Unity
Introduction
The sifting period of believers had partly come already, and was partly approaching; the roaring of the lion that threatened to devour the faithful, was already heard.
The sifting period of believers had partly come already, and was partly approaching; the roaring of the lion that threatened to devour the faithful, was already heard.
the roaring of the lion that threatened to devour the faithful, was already heard.
Purposes
Peter, therefore, wrote to explain the relationship of trials to God’s purposes in salvation (1:1–12); to provoke the readers to lives of holiness, love, growth, and testimony (1:13–2:12); to call for submission of believers to civil authorities (2:13–17), of servants to masters (2:18–25), and of wives to husbands (3:1–8); to discuss the proper attitude of believers in suffering (3:9–4:19); to give guidelines to the elders for the proper performance of their ministry (5:1–4); to call them to humility (5:5–7); to warn them against the tactics of Satan (5:8–11); and to send greetings (5:12–14).
CHAPTER ONE
Contents: Christian’s conduct under suffering in the light of full salvation.
CHAPTER TWO
Contents: Exhortation to holiness and growth in view of Christ’s great sacrifice. Christ’s vicarious sufferings.
CHAPTER THREE
Contents: Duties of husbands and wives toward one another. Exhortations to Christian consistency. Christ’s vicarious sacrifice.
CHAPTER FOUR
Contents: Exhortations to mortification of sin and living unto God. Suffering with Christ.
CHAPTER FIVE
Contents: Christian service in view of Christ’s soon coming.
The persecutions did not stem from the imperial government, but originated from the local populace in the form of verbal slander and social pressures (4:14–15). Quite possibly, they could have been ridiculed for their separated lives (4:4–5) and/or accused of being traitors (2:13–17). The church was also infected with some internal problems such as worldliness (2:11–16; 4:1–5) and greedy, autocratic elders (5:2–3).
Purposes
Peter, therefore, wrote to explain the relationship of trials to God’s purposes in salvation (1:1–12); to provoke the readers to lives of holiness, love, growth, and testimony (1:13–2:12); to call for submission of believers to civil authorities (2:13–17), of servants to masters (2:18–25), and of wives to husbands (3:1–8); to discuss the proper attitude of believers in suffering (3:9–4:19); to give guidelines to the elders for the proper performance of their ministry (5:1–4); to call them to humility (5:5–7); to warn them against the tactics of Satan (5:8–11); and to send greetings (5:12–14).
Instead of insulting others or responding in kind, believers are called on to bless others.200 By “blessing” Peter means that believers are to ask God to show his favor and grace upon those who have conferred injury upon them.201 The reason believers should bless is now explained (“because, hoti). They have been “called” to bless others. The words “to this” (eis touto) could point forward or backward.202 If they point forward, then the idea is that God has called believers to inherit the blessing of eternal life. More likely, though, as in 2:21, the pronoun “this” when attached to the verb “called” is retrospective.203 Believers have been called by God to bless others, so that they would inherit the blessing of eternal life (cf. also Gal 5:13; Eph 4:1, 4; Col 3:15).
He must strive for peace with all his heart is literally “let him seek peace and pursue it.” “Seek” and “pursue” give the idea of diligent and persistent effort, not only to have something but to continue having it; the TEV has captured this intensity by its translation (compare Brc “the object of all his endeavor and his search”
Living in harmony assures believers of God’s listening ear when they pray (see 3:7). They are God’s righteous people whom he regards with favor.
He must strive for peace with all his heart is literally “let him seek peace and pursue it.” “Seek” and “pursue” give the idea of diligent and persistent effort, not only to have something but to continue having it; the TEV has captured this intensity by its translation (compare Brc “the object of all his endeavor and his search”
• Work diligently to promote harmony within your church.
• Look for ways to demonstrate love, sympathy, and compassion to members of the body of Christ.
• Be aware of the power of the tongue for good and evil.
• Take advantage of every opportunity to speak to others about Jesus Christ.