Study of First Peter                                        Lesson 14

Review:

 

 

 

 

1:17 The basis or foundation of reverent living  (this is a positive not a negative at all)

Peter points out another motivation for living a life of holiness. Life set apart for a purpose to God!

 

If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one's work,

 

This conditional statement forces his readers to evaluate their own practice. Where are you headed in your life?

 

 

To commune with or appeal to the Father would be the natural thing for children of obedience. God being referred to here as Father recognizes Him as their (and ours) final spiritual authority.

 

 

Peter reminds us that God the Father is the one who judges impartially.

 

 

What is God evaluating here?

according to each one's work  according to the standard of each one's production in time.

-  says that each believer is responsible for their own actions

 

-  If we're facing a test in life, a CHP and we fail to use and apply the divine provision of the Word in that situation whose fault is that? 

 

Motivation for reverential living

conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth;

 

When Solomon or Peter exhorts us to fear the Lord they are not advocating the cringing dread of a slave before an offended master, but the reverential awe and respect of a son for a loving and esteemed father, the awe that would shrink from whatever would displease and grieve him.

 

during the time of your stay on earth

 

- time = chronos  cro,noj speaks of a period of time made up of a series of events, is often used to refer to a dispensation

 

- stay = paroikia  paroiki,a refers to a temporary residence in a foreign land;  it speaks of residence in a place without citizenship rights.

 

- Clearly what is in view is your sojourn here on earth in time in f2

1:17 and if (since) you address as Father the one who judges impartially according to the standard of each ones production (Div/gd or hu/gd), conduct your life in the sphere of fear (awe/respect O/C) during the time of your temporary residence on earth [f2].

 

Summary

1.  The Believer in view who addresses God as Father is the believer who is the obedient child, living out the will of God.

 

2.  As such the believer recognizes that the Father is the author of  the plan for man, for history, all related to grace.

 

 

3.  This fear, bonifide fear comes as a recognition of who and what God is!  Psa 27:1

 

4.  This fear expresses both an awe and respect which evidences itself in a desire to know God's will in all things and to conform your conduct to it.

 

5.  Peter's use of the pronoun ekastos for "each one" reminds us that each believer will be evaluated on the basis of their own production during f2.

 

6.  Our residence here on this earth is temporary while our permanent home is being prepared for all eternity. Jn 14:1-3

 

Observations on Fear!

1.  The expression "fear of the Lord" is a synonym for:

a. Positive volition at God consciousness and at Gospel hearing.  Acts 10:35

 

b. Positive volition by the believer at the point of exposure to truth.

- Prov 1:7;  consequences of rejection 1:28-29;  15:33

c. Positive choice to apply the wisdom acquired when the opportunity arises.

- Psa. 112:1; cp. 4,5,9 ;  Heb. 11:7

 

d. Occupation with Christ.  Psa. 119:38;  Psa 34:11