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Day 354: 1 Peter 1-5
Chapter 1
Peter salutes all the Christian strangers (1 Pet 1:1-2). Thank God for Him for giving us Himself (1 Pet 1:3-5). Rejoice, because our faith is stronger than anything - gold melts in a fire but our faith doesn't (1 Pet 1:6-7).
Faith without proof is what every Christian should strive to achieve:
1 Peter 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
Only such faith can give us Salvation (1 Pet 1:9). That salvation has been foretold by the prophets (1 Pet 1:10-11). Basically, the prophets were told stuff not for the benefit of their and their contemporaries, but for our benefit now:
1 Peter 1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
Be sober (1 Pet 1:13), be obedient (1 Pet 1:14), and be holy (1 Pet 1:15).
We have to do so because the Scripture says so (and we've already established that we have to be obedient):
1 Peter 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
God will judge us according to our works (1 Pet 1:17). Christians were not redeemed with perishable stuff such as gold but with the only thing of True Value™: the precious blood of Jesus (1 Pet 1:18-19).
Jesus was planned from the beginning of time, but did not show up until these last times which we've been living in for the past 2000 years:
1 Peter 1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
True Christians™ have purified their hearts (1 Pet 1:21-22) and being born again are perfect and incorruptible:
1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Because everything in the world passes except for the Word of God (1 Peter 1:24-25).
Chapter 2
True Christians™ are innocent as newborns, sucking the milk of Jesus (His Word, that is):
1 Peter 2:1-2
1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
And Jesus tastes so good:
1 Peter 2:3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
When He comes, He's like a living stone:
1 Peter 2:4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
We True Christians™ are like bricks used by Jesus to build a spiritual house (1 Pet 2:5). For the obedient ones, the building is stable (1 Pet 2:6), but the obedient ones will stumble away from the building (1 Pet 2:7-8).
Don't worry, though; you, Peter's readers, are a chosen generation:
1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
Since the Bible is timeless, that means that for the past 2000 years we had one chosen generation after another. That really makes us feel special, doesn't it?
Those who lived before Jesus were doomed; people living now can feel God's mercy (1 Pet 2:10).
We as True Christians™ have to behave well (1 Pet 2:11). To those who think we're evil we have to prove wrong through our works (1 Pet 2:12).
Obey the secular law, as it is always sent be God - yes, even under president Obama:
1 Peter 2:13-14
13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
If we're good citizens, that will shut up the unbelievers (1 Pet 2:15). We are free to chose to be obedient servants of God and follow His commandments (1 Pet 2:17).
One of the most important things - slavery is good:
1 Peter 2:18-19
18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. 19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
Suffering for doing good deeds, now, that's how a True Christian™ should live his life:
1 Peter 2:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
That's because Jesus suffered for us without being guilty (1 Pet 2:21-23). We were Saved™ through His suffering (1 Pet 2:24-25).
Chapter 3
Just as slavery is part of the natural social order, so is gender inequality:
1 Peter 3:1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
Women need to be chaste and modest (1 Pet 3:2-3), because the true beauty is on the inside (1 Pet 3:4). Even in the olden times women knew they were inferior (1 Pet 3:5-6).
Men need to remember that women are the weaker vessel:
1 Peter 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
Love each other and have compassion (1 Pet 3:8). Give away blessings instead of evil deeds (1 Pet 3:9-11). God loves the righteous but despises the evildoers:
1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
When suffering persecution, we should be happy and thank God (1 Pet 3:13-15). That should make the evildoers feel bad about themselves (1 Pet 3:16). The point is, again, that it is better to suffer for doing something good than for doing something bad:
1 Peter 3:17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
Just as Jesus suffered for us (1 Pet 3:18-19). Nevertheless, most of humanity is doomed and only a handful will be saved - like the eight souls during the Flood (1 Pet 3:20). Just as the Noah's ark, now the baptism saves us, while Jesus sits on the right side of God and the angels bow before Him (1 Pet 3:21-22).
Chapter 4
Jesus really, really, really suffered for us (1 Pet 4:1), so now it;s the time to abandon sin (1 Pet 4:2-3), even if your old friends think you're being weird (1 Pet 4:4). You're not weird - it really is OK to preach the Gospel to the dead (1 Pet 4:5-6).
The End is as near now as it was 2000 years ago:
1 Peter 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
Charity is good and so is hospitality (1 Pet 4:8-9). Different True Christians™ received different gifts - prophesying, ministering - and in Jesus' flock there's place for everyone (1 Pet 4:10-11).
Again: be happy to suffer because Jesus has suffered for you (1 Pet 4:12-14). Just remember not to suffer for doing bad things - do not do bad things (1 Pet 4:15). Be proud of your True Christian™ suffering:
1 Pet 4:16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
Just think that if this is how the righteous suffer, how much greater will be the suffering of the evildoers! God has some fantastic tortures devised for them (1 Pet 4:17-19).
Chapter 5
Peter evokes his authority as someone who actually knew Jesus to order the elders, who should be in charge of keeping Jesus flock in good shape until He returns (1 Pet 5:1-4). Likewise, the young ones need to obey the elders (1 Pet 5:5). Be humble and place your hope in Jesus (1 Pet 5:6-7). Behave well (1 Pet 5:8-9). Jesus will give you strength to withstand all of the pain and suffering (1 Pet 5:10). Glory to Him (1 Pet 5:11).
The letter ends with customary greetings from old buddies (1 Pet 5:12-13). Peter wants everybody to kiss (1 Pet 5:14).
Peter salutes all the Christian strangers (1 Pet 1:1-2). Thank God for Him for giving us Himself (1 Pet 1:3-5). Rejoice, because our faith is stronger than anything - gold melts in a fire but our faith doesn't (1 Pet 1:6-7).
Faith without proof is what every Christian should strive to achieve:
1 Peter 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
Only such faith can give us Salvation (1 Pet 1:9). That salvation has been foretold by the prophets (1 Pet 1:10-11). Basically, the prophets were told stuff not for the benefit of their and their contemporaries, but for our benefit now:
1 Peter 1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
Be sober (1 Pet 1:13), be obedient (1 Pet 1:14), and be holy (1 Pet 1:15).
We have to do so because the Scripture says so (and we've already established that we have to be obedient):
1 Peter 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
God will judge us according to our works (1 Pet 1:17). Christians were not redeemed with perishable stuff such as gold but with the only thing of True Value™: the precious blood of Jesus (1 Pet 1:18-19).
Jesus was planned from the beginning of time, but did not show up until these last times which we've been living in for the past 2000 years:
1 Peter 1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
True Christians™ have purified their hearts (1 Pet 1:21-22) and being born again are perfect and incorruptible:
1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Because everything in the world passes except for the Word of God (1 Peter 1:24-25).
Chapter 2
True Christians™ are innocent as newborns, sucking the milk of Jesus (His Word, that is):
1 Peter 2:1-2
1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
And Jesus tastes so good:
1 Peter 2:3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
When He comes, He's like a living stone:
1 Peter 2:4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
We True Christians™ are like bricks used by Jesus to build a spiritual house (1 Pet 2:5). For the obedient ones, the building is stable (1 Pet 2:6), but the obedient ones will stumble away from the building (1 Pet 2:7-8).
Don't worry, though; you, Peter's readers, are a chosen generation:
1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
Since the Bible is timeless, that means that for the past 2000 years we had one chosen generation after another. That really makes us feel special, doesn't it?
Those who lived before Jesus were doomed; people living now can feel God's mercy (1 Pet 2:10).
We as True Christians™ have to behave well (1 Pet 2:11). To those who think we're evil we have to prove wrong through our works (1 Pet 2:12).
Obey the secular law, as it is always sent be God - yes, even under president Obama:
1 Peter 2:13-14
13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
If we're good citizens, that will shut up the unbelievers (1 Pet 2:15). We are free to chose to be obedient servants of God and follow His commandments (1 Pet 2:17).
One of the most important things - slavery is good:
1 Peter 2:18-19
18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. 19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
Suffering for doing good deeds, now, that's how a True Christian™ should live his life:
1 Peter 2:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
That's because Jesus suffered for us without being guilty (1 Pet 2:21-23). We were Saved™ through His suffering (1 Pet 2:24-25).
Chapter 3
Just as slavery is part of the natural social order, so is gender inequality:
1 Peter 3:1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
Women need to be chaste and modest (1 Pet 3:2-3), because the true beauty is on the inside (1 Pet 3:4). Even in the olden times women knew they were inferior (1 Pet 3:5-6).
Men need to remember that women are the weaker vessel:
1 Peter 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
Love each other and have compassion (1 Pet 3:8). Give away blessings instead of evil deeds (1 Pet 3:9-11). God loves the righteous but despises the evildoers:
1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
When suffering persecution, we should be happy and thank God (1 Pet 3:13-15). That should make the evildoers feel bad about themselves (1 Pet 3:16). The point is, again, that it is better to suffer for doing something good than for doing something bad:
1 Peter 3:17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
Just as Jesus suffered for us (1 Pet 3:18-19). Nevertheless, most of humanity is doomed and only a handful will be saved - like the eight souls during the Flood (1 Pet 3:20). Just as the Noah's ark, now the baptism saves us, while Jesus sits on the right side of God and the angels bow before Him (1 Pet 3:21-22).
Chapter 4
Jesus really, really, really suffered for us (1 Pet 4:1), so now it;s the time to abandon sin (1 Pet 4:2-3), even if your old friends think you're being weird (1 Pet 4:4). You're not weird - it really is OK to preach the Gospel to the dead (1 Pet 4:5-6).
The End is as near now as it was 2000 years ago:
1 Peter 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
Charity is good and so is hospitality (1 Pet 4:8-9). Different True Christians™ received different gifts - prophesying, ministering - and in Jesus' flock there's place for everyone (1 Pet 4:10-11).
Again: be happy to suffer because Jesus has suffered for you (1 Pet 4:12-14). Just remember not to suffer for doing bad things - do not do bad things (1 Pet 4:15). Be proud of your True Christian™ suffering:
1 Pet 4:16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
Just think that if this is how the righteous suffer, how much greater will be the suffering of the evildoers! God has some fantastic tortures devised for them (1 Pet 4:17-19).
Chapter 5
Peter evokes his authority as someone who actually knew Jesus to order the elders, who should be in charge of keeping Jesus flock in good shape until He returns (1 Pet 5:1-4). Likewise, the young ones need to obey the elders (1 Pet 5:5). Be humble and place your hope in Jesus (1 Pet 5:6-7). Behave well (1 Pet 5:8-9). Jesus will give you strength to withstand all of the pain and suffering (1 Pet 5:10). Glory to Him (1 Pet 5:11).
The letter ends with customary greetings from old buddies (1 Pet 5:12-13). Peter wants everybody to kiss (1 Pet 5:14).