Last time we concluded a section on submission to authority:
Submission to rulers
Submission to masters
Submission to husbands
Today’s passage deals with:
How we should behave and why 8-12
Encouragement to those who are suffering 13-17
Remember, Peter is writing to Christians who are being persecuted for their faith. The theme of the letter is:
Suffering now – maybe, future glory – certain.
1 Peter 3
8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling,
but on the contrary, bless for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
10 For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days,
let him keep 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 prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (Psalm 34)
13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?
14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,
15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy,
always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you;
yet do it with gentleness and respect,
16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.
How we should behave
8 Finally, all of you,
have
unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling,
but on the contrary, bless… (cf. beatitudes, Rom. 12)
Why we should behave in this way
…for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
You were called
– by the example and teaching of Christ
- by the encouragement of Scripture (Ps. 34 quoted in 10-12)
You …obtain a blessing
- love life and see good days 10
– the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer 12
Special encouragement for those who are suffering
13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?
14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,
15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy,
always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you;
yet do it with gentleness and respect,
16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.