Author: Rich Nelson

3This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you; in them I am trying to arouse your sincere intention by reminding you ² that you should remember the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets, and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken through your apostles. ³ First of all you must understand this, that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and indulging their own lusts ⁴ and saying, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since our ancestors died, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation!” ⁵ They deliberately ignore this fact, that by the word of God heavens existed long ago and an earth was formed out of water and by means of water, ⁶ through which the world of that time was deluged with water and perished. ⁷ But by the same word the present heavens and earth have been reserved for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the godless.

⁸ But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. ⁹ The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. ¹⁰ But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed. 

¹¹ Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, ¹² waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fire? ¹³ But, in accordance with his promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.

Final Exhortation and Doxology

¹⁴ Therefore, beloved, while you are waiting for these things, strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish; ¹⁵ and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation. So also our beloved brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given him,
¹⁶ speaking of this as he does in all his letters. There are some things in them hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other scriptures. ¹⁷ You therefore, beloved, since you are forewarned, beware that you are not carried away with the error of the lawless and lose your own stability. ¹⁸ But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.  NRSV

Get into the Word

1. How does Peter begin this section? What is his objective for these two letters? How does he hope to accomplish this? Who are his sources?

2. What is the first problem he warns against? What is the challenge believers will face? Why will this problem seem “reasonable”? What truth is Peter trying to convey here?

3. What does he bring next? What is the reminder here? Why is this important? Why does God “wait” as he appears to be doing? What is really going on in our world? What is the end result?

4. How should Christians respond to this situation? How should this affect our behavior? What will be the major change from our present world?

5. How does this affect the church? Who does Peter refer to for support of his advice? What must believers avoid? What happens if they don’t follow Peter and Paul’s advice? What happens if they do?

Get Personal

How is God helping you arouse your sincere intention to live the kind of life that Jesus modeled when he was on this earth? How is he helping you avoid the snares of false teaching and following your desires and live a Godly life.

3:1. Second letter – evidently both letters were intended for the same group(s) of believers.
Arouse your sincere intention – other translations use “stimulate you to wholesome thinking.” Peter’s goal is to avoid the false prophets’ teaching he discussed in chapter 2.
Reminding you – or “refresh your memory” – his audience already knows the correct story about Jesus and his work on their behalf.
3:2. Holy prophets – Peter directly connects the Christians’ beliefs to the Old Testament and to his and the Apostles’ teaching.
3:3. Last days – the label the Apostles gave to the time between Jesus’ resurrection and his return at the end of time.
Scoffers – the false teachers in chapter 2. Both Jesus [Matthew 24:3-5] and Paul [1 Timothy 4:1-3, 3:1-9] also predicted them.
3:4. All things continue – the scoffers claim nothing has ever really changed so why should believers expect anything different.
3:5. Deliberately ignore – Peter uses the

Old Testament narrative of Noah again to show that God has intervened in history.
3:8. One day is like . . . – Peter is referring to Psalm 90:4, to point out that God does operate on human or earthly time.
3:9. Patient with you – in fact, God’s apparent slowness in returning actually gives humans more time to hear the Gospel and accept Christ’s forgiveness and invitation to “follow me,” [also in verse 15: Regard the patience of our Lord as salvation].
3:10. Day of the Lord – a reference to God’s judgment, Zephaniah calls it the “Day of the Lord’s wrath” [1:18].
3:11. What sort of persons – Jesus, as well as Paul and John, used the knowledge of impending judgment as a call to all believers to lead “lives of holiness and godliness,” [check Luke 12:35-40, and Romans 13:11-14].
3:15. Our beloved brother Paul – even though both men had different points of emphasis, they agreed on the key aspects of the Gospel, and their letters were circulating at the same time in the middle of the first century.
3:17. You therefore beloved – a last warning and encouragement.

Memory Verse
But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day, [2 Peter 3:9]

2But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive opinions. They will even deny the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. ² Even so, many will follow their licentious ways, and because of these teachers the way of truth will be maligned.
³ And in their greed they will exploit you with deceptive words. Their condemnation, pronounced against them long ago, has not been idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

⁴ For if God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of deepest darkness to be kept until the judgment; ⁵ and if he did not spare the ancient world, even though he saved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood on a world of the ungodly;
⁶ and if by turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction and made them an example of what is coming to the ungodly;  ⁷ and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man greatly distressed by the licentiousness of the lawless ⁸ (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by their lawless deeds that he saw and heard), ⁹ then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trial, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment ¹⁰ —especially those who indulge their flesh in depraved lust, and who despise authority.

Bold and willful, they are not afraid to slander the glorious ones,  ¹¹ whereas angels, though greater in might and power, do not bring against them a slanderous judgment from the Lord.  ¹² These people, however, are like irrational animals, mere creatures of instinct, born to be caught and killed. They slander what they do not understand, and when those creatures are destroyed, they also will be destroyed, ¹³ suffering the penalty for doing wrong. They count it a pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their dissipation while they feast with you. ¹⁴ They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children! ¹⁵ They have left the straight road and have gone astray, following the road of Balaam son of Bosor, who loved the wages of doing wrong, ¹⁶ but was rebuked for his own transgression; a speechless donkey spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.

¹⁷ These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm; for them the deepest darkness has been reserved. ¹⁸ For they speak bombastic nonsense, and with licentious desires of the flesh they entice people who have just escaped from those who live in error. ¹⁹ They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption; for people are slaves to whatever masters them. ²⁰ For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overpowered, the last state has become worse for them than the first. ²¹ For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment that was passed on to them. ²² It has happened to them according to the true proverb,
“The dog turns back to its own vomit,”
and,
“The sow is washed only to wallow in the mud.” NRSV

Get into the Word

1. What group does Peter warn about? What will these folks do? What will happen to them? How will this affect the Christians? What does Peter say about the end result?

2. Who does he compare these folks with? What happened to them? Who does Peter mention next? What happened to these people? Who is the next “lawless” group? Who is the exception in this case? What happened to this person? How does this show God’s judgment of people’s actions?

3. How does Peter describe the false prophets? How are they different than angels? What other traits and behaviors does he mention. What example does he introduce?

4. What is the last description of “these people”? What descriptions does Peter use here? Why are their actions so destructive? To whom? What have they given up or lost? What metaphors does he use to conclude? (See Notes)

Get Personal

How are you dealing with all the “false” teachers and teachings that face us every day? How does God help you to see what is false and negative and destructive? How does he help you focus on living the truth that Christ’s death and resurrection offers the ability and strength to live the new life?

2:1. The people – the Israelites of the Old Testament period [check Deut 13:1-3, 1 Kings 13:18, Jeremiah 5:31].
Secretly – the false teachers will present themselves as followers of Christ, [check Matt 24:4, Mark 13:22, Acts 20:29].
Bought – Jesus’ death on the cross was the “payment” or ransom that frees the believer from sin and reunites her or him with Christ.
2:2. Licentious ways – many of the false teachings said that knowledge was more important than practice, so it did not matter how a person behaved, and sexual immorality was often (as now) the common example of “shameful” behavior.
2:3. Greed . . . exploit – the false teachers commercialized the faith. Paul calls them “peddlers,” [2 Cor 2:17].
2:4. Angels when they sinned – probably the “sons of God” in Genesis 6:1-4, prior to the Great Flood.
Hell – here the Greek word refers to a “prison holding place.”
2:5. Saved Noah – God’s first judgment on the world [Genesis 6, also check 1 Peter 3:20].2:6. Sodom and Gomorrah – two evil cities in  ancient Israel that God destroyed by fire, [check Genesis 18:6-19:28].
2:7. Lot – Abraham’s brother who lived in Sodom, but God saved him after Abraham debated with the Lord, [the story is at Genesis 18:23-33].

2:9. Knows how to rescue – the examples of Noah and Lot demonstrate Gods ability and willingness to rescue those who call on him. The history of Israel bears this out as the prophets repeatedly call on the people to repent and turn to the Lord, [check the up’s and down’s of the people in Judges].
2:12. These people are like . . . – Peter drives his point home with a lengthy description of the false teachers’ immoral behaviors. 
2:15. Balaam – another example from Jewish history, Balaam was a false prophet hired by an evil king to prophesy against Israel, but he was called out by his donkey [Numbers 22:28].
2:17. Waterless springs – the false prophets’ promises are completely empty.
Just escaped – new Christians who have recently renounced depravity.
2:18. Slaves to whatever masters them – the primary false promise was that peoples’ behavior did not matter to God (entice people with licentious desires of the flesh), but Christians make their faith visible to others (and to themselves) through their behavior.
2:22. The dog . . . in the mud” – Peter uses Proverbs 26:11 and a then-common Jewish expression, [check Matthew 7:6]. In Peter’s time dogs were considered one of the worst animals, on the same level as pigs and jackals.

Memory Verse
[False teachers] promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption; for people are slaves to whatever masters them, [2 Peter 2:19]

Next Lesson
The promise of the Lord’s coming – 2 Peter 3

1Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have received a faith as precious as ours through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
² May grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

³ His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. ⁴ Thus he has given us, through these things, his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may escape from the corruption that is in the world because of lust, and may become participants of the divine nature. ⁵ For this very reason, you must make every effort to support your faith with goodness, and goodness with knowledge, ⁶ and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with endurance, and endurance with godliness,
⁷ and godliness with mutual affection, and mutual affection with love. ⁸ For if these things are yours and are increasing among you, they keep you from being ineffective and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ For anyone who lacks these things is nearsighted and blind, and is forgetful of the cleansing of past sins.
¹⁰ Therefore, brothers and sisters, be all the more eager to confirm your call and election, for if you do this, you will never stumble.
¹¹ For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly provided for you.

¹² Therefore I intend to keep on reminding you of these things, though you know them already and are established in the truth that has come to you. ¹³ I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to refresh your memory,
¹⁴ since I know that my death will come soon, as indeed our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. ¹⁵ And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.

Eyewitnesses of Christ’s Glory

¹⁶ For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. ¹⁷ For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” ¹⁸ We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.

¹⁹ So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. ²⁰ First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, ²¹ because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. NRSV

Get into the Word

1. How does Peter introduce himself in this letter? Why do you think he used both versions of his name? What titles does he use? Why did he choose these?

2. How does he describe the folks who received this letter? What greeting does he use?What gift does he talk about in the first section? Where does the gift come from? How did the people get it. Why are they receiving this gift? What is the ultimate purpose of the gift?

3. How should the Christians respond to this gift? How are the different aspects of this gift related to each other? What is the ultimate basis for this gift? How does the gift affect the relationships among the believers?

4. How does Peter justify his repetition of “these things”?What incident does Peter write about next [See Notes]? How does he differentiate his narrative from other stories? What is different about this incident? How does he authenticate his version?

5. What image does he use to describe this message? How should the believers respond to this metaphor? Who is really speaking to the people?

Get Personal

How does God help you “support your faith?” How often do you get reminders of his grace in your life?

1:1. Simeon Peter – Peter uses both his Hebrew name and his Greek name, perhaps reminding his readers of the two parts of his life.
    Servant – literally “slave.”
    Apostle – an “ambassador” who is fully authorized to speak on behalf of his principal.
    A faith as precious as ours – “Faith” is not just the knowledge of Jesus’ life, sacrifice and resurrection, it is the ability to live a changed life – and it is the same faith that Peter (and every other Christian) has.
1:2. Knowledge – Peter reinforces the point that “knowing” God is experiential, not just a group of belief statements. Jesus said the same thing when asked about the “work” of the kingdom of God: believe in [as in “get to know” or “have a personal relationship with”] him whom he has sent, [John 6:29].
1:3. Has given – (also 1:4) God has already provided the all that a believer needs to live a Godly life through this “knowledge” of Christ.
1:5. Support your faith – literally “add to” your faith, which is the initial step in a changed life. Peter builds a “stairway” of successive virtues (verses 5-7) culminating in selfless love for God and others. The goal is to be “effective” and “fruitful” so that your life and

faith spreads to others.
1:12. Keep on reminding – championship sports teams never stop repeating the basic elements of their sport, even though they “know them already and are established” in them.
1:14. My death will come soon – Jesus had told Peter the type of death he would face (the story is in John 21:18-19). Tradition puts Peter’s death between 64 and 68 CE.
1:16. Cleverly devised myths – the “false teachers” said Christ’s return was a myth.
    Eyewitnesses – Peter, along with John and James saw Jesus’ transfiguration and heard the voice say this is my Son, my Chosen. Listen to him, [Luke 9:2-8].
1:19. Prophetic message – what we call the “Old Testament,” which was codified in Greek around 250 BCE.
    More fully confirmed – Jesus’ life, death and resurrection validated the writings of the prophets.
    Morning star – a metaphor for Christ [check Luke 1:78, Revelation 2:28 and 22:16].
1:21. Moved by the Holy Spirit – prophecy is “speaking God’s word to people.” Before Jesus came prophets would tell the Jewish people how God felt about their actions (usually negatively) and what would happen to them if they continued to disobey him.

Memory Verse
No prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women, moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God, [2 Peter 21]

Next Lesson
7:False prophets and their punishment – 2 Peter 2:1-22

5Now as an elder myself and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you ² to tend the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have you do it—not for sordid gain but eagerly. ³ Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock.
⁴ And when the chief shepherd appears, you will win the crown of glory that never fades away. ⁵ In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you must clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for
“God opposes the proud,
but gives grace to the humble.”

⁶ Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. ⁷ Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. ⁸ Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.
¹⁰ And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. ¹¹ To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings and Benediction

¹² Through Silvanus, whom I consider a faithful brother, I have written this short letter to encourage you and to testify that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it. ¹³ Your sister church in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings; and so does my son Mark. ¹⁴ Greet one another with a kiss of love.

Peace to all of you who are in Christ.  NRSV

Get into the Word

1. How does Peter describe himself? What experience does he mention? How does this support his direction to the church? How are elders supposed to do their “work”? What model should they follow? What is the consequence of doing this work.

2. What guidance does he give the younger followers? What characteristic does he emphasize? How should they respond to their situation in society? How should they deal with adversity? Who else does Peter reference? What is their ultimate future?

3. Why has Peter written this letter? Who else is working with Peter? [See Notes]

Get Personal

How does God help you deal with adversity? Do you tend to give him your anxieties or do you tell God, “I got this!” Are you confident that God will “establish you”?

5:1. Elder – a leader in a local congregation. The early church followed the Jewish tradition of older members providing leadership and support to younger members.
Witness . . . shares – Peter was also one of Jesus’ first followers and directly involved in his entire earthly ministry.
5:2. Tend the flock – Jesus directed Peter to “tend my sheep,” [John 21:16]. Jesus referred to himself as the “shepherd” as well [John 10:1-16]. A shepherd, often the youngest male in the household, was responsible for feeding, caring for, guiding and protecting the sheep. Also check Psalm 23.
5:3. Lord it over – Literally “act like the lord” or lead by force and power. Christian leaders should be the best possible example for others to follow, just as Jesus was the best example for the disciples.
5:5. God opposes the proud – Peter paraphrases Proverbs 3:34.

5:6-9. Humble yourselves – Peter’s final instruction begins with establishing the right relationship with God, which will lead to the other characteristics: not anxious, disciplined, alert, resisting sin, and steadfastness (or consistency).
5:12. Silvanus – the Greek name of Silas, a leader of the early church who accompanied Paul on his second missionary journey through Asia Minor, and evidently also assisted Peter with writing and/or delivering this letter to the local churches.
5:13. Sister church in Babylon – Babylon was the capitol of an ancient empire that persecuted the Israelites, but early church writers used it as code so they would not be accused of criticizing the Roman emperor (John used it extensively in his Revelation).
Mark – also John Mark – was another early church leader, who worked with both Peter and Paul, [check Acts 12:12, 25, 15:36-39].

Memory Verse
And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you, [1 Peter 5:10]

4Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same intention (for whoever has suffered in the flesh has finished with sin), ² so as to live for the rest of your earthly life no longer by human desires but by the will of God. ³ You have already spent enough time in doing what the Gentiles like to do, living in licentiousness, passions, drunkenness, revels, carousing, and lawless idolatry.
⁴ They are surprised that you no longer join them in the same excesses of dissipation, and so they blaspheme. ⁵ But they will have to give an accounting to him who stands ready to judge the living and the dead.
⁶ For this is the reason the gospel was proclaimed even to the dead, so that, though they had been judged in the flesh as everyone is judged, they might live in the spirit as God does.

⁷ The end of all things is near; therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers. ⁸ Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. ⁹ Be hospitable to one another without complaining. ¹⁰ Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. ¹¹ Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

Suffering as a Christian

¹² Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. ¹⁴ If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you. ¹⁵ But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, a criminal, or even as a mischief maker. ¹⁶ Yet if any of you suffers as a Christian, do not consider it a disgrace, but glorify God because you bear this name. ¹⁷ For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God; if it begins with us, what will be the end 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 sinners?”

¹⁹ Therefore, let those suffering in accordance with God’s will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator, while continuing to do good. NRSV

Get into the Word

1. 1. What type of suffering does Peter begin with in this section? Who does he point to as our model? What results from suffering like Christ? How does this change our life?

2. Who does he contrast our new life with? How does he describe their life? What does he say about their reaction when we change. What can they expect from their lifestyle? What can change this cycle? Why would they do so?

3. What does Peter bring up next? How should believers respond to this situation? How should they interact with the people around them. What characteristics should describe believers? Why do you suppose the author stresses these?

4. How does he describe the believers’ current living situation? What makes it different for Christians? How can a person “rejoice” in such a situation? What must they avoid? How should they deal with suffering? Why is this urgent for believers?

Get Personal

How are you doing with “being an outsider” because of your faith, living differently that others in your community? How is God helping you follow Christ even though you are suffering?

4:1. Therefore – links this section back to chapters 2 and 3.

Arm yourselves – the Greek means “put on armor” – we should have the same intention or commitment to follow God’s will that Jesus had.

4:2. Human desires – Peter lists several “sins” that all come down to “doing what I want to do.” 

4:4. They are surprised – non-believers will not understand why the believer no longer acts the way they do or makes the same choices they make.

Blaspheme – non-believers will criticize and ostracize Christians from their social group.

4:5. Accounting – non-believers will ultimately have to answer to God for the choices they have made in their lives. Peter, like Paul, uses this transactional or judicial metaphor to describe what happens to non-believers when they meet God – similar to a debtor explaining why he has not paid back what he owes.

4.6. Proclaimed even to the dead – an echo from Peter’s statement in Chapter 3, with the same ambiguous and conflicting possible interpretations (see Notes on page 8).

4.7. The end of all things is near – the apostles believed that Jesus would return sooner rather than later.

4.8. Above all – Love is the central feature of Christians’ lives and relationships. In the Gospel “love” (Greek agape) is a decision, not an emotion.

Covers a multitude of sins – “covers” in the sense of “pays for” as in covering the bill for lunch, 

not in the sense of “hiding” the sins.

4:10. Good stewards – a steward is the person responsible for managing the household or the kingdom when the owner or ruler is away.

4:11. Speaks . . . serves – the two categories of Christian evangelism: telling others about the Gospel and ministering to (or serving) others with the gifts God has given the believer.

4:12. Fiery ordeal – Peter returns to his main subject: suffering. Christians should not be surprised that the secular world is against them, nor should they be afraid of it; and the model for suffering is Jesus himself, who suffered the ultimate pain on the cross and now gives believers the strength to endure what they are going through.

4:15. Murderer, thief, criminal, mischief maker – Peter reminds his audience that suffering because of what non-believers do does not justify a criminal response, even interfering in other’s business is retaliation.

4:17. Judgment – “correction” might be a better term here. The idea of God correcting his people appears throughout the Old Testament {check Jeremiah 25:29, Ezekiel 9:6, or Malachi 3:1-3].

4:18. “If it is hard . . .” – Peter is quoting Proverbs 11:31.

4:19. Entrust – on the cross Jesus committed (“entrusted”) himself to God’s hands [Luke 23:46]. Believers should do the same thing when they are suffering because of their faith.   

Memory Verse
Let those suffering in accordance with God’s will entrust themselves to a faithful Creator, while continuing to do good, [1 Peter 19]

3Wives, in the same way, accept the authority of your husbands, so that, even if some of them do not obey the word, they may be won over without a word by their wives’ conduct,
² when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. ³ Do not adorn yourselves outwardly by braiding your hair, and by wearing gold ornaments or fine clothing;
⁴ rather, let your adornment be the inner self with the lasting beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in God’s sight.
⁵ It was in this way long ago that the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves by accepting the authority of their husbands. ⁶ Thus Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord. You have become her daughters as long as you do what is good and never let fears alarm you.

⁷ Husbands, in the same way, show consideration for your wives in your life together, paying honor to the woman as the weaker sex, since they too are also heirs of the gracious gift of life—so that nothing may hinder your prayers.

Suffering for Doing Right

⁸ Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
⁹ Do not repay evil for evil or abuse for abuse; but, on the contrary, repay with a blessing. It is for this that you were called—that you might inherit a blessing. ¹⁰ For
“Those who desire life
and desire to see good days,
let them keep their tongues from evil
and their lips from speaking deceit;
¹¹ let them turn away from evil and do good;
let them seek peace and pursue it.
¹² For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

¹³ Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? ¹⁴ But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, ¹⁵ but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; ¹⁶ yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. ¹⁷ For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil. ¹⁸ For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, ¹⁹ in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, ²⁰ who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. ²¹ And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you—not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, ²² who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him. NRSV

Get into the Word

1. Who does Peter address first? What direction does he give them? Does this apply in all marriages? What is the result of following Peter’s advice? 

2. What does he talk about next? Why do you suppose he brings in this subject? What is the advice? Why is this important? Who does he mention as an example of a woman who “hoped in God”?

3. Who does Peter talk to next? What direction does he give this group? Why should these folks follow his advice?

4. How does Peter describe a person who follows Christ? How does such a person relate to other folks? What does a Christian receive for such behaviors? How does Peter support his advice (see Notes)?

5. How should Christians relate to non-believers? What should characterize their “defense” or testimony. What does he say about suffering? Where have you read this before?

6. Who does Peter point to as the model for this behavior? What was the result for this person? Who else does he refer to (see Notes)? What current practice does this refer to? How does this make a difference for a believer?

Get Personal

How are you doing with your “defense . . . of the hope that is in you”? How does God help you to be ready and gentile and reverent in your response to insult or criticism?

3:1. In the same way – refers back to Peter’s discussion of authority in chapter 2.
     Wives . . . accept the authority of your husbands – this is a specific application of the principle in the previous chapter. Even though Jesus treated women and men equally, the culture of the time saw women as no different than slaves. Here Peter is describing the spiritual relationship within a marriage, which is obvious when he say a non-believing husband “may be won over without a word by their wive’s conduct.” Paul expresses a similar view in his letters, calling for mutual submission of the husband and wife to each other. 
3.3. Braiding your hair . . . adornment – again, the culture valued such things as marking a “good” woman, but Peter says that “a gentle and quiet spirit is precious in God’s sight,” [1:4].
3:6. Sarah – Peter uses Abraham’s wife as the example to follow.
3:7. Husbands, in the same way – in the culture men ruled every relationship, but Peter says they have the same responsibility for the family’s spiritual well-being as their wife.
3.8. Finally, all of you – Peter is now addressing all believers – including you and me.
Unity of spirit, sympathy love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind are characteristics of people who follow Christ.
3:9. Evil for evil or abuse for abuse – the world operates on a transactional basis where the usual response is similar to the initial action, but that only increases the amount of “evil” in the situation. Jesus told the disciples to “turn the other cheek” and Peter says “repay with a blessing” – increase the amount of grace in the situation.

NOTE: Father Richard Rohr teaches “the best criticism of the bad is the practice of the better.”3:10. Peter quotes Psalm 34:12-16.
3:13. Eager to do what is good? But even if you do suffer – an attacker is less likely to keep attacking when the “victim” does not retaliate – the attacker can feel like he or she “won.” But the believer is “blessed” spiritually and should not be afraid.
3:15. Always be ready – a Christian should be prepared and confident to explain his or her faith (make your defense . . . for the hope that is in you), but not in an angry or argumentative way. Peter goes on to repeat the advice in chapter 2 and, again, uses Christ as the example.
3:19. Proclamation to the spirits in prison – one of the thorniest passages in the Bible, this is the source for the statement that Jesus “descended into Hell” in the creeds. Some commentators see this as a literal visit to the unbelievers who died before Jesus was born, while others interpret this passage more figuratively as the universal proclamation of the Gospel to all humans. Genesis 6:1-6 describes the situation where the “sons of God” (or fallen angels) were sexually violating human young girls, which led God to blot out from the earth all the human beings . . . for I am sorry I have made them, (v. 6:6). NOTE: this will show up in 2 Peter as well.
3:21. Baptism – Peter links the current sacrament of baptism with Noah’s survival for 40 days on the water before finding renewed life on dry land, similar to the Israelites walking through the “Red Sea.”
Resurrection of Jesus Christ – Jesus’ resurrection is the “proof” that validates our new life.

Memory Verse
For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God, [1 Peter 3:18]

Next Lesson
Good stewards of God’s grace – 1 Peter 4

2Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, and all guile, insincerity, envy, and all slander. ² Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation— ³ if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

⁴ Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and ⁵ like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ⁶ For it stands in scripture:
“See, I am laying in Zion a stone,
a cornerstone chosen and precious;
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

⁷ To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe,
“The stone that the builders rejected
has become the very head of the corner,”
⁸ and “A stone that makes them stumble,
and a rock that makes them fall.” 
They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were

Live as Servants of God

¹¹ Beloved, I urge you as aliens and exiles to abstain from the desires of the flesh that wage war against the soul. ¹² Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that, though they malign you as evildoers, they may see your honorable deeds and glorify God when he comes to judge. 

¹³ For the Lord’s sake accept the authority of every human institution, whether of the emperor as supreme, ¹⁴ or of governors, as sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. ¹⁵ For it is God’s will that by doing right you should silence the ignorance of the foolish. ¹⁶ As servants of God, live as free people, yet do not use your freedom as a pretext for evil.
¹⁷ Honor everyone. Love the family of believers. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

The Example of Christ’s Suffering

¹⁸ Slaves, accept the authority of your masters with all deference, not only those who are kind and gentle but also those who are harsh. ¹⁹ For it is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. ²⁰ If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval.
²¹ For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.
²² “He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth.”

²³ When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. ²⁴ He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. ²⁵ For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.  NRSV

Get into the Word

1. How does Peter open this section of his letter? What “evil” does he want believers to eliminate? Why do you suppose he mentions these five? What does he want his readers to seek?

2. What metaphor does he use for Christ? Why is the significant for Peter (see Notes)? Who else uses this metaphor (see Notes)? What additional meaning does Peter give the “living stone”?

3. How does Peter describe the church? What is the church supposed to do in this time and place? Who gives us this task? Why? What distinguishes the church from other groups?

4. How does Peter next describe believers. How are they supposed to live? What should they avoid? How should Christ-followers respond to the non-believers around them? Why is this important to believers? What is the effect on other people?

5. What is Peter’s special message to slaves? Why is this important? Who will approve this way of living? What example does he give for them to follow? How does Peter describe the way Christ responded to abuse? What event does Peter focus on? How does this change the way we can now live?

Get Personal

How are you doing in avoiding the “evils” Peter lists. How about responding to non-believers who  use their position to insult or harm you? How does God help you to trust him as the “shepherd and guardian of your souls”?

1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ.
To the exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, ² who have been chosen and destined by God the Father and sanctified by the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ and to be sprinkled with his blood:
May grace and peace be yours in abundance.

A Living Hope

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, ⁵ who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. ⁶ In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, ⁷ so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
⁸ Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, ⁹ for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

¹⁰ Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that was to be yours made careful search and inquiry, ¹¹ inquiring about the person or time that the Spirit of Christ within them indicated when it testified in advance to the sufferings destined for Christ and the subsequent glory. ¹² It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in regard to the things that have now been announced to you through those who brought you good news by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look!

A call to Holy Living

¹³ Therefore prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed. ¹⁴ Like obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires that you formerly had in ignorance.
¹⁵ Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; ¹⁶ for it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

¹⁷ If you invoke as Father the one who judges all people impartially according to their deeds, live in reverent fear during the time of your exile. ¹⁸ You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, ¹⁹ but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. ²⁰ He was destined before the foundation of the ²¹ world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake. Through him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God.

²² Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart. 
²³ You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God.  ²⁴ For “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
and the flower falls,
²⁵ but the word of the Lord endures forever.” 
That word is the good news that was announced to you. NRSV

Get into the Word

1.  How does Peter present himself? Who is he writing to? How does he describe his audience? Who organized this group?

2.  What does Peter talk about first? How does he introduce this subject? How does he describe it? Who is responsible for this? How does Peter expect his readers to respond? What is the result when they do respond?

3.  How does Peter explain the development of this gift? Who is involved in its history? How did they learn about it? What did they learn about it? Who revealed these things to them?

4.  What does Peter tell his readers to do as a result of this gift? Who does he compare them with? Who does he say is the model for this kind of behavior? How should believers live according to Peter? What does he remind them about their former situation? What about their current lives as followers of Jesus?

5.  What is the result of Christ’s resurrection? How does this affect Peter’s readers? How should they relate to one another? How does Peter distinguish this new life from the former?

Get Personal

What is your confidence level that God raised Christ? Does it vary from time to time? How does God help you live as a “new creation”? How does this affect your relationships with other Jesus-followers?

1:1. Apostle – a Greek word for “one who is sent on behalf of”
Exiles of the dispersion – by this time Christians were living throughout the Roman Empire. The countries named are all part of modern Turkey.
1:2. Chosen – Peter involves the father and Holy Spirit as well as Jesus Christ in the process of identifying his readers.
1:3. New birth – Salvation is such a radical change in a believer’s life that Peter uses this phrase to include all aspects of their lives.
1:6. Various trials – even thought the Roman Empire did not prohibit Christianity (or Judaism), believers were targeted by others, including the local Jewish leaders. And because believers did not support idol worship they were cut off from much of the local economic activity, especially if they openly opposed idol worship.
1:7. Tested by fire – precious metals are refined or purified using fire to remove the impurities. Peter us uses this metaphor to

describe strengthening one’s faith by persevering through suffering.1:10. Prophets – Peter reminds his readers that Judaism is the story of God’s actions with his people, leading up to Jesus. Christianity is not a new religion; it is the culmination of God’s promise to Abraham almost 2,000 years earlier [Genesis 17]. 
1:15. Holy – Peter repeats God’s commandment to the Israelites: I am the Lord who brought you up from the land of Egypt, to be your God; you shall be holy, for I am holy, [Lev 11:45].
1:17. Without defect or blemish – the Old Testament sacrificial system required the offering to be without blemish [Lev 22:17-25]. Jesus was the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” [John 1:29]. 
1:22. Love one another – Jesus’ single command to the disciples: This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you, [John 15:1].
1:24. All flesh . . . Peter quotes Isaiah 40:6-8.

Memory Verse
For all flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord endures forever, [1 Peter 1:24]

Next Lesson
The living stone and a chosen people – 1 Peter 2