Lesson 63

Study of First Peter Chapter 4

 

Review:

4:7  The end of all things is near;

 

 

- "the end" (to te,loj), the consummation of the present course of history, the Church age, implies not merely cessation of, but also the goal toward which the present age moves.

 

- is near  perfect active indicative of  evggi,zw means to be near, to be at hand, to draw near

- this is a proleptic perfect - used in anticipation of a future event,  one that is sure

 

Examples where this type of construction with the verb evggi,zw

Matt 3:2  Have here the message of John the Baptist, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

 

 

We noted this construction in James 5:8 with a similar thrust as here in 1 Pet 4

5:8  You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

 

Because of the close parallels between James 5:8 and our passage lets review what is here, believe it is important.  Will give us some insight into our passage in 1 Pet 4:7f.

In both contexts the believers are dealing with UNDSF and were being given the DOA's and encouragement to press on and handle the tests to the glory of God.

 

Observations

1. James here marks the importance of the application of patience in the lives of his readers.

 

2.  Even in the midst of their own experiences of oppression and injustice they must cultivate a mental attitude of patience.

 

3. They must always keep before them the fact that God cannot deal with them unfairly.

 

4. Certainly God has the ability to remove their sufferings and judge their oppressors.

 

5. But God desires divine good and the maturation of every believer, this will only come with the refining of ones faith through tests - CHP's etc.  which would be negated if the heat was lifted.

 

6. The 2nd imp - "to strengthen your hearts" - calls for them to put iron in their souls.

 

7. Rather than allowing themselves to slip into reacting to the circumstances  and soul fainting they need to adopt a mental attitude of tenacity and toughness.

 

8. The single most important thing that they can do is to be consistent in face to face teaching. God's means of providing the DOA's.

 

9. The inner life is strengthened by BD known coupled with your willingness to apply it.

 

10. The BD of the parousia - the sure return of Christ should be a major factor in the ph-2 motivation of the Believer.

 

4:7b Our responsibility in light of His soon return

therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.

 

- Peter's exhortation is to live our life in the light of eternity; that is at some point we must learn that all decisions we make have an impact the evaluation at JSC.

 

So the first thing Peter does is to give us 2 commands, both are aorist imperatives which stresses the urgent and decisive nature of the responsibilities described.

 

Having spiritual commons sense from sound thinking is only possible if one has a solid foundation of truth and evaluates all input and circumstances faced by that grid of truth.

 

So Principle: spiritual common sense results from consistently thinking truth and applying it in your life.

Examples of how translated: Rom 12:3; 2 Cor. 5:13; Titus 2:6;

 

- sober (spirit)  nh,fw  also an (aor act imp)  was used to indicate being free from any form of drunkenness; came to be used in Scripture of being free from mental and spiritual drunkenness which indicates sin nature rulership

therefore the idea is to have clear thinking, having a mental attitude based on the Word of God 

 

- saw it used in 1:13; 5:8  also  1 Ths 5:6; 1 Ths 5:8

 

The same thing is in view here in that the sound thinking and clear thinking commanded is tied to the ministry of the Spirit and a knowledge of the Word!

for the purpose of prayer

 

 

 

-  Point Peter is making here is that if we have sound thinking and clear thinking then its going to be reflected in our prayer life because our prayers will be based on the Word of God not emotions.

 

 

 

4:7  Now the end of all things is at hand; therefore exercise spiritual common sense and clear thinking for the purpose of prayer.

 

 

4:8-11 We find exhortation that logically follows the commands of vs:7

What is in view here are some important areas for application of the sound and clear thinking that Peter believes is critical for living the CWOL.

 

keep fervent in your love for one another, 

 

The noun "love" characterizes it as a love of intelligence and purpose that  desires the welfare of the one loved.

 

last phrase; application

because love covers a multitude of sins.

 

-  because introduces a reason why such fervent love should be maintained among Christians love covers a multitude of sins

 

- The consistently applied fervent love is not blind to others sins but sees and accepts the faults of others.

- Prov 10:12 makes the same point

 

4:8  Above all things (high priority) keep on having this fervent love with respect to yourselves (group) because love keeps on covering a multitude of sins.