To Be One in Christ: We Have Treasure in the Jars of Clay -- the Series of Explanation and Analysis of Scripture (17) - 2 - part II
The Explanation and Analysis of the Verses in Chapter 2 of 1 PETER
It is edited and compiled under the guidance of Holy Spirit. All thanks, praises and glories be to God!
3. The duties of the believers in this world (2:11-3:12)
The previous verses talk about the position and honor of the believers in font of God, and the responsibilities and duties of the believers should have toward God. These are about the relationships between the believers and God. While this paragraph is about the relationship between the believers and other people, including the nation, the society and the family and so on. One can also refer to the teachings of LORD and the similar teachings in Ephesians and Colossians; all of them are the teachings from the Holy Spirit on the principles of the believers to live a life on earth:
(1) The believers should abstain from sinful desires, live good lives, and show good deeds among those who do not believe (2:11-12)
These two verses instruct the believers how to glorify God among the pagans. The “pagans” refer to the outsiders of the church, who do not believe in LORD. This call is originally used by the Jews to call all the foreigners; however, it is apparent that the apostles borrowed this name to call all who do not believe. Here, it points out that what is most important for the believers to the pagans is to glorify God among them.
A. The believers should abstain from sinful desires (2:11)
1 PETERS 2:11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.
(NOTES)
The “sinful desires” refer to our old natures in Adam, which is called the sinful nature (Gal 5:17-24). The so called sinful desires or sinful nature are not only limited by the sins and evils on the sexual impurity and immorality, but also include all the sins and evils in (Gal 5:19-21). Here, it exhorts the believers to “abstain from sinful desires”. It is because after Adam sinned, the desires of the mankind often go beyond the normal practice and can not be self-controlled, but can only do according to the preference of the sinful nature and the mind (Eph 2:3). However, since the believers should have the law of the Spirit of life in their minds (Rom 8:2), and they are “a royal priesthood, a holy nation”, they will certainly not act according to their own preference.
Here, in the exhortations, the apostle brings up the convincing reason to illustrate why the believers should abstain their sinful desires; it is because we are “aliens and strangers ”. Anyone who is as an alien and stranger should pay attention to their food and drink, and daily life, in case that they will get sick in the journey and hinder their journey. The purpose of the travelers is to get to the destination, but not feel attach to the journey. In chapter 1 of this book, it has been mentioned that the believers are the aliens and strangers; here, it repeatedly shows that the attitude of the believers towards life should be like the aliens and strangers, and wait for the eternal home country.
“abstain” shows that the sinful desires should not be gratified, but should be constrained. It is the “war against your soul”, so that our soul will obey it, but will not obey the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:16-17). The method for us to “abstain” the sinful desires is to live in accordance with the Spirit, but not the sinful nature (Rom 8:5-6). To stand on the side of the Holy Spirit, but not the sinful nature: “do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” (Rom 13:14). This is another way to “abstain” the sinful nature. What many people think about everyday is only to “think about” the sinful desires and how to gratify them. However, the Christians should think about how to clothe themselves with Christ without giving any chance to the sinful nature.
b. Live a good lives (2:12)
1 PETERS 2:12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
(NOTES)
On one hand, one need to abstain from the sinful nature; on the other hand, one should live a good life.
“Live such good lives ”, it is also translated as “Conduct yourselves properly (honorably, righteously) ” (A.M.P.).
“Live such good lives among the pagans ”. This is not saying that among the brothers one does not need to live a good life, but is saying that one should be especially careful among the pagans. It is because every act of the believers among the pagans has significant concern with the glory of God. Also, the pagans care about our conducts a lot; since they live in sins, they will find excuses in the believers. Therefore, if the conducts of the believers are not “good”, not only they can not glorify God (Mat 5:16), but also they will give the chance to the pagans to accuse and slander them. This verse also implies that among the believers, if they see there is any wrong doings, they should not be like the pagans to take it as a cause to gossip and slander the brothers; but should exhort others according to the love of LORD. On the contrary, if one talks about the weakness of the brothers in front of the outsiders to get the favorable impression from the outsiders, that will bring disgrace to LORD even more.
Note that: “(you) among the pagans ”; this apparently divides the people according to two standpoints as the believers and the nonbelievers respectively. Therefore, the believers should not only have good conducts themselves, they should also encourage other brothers to live a good life, and should not destroy the good testimonies of others, for we stand on the same position to give testimonies to Gospel.
“though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and ”. Here, the apostle tells us the best way to overcome the slanders of others, which is not to argue with the mouth, but to use a solid and good testimonies so that the slanderous people have nothing to say, even their slanderous words can’t win the trust from others.
“good deeds” are not the hypocritical deeds, but are true good deeds, so that to let others “see” and give glories to God. All the fake good deeds, can only deceive others temporarily, but will betray the truth at last. Those who “see” the good deeds of the believers, are those who originally want to “accuse ” the believers, and have prejudice or deliberately oppose the believers. In this situation, if the believers do not have true good deeds, it will be difficult to change their prejudice, clear up their misunderstandings, or help to change their hostility by persuasion.
“on the day he visits us”:
It is also translated as “in the day of inspection when God shall look you ”. This means that: when the others accuse us of doing wrong, and we show the good deeds, God will look after us according to His time, to show the slanders of others are wrong or erroneous. Our testimonies will show to be “good” and nice so that others will give praises to God.
(2) Submission to rulers and masters (2:13-17)
This paragraph instructs the believers to be the law-abiding people. The “Gospel” leads to the revolution in the morality, but not the political revolution. However, the innovation on the morality of the people will affect the nation. In the previous verses, since the apostle talks about that the believers will be the people in heaven, they should show the good virtues and conducts of the heavenly citizen. Here, the apostle instructs the believers in the nations on earth, how to be a good citizen.
A. Submission to rulers (2:13-14)
1 PETERS 2:13 Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority,
(NOTES)
“for the Lord's sake ”; this is the biggest reason to submit to the authorities. This means that:
a. For the sake of following the example of LORD, the believers should submit to the government; it is because when LORD Jesus was on earth, he submitted to the government (Mat 17:27), turned in the tax according to the requirements of the government (Joh 18:11), and admitted the authority of Pilate (Joh 19:11).
b. For the sake of the glory of LORD, or for the name of LORD won’t be affected and others won’t have the excuse to accuse them, the believers should submit to the government. However, this submission draws the boundary of the submission of the believers, which is the submission to the government in the condition of without being against one’s faith; otherwise, it won’t be “for the Lord's sake ”. The ancient saints did not submit blindly to the decrees of the government which are against the will of God. For examples: The midwives disobeyed the command of Pharaoh (Exo 1:15-17); the three friends of Daniel disobeyed Nebuchadnezza and refused to worship the image of gold (Dan 3:1-18); Daniel disobeyed the decree of King Darius to pray as he had done before (Dan 6:10); Peter and the other apostles disobeyed the strict orders and preached about Christ (Act 5:28-29).
“every authority instituted among men” :
It is also translated as “every human institution and authority” (A.M.P.). The institution is an established law or system, which is used to keep the fair interests and the order. To destroy these rules, is to destroy the public harmony and peace. The government is the institution to be responsible to execute and supervise the people to obey the laws; therefore, the believers should submit to the government (Rom 13:1).
1 PETERS 2:14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.
(NOTES)
This refers to the system at the time that the apostle wrote the letter. The government at that time is the autocracy by the kings, and is different from the democratic system nowadays. This does not show that the Bible agrees with this kind of system. It is because the Bible is not to agree or disagree with any political system, for it is not a book to discuss the politics at all. Only when exhorting the believers to submit to the government, the Bible mentions about the kings and officials existed at that time.
“to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right”:
It indicates that as to the exemplary citizen and the exemplary government, to submit to the government is the responsibility of the people; “to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right” is the responsibility of the government. The government should maintain the law, but not bully the average people, and violate the laws while executing the laws.
b. Doing good (2:15)
1 PETERS 2:15 For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.
(NOTES)
In this verse, narrowly speaking, “doing good ” refers to the submission to the government mentioned above and being a good citizen. Since the government should commend those who do right, to obey the government is also a way of “doing good”, which is in accordance to the will of God. God is willing to through the visible laws and regulations of the government on earth, let us learn to be law-abiding, so that to silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.
When Peter was writing this letter, the big persecution to the church for the first time by king Nero was approaching. At that time, the circumstance of the believers is difficult already, they were accused and convicted without any reason. The apostle reminded the believers repeatedly that they should not give any chance for others to accuse them and should be a law-abiding people in the nation.
C. Do not abuse the freedom (2:16)
1 PETERS 2:16 Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.
(NOTES)
This verse is very close to the teachings of (Gal 5:13). This means that we should not use the freedom as the excuse to cover one’s own sins and evils. The believers often misunderstand the freedom in Christ. Therefore, in the letters of the New Testament, the Bible instructs the believers for many times that the true freedom is not the freedom in sins and evils, but is the freedom in the category of the truth, and is the freedom to obey Christ and not to do harm to others.
“live as servants of God”:
This verse is close to (Rom 6:18-22). That is, we should be as the servants of God, and do things according to the will of God. Although the believers are redeemed by LORD to throw off the hindrance of the sins and evils and are not the slaves of sins any more. However, on the other hand, one should offer the body in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness (Rom 6:19). One was bound by the sins and evils before, but now one is bound in the truth. The false freedom is to be as the slaves of sins; the true freedom is to be as the servants of God. Therefore, to “live as servants of God” is the freedom in the truth, the freedom to follow God, the freedom of letting the Holy Spirit have freedom in our minds, and the freedom that must not indulge in the sinful nature.
D. Fear God (2:17)
1 PETERS 2:17 Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.
(NOTES)
This verse could be as a brief conclusion of the above verses, and draws a conclusion from 4 aspects about how should the believers treat others:
a. “Show proper respect to everyone”:
“everyone” includes the outsiders of the church; “Show proper respect to everyone”; this shows that everyone has something for us to respect, and we should treat others with the humility and politeness.
b. “Love the brotherhood of believers”:
refer to the brothers in LORD. The difference of the brothers from the outsiders lies in the spiritual relationship of “fellow countrymen” in LORD. Therefore, one should have especially cordial sense and should love the brothers.
c. “fear God”:
To fear God is the most basic attitude of the believers to serve God. To fear God will make us shun sins and evils, and make us dare not to act recklessly and at wills to the nation, to others and to ourselves.
d. “honor the king” :
The “king” represents the government. Here, “honor” does not only show the politeness and accept the authority , but also implies to admit the authorities of the governor and respect the decrees of the government .
In a word, the verses in these verses gives us the principle to obey the laws of the government:
a. should obey for the sake of LORD;
b. should obey for the will of God;
c. should obey to silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.
All these three principles are related to the glory of LORD and the testimonies . However, if the believers give up the faith to obey the law of the government , they won’t be able to meet with these three principles.
(3) How to treat the masters (2:18-25)
This paragraph talks about how the servant should do to deal with the master. Although it includes some history background at that time, the principles of truth can be applied to any times (1Co 7:20-24; 12:13; Gal 3:28; Eph 6:5-8; Col 3:11).
A. To treat the masters with all respect for the sake of God (2:18-20)
1 PETERS 2:18 Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.
(NOTES)
“Slaves”:
Since at that time, the slavery system was allowed in the society; therefore, some servants and slaves were bought actually. Here, the apostle does not discuss the slavery system at that time; but according to the real system that existed in the society at that time, the apostle uses this to teach the servants how to treat their masters. In the church at that time, there were both masters and slaves who believe in LORD, and they are brothers in the church without difference. Thus, some believers who are slaves forget their duty in the family and do not respect their masters as they should, as mentioned in (1Ti 6:2). The apostle often talks about the relationship between the masters and servants, and the duties of them respectively. The Christians who are maters and slaves should not treat each other unfairly for the sake of LORD. On the contrary, the master who believe in LORD should treat the slaves with more love; the servants who believe in LORD should be more loyal to the masters (Eph 6:5-9).
Nowadays, in the church, there are also the servants who believe in LORD make light of their duties to the maters as the servants because their masters are their brothers. They only ask the masters to have more love to them, but forget that they should be more loyal to the masters. Therefore, here, the apostle asks the believers to “submit yourselves to your masters with all respect”; that is, they submit to the masters because of the reverence for God. Here, “with all respect” is not to the masters, but to God. Although this verse is not so apparent, the previous verses and the following verses mention about to live with the reverence for God (1Pe 1:17; 3:3-4; 3:15). In the following verse, “For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God.” This further proves that “with all respect ” refers to the reverence to God. Such a reverence to God can make the believers who are the servants be faithful and loyal to their duties no matter what kind of masters they meet with.
“not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh”:
This sentence is not to allow the harsh masters to treat the servants badly, but standing on the position of the servants, to point out how a servant can fulfill his duty. That is, no matter how the LORD treat oneself, one will serve faithfully; but not to fulfill the duty until others fulfill their duty. On the other hand, it is the same principle for the masters; they should fulfill their duty of the master to the slaves, regardless of the performance of the slaves. We should not wait to see whether others will treat ourselves well or not to decide whether we should treat others with love or not. This is also the principle that the believers should keep in all the holy work in church.
“but also to those who are harsh”:
“harsh” refers to the character or the conducts of the master himself, but not refers to the things that the masters command the servants to do. In another word, although one should submit to the masters regardless of their characters, it is not saying that one should do whatever the master commands, even submit to do the harsh and unreasonable evil doings. To submit to the masters “with all respect” implies that the submission is within the category of the reverence for God.
1 PETERS 2:19 For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God.
(NOTES)
This verse illuminates that the submission in the previous verse is because he is conscious of God. This shows that what they submit to do must not be anything of sins and evils. Whoever bears with the pain of unjust sufferings is commendable. “The pain of unjust sufferings” is a pain coming from the misunderstanding of people and makes the one who endures it very painful. However, it is the advanced lesson in spirituality. How much strength the believers can endure the pain of unjust sufferings, represent how is their spirituality. Just as LORD Jesus bore with the pain of unjust sufferings, that shows how great His love, endurance, and forgiveness are. Here, the apostle asks those believers who are the servants in the pain of unjust sufferings to understand the pains that LORD bore with us.
This verse also shows that if the believers want to be worthy of God in everything, they will bear with the pain of unjust sufferings. We can not hope that the worldly people will give us the reasonable treatment all the time, for Christ on earth also was treated unfairly and unreasonably. Also, there are often unreasonable things occurred on earth; however, we need to be conscious of God always and keep a clear conscience. Thus, we can bear with the pain of unjust sufferings for LORD all the time.
1 PETERS 2:20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
(NOTES)
This verse actually complements the previous verse, and points out the value of sufferings of the believers is not on their sufferings for their own sins -- not the repayment for the sins -- but they should not suffer originally, while suffer for the sake of “doing good ”.
From the previous verses, “doing good” indicates that: as to the nation, one should be a law-abiding citizen; as to the family, one should be faithful to fulfill one’s duty; as to God, one should be reverent and do the will of God; as to others, one should love the neighbors as oneself. The so called “doing good” indicates to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Eph 2:10; 2Ti 3:17). It is because if one suffers for doing good and endures it, this is commendable before God.
“endure” has been mentioned twice in this verse; which represents two kinds of different endurance: one is to “receive a beating ” for their own sins -- endure the discipline of God, and there is nothing to boast about this endurance. The other endurance is to endure suffering for doing good, and this is valuable. Note that, it is not to suffer for doing good “is commendable before God”, but is to “endure” “is commendable before God”. Although many believers suffer for doing good, they can not endure, but grumble in the sufferings instead, and wrongly talk about the deeds of God, suspect the good intention of God; as a result, they suffer in vain and do not glorify God in the sufferings.
B. follow the example of Christ in sufferings (2:21-25)
Here, when persuading the believers who are the servants to bear with the sufferings for LORD, the apostle especially cites the example of the sufferings of Christ as the encouragements. Here, the apostle encourages and comforts the believers with the sufferings of Christ, so that to let the believers know that they suffer in such a way to follow Christ’s steps.
i. Lord’s steps (2:21)
1 PETERS 2:21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
(NOTES)
To suffer for doing good is one of the missions we are called to do, and is one of the ways to declare the praises of God who called us out of darkness into His wonderful light. Furthermore, to suffer in such a way is not to be abandoned by God without care; on the contrary, this proves that one walks on the road of cross of LORD, and “follows in his steps”.
ii. LORD has no sin (2:22)
1 PETERS 2:22 "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth."
(NOTES)
The sufferings of Christ is not because of His own sins (Isa 53:9). He is holy and honest; not only He does not sin in conducts (Joh 8:46; Mat 27:24; Luk 23:41), but also He is never at fault in what He says. According to (Jam 3:2): “If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man”; therefore, this verse proves the perfection of LORD on what He says and does.
iii. LORD persevered the sins (2:23)
1 PETERS 2:23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
(NOTES)
(See also Isa 53:7; Heb 12:3)
These two verses are to describe the gentle and meek disposition of LORD Jesus. When LORD is on the cross, although those people insulted him with all kinds of ridicules and inveighs (Mat 27:40-41; Luk 23:35-36), he made no threats and did not answer, and he remained the same no matter when he was trialed or crucified on cross.
“when he suffered, he made no threats”:
When people used all kinds of treacherous methods and made him suffered by the cruel torture of the cross, he did not make any threats because He is the Son of God, or with resentment revenge those who treated him evilly. On the contrary, he prayed for them (Luk 23:34).
“Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.”:
Apparently, in the sufferings, he entrusted himself completely to the righteousness of God, but not to redress an injustice for himself. Since even LORD Jesus bore with the pain of unjust sufferings in such a way, how much more us! Shouldn’t we rely on the righteousness of God in the pains of unjust sufferings? When we are in the pains of unjust sufferings, we do not redress an injustice by our own, but wait for God Himself to redress an injustice for us; that is to rely on the righteousness of God. LORD Jesus endured such opposition from sinful men (Heb 12:3; Rom 12:19), and entrusted himself to God on the cross -- still relied on the righteousness of God when his life suffered -- this shows that he can trust in the righteousness of God in everything, and believe that God will deal justly with all the unreasonable evil doings.
iv. LORD bore our sins (2:24-25)
1 PETERS 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
(NOTES)
The previous verses emphasizes that LORD suffered not for his own sins; from this verse on, the apostle starts to talk about that the death of LORD Jesus is to bear our sins. Verses (22-23) talk about the example of Christ; verses (24-25) talk about the redemption of Christ. LORD Jesus not only left the example for us, but also prepared the redemption for us. If LORD Jesus only left the examples, but did not accomplish the redemption for us, he would be only one of many saints and good models. Therefore, if we only ask others to follow the example of LORD, but do not ask others to accept the salvation of Christ, what we preach are in vain; for we hide the most significant character of the Christianity and the power of the true God, and let others only know the appearance of Christ. Furthermore, we can follow the example of LORD and follow His steps; this depends on whether we have experienced His salvation or not, or have deeper experience or not. These two verses talk about how LORD bore the sins for us:
a. the sacrifice of the redemption:
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree”; the “tree” refers to the cross. The punishment of the cross is the biggest pains and insults. According to (Gal 3:13), “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree”. How LORD Jesus saved us? He bore the curses for us so that we will not be cursed by the sins.
b. the great love of the redemption:
“He himself bore our sins in his body ”; He did not entrust others to come to save us, but he “himself ” came to save us. This is not only because there is no one else who is qualified to save us, but also because of His great love that He would like to save us by “Himself” (Heb 7:27; Eph 5:2; Heb 2:14).
c. the principle of the redemption:
“bore”; He bore with the punishments that we should receive (Isa 53:6). This is the basis for our salvation; “bore” shows that the redemption has been accomplished (Joh 19:30); just as He declared on the cross -- “It is finished”.
d. the category of the redemption:
“our sins”; the death of Christ is for the sins of the worldly people; but only those who accept His redemption, their sins will be “bore” (Heb 9:28; Joh 3:17).
e. the accomplishments of the redemption:
“so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness”:
“we might die to sins ”; regarding sins, we have died, for the punishment of death have been received. Before believing in LORD, we were “dead in our transgressions and sins”, which is to die in sins; but now, it is to die to sins. The former is to fall in sins that entangle to wait for death; while the latter is to receive the punishment of sins already and God will not punish us for it again.
Therefore, “might die to sins ”; on the passive side, indicates that we have completely been separated from the sins, and won’t be chased by the law because of sins, and should not be the salves of sins any longer (Rom 6:2,11,18; 7:4). However, the accomplishment of the redemption of Christ, on the positive side, is to “live for righteousness”, so that we are able to stand on the position of righteousness to live for the LORD from resurrection who make us righteous (Rom 4:25; 2Co 5:14-15; Gal 2:20).
“by his wounds you have been healed”:
“wounds” indicates that Christ was flogged for us (Mat 27:26); however, it does not only refer to the pains of being flogged, but also represents all the pains when LORD Jesus was crucified on the cross for us. “have been healed” could include the healing both spiritually and physically. However, according to the previous verses, this emphasizes the healing spiritually. As a result of the healing of our spirits -- the result of the salvation of the souls -- also make our bodies belong to LORD and be precious to LORD (1Co 6:19-20), so the bodies also have been healed . Therefore, the healing of the body in this life is included in the salvation of the spirits. However, in the future, the believers will receive “the redemption of our bodies” (Rom 8:23), and will transform into the glorious body (Php 3:21). That is the salvation that will come true when LORD Jesus comes again (1Co 15:51-53; 1Pe 1:5).
f. overseeing the redemption:
1 PETERS 2:25 For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
(NOTES)
This reminds the believers who they were before; they were “like sheep going astray”. However, now they come back to Christ, who is the Shepherd of our spirits, and look after, guard, and take care of us. In the past, we lived in the “freedom” of sins at wills; now we enjoy the freedom under His overseeing. Since we have received the grace of redemption from Him, we should certainly accept the grace of His guarding and do His will.
This verse also shows the painful situation of the sinners:
i. People all have sins; the sins of the people make them trapped in the hopeless situation of destruction.
ii. People all are sick; not only they are sick in spirits, but also they are sick in the bodies; for the illnesses come from sins (Mar 2:5).
iii. People all are failed; just as the sheep go astray to the hand of the devils.
Reference:
1. Zhongdao Chen: “The Lectures on the Bible Studying of the Letters in New Testament”.
