The First Epistle of Peter

1. In context this is all a continuation of the theme of trials and suffering! I Peter 4:15 - But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. let none of you suffer – present active imperative suffer; does this imply reproach from past actions before salvation or ongoing acts of the flesh? “Regret for a sinful past will remain until we truly believe that for us in the Lord Jesus that sinful past no longer exists” – Miles Stanford, None but the Hungry Heart, August 16. In context when we are reproached for the name of Christ …..God is glorified (verse 14, 16) murderer, thief, evildoer, busybody in other people’s matters murderer and thief – obvious The First Epistle of Peter 1 Peter 4:15-19 The Application of Suffering, Part 1 (15-17) 1 August 16, 2015 Bob Eckel

2. evildoer – malefactor, breaker of the laws of God or moral laws of men John 18:30 - They answered and said to him, “If He were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him up to you.” busybody (meddler) in other people’s matters – self appointed Only NT use; describe this. Reminds me of a song – ‘Ain’t Nobody’s Business But My Own’ 1 Thess 4:11 - that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, What do you make of this list and what does it reflect? Do you equate busybody in other people’s matters and murder? I Peter 4:16 - Yet if (anyone suffers) as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. Why would suffering as a Christian make us ashamed? ashamed – present passive imperative Remember, this was a time when the Cult of Caesar was the state religion The First Epistle of Peter 1 Peter 4:15-19 The Application of Suffering, Part 1 (15-17) 2 August 16, 2015 Bob Eckel

3. of the Roman empire and Christian (Christianos – follower of Christ) was viewed as a competing empire on promise of Jesus’ return as king. Only other use of Christian is Acts 11:26 and Acts 26:28,  a name given to believers in contempt, first at Antioch. The church called themselves brethren (Acts 6:3), saints (Rom 1:7), disciples (Acts 6:1), those of the way (Acts 9:2). Should we continue to us the term Christian today? Ourbeing ashamed is not our decision to be ashamed, but something placed upon us that we should expect. The world view But we are heavenly citizens and In Christ there is no shame! let him glorify God in this matter (name) – present active imperative This is our responsibility – why and how? Remember always, everything is by faith – we must believe God for what He has revealed We are new creations in Christ Jesus; do we believe this? And it’s interesting to note that the ASV uses name rather than matter and more accurately implies In Christ. The First Epistle of Peter 1 Peter 4:15-19 The Application of Suffering, Part 1 (15-17) 3 August 16, 2015 Bob Eckel

4. Heb 12:2 - looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. And only then does God get the glory. I Peter 4:17 - For the time has come for judgment to begin at (from) the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? What is this judgment, first from the house of God and then them that obey not the gospel? the house of God - the body of Christ Notice that ‘from’ is better than ‘at’ here; implies the judgment related to their present level of suffering. But remember always the will of God Rom 8:28,29 - And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, The First Epistle of Peter 1 Peter 4:15-19 The Application of Suffering, Part 1 (15-17) 4 August 16, 2015 Bob Eckel

5. But could it also relate to the consequences of sins in the body? 1 Cor 11:32 - But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. them that do not obey the gospel - the unsaved. And, what will be the end of them? 2 Thess 1:8 - These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, But this end is foolishness to unsaved man! When does this give us an opportunity to reach the unsaved, ever? The First Epistle of Peter 1 Peter 4:15-19 The Application of Suffering, Part 1 (15-17) 5 August 16, 2015 Bob Eckel