This week’s section from 1st Peter is quite long and I won’t be able to unpack the entire text in the sermon however the following commentary and questions should help you get a feel for what the Apostle Peter wants us to know and how he want us to live.
4:1 for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin: The perfect tense of the verb emphasizes a permanent eternal condition free from sin. Thus Peter is saying that the “worst” thing that can happen is that we will get killed which is really not that bad because then we won’t have to worry about sin anymore. This reality also takes away the “greatest” threat that violent people can hold over us- namely the fear of death (See also Matthew 10:28, Romans 7:5-18, 1 Corinthians 1:21, 1 Corinthians 15:42-49).
Q: In what ways does the threat of death effect your behavior? In what ways does accepting the reality of death free us to live boldly?
4:4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery (dissipation), and they malign you. “Debauchery” or “Dissipation” refers to the state of brokenness in which a person runs around getting lost in their sinful behavior .
Q: Why would a Christian’s change in lifestyle be so upsetting to non-Christian neighbors or family? In what ways has your faith in Jesus Christ caused you to change your lifestyle? In what ways have you felt antagonized because your obedience to God’s will has meant that you had to “go against the flow”?
4:5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. This the verb “give account” also means “to pay back.” People who who make life difficult for believers..because they are believers … are amassing a debt to God which they will spend all eternity paying back (See also Matthew 18:23; Matthew 12:36; Romans 14:11-12; Hebrews 4:13, Revelation 20:11-15; Romans 3:19; 2 Thessalonians 1:6–10).
Q: How does the reality of a future judgement effect your willingness to love, serve, and bless those who verbally or physically attack the body of Christ? Consider the people in your life who have the most contempt/disregard for your faith in Jesus Christ- What are some practical ways that you can give a testimony to God’s mercy by relating to them with greater gentleness, respect, and love? What would that gentleness, respect, and love look like?
4:6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead. Peter is referring to those members of the churches who are now dead physically but alive in some spiritual way awaiting a new resurrected body on the day of judgement (See also Hebrews 12:23).
4:7 the end of all things. The Greek word for “end” means a consummation, a goal achieved, a result attained, fulfillment, or a realization. (1 Peter 1:3; 1 Peter 2:12; Romans 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; James 5:7-8; Revelation 22:20).
4:7 therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. A mind that is caught in an emotional roller coaster will be one that is out of control in a way that can inhibit people from knowing the fullness of communion that they can have with God in prayer (See also 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; 1 Corinthians 4:1-5; 2 Corinthians 5:9-10; 1 John 3:3).
Q: Read Psalm 37 and Psalm 46. In what ways does the command to be still before God’s sovereign control over all things offer you a challenge and a comfort in the midst of your trials?
4:8 fervent love. “Fervent” means “to be stretched,” “to be strained.” It is used of a athlete who is using all their muscles straining and stretching them to the limit (See also 1 Corinthians 13:4-7; Philippians 2:1-4).
Q: In what ways have your fallen in to a spiritual stupor or laziness?In what ways do you feel called to stretch your “spiritual muscles” to God’s glory by reaching out to the least and the lost?
4:8 “love will cover a multitude of sins.” Quoted from Proverbs 10:12. This means that Christians should overlook sins done against them whenever possible, and always be ready to forgive insults and unkindnesses. (see also Luke 6:37; Colossians 3:12-14) This teaching does not mean that Christians should ignore the the behavior of a church member who is teaching lies about God or living as an unrepentant sinner (Matthew 18:15-18; Galatians 1:6-10, 1 Corinthians 5).
4:9 Be hospitable to one another. The Bible also teaches that Christians should be hospitable to strangers (Exodus 22:21; Deuteronomy 14:28-29; Luke 14, Matthew 25:34-46, Hebrews 13:1-2).
Q: In what ways has God been hospitable to you?
4:10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace. Spiritual gifts are meant to be used to benefit others in the church (1 Corinthians 12:7-13).
Q. What do you see as your spiritual gifts? What gifts have others identified in you? In what ways are you exercising stewardship of your gifts for the benefit of your brothers and sisters in Christ?
4:11 in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Glorifying God through Christ is the goal of everything. (See also Romans 11:33-36; Ephesians 3:21; 2 Timothy 4:18; 2 Peter 3:18; Revelation 1:6)
Q: In what ways do your priorities in life glorify God in Christ? John Piper has written an interesting reflection entitled We Want You to Be a Christian Hedonist! His message is summed up with the phrase: God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him. Read this short article by clicking HERE. In what ways do you think that a greater emphasis on glorifying God might free us up to serve others in Jesus’ name?
4:12 the fiery trial. Peter explains that four attitudes are a part of being faithful in the midst of hardship:
When it comes to suffering:
1) expect it (1 Peter 4:12)
2) rejoice in it (1 Peter 4:13-14)
3) evaluate its cause (1 Peter 4:15-18)
4) entrust it to God (1 Peter 4:19)
Q. What false assumptions does Peter set straight in verse 12? How often are you surprised at the trials of life?
4:13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. The Christian who is persecuted for having faith in Jesus Christ is joined to Christ (Matthew 5:10-12; Matthew 24:30; 25:31; Luke 6:22; Luke 17:30 Galatians 6:17; Philippians 1:29; Philippians 3:10; Colossians 1:24).
Q. In what ways can suffering change a person’s life for the better? In what ways does this way of joining in the mission of Christ scare you? Encourage you?
4:15 But let none of you suffer …. as a meddler. Peter is probably dealing here with meddling in matters that would lead to persecution, such as getting involved in revolutionary activity. As a general rule, a Christian is to do their work faithfully, honor Jesus Christ, and live a quiet virtuous life. (See also 1 Peter 2:13-16; 1 Thessalonians 4:11; 2 Thessalonians 3:11; 1 Timothy 2:1–3).
Please check out a fascinating (and controversial) article from a 1999 edition of Christianity Today written by noted Church historian Mark Noll entitled: Was the Revolutionary War Justified? This article attempts to answer the following question: Considering the biblical injunction to submit to civil government (Romans 13:1 and 1 Peter 2:13-14), were Christian colonists justified in participating in the Revolutionary War? He begins his answer with the following assertion: Only one population in the colonies clearly was justified by classical Christian reasoning in taking up arms to defend itself—the half-million or so enslaved African Americans who were held in bondage as the result of armed attacks upon peaceful noncombatants. I had ancestors who were Christian Revolutionary Patriots who fought in the Colonial Army against the British..my grandmother was an active member of the DAR and she would not have approved of this article but you can still read it by clicking HERE.
4:17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?. As good parents discipline their children for good, so God disciplines us for our good. (See also Hebrews 12, 1 Peter 1:6-9).
4:19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. “Entrust” was a banking term meaning “to deposit for safe keeping.”
Q. Peter tells us what we should do during times of suffering. When you are going through an intense struggle, what is it like for you to”commit” yourself to your “faithful Creator”? What is your greatest fear in those times? What is your greatest hope in those times?
