1 Peter Chapter 3 Verses 8-17

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1 1 Peter Chapter 3 Verses 8-17 NKJV Notes by Pastor Mike Sasso Introduction As Peter continues to give us further instructions on godly living, we become painfully aware that obeying God s Word will often take great sacrifice on the Christian s part. Some might be surprised to discover that obeying God may bring us pain and persecution. If we are to be disciples of Christ we must toughen up and learn discipline. After all, that is what the word disciple means, one who disciplines himself to obey the teachings of another. Doing What is Right Even if it Hurts STUDY NOTES: Verses 8-17 v. 8 Finally The Greek word here is telos, which means, our end goal, or the final end or purpose. You could almost replace the word finally in this verse with the phrase, what I m trying to say is this All of You There are no exceptions allowed here. Every Christian must follow the instructions Peter gives in the following verses. Be of One Mind Peter is commanding all Christians to be harmonious in their thinking. The only way this can be possible is that all Christians humbly obey the same Lord and joyfully yield to the same instruction manual for living, the Bible! See also Phil. 2:1-4. Having Compassion for One Another Compassion means, sympathy, concern, kindness, consideration, care or empathy. Jesus said, by this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you have love one for another. A Christian who is inconsiderate, selfish, cold, or unconcerned about others is living in disobedience to God. For one another indicates that Peter is specifically referring to how Christians feel and act toward each other. Love as Brothers Many people who are not even Christians live by the phrase, family first. Even unbelievers understand the importance of love and loyalty to blood. But we Christians have a common blood greater than all other family bloodlines. We are related through the blood of Jesus Christ! Therefore, our love and loyalty to one another should be the deepest love and loyalty of all. See John 13:34, and 15:12. Be Tenderhearted This phrase would especially apply to those suffering and afflicted around you. The KJV translates this word, be pitiful. Be courteous Polite, considerate, friendly and kind. v. 9 Not Returning Evil for Evil The word evil comes from the Greek word Kakos, meaning injurious bad, evil, harm, ill, noisome, wicked. There is an old saying, Two

2 wrongs don t make a right. God s way of dealing with being wronged is the opposite of the world s way. This verse makes clear that God is opposed to human retaliation. Vengeance is mine says the Lord (Rom. 12:19). Or Reviling for Reviling Just as the phrase evil for evil can be referring to hurtful actions, the phrase reviling for reviling is referring to hurtful words. Many Christians today regularly use unfitting words to insult, attack or accuse one another. Peter points out that this is unacceptable before God. But on the Contrary, Blessing Peter is declaring that the believer s reactions to verbal attack should be the opposite from the unbeliever s reaction. Jesus taught us that we are to bless those who curse us. See Luke 6:27-36 and Romans 12:14. Knowing that You Were Called to This The Apostle Peter s writings teach us that we as Christians are called to suffer for Christ s sake (1 Pet. 2:21; 5:10). That You May Inherit a Blessing An inheritance only comes after a death. Some blessings we inherit because of and after Christ s death. Other blessings can only be inherited because of and after our death. v. 10 He Who Would Love Life and See Good Days From verse 10 to verse 12 Peter is quoting Psalm 34: The scriptures give us a simple recipe for a good life in the next few phrases Let Him Refrain His Tongue From Evil This is exactly what Peter has been saying in verse 9. And His Lips From Speaking Deceit Deceit is referring to dishonesty, treachery and falsehood. If we are to love life and see good days, then deceit should not be a part of our lives in any form. v. 11 Let Him Turn Away from Evil and Do Good This command is a great definition of repentance! It is interesting that Peter is actually using Old Testament cross references to support his teaching in verse 9. Let Him Seek Peace and Pursue It - There are many types of peace depending on whether you are referring to a country, a system or an individual. The peace referred to here is a harmony of living with other individuals in love and rest without dissention or rivalry. The scriptures tell us that we must pursue it! Peace does not happen naturally on its own. Each of us must actively and willfully pursue harmony with others. v. 12 For the Eyes of the LORD are on the Righteous Here is a great motivation for righteous living. God is watching! The righteous here simply refers to those who live in a right way before God.

3 And His Ears are Open to Their Prayers Contrary to popular belief, God does not hear the prayers of everyone and anyone. He is only listening to the prayers of the righteous. See also Proverbs 15:8, 28:9; Isaiah 59:2; 1 John 4:6, 5:15. But the Face of the LORD is Against Those Who do Evil Some people believe that God loves and accepts everyone regardless of their behavior. This phrase dispels that belief. There is evil. And there is good. Only God has the right and ability to define one from the other. God loves what is good and hates what is evil (Prov. 6:16-19; Zech. 8:17). v. 13 And Who is He Who Will Harm You if You Become Followers of What is Good? Now Peter has ended his quote from the Psalms and makes his own statement. Peter is asking a question. He is not stating with absolute certainty that no one will harm you if you do good. One thing for sure is, if you do what is good you will be in good standing with God and He will certainly not seek your harm. The next verse makes allowance for one who might still seek your harm even when you are followers of what is good. v. 14 But Even if You Should Suffer for Righteousness Sake, You are Blessed Peter is saying, We can t lose. Whether we suffer or whether we don t, we are blessed either way. Suffering doesn t eliminate the blessings of God from our lives. And Do Not Be Afraid of Their Threats, nor be Troubled Peter is exhorting us not to be overcome with fear or have troubled hearts when persecution comes. Scripture does not guarantee that we will not have to suffer (v. 14a) we know that even if we do suffer, after all is said and done, we are still blessed (Cp. Rom. 8:18, 28). v. 15 But Sanctify the Lord God in Your Hearts To sanctify is to set apart for God. Lord means master. More important than being concerned about persecution should be our concern to honor and reference God as master of our lives. And Always Be Ready to Give a Defense to Everyone Who Asks You The word defense here (translated answer in the KJV) is the Greek word apologia. It means to give a reasonable argument of defense. This is where we get the word Apologetics. Apologetics is the branch of Christian studies designed to give evidence and proof for the Christian faith. Apologetics presents reasonable arguments for why we believe what we believe. Notice that Peter is exhorting us all to be ready to defend the faith with a reasonable answer to anyone who might ask us. A Reason for the Hope that is in You There is good reason for our hope. Every Christian should make serious effort to understand the reasons for our faith. Our faith is based upon the sure Word of God and the resurrection of Jesus Christ (Rom. 1:2-6). With Meekness and Fear When we give an answer to others for why we believe what we believe, it should not be in arrogance or cockiness. We must defend our faith with humility, respecting others and fearing God. The NIV translates this phrase with gentleness and respect.

4 v. 16 Having a Good Conscience There s nothing like a good, detailed definition of an important word con science (noun) 1. the internal sense of what is right and wrong that governs somebody s thoughts and actions, urging him or her to do right rather than wrong 2. behavior in compliance with what your internal sense of right and wrong tells you is right 3. a shared concern for moral issues 4. the part of the superego that passes judgment on thought and behavior to the ego for further consideration Encarta World English Dictionary 1999 Microsoft Corporation. That When They Defame You as Evildoers, Those Who Revile Your Good Conduct in Christ May Be Ashamed It s been said that, The best answer for false accusations is a holy and pure life. The best way to put to shame your accusers is to be truly innocent. v. 17 For it is Better, if it is the Will of God, to Suffer for Doing Good than for Doing Evil We looked at the topic of suffering according to the will of God in chapter 2 verses 19 through 21. Our ultimate example for suffering according to the will of God is Jesus Christ. See 2:21-24, 3:18. We know that it is sometimes the will of God for us to suffer for doing good. It may also be the will of God for us to suffer if we have been doing evil. But one is definitely better than the other. TRUTH APPLIED: 1. How can Christians who come from such varied backgrounds and have such diverse interests be of one mind? (v. 8) 2. Here is a great assignment in inductive Bible Study: As a group, read carefully over today s text once more and identify every command given. Then ask for volunteers from your small group to interpret what each command means. As a group, come up with applications for each command to today s Christian. (There are at least 18 commands in verses 8 to 17!) Take your time on this one. 3. What does verse 15 mean to you? What would you have to do in order to make this verse a reality in your life?

5 CONCLUSION: Once more we have been reminded that Christians are called to suffering. As you close in a time of prayer, make sure you ask God to toughen you up and give you a heart that is willing to suffer for the Kingdom of God s sake. We Christians in America have not yet experienced real persecution. But it certainly will come. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. -2 Timothy 3:12, NKJV. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. -Revelation 2:10, NKJV.