Lesson 52

Study of First Peter Chapter 3

 

Review:

There is a key difference between responding to the various situations encountered in life  as we've already noted and what we are seeing here in this context which is suffering that is directly the result of one's living out the truth in their life.

 

Here the "if" clause is But even if perchance you should suffer for the sake of righteousness

Next we have an incomplete "then" clause you are blessed 

 

Blessed maka,rioj  points to a state which the believer is able to experience in his/her life even amid adverse external circumstances.

 

 

blessed  Grk maka,rioj  or Heb.  asheri  yrev.a;    both are plural nouns that describe the state of happiness, contentment or satisfaction in life;  it is used of a spiritual quality or characteristic in one's life. 

 

- How do we get from this walking straight to happy or content?

 

So what is a straight walk??  Walking by faith, walking by the Spirit, Gal 5:16, 25

 

 

Need to remember that God vindicates His Word in time as we use the principles and promises in life, blessed in time and He also vindicates His Word in eternity, blessed at the JSC, rewarded based on the use of the Word in time.

 

Mechanics of blessing:

Point is we need to be under the authority of God's revelation, His instruction, the torah.

- Our trust in God and His word are the focus of blessing - Prov 16:20;  Psa 119:1-2; 112:1; 128:1; Prov. 8:32-36

 

 

 

While we as believers have a heavenly position and an eternal inheritance secured by the work of Jesus Christ, the experience of blessings, being blessed in time is related to the increase of our capacity to appreciate the Lord, and our capacity for happiness which is directly proportional to our knowledge and application of the Word.

 

 

Psa 1:1-3   

Psalm 1 presents two ways of life: the way of the righteous and the way of the wicked.

However, the key idea is the centrality of God’s Word to the life and fruitfulness of the righteous who truly love His Word and therefore have the capacity to love Him.

 

 

This context is a beatitude which pronounces blessing upon a certain group of people. It is not, however, an unconditional pronouncement, nor a pronouncement of bliss or a life without problems.

 

vs:1 points out the reality that if we're not advancing as believers we are retrogressing, we never stand still. 

Verse one portrays this truth in three aspects of degeneration, each a little more permanent, settled, and embedded into one’s life.

(1) There are three aspects of ones conduct: walk / stand / sit.

(2) There are three aspects of openness to, fellowship with, or involve­ment in evil:  counsel / path / seat.

(3) There are three aspects of evil that are described: wicked / sinners / scoffers.

 

 

The exhortation in Psalm 1 or 1 Pet 3 is directed toward the same objective, that we might be prepared to take the known word and use it to discern the situation we're facing and then to make decisions based on the Word all to the glory of God.

 

3:14a  But even if perchance you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed.

 

 

Observations  3:14a

1. With this 4th class conditional statement Peter is not saying But even if perchance you should suffer for the sake of righteousness,  I wish you were but your not.  This would imply that their suffering is because they had failed to apply BD, therefore is punitive, its discipline.

 

2. What Peter is saying is that there is a possibility of UNDSF as a result of your application of the truth but not a definite anticipation of this suffering being realized. 

 

3. The exhortation from the context is that the advancing believer is to be zealous for what is good which requires consistent inhale of truth and its application as it is pertinent.

 

4. The bottom line I believe Peter is trying to get across to us is summarized here which is that the pattern we are to follow no matter what the external circumstances we're facing is to do what is right, to be zealous for the truth.

 

5. In the context the major suffering or test that these believers were facing was verbal abuse and slander.  (2:12; 3:16; 4:4; 4:14)

 

6. Because of this pattern of verbal abuse Peter exhorted them to not fall into the trap of rendering evil for evil, instead of good for evil, the highest virtue.

 

7. The phrase "suffering because of righteousness"  refers to UNDSF related to the overt reprisals by society as a result of your living out the truth, taking a stand on the norms and standards of the Word of God.

 

8. This righteousness speaks of experiential righteousness which is an increment of divine good produced in life as you live out the truth, this is what will become evident at the JSC.

 

9. Therefore in vs:14 Peter is considering the possibility of overt persecution in spite of their consistent "doing what is right" producing DGP and that they should not be surprised.

 

10.  He has also made the point that if such UNDSF does occur that your continued application brings with it the promise of blessing.

 

11. This 4th class conditional statement also expresses Peter's desire that they be spared overt persecution.

 

12. But if they do, it is no matter, since they have the spiritual resources to handle the persecution and they would be blessed.