1 PETER—NOTE ON 1 PETER 4:1 SINCE THEREFORE CHRIST SUFFERED. Christ’s suffering again functions as a model for readers. WHOEVER HAS SUFFERED IN THE FLESH HAS CEASED FROM SIN. Two likely interpretations have been suggested: (1) This refers to the believer being dead to the power of sin, as a result o... [ Continue Reading ]
1 PETER—NOTE ON 1 PETER 4:6 THE GOSPEL WAS PREACHED EVEN TO THOSE WHO ARE DEAD. Some think that Peter offers a chance to accept Christ after death for those who rejected him while they were alive. This view contradicts both the clear teaching of Scripture (e.g., Luke 16:26; Hebrews 9:27) and the imm... [ Continue Reading ]
1 PETER—NOTE ON 1 PETER 4:7 THE END OF ALL THINGS IS AT HAND does not mean Peter expected Christ to return soon. It means all the major events in God’s great salvation plan were completed in the death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ and the outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost. Therefore Chr... [ Continue Reading ]
1 PETER—NOTE ON 1 PETER 4:8 LOVE COVERS A MULTITUDE OF SINS (Proverbs 10:12). Where love is present, offenses are forgiven. HOSPITALITY. See note on Heb. 13:2. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
1 PETER—NOTE ON 1 PETER 4:10 All believers have RECEIVED at least one spiritual GIFT from God. They must use these gifts faithfully as STEWARDS of God’s GRACE (see 1 Corinthians 12:1). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.lengt [ Continue Reading ]
1 PETER—NOTE ON 1 PETER 4:11 WHOEVER SPEAKS... WHOEVER SERVES. Peter divides spiritual gifts generally into speaking and serving gifts (for more detailed lists, see Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 12:8, 1 Corinthians 12:28; and Ephesians 4:11). Those who speak must not teach their own ideas but faithfull... [ Continue Reading ]
1 PETER—NOTE ON 1 PETER 4:12 Enduring Suffering. As the letter draws to a close, Peter reminds his readers that they should not be surprised when they suffer. God is using their suffering to purify the church. Therefore they should give themselves to God completely in their sufferings (1 Peter 4:12)... [ Continue Reading ]
1 PETER—NOTE ON 1 PETER 4:14 To be INSULTED because one belongs to Christ is to be BLESSED by God, BECAUSE in such times the SPIRIT OF GLORY, the Holy Spirit, RESTS UPON believers in an especially powerful way. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length... [ Continue Reading ]
1 PETER—NOTE ON 1 PETER 4:17 In the OT, HOUSEHOLD OF GOD (literally, “house of God”) refers to the temple. Now God’s people are his temple (see 1 Peter 2:4). “JUDGMENT beginning with God’s house” echoes Ezekiel 9:1 and Malachi 3:1, where the Lord purifies his people. Judgment here is not punishment.... [ Continue Reading ]
1 PETER—NOTE ON 1 PETER 4:19 This verse summarizes the message of 1 Peter 1:1. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]