The Life and Letters of Peter
Lesson Ten: Suffering 101
|
Review What are some of the themes Peter has taught so far in his letter?
Why is he teaching this? |
Imitation of Christ
|
"Therefore" is a phrase of conclusion, linking the previous passage to the following information. What's the "therefore" there for in this passage?
We're to have the same attitude Christ has. What is that?
We're supposed to "arm ourselves" with this attitude. What does that indicate? Why would you need to be armed?
Who is verse 2 talking about?
We are not to live our life for human desires, but for the will of God. What are some human desires people live for today?
|
4:1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. 2 As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. |
Judgement
|
List the previous activities of Peter's readers, according to v 3.
What change has occurred in the believers, according to v 4?
How are the believers' former companions reacting to this change?
The non-believing companions are judging the believers for their actions. What will be happening to them in the future?
Verse 6 begins "for this reason". What's the reason?
Who was the gospel preached to in v 6?
|
3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do--living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4 They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit. |
|||
|
There are some contrasts in v. 6. What observations can you make about this chart? The gospel was preached to them so: |
||||
|
They (are) |
according to… |
in regard to… |
||
|
judged |
men |
the body |
||
|
live |
God |
the spirit |
||
Actions of the Believers
|
What are the believer's action words in this section? v. 7 1. 2. v. 8 1. v. 9 1. v. 10 1. 2. 3. v. 11 1. 2. How are they to perform these actions?
Why?
|
7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. |
Reacting to Suffering
|
Peter encourages the believers not to be surprised about their suffering. Remember what he said earlier in the letter (chapter 2: 20-21) But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. How are believers to respond to their suffering, according to v 13 and 16? What is their suffering demonstrating, according to v 14?
What should they not be suffering for, according to v 15?
|
12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. |
Other translations of 1Peter 4:12-13
Let's compare some of the word choices to better understand the concepts. Fill in the chart with the parallel words.
|
NIV |
NASB |
KJV |
New Living |
Amplified |
|
Surprised |
|
|
|
|
|
Painful trial |
|
|
|
|
|
Strange |
|
|
|
|
|
Rejoice |
|
|
|
|
|
Christ's Sufferings |
|
|
|
|
|
overjoyed |
|
|
|
|
|
Glory revealed |
|
|
|
|
|
NASB |
KJV |
New Living |
Amplified |
|
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. |
12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. |
|
12 Beloved, do not be amazed and bewildered at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test your quality, as though something strange (unusual and alien to you and your position) were befalling you.13 But insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, rejoice, so that when His glory [full of radiance and splendor] is revealed, you may also rejoice with triumph [exultantly]. |
What new insights did the comparison give you?
Earlier in the letter, Peter has said:
"1:7 These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."
What concept is he repeating in these verses?
Judgement
|
This is one of 3 times that the word Christian is mentioned in the New Testament. The other 2 appear in Acts, and are terms outsiders used to describe believers. Acts 11:25-26 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.Acts 26:28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?" What might have caused the outsiders to identify the Christians? Peter says judgement occurs in the family of God first. How will believers be judged?
What do you know about how non-believers will be judged? |
16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" 19 So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. |
|
Verse 18 is an Old Testament quote, referencing the judgement of God's chosen people. Who are the people being judged in each verse? Proverbs- Jeremiah- Amos- |
Proverbs 11:31 If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!Jeremiah 25:29 29 See, I am beginning to bring disaster on the city that bears my Name, and will you indeed go unpunished? You will not go unpunished, for I am calling down a sword upon all who live on the earth, declares the LORD Almighty.' Amos 3:1-2 Hear this word the LORD has spoken against you, O people of Israel--against the whole family I brought up out of Egypt: "You only have I chosen of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your sins." |
Ezekiel makes a strong point about this judgement. Circle all the references to righteous, and underline all references to the wicked, then fill in the chart below with the things you learn about the ways and judgement of the righteous and the wicked.
|
Ezekiel 18:21-31 "But if a wicked man turns away from all the sins he has committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die. None of the offenses he has committed will be remembered against him. Because of the righteous things he has done, he will live. Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? Declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live? "But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked man does, will he live? None of the righteous things he has done will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness he is guilty of and because of the sins he has committed, he will die. "Yet you say, 'The way of the Lord is not just.' Hear, O house of Israel: Is my way unjust? Is it not your ways that are unjust? If a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin, he will die for it; because of the sin he has committed he will die. But if a wicked man turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will save his life. Because he considers all the offenses he has committed and turns away from them, he will surely live; he will not die. Yet the house of Israel says, 'The way of the Lord is not just.' Are my ways unjust, O house of Israel? Is it not your ways that are unjust? "Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each one according to his ways, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live! |
|
Ways/Judgment of the wicked |
Ways/Judgement of the righteous |
Ways of God |
Who is God going to judge, according to the Law of the Old Testament?
For Christians, there is a solution:
Romans 3:21-24 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
What is the Christian's righteousness?
So what?
|
What is Peter's instruction, according to the summary statement for this chapter? Believers should: 1. 2. |
19 So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. |
Lesson for Life
"Commit" is the same word used
The NAS Lexicon defines commit as:
What does committing yourself to your faithful Creator mean to you?