Lesson 45
Study of
First Peter Chapter 3
Review:
3:5 Some OT examples of the doctrine
For in this way The appeal for proper adornment
that Peter has just made is under girded by the example of godly women in the
past.
in former times goes to a time
before the church age
the holy
women also, a[gioj holy, that is set apart for a purpose; (not
perfect)
- speaks
of their f2 sanctification,
being experientially righteous, staying in fellowship and consistently applying
doctrine
What we do know is that
these women that Peter has in mind had their focus correct, who hoped in God
- hoped
is the present participle of evlpi,zw to hope is okay
if you understand hope to refer to
having confidence in something or someone, not seen but is real to you through your understanding of the
Word, here God!
These women also used to
adorn themselves kosme,w imperfect active indicative
How did they adorn
themselves? being submissive to their
own husbands;
- middle voice is important since it reinforces the
reflexive pronoun, that is, that they made the application of doctrine
themselves, voluntary submission.
Summary:
1. Since the church
was not yet itself long enough in existence to furnish examples Peter goes back
to the OT heroines who exemplified all that he is trying to get across here.
2. The ones that Peter had in mind were those exemplary
wives "who put their hope in God."
3. The articular present active participle describes them
as a distinct group marked by their characteristic activity of hoping "in
God" that is exercising a hope
that was resting in God.
4. Having a hope that flows from a knowledge of the word
should be the true and settled attitude of God's people (1:3, 13, 21;
5. Such a living hope would enable wives to be submissive
even under difficult and trying circumstances, and would free them from the
snare of being preoccupied with excessive external adornments.
6. These saintly Old Testament heroines made a practice of adorning themselves with
that gentle and quiet spirit that Peter just advocated.
7. The point is that Holiness has its own beauty and charm
and it made them beautiful.
3:6 From among
those holy women Peter singled out one example: Sarah
just as
Sarah obeyed Abraham,
- obeyed aorist act. indicative of u`pakou,w to hear and respond, therefore to obey
- the
aorist here is constantive and summarizes her habitual response toward Abraham viewed as a
characteristic pattern of her relationship with Abe.
calling
him lord, although we have only one reference to her
doing this (
Background
of the context in Gen 18 which provides the reason Peter uses Sarah as the
example of the submissive wife.
1. On a very hot day Abraham received 3 visitors, the Lord
(in Theophany), and 2 angels. 18:1-2
2. Abraham proceeded to show them hospitality, custom of
the day. 18:3-5
3. Abraham set out to have the fatted calf prepared and
instructed Sarah to make her popular bread.
18:6-8
4. After the meal was enjoyed Sarah was eavesdropping from
the tent as the men discussed Abraham's and Sarah's blessing that is the
provision of an heir. 18:9-10
5. Sarah's response, she laughed within herself in unbelief. 18:11-12
6. The Lord in effect calls her on the carpet by asking
her why she laughed. Her response was to
deny it, a reaction from fear.
7. Sarah's response at this point, her denial, her failure
to believe the promise became a sin of the tongue, a lie, I did not laugh!
8. The application of the doctrine of the divine essence,
who and what God is that is behind the promise of an heir would have alleviated
her unbelief.
Example of the
application of Divine Essence - things to think through
1. Sovereignty -
recognize that God has a plan for you in time, its related to His Son
and His word in you. When applied gives security in time as well as eternity.
2. +R - (He is
perfect righteousness) whatever God provides is perfect as He is!
3. Justice - His
provision is fair and just.
4. Love - since you have +R imputed to you, He loves you
as much as He does Jesus Christ and is
aware of your pressures, tests and needs.
5. Eternal Life - know that you share His life and He has
provided the difficult, eternal security therefore He is able to easily provide
security for you in time (f2).
6. Omniscience -
He knows my situation and it didn't catch Him by surprise.
7. Omnipotence - He is able to deliver you in any
situation if it is His will to do so.
8. Omnipresence -
He's wherever you are observing, you can't hide.
9. Immutability -
He never changes and is faithful to help in all situations.
10. Veracity - He
is perfect truth - you can trust His word completely.
3:6b The personal significance of godly conduct
and you
have become her children
The how is noted in the next
two clauses, which revolve around 2 circumstantial participles.
if you do what is right
without being frightened by any fear.
- First participle is avgaqopoie,w for doing good, what is right
- The
second participle fobe,w means to be afraid, to have fear
- This
is followed by any fear pto,hsij which refers to anything
that intimidates you
- Same
principle is found in Prov. 3:25-26
In Prov 3:22-26 we
find the results from responding and appropriating wisdom, when it forms the foundation of your
life, that is real security!
3:6 Just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him
lord, whose children you have become by doing what is right and not being
frightened by any intimidation.
Summary:
1. Sarah by her acclimation to her niche in responding to
the authority of Abraham becomes a classic example of the believing wife.
2. Believing wives today are to follow her example and by
doing so become her children. (Sarah's daughters)
3. This is to be the case even for those wives who have
husbands who are negative and hostile to the gospel.
4. You are to isolate fear when you are face to face with
his moments of antagonism. 1 Pet
3:6 "and not being frightened by
any intimidation."
5. There may come a point at which you will have to draw
the line when it comes to being submissive.
a. Principal among which is if he absolutely forbids you
to pursue your MPR. 2 Pet
b. If he orders you to become involves in sin nature
activity (drunkenness, orgies, crime, etc.)
c. Or if he threatens your life.
d. Otherwise you are to obey him. "casting your cares on the Lord"
, even if he is unjust.