Sunday Evening Bible Study

March 18, 2001

Introduction

It’s been thirty years since Jesus ascended into heaven and the Holy Spirit came upon the early church. The apostles have traveled much of the known world and preached the good news of God’s forgiveness through the death of Jesus Christ on a cross. Tough times for the church have been getting increasingly difficult. Paul the apostle has already had his first trial before Caesar, and Nero is only months away from unleashing massive persecution against believers.

1Peter 3:8-17 Rules for right living

:8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

one mind – homophron – of one mind, concordant

having compassion one of another – sumpathes – suffering or feeling the like with another, sympathetic

love as brethren – philadelphos – loving brother or sister; in a broader sense, loving one like a brother, loving one’s fellow countrymen

be pitiful – eusplagchnos (“well” + “bowels”) – having strong bowels; compassionate, tender hearted

be courteous – philophron (“love” + “heart”) – friendly, kind

:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

rendering – apodidomi – to deliver, to give away for one’s own profit what is one’s own, to sell; to pay off, discharge what is due; to requite, recompense in a good or a bad sense

evil – kakos – of a bad nature; not such as it ought to be; base, wrong, wicked; troublesome, injurious, pernicious, destructive, baneful

railing – loidoria – railing, reviling

blessing – eulogeo – to praise, celebrate with praises; to invoke blessings; to ask God’s blessing on a thing; pronounce a consecratory blessing on

:10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

will – thelo – to will, have in mind, intend; to be resolved or determined, to purpose; to desire, to wish; to love; to like to do a thing, be fond of doing; to take delight in, have pleasure

refrain – pauo – to make to cease or desist; to restrain a thing or person from something; to cease, to leave off; have got release from sin; no longer stirred by its incitements and seductions

guile – dolos – craft, deceit, guile

Peter is quoting the Old Testament again.

(Psa 34:12-16 KJV) What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? {13} Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. {14} Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. {15} The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. {16} The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.

Peter has already quoted from Psalm 34.

(Psa 34:8 KJV) O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

He quoted this back in 1Peter 2:2.

:11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

eschew – ekklino – to turn aside, deviate (from the right way and course); to turn (one’s self) away, to turn away from, keep aloof from one’s society; to shun one

ensue – dioko – to make to run or flee, put to flight, drive away; to run swiftly in order to catch a person or thing, to run after; to press on: figuratively of one who in a race runs swiftly to reach the goal; metaph., to pursue; to seek after eagerly, earnestly endeavour to acquire

:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

God wants His people to be “do-gooders”.

:13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?

harm – kakoo – to oppress, afflict, harm, maltreat; to embitter, render evil affected

followers – mimetes (“mimic”) – an imitator

:14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

suffer – pascho – to be affected or have been affected, to feel, have a sensible experience, to undergo; in a bad sense, to suffer sadly, be in a bad plight

troubled – tarasso – to agitate, trouble (a thing, by the movement of its parts to and fro); to cause one inward commotion, take away his calmness of mind, disturb his equanimity; to disquiet, make restless; to stir up; to trouble; to strike one’s spirit with fear and dread; to render anxious or distressed; to perplex the mind of one by suggesting scruples or doubts

Peter is quoting from Isaiah 8:12-13 –

(Isa 8:11-14 KJV) For the LORD spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying, {12} Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. {13} Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. {14} And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

In the circumstances of Isaiah 8, the southern kingdom of Judah, and it’s king, Ahaz, were under threat by two enemies: the northern kingdom of Israel, and the kingdom of Syria.

Both Ahaz and the people had this great idea, and that was to use their money to hire a big bully to help them, the kingdom of Assyria. But God tells Isaiah, “Don’t be thinking like the people”. God says, “Don’t give so much respect to the Assyrians, you need to be giving Me respect”. The people ought to be fearing and respecting only One person, the Lord God.

Jesus said,

Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

God goes on to promise to Isaiah that He will be a “sanctuary … a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence …”

Peter has already quoted this part of Isaiah 8 (back in 1Peter 2:8). This makes me think that Peter must have recently been studying Isaiah 8, or maybe even had it open on his desk as he was writing.

For those who make God their fear, He becomes a place of safety for them. For those who reject Him, He becomes something they’ll trip over to their own hurt. He’s either your biggest asset or your worst nightmare.

:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

sanctify – hagiazo – to render or acknowledge, or to be venerable or hallow; to separate from profane things and dedicate to God; consecrate things to God; dedicate people to God; to purify; to cleanse externally; to purify by expiation: free from the guilt of sin; to purify internally by renewing of the soul

be ready – hetoimos – prepare ready; opportune, seasonable; ready prepared; to do something

always – aei – perpetually, incessantly; invariably, at any and every time: when according to the circumstances something is or ought to be done again

give an answer – apologia (“apologetics”) – verbal defence, speech in defence; a reasoned statement or argument

that asketh – aiteo – to ask, beg, call for, crave, desire, require

It’s one thing to know how to talk to someone about the gospel who isn’t asking any questions, but Peter is saying that we all ought to be ready to talk to someone who is asking questions.

a reason – logos – of speech; a word, uttered by a living voice, embodies a conception or idea; discourse; doctrine, teaching; account, i.e. reckoning, score; reason, cause, ground

hope – elpis – expectation of good, hope; in the Christian sense; joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation

meekness – prautes – mildness of disposition, gentleness of spirit, meekness

Meekness toward God is that disposition of spirit in which we accept His dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting. In the OT, the meek are those wholly relying on God rather than their own strength to defend them against injustice. Thus, meekness toward evil people means knowing God is permitting the injuries they inflict, that He is using them to purify His elect, and that He will deliver His elect in His time. (#Isa 41:17, Lu 18:1-8) Gentleness or meekness is the opposite to self-assertiveness and self-interest. It stems from trust in God’s goodness and control over the situation. The gentle person is not occupied with self at all. This is a work of the Holy Spirit, not of the human will. (#Ga 5:23)

fear – phobos – fear, dread, terror. NAS – “reverence”; NIV – “respect”.

The NAS and NIV make it sound as if the “fear” is directed as respect to the person you are talking to. I wonder though if in the context it is talking about our fear of God, since we are not to “be afraid of their terror”, but instead to only fear God.

:16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

conscience – suneidesis – the consciousness of anything; the soul as distinguishing between what is morally good and bad, prompting to do the former and shun the latter, commending one, condemning the other ; the conscience

good – agathos – of good constitution or nature; useful, salutary; good, pleasant, agreeable, joyful, happy; excellent, distinguished; upright, honourable

they speak evil – katalaleo – to speak against one, to criminate, traduce

evildoers – kakopoios – an evil doer, malefactor

they may be ashamed – kataischuno – to dishonour, disgrace; to put to shame, make ashamed; to be ashamed, blush with shame; one is said to be put to shame who suffers a repulse, or whom some hope has deceived

falsely accuse – epereazo – to insult; to treat abusively, use despitefully; to revile; in a forensic sense, to accuse falsely; to threaten

conversation – anastrophe – manner of life, conduct, behaviour, deportment

:17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

better – kreitton – more useful, more serviceable, more advantageous; more excellent

well doing – agathopoieo – to do good, do something which profits others; to be a good help to someone; to do someone a favour; to benefit; to do well, do right

be so – thelo – to will, have in mind, intend; to be resolved or determined, to purpose; to desire, to wish; to love; to like to do a thing, be fond of doing; to take delight in, have pleasure

the will – thelema – what one wishes or has determined shall be done; of the purpose of God to bless mankind through Christ; of what God wishes to be done by us; commands, precepts; will, choice, inclination, desire, pleasure

suffer – pascho – to be affected or have been affected, to feel, have a sensible experience, to undergo; in a bad sense, to suffer sadly, be in a bad plight

evil doing – kakopoieo – to do harm; to do evil, do wrong

:18-22 Jesus suffered too, went to hell

:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

once – hapax – once, one time; once for all

This is very similar to the language used in Hebrews, where the writer clearly taught that Jesus only had to die once to pay for the sins of the entire world for all time:

Heb 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Heb 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once [for all].

Heb 7:27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

suffered – pascho – to be affected or have been affected, to feel, have a sensible experience, to undergo; in a bad sense, to suffer sadly, be in a bad plight

put to death – thanatoo – to put to death; metaph.; to make to die i.e. destroy, render extinct; by death to be liberated from the bond of anything, literally to be made dead in relation to (something)

quickened – zoopoieo (“live” + “to make”) – to produce alive, begat or bear living young; to cause to live, make alive, give life; by spiritual power to arouse and invigorate; to restore to life

It is better if we suffer for doing good. Jesus is our example. He suffered for doing good.

He might bring – prosago – to lead, to bring; to open a way of access, for one to God; to render one acceptable to God

The Gospel

Jesus died to open up the way to God.

He has died to pay for your sins, but the question remains, will you respond and follow Him?

:19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

prison – phulake – guard, watch; a watching, keeping watch; of the place where captives are kept, a prison

preached – kerusso – to be a herald, to officiate as a herald; to proclaim after the manner of a herald; to publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done

Peter is talking about something as if we know what he’s talking about.

We cannot be entirely sure, but it sounds as if Peter is saying that there was an instance where Jesus went and preached to “spirits” in “prison”.

A possible suggestion: Perhaps Jesus went and preached to the souls of the dead after His death on the cross, before rising from the dead.

Before His resurrection, the spirits of all people who died went to a place in the center of the earth known as “Sheol”, or, “Hades”. In Sheol, there were two compartments, two separate places. One was known as “Abraham’s bosom” or “Paradise”. The other was a place of torment, known as “hell” of “Gehenna”. Jesus tells a story describing this in Luke 16, of the deaths of the Rich Man and Lazarus.

At the cross, when Jesus died, we believe Jesus went to Sheol and preached. He didn’t go to suffer, He had already done that on the cross. The message was probably some kind of declaration of what He had just done, declaring to all those who had previously died that the hope of heaven was now achieved.

When He rose from the dead (or when He ascended into heaven), we believe that He emptied out the good compartment, Paradise, and took all the faithful with Him to heaven. We think this is what Paul meant when he wrote,

(Eph 4:8-10 KJV) Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. {9} (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? {10} He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

Now, when a person dies, if he is an unbeliever, he will still go to the same place unbelievers have always gone, hell. If a person is a believer, he will go immediately to heaven, to be in the presence of God.

Note: These are very, very vague passages. These ideas concerning Jesus’ visit to Hades are not things we’re going to be extremely dogmatic about. They are just one way of putting all the Scriptures together.

:20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

disobedient – apeitheo – not to allow one’s self to be persuaded; to refuse or withhold belief; to refuse belief and obedience; not to comply with

waited – ekdechomai – to receive, accept; to look for, expect, wait for, await

longsuffering – makrothumia – patience, endurance, constancy, steadfastness, perseverance; patience, forbearance, longsuffering, slowness in avenging wrongs

preparing – kataskeuazo – to furnish, equip, prepare, make ready; of builders, to construct, erect, with the included idea of adorning and equipping with all things necessary

the ark – kibotos – a wooden chest or box; in the NT the ark of the covenant, in the temple at Jerusalem; of Noah’s vessel built in the form of an ark

few – oligos – little, small, few

were saved – diasozo – to preserve through danger, to bring safely through; to save, keep from perishing; to save out of danger, rescue

:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

the like figure – antitupos – a thing formed after some pattern; a thing resembling another, its counterpart

save – sozo – to save, keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction; to save in the technical biblical sense

putting away – apothesis – a putting off or away

the filth – rhupos – filthy, dirty

conscience – suneidesis – the consciousness of anything; the soul as distinguishing between what is morally good and bad, prompting to do the former and shun the latter, commending one, condemning the other; the conscience

the answer – eperotema – an enquiry, a question; a demand; earnestly seeking; craving, an intense desire

Some people will use the first part of this verse to try and prove to you that you must be baptized in order to be saved. Yet as you keep reading the entire verse, you see that it is not the act of baptism itself that saves you, but the cry of your conscience to God that saves you.

:22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

being made subject – hupotasso – to arrange under, to subordinate; to subject, put in subjection; to subject one’s self, obey; to submit to one’s control; to yield to one’s admonition or advice; to obey, be subject; A Greek military term meaning "to arrange [troop divisions] in a military fashion under the command of a leader". In non-military use, it was "a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden".

angels and authorities and powers – these are names of levels of angelic beings.

1Peter 4:1-6 Enough sin

:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

mind – ennoia – the act of thinking, consideration, meditation; a thought, notion, conception; mind, understanding, will, manner of feeling, and thinking

arm – hoplizo – to arm, furnish with arms; to provide; to furnish one’s self with a thing (as with arms); metaph. take on the same mind; from hoplon – any tool or implement for preparing a thing; arms used in warfare, weapons; an instrument

suffered – pascho – to be affected or have been affected, to feel, have a sensible experience, to undergo; in a bad sense, to suffer sadly, be in a bad plight

hath ceased – pauo – to make to cease or desist; to restrain a thing or person from something; to cease, to leave off; have got release from sin; no longer stirred by its incitements and seductions. The verb is a perfect tense, the action happens in the past but the results continue on into the present.

Is Peter saying that suffering helps us to stop sinning?

No. He’s talking about having the mind of Christ, the One who doesn’t sin.

Be careful about thinking that if you punish yourself, you will stop sinning. That’s not what Peter is saying.

Paul wrote,

(Col 2:20-23 NLT) You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the evil powers of this world. So why do you keep on following rules of the world, such as, {21} "Don't handle, don't eat, don't touch." {22} Such rules are mere human teaching about things that are gone as soon as we use them. {23} These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, humility, and severe bodily discipline. But they have no effect when it comes to conquering a person's evil thoughts and desires.

Lesson

The mind that leads to victory

Arm yourselves in your minds with the concept that “I am dead to sin”.

Paul wrote,

(Rom 6:1-11 KJV) What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? {2} God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? {3} Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? {4} Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. {5} For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: {6} Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. {7} For he that is dead is freed from sin. {8} Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: {9} Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. {10} For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. {11} Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

This is what God is working out in our lives. We haven’t arrived yet.

But sin no longer has power over me as it once did.

As we allow more and more of the mind of Christ to control us, the more we will see His victory in our lives.

As we allow His mind to control us, we will find ourselves having suffered with Him.

I think there is a practical part of this as we learn to say “no” to ourselves. When we say “no”, we will find ourselves “suffering” a bit, as our flesh cries out to be fed and nurtured.

:2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

lusts – epithumia – desire, craving, longing, desire for what is forbidden, lust

will – thelema – what one wishes or has determined shall be done; of the purpose of God to bless mankind through Christ; of what God wishes to be done by us; commands, precepts; will, choice, inclination, desire, pleasure

the rest – epiloipos – remaining besides, left over

live – bioo – to spend life, live

:3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:

may suffice – arketos – sufficient, enough

past – parerchomai – to go past, pass by

will – thelema – what one wishes or has determined shall be done; of the purpose of God to bless mankind through Christ; of what God wishes to be done by us; commands, precepts; will, choice, inclination, desire, pleasure

to have wrought – katergazomai – to perform, accomplish, achieve; to work out i.e. to do that from which something results; of things: bring about, result in; to fashion i.e. render one fit for a thing

lasciviousness – aselgeia – unbridled lust, excess, licentiousness, outrageousness, shamelessness

lusts – epithumia – desire, craving, longing, desire for what is forbidden, lust

excess of wine – oinophlugia (“wine” + “bubbling”) – drunkenness

revellings – komos – a revel, carousal; a nocturnal and riotous procession of half drunken and frolicsome fellows who after supper parade through the streets with torches and music in honour of Bacchus or some other deity, and sing and play before houses of male and female friends; hence used generally of feasts and drinking parties that are protracted till late at night and indulge in revelry

banquetings – potos (“drink”) – a drinking, carousing

abominable – athemitos – contrary to law and justice, prohibited by law, illicit, criminal

idolatries – eidololatreia – the worship of false gods, idolatry; in the plural, the vices springing from idolatry and peculiar to it

Lesson

You’ve had enough

For some people, it’s clear to them that they’ve had enough of the “old life”.

For some, if we were raised in a fairly moral environment, we can feel like we’ve been cheated when we hear other people talk about their wild life.

WRONG!!!

The truth is, you’ve had enough.

:4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:

think it strange – xenizo (“stranger”) – to receive as a guest, to entertain, hospitably; to surprise or astonish by the strangeness and novelty of a thing; to think strange, be shocked

run … with – suntrecho – to run together; to run along with others; metaph. to rush with, to cast one’s self, plunge

riot – asotia – an abandoned, dissolute life; prodigality; wastefulness and riotous excess; reckless and extravagant expenditure, chiefly for the gratification of one’s sensual desires.

excess – anachusis – an overflowing, a pouring out; metaph. the excess (flood) of riot in which a dissolute life pours itself forth

speaking evil – blasphemeo – to speak reproachfully, rail at, revile, calumniate, blaspheme; to be evil spoken of, reviled, railed at

Lesson

They don’t understand

The people in the world don’t understand why you don’t do what they do.

:5 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.

shall give – apodidomi – to deliver, to give away for one’s own profit what is one’s own, to sell; to render account

account – logos – of speech; its use as respect to the MIND alone; reason, the mental faculty of thinking, meditating, reasoning, calculating; account, i.e. regard, consideration; account, i.e. reckoning, score

Lesson

Be ready for the judge

You have a reason to live correctly. You’ve seen the end of the race course. You know what’s up ahead. You now it’s not worth it to live in wickedness.

:6 For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

dead – nekros – properly; one that has breathed his last, lifeless; spiritually dead

the gospel preached – euaggelizo – to bring good news, to announce glad tidings; in the NT used especially of the glad tidings of the coming kingdom of God, and of the salvation to be obtained in it through Christ, and of what relates to this salvation

It would seem that Peter is referring to the event he mentioned back in 3:19 –

(1 Pet 3:19 KJV) By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

Jesus went and preached to the faithful who had already died, and took them to heaven. Even though their bodies were dead, “judged as men”, their spirits would live, being taken to God’s presence.

:7-11 Last Days Living

:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

end – telos – end; termination, the limit at which a thing ceases to be (always of the end of some act or state, but not of the end of a period of time)

at hand – eggizo – to bring near, to join one thing to another; to draw or come near to, to approach

sober – sophroneo (“safe” + “mind”) – to be of sound mind; to be in one’s right mind; to exercise self control; to put a moderate estimate upon one’s self, think of one’s self soberly; to curb one’s passions

watch – nepho – to be sober, to be calm and collected in spirit; to be temperate, dispassionate, circumspect

prayer – proseuche – prayer addressed to God

I think it’s interesting that this is coming from Peter. He knows something about learning to “watch” and “pray” –

(Mat 26:37-46 KJV) And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. {38} Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. {39} And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. {40} And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch (different word than in 1Peter, but same idea) with me one hour? {41} Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. {42} He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. {43} And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. {44} And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. {45} Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. {46} Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.

Lesson

Be ready for the end.

Jesus said,

(Mat 24:42 KJV) Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

charity – agape – brotherly love, affection, good will, love, benevolence

fervent – ektenes – stretched out; metaph. intent, earnestly, assiduously

love – agape – brotherly love, affection, good will, love, benevolence

shall cover – kalupto – to hide, veil; to hinder the knowledge of a thing

multitude – plethos – a multitude

Peter is probably quoting from:

(Prov 10:12 KJV) Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

Paul wrote about love and said that it …

(1 Cor 13:7 KJV) Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

beareth – stego – deck, thatch, to cover; to protect or keep by covering, to preserve; to cover over with silence; to keep secret; to hide, conceal; of the errors and faults of others; by covering to keep off something which threatens, to bear up against, hold out against, and so endure, bear, forbear

Lesson

Love covers sin

Love will never drag into the light of day the faults and mistakes of others, it would rather quietly mend things. Love can bear any insult, any injury, or any disappointment.

It's not uncommon to hear men gripe about their wives at work, and women about their husbands. But you should never take part in those conversations. Even if you've got some great stories yourself to tell.

When a husband meets his wife's friends, he should be greeted with exclamations like, "Oh, you're Mr. Wonderful!", not, "So that's what the snake looks like".

:9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging.

use hospitality – philoxenos – hospitable, generous to guests

grudging – goggusmos – a murmur, murmuring, muttering; a secret debate; a secret displeasure not openly avowed

:10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

the gift – charisma – a favour with which one receives without any merit of his own; the gift of divine grace; grace or gifts denoting extraordinary powers, distinguishing certain Christians and enabling them to serve the church of Christ, the reception of which is due to the power of divine grace operating on their souls by the Holy Spirit. I believe in the context here, that Peter is talking specifically about spiritual gifts.

minister – diakoneo – to be a servant, attendant, domestic, to serve, wait upon

good – kalos – beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable, admirable

stewards – oikonomos – the manager of household or of household affairs; esp. a steward, manager, superintendent (whether free-born or as was usually the case, a freed-man or a slave) to whom the head of the house or proprietor has intrusted the management of his affairs, the care of receipts and expenditures, and the duty of dealing out the proper portion to every servant and even to the children not yet of age; the manager of a farm or landed estate, an overseer

manifold – poikilos – a various colours, variegated; of various sorts

Lesson

Gifts are for others

If we’re not careful, we can off-base when it comes to the use of spiritual gifts.

We can start to think that we’re pretty special if God uses us. But that’s putting our eyes on the wrong thing. Our eyes ought to be on each other, learning how to serve one another.

:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God;

speak – laleo – to utter a voice or emit a sound; to speak; to use words in order to declare one’s mind and disclose one’s thoughts

oracles – logion – a brief utterance, a divine oracle (doubtless because oracles were generally brief); in the NT, the words or utterances of God

Lesson

Get to the point

Be careful not to elaborate or add.

It is a wonderful thing to have God give you a word to share with others.

It’s also a pretty neat thing to have other listening to you and paying attention.

If we’re not careful, we can start liking others listening to us so much that we can tend to “stretch” things a little bit.

For example, God puts the idea into your mind that He wants you to tell the people that He loves them.

So you begin to speak, “I think that God wants to tell us tonight that He loves us. Why He loves us so very much. We can’t even imagine how much He loves us. Did I forget to tell you that God loves us? Let me talk for a few minutes about how much God loves us…” And on and on we can go.

Sometimes we are aware that God has put a thought on our heart, and we feel like we want to make sure that every one “gets it”.

And again, we will go on and on, repeating the idea that God has given us several times.

I think we underestimate the power of God speaking to people. I don’t think we need to elaborate. I realize that I may be the very worst example to follow in all this, since I tend to talk a lot at church.

Jeremiah learned that sometimes God isn’t speaking through people who claim to be speaking for Him:

(Jer 23:28-32 KJV) The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD. {29} Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces? {30} Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from his neighbour. {31} Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that use their tongues, and say, He saith. {32} Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD.

I think that sometimes this can be applied to our public prayers as well.

(Eccl 5:2 KJV) Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.

I think that sometimes it’s a good thing to work at keeping our prayers short and to the point.

Jesus said,

(Mat 6:5-8 KJV) And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. {6} But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. {7} But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. {8} Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

God is not impressed by the length of your prayers. He is impressed by your sincerity and your faith.

:11 if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

minister – diakoneo – to be a servant, attendant, domestic, to serve, wait upon

ability – ischus – ability, force, strength, might

giveth – choregeo – to be a chorus leader, lead a chorus; to furnish the chorus at one’s own expense; to procure and supply all things necessary to fit out a chorus; to supply, furnish abundantly

Lesson

Serve as God supplies

God is our “choir director”. He is the one who has supplied all we need for ministry. We need to grow in learning to minister in His strength.

I think there is a real practical lesson here.

Sometimes we want to serve based on what NEED we see. And it doesn’t look like there’s any strength or any person to fulfill that need. And we get frustrated and start begging people and twisting arms to that what we see as a “need” gets fulfilled.

But sometimes God wants us to learn to pray and wait on Him. Sometimes God’s answer is “wait” because He knows that the situation isn’t ready to be dealt with. Let God supply what is needed.

This is a trap I’ve fallen into many times in ministry. I think that we need this certain kind of ministry or that kind of ministry. And I beg people and twist their arms to do this particular ministry, and then people get frustrated, burn out, and quit. And I panic. I think I’m beginning to learn that if God is guiding, then God is going to provide. He’ll supply what we need for what He wants to do.

Illustration

Glass Eye

There was this guy who owned a very fast motorcycle. His friends would always tell him, that because he only had one good eye (the other being a glass eye) that if he didn’t slow down when he rides his motorcycle, hewould someday be involved in a serious accident. But the friends’ warnings were to no avail. One day he did get into a terrible accident out on a lonely, rarely used stretch of highway. The driver and his passenger were both eye doctors. There was no one around when the accident happened.  So one turned to the other and said, “He just seems to be knocked out cold.” They checked the cyclist over and he seemed all right, except he had excessive damage to his eye. The driver then said to his friend, “Why don’t we take him to our eye clinic, fix his eye, and then put him and the motorcycle back where the accident happened. We”ll put him near to a tree, so that no one will think that anyone else was involved in the accident.” So they did just that. The next day, the local newspaper reported the accident. The headline read, “Mysterious Auto Accident Involving Cyclist with Two Glass Eyes.”

Sometimes I think we try to help God out a little too much.  I think sometimes we can cause more damage than help because God isn’t the One leading us.

:12-19 Suffering

:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

beloved – agapetos – beloved, esteemed, dear, favourite, worthy of love

think it … strange – xenizo – to receive as a guest, to entertain, hospitably; to be received hospitably; to surprise or astonish by the strangeness and novelty of a thing; to think strange, be shocked

fiery trial – purosis – a burning; the burning by which metals are roasted and reduced; by a figure drawn from a refiners fire; calamities or trials that test the character

to try – peirasmos – an experiment, attempt, trial, proving; the trial of man’s fidelity, integrity, virtue, constancy; an enticement to sin, temptation, whether arising from the desires or from the outward circumstances; adversity, affliction, trouble: sent by God and serving to test or prove one’s character, faith, holiness

strange – xenos – a foreigner, a stranger; new, unheard of

happened – sumbaino (“with” + “stepping”) – to walk with the feet near together; to come together, meet with one; of things which fall out at the same time, to happen, turn out, come to pass

Lesson

You’re not the only one

One of the enemy’s chief ways to isolate us from others is to get us to think that we are the only person who has ever experienced this particular type of trial.

Paul wrote,

(1 Cor 10:13 KJV) There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Others have gone through similar things. Others have made it. So can 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.

ye are partakers – koinoneo – to come into communion or fellowship with, to become a sharer, be made a partner; to enter into fellowship, join one’s self to an associate, make one’s self a sharer or partner

sufferings – pathema – that which one suffers or has suffered; an enduring, undergoing, suffering

rejoice – chairo – to rejoice, be glad; to rejoice exceedingly

esceeding joy – agalliao – to exult, rejoice exceedingly, be exceeding glad

Lesson

Keep your eyes on the finish

Jesus will win.

It’s like missing the Super Bowl but you tape it with your VCR, hoping to watch the game later. In the meantime, you find out that your team actually wins! As you watch the tape, you might find moments when your team has difficulty, but you know you’re still going to win.

:14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

reproached – oneidizo – to reproach, upbraid, revile; of deserved reproach; of undeserved reproach, to revile; to upbraid, cast (favours received) in one’s teeth

happy – makarios – blessed, happy

resteth – anapauo – to cause or permit one to cease from any movement or labour in order to recover and collect his strength; to give rest, refresh, to give one’s self rest, take rest; to keep quiet, of calm and patient expectation

They may not think highly of Jesus, but you know Jesus and you know that He is going to win.

:15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.

suffer – pascho – to be affected or have been affected, to feel, have a sensible experience, to undergo; in a bad sense, to suffer sadly, be in a bad plight

busybody – allotriepiskopos (“belonging to another” + “to oversee”) – one who takes the supervision of affairs pertaining to others and in no wise to himself, a meddler in other men’s affairs

Lesson

Don’t put your nose where it doesn’t belong.

You may suffer for it if you do, and God isn’t going to mind if you suffer.

There are things that we simply do not need to know about concerning other people. We need to learn to be satisfied with it.

:16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

suffer – pascho – to be affected or have been affected, to feel, have a sensible experience, to undergo; in a bad sense, to suffer sadly, be in a bad plight

This word “suffer” is found 41 times in the New Testament, and 11 of them are here in 1Peter. An amazing amount of times considering it is such a small letter.

Christian – Christianos – Christian, a follower of Christ

ashamed – aischuno – to disfigure; to dishonour; to suffuse with shame, make ashamed, be ashamed

:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

Lesson

Clean your own house first.

Sometimes we want to go around and clean up everyone else’s house, when our own house is a mess.

Jesus said,

(Mat 7:3-5 NLT) And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own? {4} How can you think of saying, 'Friend, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the log in your own eye? {5} Hypocrite! First get rid of the log from your own eye; then perhaps you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye.

:18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

scarcely – molis – with difficulty, hardly; not easily, i.e. scarcely, very rarely

ungodly – asebes – destitute of reverential awe towards God, condemning God, impious

(1 Pet 4:18 NASB) AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER?

Peter is quoting from:

(Prov 11:31 KJV) Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.

Peter has made a point that we in the church need to clean up our act. And if we need to clean up our act, how about the people who aren’t in the church?

:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

suffer – pascho – to be affected or have been affected, to feel, have a sensible experience, to undergo; in a bad sense, to suffer sadly, be in a bad plight

will – thelema – what one wishes or has determined shall be done; of the purpose of God to bless mankind through Christ; of what God wishes to be done by us; commands, precepts; will, choice, inclination, desire, pleasure

commit the keeping – paratithemi – to place beside or near or set before; to place down (from one’s self or for one’s self) with any one; to deposit; to intrust, commit to one’s charge

well doing – agathopoiia – a course of right action, well doing, virtue

I used to think that this “well doing” was the idea of God doing the right thing, as in the idea of saying, “God I think You’ll always do the right thing”.

But I don’t think that Peter is saying that. Peter has been making a point all along about how WE ought to be doing good, even if suffer for it:

1Pe 2:15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing <15> ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

1Pe 2:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well <15>, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

1Pe 3:17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing <15>, than for evil doing.

I think that the NLT translates this well –

(1 Pet 4:19 NLT) So if you are suffering according to God's will, keep on doing what is right, and trust yourself to the God who made you, for he will never fail you.

1Peter 5:1-4 Elders

:1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

elders – presbuteros – elder, of age,; a term of rank or office; among the Christians, those who presided over the assemblies (or churches) The NT uses the term bishop, elders, and presbyters interchangeably

exhort – parakaleo – to call to one’s side, call for, summon; to address, speak to, (call to, call upon), which may be done in the way of exhortation, entreaty, comfort, instruction, etc.

also an elder – sumpresbuteros – a fellow elder

sufferings – pathema – that which one suffers or has suffered; an enduring, undergoing, suffering

Peter had watched Jesus suffer in His trial and crucifixion.

partaker – koinonos – a partner, associate, comrade, companion; a partner, sharer, in anything

Peter will one day share in the glory that we will all share in as Christians.

Lesson

Keep going.

Peter knows what he’s talking about. He saw Jesus suffer according to the will of God.

Peter is hanging on and holding on for the glory, just like we are.

:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you,

feed – poimaino – to feed, to tend a flock, keep sheep

flock – poimnion – a flock (esp.) of sheep

Lesson

Feed them.

Those in leadership – the best thing you can do is to care for, especially feeding, the people you work with.

We feed people on the Word of God.

Lesson

It’s God’s flock

Not yours. I think there’s value in “owning” your ministry. But don’t “own” it too much. The people you minister to are God’s people, not yours. The church is the Bride of Christ, not your bride.

:2 taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

taking the oversight – episkopeo – to look upon, inspect, oversee, look after, care for; of the care of the church which rested upon the elders; to look carefully, beware

constraint – anagkastos (“necessity”) – by force or constrain

willingly – hekousios – voluntarily, willingly, of one’s own accord

filthy lucre – aischrokerdos – eagerness for base gain

ready mind – prothumos (“for” + “passion”) – willingly; eagerness

Lesson

Leaders need to lead.

If God has given you a ministry, do it. If He’s put you in a leadership position, then lead.

I have come across people who will tell me how they’ve left this church or that church because the pastor was too authoritarian always ordering people around. I used to sympathize with those folks and pat them on the back because I felt that perhaps they had been “abused”, and that certainly might be the case sometimes.

But I have also learned that some people don’t want to be led. And when you start to lead, they will accuse you of being too authoritarian.

Don’t stop leading. God wants leaders to lead.

Lesson

Lead with the right heart

We can get all sorts of bad motives going when we are serving the Lord.

Sometimes we do it because our arm is being twisted. There may be well-meaning people who are twisting our arms. We can even be twisting our own arms.

Sometimes a person can find himself doing ministry for what he is going to get out of it, whether it’s money, glory, or power.

Does this mean we need to stop doing the ministry? No. It means we need to adjust our hearts. We need to serve with willingness and passion.

:3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

being lords – katakurieuo – to bring under one’s power, to subject one’s self, to subdue, master; to hold in subjection, to be master of, exercise lordship over

heritage – kleros – an object used in casting or drawing lots, which was either a pebble, or a potsherd, or a bit of wood; those whose care and oversight has been assigned to one [allotted charge], used of Christian churches, the administration of which falls to the lot of presbyters

ensamples – tupos – the mark of a stroke or blow, print; a figure formed by a blow or impression; of a figure or image; an example; in the technical sense, the pattern in conformity to which a thing must be made; an example to be imitated

Lesson

Don’t be bossy

We need to balance the idea of “leading” with not becoming too “bossy”.

Lesson

Be an example.

A leader is someone who leads. He is someone who sets the example so others can follow.

I think that one of the tests of leadership is the question, “When you lead, does anyone follow?”

:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

chief Shepherd – archipoimen – chief shepherd

receive – komizo – to care for, take care of, provide for; to carry away, bear off; to receive, obtain: the promised blessing

fadeth not away – amarantinos – composed of “amaranth”; a flower so called because it never withers or fades, and when plucked off revives if moistened with water; a symbol of perpetuity and immortality

Lesson

It’s worth it.

Sometimes it’s dangerous working around sheep.

Illustration

SHEEP SHOOTS SLEEPING SHEPHERD

Egyptian shepherd Mokhtar Adam Fadl was sleeping soundly beside his flock when he was shot dead - by one of his sheep. The animal killed Fadl by kicking his gun and accidentally firing it, police said. The shot hit Fadl in the chest as the 20-year-old Bedouin slept in the desert near Sidi Barrani, northwest Egypt. Police in the district of Marsa Matrouh said they confiscated the locally made gun as it was not licensed. They took the sheep away, but not to prison.

http://ananova.com/news/story/sm_233275.html

Moral to this story . . "Don't sleep when you are watching the sheep"

It’s not fun being a leader, but Jesus will one day reward us.

:5-7 Humility

:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

younger – neos – recently born, young, youthful; here it’s comparative. Not just “new” but “newer”.

submit – hupotasso – to arrange under, to subordinate; to subject, put in subjection; to subject one’s self, obey; to submit to one’s control; to yield to one’s admonition or advice; to obey, be subject; A Greek military term meaning "to arrange [troop divisions] in a military fashion under the command of a leader". In non-military use, it was "a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden".

elder – presbuteros – elder, of age; comparative of prebus, “elderly”. Not just “old”, but “older”.

Lesson

Listen up you young whippersnappers!

We ought to pay attention to those who are older than we are!

be subject – hupotasso – to arrange under, to subordinate; to subject, put in subjection; to subject one’s self, obey; to submit to one’s control; to yield to one’s admonition or advice; to obey, be subject; A Greek military term meaning "to arrange [troop divisions] in a military fashion under the command of a leader". In non-military use, it was "a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden".

humility – tapeinophrosune (“low” + “mind”) – the having a humble opinion of one’s self; a deep sense of one’s (moral) littleness; modesty, humility, lowliness of mind

be clothed with – egkomboomai – knot or band by which two things are fastened together, to fasten or gird one’s self; This was the white scarf or apron of slaves, which was fastened to the belt of the vest and distinguished slaves from freemen, hence in #1Pe 5:5, "gird yourselves with humility as your servile garb" means by putting on humility, show your subjection one to another.

proud – huperephanos (“above” + “shine”) – showing one’s self above others, overtopping, conspicuous above others, pre-eminent; with an overweening estimate of one’s means or merits, despising others or even treating them with contempt, haughty

resisteth – antitassomai (“against” + “line up”) – to range in battle against; to oppose one’s self, resist

Peter is quoting:

(Prov 3:34 KJV) Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.

:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

humble – tapeinoo – to make low, bring low

mighty – krataios – mighty

exalt – hupsoo – to lift up on high, to exalt; metaph. to raise to the very summit of opulence and prosperity; to exalt, to raise to dignity, honour and happiness

:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

care – merimna – care, anxiety; from merizo – to divide. “Cares” are the things that distract you because they divide your time or your affections.

casting – epirrhipto – to throw upon, place upon

careth – melo – to care about.

This is a different word than the one translated “care”. We might better say, “throw all your anxieties upon Him because He cares for you”.

Lesson

Give Him your burdens

David wrote,

(Psa 55:22 KJV) Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Jesus said,

(Mat 6:25-32 KJV) Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? {26} Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? {27} Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? {28} And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: {29} And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. {30} Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? {31} Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? {32} (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

Illustration

The Old Lady and the Basket

There once was an old lady who lived in a village. She had never owned nor even been in a car before. One day, she was returning home from the market carrying a big heavy basket on her head, when a rich man driving his car passed by. Kindly, he offered to drive the lady to her home. She thanked him and got into the car with her basket. On the way, the man glanced at the lady in the mirror, still holding her basket over her head. Astonished, he asked her to lay the basket down in the car and rest. The old lady naively replied, "Oh my son, your car is carrying me; this is enough, I should not burden it carrying my basket too!"

What an innocently funny response! We sometimes do the same with God. Everyday, God carries us during the day. Still, do we insist in carrying our heavy baskets of worries and fear of the future, for family, kids, spouse, money, job, etc? We are carried by Almighty Hands, watched over by Sleepless Eyes and God plans our future. Let us then relax and lay down everything in God's Hands.

The old lady, if she agreed to lay down the basket, would have to carry it again when back home. But the beautiful thing about God is that once we cast our heavy basket in His Hands, we do not need to think about it anymore.

:8-9 The adversary

:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

be sober – nepho – to be sober, to be calm and collected in spirit; to be temperate, dispassionate, circumspect

be vigilant – gregoreuo – to watch; metaph. give strict attention to, be cautious, active; to take heed lest through remission and indolence some destructive calamity suddenly overtake one

adversary – antidikos – opponent; an opponent in a suit of law; an adversary, enemy

roaring – oruomai – to roar, to howl (of a lion, wolf, dog, and other beasts)

devour – katapino – to drink down, swallow down; to devour; to swallow up, destroy

:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

resist – anthistemi – to set one’s self against, to withstand, resist, oppose; to set against

stedfast – stereos – strong, firm, immovable, solid, hard, rigid; in a good sense, firm, steadfast

afflictions – pathema – that which one suffers or has suffered

are accomplished – epiteleo – to bring to an end, accomplish, perfect, execute, complete; to appoint to, impose upon

James said,

(James 4:7 KJV) Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

:10-14 Benediction

:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

suffered – pascho – to be affected or have been affected, to feel, have a sensible experience, to undergo; in a bad sense, to suffer sadly, be in a bad plight

make you perfect – katartizo – to render, i.e. to fit, sound, complete; to mend (what has been broken or rent), to repair; to complete; to fit out, equip, put in order, arrange, adjust; to fit or frame for one’s self, prepare; ethically: to strengthen, perfect, complete, make one what he ought to be

stablish – sterizo – to make stable, place firmly, set fast, fix; to strengthen, make firm; to render constant, confirm, one’s mind

strengthen – sthenoo – to make strong, strengthen. The opposite, asthenoo is used a lot to talk of weakness.

settle – themelioo – to lay the foundation, to found; to make stable, establish

:11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

:12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.

:13 The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.

:14 Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

kiss – philema – a kiss; the kiss with which, as a sign of fraternal affection, Christians were accustomed to welcome or dismiss their companions in the faith

charity – agape – brotherly love, affection, good will, love, benevolence