v3 called by glory and excellence. Here our calling is to follow in the steps of our Saviour, who is the greatest example of all. The remaining verses focus on His example of patience under suffering.
Quoting from Isaiah 53 “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth..” this under intense mental provocation and bodily suffering. This translation is from the Septuagint version of Isaiah 53 v9...the rendering of the Hebrew is “because He had done no violence, neither was deceit found in His mouth”. He was not guilty of desiring vengeance on His tormentors, He did not retaliate, and this is made clear in verse 23...”who when He was reviled, reviled not again, when He suffered He threatened not, but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously”. This in relation to His sufferings from men.
In verses 24-25 we have His sufferings from God because of our sins and it says “..who His self bare our sins in His body on the tree...” He bore it all in His body impaled on a cruel tree. He took the rejection and abuse of men and He took the wrath of God for sins, and He did it all patiently and without retort and without complaint. He did all this for us that we “..being dead to sins should live unto righteousness “by whose stripes ye were healed”. No greater example than “the shepherd and bishop of our souls” who gave Himself without reserve to bring us back to God.
We can outline the material as follows:
Verses 1-3 Spiritual progress Two main thoughts...giving up and growing up.
Verses 4-10 Spiritual priesthood Again in two parts, a holy priesthood, and a royal priesthood.
Verses 11-25 Spiritual pilgrimage Integrity of walk and patience in suffering
Verses 1-3 Wherefore...” Always throws us back to what has gone before, and how illuminating is this! Elect of God the Father, preserved by God the Holy Spirit, and covered by the blood of God the Son, destined for future glory, purified in our souls, born again of incorruptible seed, and given eternal life. Now live out what you are!
What we are to give up- verse 1 “..laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings...” These are incompatible with the new life. The word for “laying aside” is apotithemi which suggests a complete separation from them and is variously translated “put off”, “cast out”, and occurs in Romans 13 v12 “casting aside the works of darkness” and in Ephesians 4 v22 and Colossians 3 v8 in the sense of putting off or discarding old clothes unfit for public appearance. Note the repetition of “all” meaning that every form of these evils is to be cast off. All malice, this is ill-will toward any person, bearing grudges, seeking their downfall, always wanting to put them down, always opposing. All guile, this is deception, operating on a hidden agenda, secret manipulation of people or events (interesting that the word “sincere” used for the milk of the word is literally “without guile”, there is no deception or hidden agenda in God’s word), guile is the tool of the devil (Genesis 3 v1). All hypocrisies, that is spiritual acting, proclaiming to be something we are not, saying one thing doing another, all show no substance. All envies, lustful desires for what others have, either of possessions or abilities or status. All evil speakings, slanders, false accusations, defaming, exaggeration of faults. Every form of these is to be discarded from our lives and fully cast away.
How we are to grow verses 2-3 “ As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby, if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious”. Instead of perpetuating the old ways we are to see ourselves as newborn babes, and he means “just-born”, fresh from the womb. There is nothing malicious or evil about a babe just born, rather do they depend utterly on the life-giving milk. This natural metaphor depicts what the Christian should be, not questioning the one who feeds him or her, but gladly and earnestly accepting the milk. “Desire” is earnestly desire and anyone who has fed a new born knows just how strong that is. This is to be the way to growth in spiritual life. The A.V. masks the true force of this...most of the later versions translate “that you may grow up into salvation” or “grow up in salvation” and these would seem to enhance what is here. Christianity begins with new birth and continues to grow, the catalyst to growth being the “sincere milk of the word”. In other scriptures the word is described as “meat” and this is for adults so ongoing growth is assumed. The word of God is the very seed by which we were born, now the newborn can grow up into the full understanding of his salvation. Salvation as presented in scripture has a past present and future element and constant growth is envisaged. The means of growth whether of milk or meat is the incorruptible and sincere word of God which is eternal. The word is able to feed the babes as well as the mature. All this assumes of course that his audience have already tasted that the Lord is gracious. This leads on to a whole new aspect of Christian development.
Verses 4-10 Spiritual priesthood 4-8 a) an holy priesthood
First we must note the link between verses 3 &4. Oftentimes, in our haste to reach the “juicy” parts, we miss out on the connecting words which are revealing. Verse 3 “...ye have tasted that the Lord is good”, Verse 4 “To whom coming...”. Peter continues the food metaphor, that if we taste something good, then naturally we want more, so having tasted already we will come and come again, for our continued growth depends not only on the written word but also on the Living Word. Every part of scripture draws us to the One who is our Saviour as our sustenance and our leader. His words to the disciples should be ringing in our ears “Apart from me ye can do nothing!” These inviting words “to whom coming” are these an echo of Peter’s words in John 6 v68? “Lord to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life” We came for salvation, we are to keep on coming.
Worship then witness, this is always the order, we go in to worship and we come out to witness, and these are the twin truths from now to the end of the letter. First we must understand our relation to Christ as the Living Stone. No doubt Peter has in mind his first meeting with the Lord as recorded in John 1 v42 “Thou art Simon the son of Jona, thou shalt be called Cephas which being interpretation a stone”. This must have intrigued Peter for the old testament revealed Christ as the “stone” a strange metaphor yet one which spoke of Him as the reliable foundation for the faith of God’s people. These verses contain truth vital to us today. They view our corporate rather than our individual standing. Christ is the living stone, we are living stones, we are part of a spiritual house, in which we are all priests, offering up to God sacrifices which are acceptable to Him. The meaning of these things are enormous; Christ the living stone is a bible wide subject progressively unfolded in Genesis 49 v24; Psalm 118 vv21-22; Isaiah 8 v14-15; 28 v16; Daniel 2 vv34-35 and v45; Zechariah 3 v9, and is quoted by Paul in Romans 9 v33 to substantiate the permanent fall of some in Israel. The stone is a title of Messiah and presents Him as dependable, as chosen of God, as extremely valuable and as the ultimate instrument of judgment in the future. We stand or fall by our attitude to Him. God has made it clear that the stone which is the foundation and the cornerstone and the headstone of the great temple of worship, is elect by Him and precious. In this context in Matthew 21 v44 Jesus said “And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken, but on whomsoever it will fall it will grind him to powder”. The difference between the believer and the unbeliever could not be more marked than it is here. To the believer His is “precious” (or alternatively “is imputed the preciousness”), to the unbeliever He is “a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence”. The unbeliever will perish in their disobedience, the believer will have the promises fulfilled.
We are also living stones, not bricks and mortar but a living entity, a vast community of saints in communal worship as holy priests, occupied in worship to God in an acceptable way for He must be worshipped acceptably. This corresponds to Romans 15 v16 in relation to the Gentiles “..that I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost”. Paul to the Gentiles, Peter to the Jews, and the result? Global worship! This is our first and foremost occupation.
Verses 9-10 b) a royal priesthood
Not now to offer up Godward, but to “shew forth” manward. Our priestly role does not cease when we come out in public, we are priests continually wherever we are, we represent God to the people in witness in whatever sphere we are. Indeed the rest of the letter is all about our public decorum as we serve the Lord in the midst of a pagan society. Our testimony to them is not merely by our preaching to them, but also by our living before them, and by far this is the most effective.
All these descriptions of the global community of saints.....”Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people”...are taken from the old testament as applied to Israel. They are now applied to the saints of the present day which includes many from Israel and also from the Gentiles, and Peter is applying these terms to the faithful Jews who have accepted Jesus as Lord. We must avoid errant interpretations of this in that the church is not replacement Israel, nor is it continuity Israel, rather is it complimentary to Israel. Indeed God will use the predominantly Gentile church to woo Israel back to Himself (Romans 11). The structure of these verses are very powerful and says “this is what you are....therefore this is how we must live”. These titles of the community of saints are taken from Exodus 6 v7; 19 v5-6; Deuteronomy 7 v6; and others like Psalm 33 v12 and Isaiah 60 v21 and they are now God’s declaration of what we are now to Him:
“a chosen generation....” Chosen before the world was created (Ephesians 1 v3); chosen before we were born (Jeremiah 1 v5, Psalm 139 v16, Galatians 1 v15); chosen not because we were greater than any others (Deuteronomy 7 v7); chosen only for reasons known to Himself (Deuteronomy 7 v8, Jeremiah 31 vv1-3); chosen from mainly the poor of this world (James 2 v5); chosen from the lower ranks of humanity...not many noble(highborn), not many wise (from academia, philosophy etc.), not many mighty (powerful-high ranking-ruling classes(1st Corinthians 1 v26); chosen from the foolish among men (considered so by the elite), from the weak things of the world (people of little influence and status); from the base things (those living sinful immoral lives), from the despised of men (those looked down upon by others), from the things that are not (the non entities-those that make up the numbers)—1st Corinthians 1 vv27-28. All this that we might bring to nothing the things that are. We are God’s elect.
“ a royal priesthood...” Israel was called to be “a kingdom of priests”. The offices of king and priest could only be merged on obedience to the law. Only in Christ was the law fulfilled and now these offices are combined as it says in Revelation 1 v6 “and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father”. The function of the priest is to provide access to God on behalf of men; the function of the king is to impose authority on men on behalf of God. The merging of these two functions can only be satisfactorily done by one who is acceptable to God and man, and who can combine both functions in perfect balance. This brings great responsibility on all of us as we are to be sympathetic to men and faithful to God. We are to conduct ourselves in a regal way with our fellow men since we are the royalty of heaven and as such we function in a way commensurate with our status. Members of the royal family are taught royal protocol so as to maintain regal standards for the monarchy they represent. This involves public appearance, mode of speech, and sympathetic concern for the needs of the people. Peter expresses this in spiritual terms as “..shewing forth the praises( virtues or excellencies) of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvellous light.” We represent God to the people and we reflect to them the light of heaven, and we do it by lives that proclaim the excellence of the Majesty of our God. This involves all of us in this great work of priesthood every day that we live, and wherever we go. We are the royal family of heaven.
“an holy nation...” Again thinking of the corporate whole using the word “nation” to describe us, he reminds us that in service for God “holiness becomes the house”, those fitted to serve must maintain themselves in a way befitting the light we have been given. God is holy and so must we who represent Him. If in the royal priesthood we are to display His virtues, in the holy nation we are to display His holiness. Also as a “nation” we are under His authority, we live by His statutes.
“a peculiar people...” Literally a people for God’s possession, an elite people, a privileged people, a people blessed of the Lord. This aspect is seen in the scriptures in Exodus 6 v7; Exodus 19 v5 “..a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people for all the earth is mine.”; Deuteronomy 7 v6 “..a special people unto Me above all people that are on the face of the earth..”; 2nd Samuel 7 v23 “And what one nation on the earth is like thy people, even like Israel..”; also 1st Chronicles 17 v21/Psalm 33 v12/Isaiah 60 v21. Paul uses a similar picture in Titus 3 v14 “...a peculiar(special) people zealous of good works. In short we are to remember “whose we are and whom we serve”. We are His precious possession.
Next he reminds them what they were and what they now are: “..not a people, now the people of God; which had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy”. This is a quotation from Hosea chapters 1&2 where the context is of Israel’s unfaithfulness to God on a consistent and deliberate fashion “..the land hath committed great whoredom in departing from the Lord” and “..ye are not my people and I will not be your God” but the promise was to them of restored relationship and mercy. Peter refers often to our former state to remind us of what He has done for us (chapter 1 v14 “..not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance; chapter 1 v18 “redeemed from your vain manner of life”; chapter 2 v10 “..in time past not a people”; chapter 2 v25 “ye were as sheep going astray...”; chapter 4 v3 “..for the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles...”. It is only as we compare what we were with what we now are we properly value our salvation.
Verses 11-25 Spiritual pilgrimage 11-12 This brings to mind the wilderness journey of Israel when they were without a land (strangers), and travelling towards a new land (pilgrims). Strangers away from home, pilgrims going home. The name “Eber”(Genesis 10 v21 and 11 vv14-16), from which Hebrew (see Genesis 14 v13), means “passing through”, they were sojourners in a strange land. This is the position of the Christian today, we don’t belong here, we are passing through, we are journeying on. In our journey we represent God in all that He is and so our manner of life should reflect that. He addresses them as “Dearly beloved”, a term of endearment which all the apostles used, and we should too. He beseeches, rather than imposes, as some of the situations may be costly and dangerous. As such we are to be clean within ourselves “abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul”. The nature of the new life will be one of conflict within to overcome the natural and sometimes sinful cravings. These powerful inward forces will trouble us and we need to fight them by abstinence. Paul said in Romans 14 v14 “Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh...”. Remove yourself from it, put it away, cut off the supply route, and enjoy the Lord, thus bringing the war within to an end.
Also we are to act godly toward the outside world, even when they misjudge us. We are to render good for evil, something that will ultimately bring glory to God, who will bring all things to right in what he calls “the day of visitation”.
13-17 Subjection to all in authority and honour to all
Living as strangers in this world we are expected to live as those who are called of God. This will involve submission to the demands of authorities at different levels, since God has placed them there for the good order of society. Note the greatest reason of all “..for the Lord’s sake”. All we do reflects on Him, the decision to act in a certain way in a given situation should be for His approval; ”..to the king as supreme(or prime minister or president) or unto governors as unto them that are sent by him”. To the supreme power and his emissaries we are to submit, and not just sometimes, but to “,,every ordinance of man..”. Today these might include traffic laws, local by-laws, payment of taxes, public order demands. There are however limitations and Peter makes this clear; submission to them is when these ordinances are “..for the punishment of them that do evil, and the praise of them that do well”. Where these are for the general public good, Christians are to be exemplary citizens, and this testimony will please the Lord and pacify men. What they cannot accept of our doctrine they will acknowledge of our well doing. Peter, himself made the difference between loyalty to the Lord and submission to authority in Acts 4 v19 when he refused to obey the edict of the elders not to preach. In all other matters we are to submit.
There is also the manner to consider, for the Lord has freed us from the dominion of men, but the day of restitution is not yet and we are not be arrogant in our approach; “..as free and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God”. When we have occasion to refuse their demands due to the call of higher authority, we do not secretly hold ill will toward them but humbly submit to the Lord. Our public decorum is made clear in unmistakeably simple terms; Honour all men(people); love the brotherhood; fear God; honour the king”. These cover all people in the world, all believers in the family of God, the highest authorities in heaven and earth. What a different world it would be if all observed that!
Verses 18-20 Submission to earthly masters
This was imposed in a time of slavery when many employers were not believers and not all masters were reasonable. How much more is this incumbent on us in easier times. They ruled using fear of loss of benefit and status, and in many ways they do so today. Reward is based on performance and this controls the behaviour of servants. We are to revere them for their position and also for their provision of welfare. Grandmother says “don’t bite the hand that feeds you!!”, scripture agrees (although it probably came the opposite way). They may not always be nice or reasonable people but we are to fear them. Even when we “suffer wrongfully” we are to be patient, for conscience toward God dictates we submit to them. God is assessing every situation and He is well pleased if we remain calm.
Verses 21-25 Our calling, the supreme example of Christ
Living in this world for God is difficult at times and can become nigh on impossible, so how should we cope, and the answer is always in Christ....how did He cope? How did He act and react in difficult times. Peter places this as part of our calling; he uses this term “called” several times in his writings. It means “summoned” in the sense of a call from a4 superior. This calling is an honour and it brings responsibility: chapter 1 v15 called by the Holy one; chapter 2 v9 called out of darkness into marvellous light; chapter 2 v21 called to suffer as Christ; chapter 3 v9 called to a compassionate lifestyle; chapter 5 v10 called to eternal glory; 2nd Peter 1 v3 called by glory and excellence. Here our calling is to follow in the steps of our Saviour, who is the greatest example of all. The remaining verses focus on His example of patience under suffering.
Quoting from Isaiah 53 “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth..” this under intense mental provocation and bodily suffering. This translation is from the Septuagint version of Isaiah 53 v9...the rendering of the Hebrew is “because He had done no violence, neither was deceit found in His mouth”. He was not guilty of desiring vengeance on His tormentors, He did not retaliate, and this is made clear in verse 23...”who when He was reviled, reviled not again, when He suffered He threatened not, but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously”. This in relation to His sufferings from men.
In verses 24-25 we have His sufferings from God because of our sins and it says “..who His self bare our sins in His body on the tree...” He bore it all in His body impaled on a cruel tree. He took the rejection and abuse of men and He took the wrath of God for sins, and He did it all patiently and without retort and without complaint. He did all this for us that we “..being dead to sins should live unto righteousness “by whose stripes ye were healed”. No greater example than “the shepherd and bishop of our souls” who gave Himself without reserve to bring us back to God.
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