To Be One in Christ: We Have Treasure in the Jars of Clay -- the Series of Explanation and Analysis of Scripture (17) - 4
The Explanation and Analysis of the Verses in Chapter 4 of 1 PETER
It is edited and compiled under the guidance of Holy Spirit. All thanks, praises and glories be to God!
(4) The attitude that the believers should have (4:1-6)
The previous verses encourage the believers with the sufferings of Christ, which pay attention to the accomplishments of the sufferings of Christ. As a result of His sufferings, not only He accomplished the salvation, but also He was exalted to the highest by God and received the authority in heaven and on earth. The verses here also encourage the believers with the sufferings of Christ, but pay attention to the encouragements for the believers to follow the attitude of the sufferings of Christ so that to overcome the sins and evils.
A. The attitude of sufferings is the weapon to resist the sins and evils (4:1)
1PETERS 4:1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin.
(NOTES)
“because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin”:
It is also translated as “for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;” (K.J.V.). This verse is not saying that the sufferings have the achievements to take away the sins; but it is saying that as a result of sufferings in the body, the association of us with the sins is ceased; the temptation power of the sins is ceased, and is prohibited in our body and can not continue.
(LIGHT OF WORDS)
(1) Since Christ suffered for us, we should suffer for Him. Since He set the example of suffering first, we should follow His example. To pay a debt of gratitude, we should suffer for Him; to follow His example, we also should suffer for Him. However, the real purpose that God allow us to suffer is to let us be away from the sins and evils.
(2) Since even Christ on earth suffered, and armed with this attitude, how much more we who are His disciples! Should not we suffer and arm ourselves with the same attitude? It is very easy for Christ not to suffer. He said: “Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? ” (Mat 26:53) However, He did not do it. Although He can refuse the bitter cup of the cross, He said: “Yet not as I will, but as you will.” (Mat 26:39). Thus, as to us who belong to Him because of His achievements of sufferings, how can we be the exceptions without the same attitude to do the will of God?
(3) Since Christ suffered “in his body”, it is obvious that His suffering is the same as us, which is in the body. Therefore, He can sympathize us (Heb 2:18; 4:15-16). He will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear. But when we are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that we can stand up under it (1Co 10:13).
Having suffered in his body refers to the sufferings of Christ on the cross. Since Christ has resisted sins to the point of shedding blood on the cross, there is no any other pains in men’s world that can make him fail.
(4) The attitude to suffer is the spiritual weapon to overcome all kinds of temptations from the devil. All the temptations of the devil include more or less the gradients to let the body enjoy and to escape from the sufferings. If we arm with the attitude to suffer, that will nullify the cunning schemes of the devil. For many times, the reason that we can not overcome the sufferings, is not because we do not have this power, but because we do not have the attitude to suffer. When the mind is shaken, one will feel the sufferings multiplied and hard to bear with.
(5) Those who suffered in the body will have deeper understanding on the pains caused by the sins and evils, and understand that sins and evils are the source of all kinds of pains. All pains are caused by the wickedness of sins.
(6) This verse has another meaning. That is, if we suffered in the body for the sins, we will be more willing to cease to sin, be away from sins and hate sins.
(7) Christ suffered in the body for us; he would rather suffer for the sins than enjoy in the body. Even if we suffer, we suffer for ourselves. Thus, should not we have the attitude that we would rather suffer than sin?
(8) Only with the attitude to suffer, we are able to deny ourselves and carry the cross to follow LORD, to live a sanctified life and do the will of God, and to really be one in Christ.
B. The attitude to suffer is the strength to do the will of God (4:2)
1PETERS 4:2 As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.
(NOTES)
This verse points out the reason that we can not do the will of God, is because of the evil human desires. The “evil human desires” refer to all kinds of sinful nature desires and selfish desires. The attitude to suffer enables us to overcome these desires and not to be controlled by them, so that to be able to do the will of God. Other letters also tell us that the sinful nature desires are contrary to the Spirit, and they are in conflict with each other, so that we do not do what we want (Gal 5:16-17; Rom 8:5-7). In this kind of “conflict”, we need to use our free willpower to choose God, but not the sinful nature desires. While the attitude to suffer is the factor that will let us choose the will of God instead of our own preference. Therefore, with such an attitude to suffer, we can end the “pendulum-type” spiritual life, so that not to live the rest of the earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.
“the rest of his earthly life ”; no matter how long our years on earth are, they are all “the rest of the earthly life ”. The attitude to suffer makes people put the hope in the eternity instead of having the permanent hope for everything in this life; also let people make best use of the rest of the limited time and work hard for the eternity.
C. The sanctified life of the believers will be slandered and persecuted by the corrupted worldly people (4:3-4)
1PETERS 4:3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do--living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.
(NOTES)
a. The situations in the past:
Here, the situations in the past are recalled that the believers not only did not have the attitude to suffer, but also lived in debauchery, lust, and all kinds of sins and evils. Every Christian should have this kind of attitude of having enough and being disgusted with the sinful life.
The sins mentioned in this verse can be divided into two groups:
One is debauchery; the other is idolatry:
However, the idolatry of the pagans, is closely related to “debauchery”, for many sins of idolatry gratify the sinful nature at the same time. Therefore, the Bible often mentions the sins of idolatry together with the sins of debauchery.
1PETERS 4:4 They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you.
(NOTES)
b. The changes now:
It is natural that the believers do not plunge with the pagans into the same flood of dissipation. This is a natural change of the Christians who are reborn. However, this kind of sanctified life which is set apart from the sins and evils, is often envied, hated, slandered and persecuted by the pagans. Since the believers believe in and convert to Christ, their lives change greatly and show good virtues. This will expose the sins and evils of those who still walk in the darkness; as the scandals are exposed by the light and make them feel shameful and detested, therefore, they will try to slander and persecute those Christians who have good virtues. Here, the purpose to explain why the believers are persecuted by the pagans, is to comfort the believers, so that they will know that it is normal that they change in life and have good testimonies, which proves that they are the believers who give out light and are pleasing to God.
“think it strange ”; This is the experience of many believers. When they do not live according to the old way, do not follow the disbelievers to sin, and do not wallow in the more with the worldly people, they will be considered strange by others. Here, the purpose to give the explanation to the believers is to show that those who are considered “strange” by others are not strange, but are normal. The believers should not be afraid of being considered strange by others, so that not to dare to resist the sins and evils; the believers must prepare for this psychologically so that to live a sanctified life.
D. Those who persecuted the believers will be judged (4:5-6)
1PETERS 4:5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
(NOTES)
“they” refer to those who persecuted the believers.
“they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead”:
In anther word, they must give account to God for their persecution on the believers. LORD Jesus said: “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. ” (Mat 12:36) Thus, those who slander the believers will certainly give account for their slanderous words.
Regarding giving account to God mentioned in the Bible, there are two kinds of people; one is the Christians including the servants of God (Rom 14:10-12; Heb 13:17; 2Co 5:10; 1Pe 4:17); the other is the disbelievers talked about here. This shows that this righteous LORD will give judgment and corresponding punishment to those who mistreat His children. These words are comforts to the believers who are slandered; for although the believers might experience the pains of unjust sufferings, God will give the righteous judgment eventually (Rom 12:19-20).
“who is ready to judge the living and the dead”:
LORD is the LORD who judges everyone; no matter the living or the dead, LORD is the judge of them (Mat 25:31-46; Mar 8:38; 13:33-37; Luk 12:35-36; Joh 5:22-27; Act 10:42; 17:31; Rom 2:16; 1Co 4:5; 2Ti 4:1).
1PETERS 4:6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.
(NOTES)
See also the explanation for verse (1Pe 3:19). The dead in this verse refer to “the spirits in prison” in (3:19) -- the people in the Old Testament, which is about the salvation of the people before the New Testament. As to those believers in the Old Testament before the salvation of Christ was given, their bodies were judged according to men, but their spirits live according to God. The accomplishments of the salvation from Jesus Christ let the believers in the Old Testament also be saved.
(5) The life that the believers should seek (4:7-11)
In this paragraph, the author instructs the believers to pursue a life to glorify God on everything. In fact, this should be the goal of the believers to walk on the spiritual journey. Here, three points are mentioned:
A. Be clear minded and self-controlled (4:7)
1PETERS 4:7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.
(NOTES)
“The end of all things is near”; this is the reason that the believers should be clear minded and self-controlled so that they can pray. “The end of all things is near”; that is, the day that everyone gives account to God is near. There are few days for the believers to suffer for the name of LORD, to be slandered and to bear with the pains of all kinds of unjust sufferings. Since this is the case, the believers should be clear minded and self-controlled.
Besides here, the Bible also mentions that the end of all things is near in many other places (Rom 13:12; Php 4:5; Jam 5:8; Rev 3:11; 22:7,20).
“near” shows that the destination is near. In the last part of the journey, one should have better performance and quicken one’s pace to catch up; and should not go astray and fall into the wrong way.
“near” is from the viewpoint of LORD (2Pe 3:8; Psa 90:4): “With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” Since the believers commune and come near to the living God and get to know the eternity more exactly, they feel more the shortness of this world.
B. Love each other deeply (4:8)
1PETERS 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
(NOTES)
“Above all”; this emphasizes the importance of loving each other deeply. In the previous verses (1:22; 2:17) in this book, the Bible persuades the believers to love each other deeply for more than once. Here, it is added with “Above all”, so that the believers will pay special attention to it and should not ignore it by considering it as the platitude such that to ignore its importance.
Since the end of all things is near, there are more confusions from the enemies; there are stronger forces to resist the words of the truth; and the circumstances of the believers are more difficult. Therefore, it is more important for the believers to love each other deeply.
Since to “love each other deeply” is not the nominal love, it should not be easy to get lost because of some frustrations. As to the love to each other of many believers, it is easily lost due to other’s negative reactions; such a love is not deep enough.
“because love covers over a multitude of sins”:
This is another strong reason that the believers should love each other deeply. This verse is not saying that love itself can take away the sins, nor is saying that if we love each other, God will forgive our sins; only the precious blood of Christ can take away the sins. Neither this verse is saying that one could cover the sins and evils because of the love of the brothers. It is saying that:
a. Love can keep one away from the sins and evils, so that one will not sin because of hatred and mercilessness. Love can make one not to care about others’ sins and deficits at all. Even through others have a deficit to ourselves, we will tolerate and forgive them because of love, and forget their faults.
b. Love can let us retrieve the fault of the brothers and turn them around from going astray, in case they commit more sins (Gal 6:1).
C. Offer hospitality to one another (4:9-11)
a. Offer hospitality without grumbling (4:9)
1PETERS 4:9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
(NOTES)
This verse provides some practical methods to instruct the believers how to love one another. To “offer hospitality to one another without grumbling” is the most practical method to love one another; this is of great importance to the believers at that time. It is because at that time, there were the servants of LORD who went out to preach, or the believers who scattered to different places due to the persecution; it is a very important work to entertain these people (Act 9:43; 16:15; 21:16; Rom 16:1-2; 1Co 9:4-14; 3Jo 5-8). Although this kind of “offering hospitality” seems to be only some work on the food and lodging, it is actually the big test on the love; not only it will increase the economic burden, but also when a stranger lives at home, there will be many differences in the living habits, which might cause all kinds of misunderstandings and conflicts such that they will “grumble” against each other. Therefore, here, the author persuades them not to grumble, no matter they are those who receive or who are received. In any case, this work of love to offer hospitality to one another is a very valuable work, and also a good chance to learn the love.
b. To serve others (4:10)
1PETERS 4:10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.
(NOTES)
“gift” in the Bible sometimes refers to the salvation (Rom 6:23). While here, it refers to the ability that God give to people, so that they can do the work that God want them to do (Rom 12:3-8; 1Co 1:7; 7:7; 12:4-14; 1Ti 4:14; 2Ti 1:6).
“faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms”:
This shows that the grace that everyone receives is different and incomplete. We get God's grace “in its various forms”. Therefore, we need to serve one another according to the grace we receive -- to serve and to be served. This is the purpose that God grant us the gifts. God do not give certain person the complete gifts; but let us have something that others do not have so that we are complementary to each other to be perfect. In this way, we will be trained on our love so that we feel that we need to live on each other.
“God's grace in its various forms”: the graces and gifts from God are “various”. In (Rom 12:3-8; 1Co 12:28-31; Eph 4:11), many different gifts are listed.
“faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms”:
It is also translated to be “as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. ” (K.J.V.).The church of God is the household of God (1Ti 3:15). All who have gifts are the “stewards”. Their duties are to serve the LORD, and to make this “household” prosperous according to the gifts with which God entrust them; furthermore, every steward must give account to the LORD (Luk 12:42-48; 1Co 4:1-5). Whether the steward will be rewarded or not is not up to what kind of gift he received, but is up to whether he used it according to the entrustment of God or not; or whether he used it for God, or for himself. It is known from here that “good stewards” should be:
i. those who do not bury and hide the gifts without using it (Mat 25:14-30).
ii. those who serve according to their own gift, and are faithful on their own positions without bothering others or despising others (see 1Co 12:31).
iii: those who use it for God, not for themselves (Luk 16:1-13).
iv: those who stand on the position of stewards, but not consider oneself as the master. No matter how great the accomplishment of the work is, he will admit that it is his duty and there is nothing to boast about (Luk 17:10), and always gives all the praises to God.
c. Glorify God in all things (4:11)
1PETERS 4:11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
(NOTES)
Note that this verse talks about those who preach together with those who serve. It is obvious that there is no such idea to think that there is any difference between those who preach and those who serve. On the contrary, they both receive the gifts of God. Here, what need to pay attention to is whether they use their gifts faithfully according to their duties or not. For examples: Does the one who preaches speak according to the very words of God? Does the one who serves do the work according to the strength that God give him? It is not to pay attention to what kind of gifts they receive. It is because whether it is successful or not, is up to whether we can use the gifts with which God entrust us or not.
“speaking the very words of God”:
That is to correctly handle the word of truth (2Ti 2:15). Preaching is not to express one’s own opinions; the success of the preacher is not up to his eloquence and his pleasant words that are interesting to listen to, but is up to correctly handle the word of truth. The evangelist should preach the messages entrusted by God, but not his own invented principles.
“If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides”:
This “strength” includes three aspects from the body, spirituality, and materials, making best of one’s strength according to the gifts of God to serve God and to serve the brothers. This verse can be extended to all other gifts; that is, one should make good use of the gift that he has.
“so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ”:
This is the purpose that God give the gifts. Why God give various gifts and let the believers serve one another? It is for the purpose to let God be praised through Jesus Christ. The believers should do everything to glorify God even including eating and drinking (1Co 10:31; Rom 1:21; 14:21; Act 12:23). It is proper to give all the praises to God, for “To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. ”
(6) Rejoice in suffering for LORD (4:12-19)
a. Do not take the sufferings too serious (4:12)
1PETERS 4:12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.
(NOTES)
Do not be surprised at the painful trial the believers suffered. It is because the evil world can not contain the godly Christians, just as the world at that time can not contain LORD Jesus. The good deeds of the believers often make the worldly people be blamed silently by their consciences, so that they feel upset. Therefore, the worldly people will oppose and persecute whenever they have the chance. Therefore, the believers should not expect that their good deeds will be welcomed by people; that is not the case. Although they will be respected and loved by a few earnest believers, those who oppose them won’t be a few.
“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering”:
“the painful trial” is also translated as “the fiery trial”(K.J.V.).Verse (1:7) has mentioned about the trial of the fire. Comparing the “fire” to the trial, it is to emphasize that the fierce of the trial is hard to be bore with. When LORD on earth, He compared the test of wind and stream to the test of the foundation, which is the test on whether the faith is genuine or fake; in (1Co 3:10-15), the test of fire is also mentioned, and that is the test on the quality of the “buildings”, regarding that the quality of our work will be revealed when LORD comes again. However, here, the fiery trial is about the test on refining the faith in this life, and is the suffering coming upon the believers in this life. These tests can make the believers know their real situation, so that to strengthen their faith after the tests and make their faith have more spiritual value. There is extremely big difference on the value of the ordinary scrap iron and the refined steel. In the like manner, the faith after the fiery trial will make the believers have noble usage in front of God.
On the other hand, God allow us to pass through the trials of fire; this is enough to show the good intention and attention of God to us. The trial of the fire is to remove the dross; this shows that God consider us valuable and worthy of being refined as gold, silver and the costly stone, in order to have noble usage.
“as though something strange were happening to you”:
This is to explain the meaning of the upper verse: “do not be surprised ”. Here, the apostle tells us not to look at the trials too seriously or surprisingly; we should know that: “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, ” (2Ti 3:12). This is a common situation, but not something surprising. In many cases, the reason that the believers fail, lose heart or are discouraged in the trials (Num 13:25-33; 14:26-35), is because the devil enlarges the sufferings in our mind and makes us think it too serious to overcome. As a result, the believers will be shaken before the trial comes; just as the ten spies of the Israelites, they exaggerated the valiance and fearfulness of the Canaanites so that the Israelites grumbled aloud and were disciplined by God, finally their bodies were scattered over the desert (Num 13:25-33; 14:26-35).
Therefore, the believers should not look at the coming sufferings “as though something strange were happening to you”, but should rely on LORD to be courageous and strong, in case they fall into the cunning scheme of the devil.
b. The sufferings now are for the joy in the future (4:13)
1PETERS 4:13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
(NOTES)
One should not be worried to suffer for the name of LORD, but should be joyful instead.
Why should one rejoice in the sufferings for LORD? It is because “you participate in the sufferings of Christ”. This verse shows that if we suffer for LORD, we will share in “the sufferings of Christ” (Rev 1:9); this is the great glory for us. Furthermore, LORD is with us when we are suffering (2Ti 4:17). As a result of participating in the sufferings of Christ, we will share the glory with Him in the eternal glory (1Pe 5:1; 2Ti 2:12-13).
“But rejoice ”:
Note that, here, the apostle reminds us that when the sufferings come upon us, firstly we should not ask the sufferings to be away from us, but should ask the change of our attitude towards the sufferings. “But rejoice ”; this is the attitude that we should have when the sufferings come. When we consider it joy and glory to suffer for LORD, “the sufferings” won’t be our heavy burden.
“so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed”:
The verse gives us the light, which is: the sufferings of the believers are only temporary, and there is a glorious time set before the believers -- “when his glory is revealed”. The sufferings now are the glories in the future; to escape from the sufferings is to escape from the glories. The suffering for LORD in this life is like the seed planted in the field, so that we can harvest glorious and joyful fruit in the future (Mat 5:12). Therefore, the appearance of Christ is our glorious hope. We should be willing to suffer for doing the will of God with this good hope, for Christ also suffered for the joy set before him (Heb 12:2); as a result, He was exalted to the highest (Php 2:9-11). Now we follow His steps, and in the future we will also share in His glory.
C. Those who suffer for LORD are blessed (4:14-16)
a. The blessed sufferings (4:14)
1PETERS 4:14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
(NOTES)
This verse is the same as the teachings of LORD in (Mat 5:11-12; 10:42). Note that: “the name of Christ” is the greatest value of our sufferings; it doesn’t matter whether the suffering is big or small, but it matters whether it is “because of the name of Christ” or not. If one suffers because of the faithfulness to Christ without grumbling, that is to glorify God, triumphing over the devil.
“for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you”:
This is the reason to be blessed for suffering the insults for the name of Christ. “the Spirit of glory” refers to the Holy Spirit. The Bible often uses different name to refer to one Spirit: the Spirit of truth (Joh 14:17; 15:26; 16:13), the Spirit of grace (Heb 10:29), the Spirit of wisdom and revelation (Eph 1:17), all of these refer to one Spirit, but not many different ones. Just as the Bible uses different names to call God and LORD Jesus, it is to let us know God from different aspects. As to the believers after the New Testament, the Spirit that we receive is the Spirit of Christ (Rom 8:9; Php 1:19; 1Pe 1:11).
Here, the Holy Spirit is especially referred as the Spirit of glory, which is related to the topic in the previous verses. It is to let the believers who suffer for LORD know that although they are insulted by men, the Spirit of the glorious God will dwell in them and be their glories (Psa 3:3; 89:17), and will prove that they should share in the glory with LORD and help them to glorify God in the sufferings.
b. The sufferings that they should not have (4:15)
1PETERS 4:15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.
(NOTES)
If the believers suffer for the name of Christ, they are certainly blessed. However, if they suffer for their own sins, or go beyond the duty of the Christians so that to provoke some unnecessary pains and persecutions, that is worthless. There are many worldly activities in this world; no matter on politics, economy or society, all contain the gradients of sins and evils. If the believers do not know their own spiritual responsibility in this world, or do something to offend others’ profits or rights so that to provoke the hatred and detestation from the worldly people and be insulted and persecuted by the worldly people, that will not be to glorify God.
c. The sufferings that should be taken as the glory (4:16)
1PETERS 4:16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
(NOTES)
This verse is actually to repeat verse 14. “Christian” are persecuted in many times (Act 11:26; 26:28). “that name” refers to the “Christian”. “but praise God that you bear that name”; that is, one should praise God that they are considered to be worthy of suffering as a Christian. When preaching the Gospel, the Christians often suffer, and we should consider it as blessing, for it is the suffering for the name of LORD.
In a word, the believers should suffer for the glory of God, but not for their own sins and evils, ignorance, or their own preference.
d. The judgment is to begin with the family of God (4:17-19)
1PETERS 4:17-18 For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"
(NOTES)
“it is time”:
This refers to the time of the judgment.
“for judgment to begin with the family of God”:
This verse shows another reason that the believers should suffer for the name of LORD. It is because God will judge everything, and the judgment is to start with the family of God:
a. Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.
“I thought in my heart, "God will bring to judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time for every deed."” (Ecc 3:17)
“For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” (Ecc 12:14)
“Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, ” (Heb 9:27)
“And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. ” (Rev 20:12-13)
b. There are many believers who think that the believers won’t be judged. It is clearly shown here that this is the completely wrong concept which is not in accordance to the Bible (Rom 14:10-12; Heb 13:17; 2Co 5:10). The believers are redeemed and their sins are forgiven by relying on the precious blood of Christ, also they receive the new life of the Spirit of Christ. This is for the purpose that we who are the incurable sinners can be reborn in Christ to become holy, to live a sanctified life by relying on Christ, to live the life of Christ, and to make every effort to be one in Christ. It is absolutely not a salvation to let us to live in sins at ease. On the contrary, by relying on the grace in Christ, the Christians should not only abide by the worldly laws, but also can abide by the laws far above the worldly laws (Mat chapters 5-7), in Christ loving God and loving others. And the life and conducts of the Christians must surpass the righteousness of the Pharisees. See also (Mat 5:20): “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved”, according to the righteousness of God, there certainly will not be any place for the ungodly and sinners who will go to the destruction to stand. Here, it is to comfort those believers in the sufferings with the punishment and pains from the judgment to the ungodly and the sinners, including those disbelievers at that time who persecuted the believers.
1PETERS 4:19 So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
(NOTES)
“So then”; this verse is the conclusion of the previous verses. Since God is the LORD to judge everyone, we should suffer according to the will of God, do good wholeheartedly even in the sufferings, and do the will of God faithfully; should not lose heart due to the difficulties, give up oneself as hopeless, follow the evil doers to do evils, or repay the evil with evils. We should commit ourselves to the faithful Creator and rely on His righteousness, cares and arrangements (see also Luk 23:46; Act 7:59).
Reference:
1. Zhongdao Chen: “The Lectures on the Bible Studying of the Letters in New Testament”.
