The Strand Study Bible

I PETER 3:22 - 4:15

2099

Written From Babylon (Rome)

ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 8 8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for 9 charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging. Spiritual gifts are to be used in order to minister to others 10 As every man hath received the 10 gift, even so 11 minister the same one to an- other, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If any man speak, let him speak as the 12 oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the 13 ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glori- fied through Jesus Christ, to whombe praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 12 Beloved, think it not strange con- cerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: The promise of CHRIST’S Second Coming (Fulfilled - Rev 19:11-21) 13 But 14 rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, 15 when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. P

1. Psa 110:1 & Mt 22:42-45 2. or, “the Christian” 3. II Cor 5:15 4. or, “wantonness; shameless conduct” – Rom 13:13 & II Pet 2:18 5. or, “Christ” - Jn 5:22 & Acts 10:42 & II Tim 4:8 & Heb 12:23 6. Fulfilled - Rev 20:11-15 (Great White Throne Judgment) 7. that is, “deceased Christians” - I Pet 3:19-20 8. Colo 3:14 9. or, “love” - Prov 10:12 & Jms 5:20 10. that is, “spiritual gift ” - Rom 12:6-8 & I Cor 12:8 11. Eph 4:11-12 12. or, “words” 13. Mt 25:15 & Rom 12:6 & I Cor 12:7-11 & Eph 4:11 14. or, “be blessed”- Lk 7:23 &Mt 5:10- 12 & Acts 5:41 & 26:2 15. Fulfilled - Rev 19:11-21 (Christ’s Second Coming) 16. Mt 5:11-12 & II Cor 12:10 17. Jere 37:15-16 & Heb 11:26 18. I Cor 5:9-13

22 1 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him. I Peter 4 We are to be like-minded for CHRIST’S sake Date Written - c. AD 65 1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for 2 he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 3 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in 4 lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: 4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you : The promise of a JUDGMENT DAY to come (Fulfilled - Rev 20:11-15) 5 Who shall give account to 5 him that is ready to 6 JUDGE the quick and the dead. P 6 For for this cause was the gospel preached also 7 to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. 7 But the end of all things is at hand: be

14 If 16 ye be 17 reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye ; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 15 18 But let none of you suffer as a 4:1 Peter encourages the Christian to view suffering in the same manner ( with the same mind ) that Jesus viewed it –as a means to obedience. The author of Hebrews said of Jesus in Hebrews 5:8: Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; When it comes to suffering, Christians who learn to arm themselves with the “mind of Christ” sin less ( for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin ). According to Peter (I Pet 1:7), the reason trials are “ much more precious than gold that perishes ” is because trials (sufferings), when reacted to properly, cause sin to lose its power over our lives and leads us to focus on the truly important things in life (the eternal perspective - II Cor 4:18 ). The Pulpit Commentary notes: If, when we are called to suffer, we offer up our sufferings to Christ who suffered for us, and unite our sufferings with his by faith in him, then those sufferings, thus sanctified, destroy the power of sin, and make us cease from sin. 1 Do you want to sin less? Then Peter’s advice, as well as James’ (Jms 1:2-4), is for us to suffer more, and to learn from Jesus’ example. Hebrews 12:2 says: Jesus viewed suffering as a means to obedience, and both Peter and Paul (Phil 2:5-8) beg us to do the same. If you’re suffering today, be it physically, financially, spiritually, socially, or even mentally, God begs you to let your sufferings humble you and lead you to obey Him more than you ever have, for suffering borne in faith frees us from the power of sin and shields us from the attacks of Satan. Paul said in Ephesians 6:11,16: Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil…Above all, taking the shield of faith , wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. Don’t let the world define suffering for you. Suffering in the flesh is not, as the world counts it, a pure and unadulterated evil. According to God, it is a deep blessing, if it produces humility and obedience. 1 The Pulpit Commentary (Vol 22). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. 1950. Print. Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross , despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.