\id 1PE - The English New Testament According to Family 35 
\h 1 Peter 
\toc3 1 Pet. 
\toc2 1 Peter 
\toc1 The First Epistle of Peter 
\mt2 The First Epistle of  
\mt1 PETER  
\c 1  
\s1 To elect pilgrims  
\m
\v 1 \w Peter|strong="G4074"\w*, \w an|strong="G2532"\w* apostle \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*, \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w elect|strong="G1588"\w* sojourners\f + \fr 1:1 \ft One could render ‘resident aliens’ or perhaps even ‘refugees’—these are presumably Christians who had left their homelands because of persecution (but since Paul was apostle to the Gentiles, Peter may be writing to Jews, as did James); Peter will emphasize the security of their position in heaven, in contrast to the uncertainty of their situation on earth. For a discussion of the implications of Peter addressing this letter to five provinces, please see the article “Multiple Autograph Copies”, available from my website: www.prunch.org.\f* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Dispersion|strong="G1290"\w* \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w Pontus|strong="G4195"\w*, \w Galatia|strong="G1053"\w*, \w Cappadocia|strong="G2587"\w*, Asia \w and|strong="G2532"\w* Bithynia,  
\v 2 \it elect\it* \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w foreknowledge|strong="G4268"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Father|strong="G3962"\w*, \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* setting \w apart|strong="G2596"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w*, \w unto|strong="G1519"\w* \w obedience|strong="G5218"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w sprinkling|strong="G4473"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* blood \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*:\f + \fr 1:2 \ft Peter is evidently making a point of including all three persons of the Godhead in the process of our salvation: the Father chooses, the Spirit sets apart (He works in our minds to encourage or predispose us to obey) and the Son paid the price for our cleansing. God has done His part, but each of us must obey.\f* \w May|strong="G2532"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w peace|strong="G1515"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w multiplied|strong="G4129"\w*\f + \fr 1:2 \ft “Multiplied”—not just a little, lots!\f* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*.   
\ms1 Do not take your inheritance for granted  
\s1 Begotten into an incorruptible inheritance  
\p
\v 3 \w Blessed|strong="G2128"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w Father|strong="G3962"\w*\f + \fr 1:3 \ft “The God and Father” is one person.\f* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*,\f + \fr 1:3 \ft Since His victory by the cross and resurrection, the official name of Jehovah the Son is ‘the Lord Jesus Christ’, to which Peter adds the possessive pronoun.\f* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w His|strong="G1223"\w* \w great|strong="G4183"\w* \w mercy|strong="G1656"\w* \w has|strong="G2316"\w* given \w us|strong="G1519"\w*\f + \fr 1:3 \ft The 1\+sup st\+sup* person plural is presumably inclusive, including the people Peter is addressing; in the next verse he switches to the 2\+sup nd\+sup* plural, applying the truth directly to them.\f* \w another|strong="G2596"\w* birth\f + \fr 1:3 \ft The Text neither says nor implies that God begot them the first time (that was done by their physical father); He \+nd is\+nd* giving them a second begetting, a spiritual one.\f* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w living|strong="G2198"\w* \w hope|strong="G1680"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* resurrection \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w among|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w dead|strong="G3498"\w*,\f + \fr 1:3 \ft If Jesus had not arisen we would have no hope, but now we have a “living” hope, that will not let us down.\f*  
\v 4 \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w an|strong="G2532"\w* imperishable \w and|strong="G2532"\w* undefiled \w and|strong="G2532"\w* unfading \w inheritance|strong="G2817"\w*,\f + \fr 1:4 \ft Like, \+nd wow\+nd*! Now that is an inheritance! And it is already reserved. Before talking about the difficulties they are facing Peter emphasizes the incredible blessing of a secure position.\f* already \w reserved|strong="G5083"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w heavens|strong="G3772"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*,  
\v 5 \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w being|strong="G1722"\w* guarded \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w power|strong="G1411"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w*\f + \fr 1:5 \ft Time and again Peter will present both divine sovereignty and human responsibility; God guarantees His part, we must do our part.\f* \w unto|strong="G1519"\w* \w a|strong="G1519"\w* \w salvation|strong="G4991"\w* \w ready|strong="G2092"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w be|strong="G1519"\w* revealed \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w last|strong="G2078"\w* \w time|strong="G2540"\w*.\f + \fr 1:5 \ft The full manifestation of our salvation is still future.\f*   
\s1 Genuineness of faith proved by testing  
\p
\v 6 \w You|strong="G3739"\w* \w should|strong="G1163"\w* \w be|strong="G1163"\w* overjoyed \w about|strong="G1722"\w* \w this|strong="G3739"\w*, \w even|strong="G3739"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w just|strong="G3739"\w* \w now|strong="G1722"\w*, \w briefly|strong="G3641"\w*, \w of|strong="G1722"\w* necessity,\f + \fr 1:6 \ft The trials are necessary to prove the quality of the faith.\f* \w you|strong="G3739"\w* \w have|strong="G1163"\w* \w been|strong="G1210"\w* \w distressed|strong="G3076"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w a|strong="G1722"\w* variety \w of|strong="G1722"\w* \w trials|strong="G3986"\w*,  
\v 7 \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* demonstrated genuineness \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w your|strong="G1223"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* (much \w more|strong="G2532"\w* \w precious|strong="G5092"\w* \w than|strong="G2532"\w* \w gold|strong="G5553"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* perishes, \w albeit|strong="G2443"\w* \w tested|strong="G1381"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w fire|strong="G4442"\w*) \w may|strong="G2532"\w* translate \w into|strong="G1519"\w*\f + \fr 1:7 \ft Literally, “may be found into”.\f* \w praise|strong="G1868"\w*, \w glory|strong="G1391"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w honor|strong="G5092"\w*\f + \fr 1:7 \ft These are things that the faithful person will receive. To hear “Well done, good and faithful servant” from the lips of the Sovereign will be the ultimate praise.\f* \w at|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* revelation \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*  
\v 8 —\w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w having|strong="G2532"\w* understood\f + \fr 1:8 \ft The familiar ‘seen’ is based on about 7% of the Greek manuscripts (early, but of objectively inferior quality); to render ‘known’ rather than “understood” would require qualification.\f* \w you|strong="G3739"\w* love, \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w believing|strong="G4100"\w* (\w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w yet|strong="G2532"\w* \w seeing|strong="G3708"\w*) \w you|strong="G3739"\w* exult \w with|strong="G2532"\w* \w joy|strong="G5479"\w* inexpressible, already \w glorified|strong="G1392"\w*,\f + \fr 1:8 \ft Anyone who has experienced this joy will agree with Peter—it definitely is not ‘natural’; it is ‘otherworldly’, a foretaste of heaven.\f*  
\v 9 \w obtaining|strong="G2865"\w* \w for|strong="G5590"\w* \w yourselves|strong="G4771"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w end|strong="G5056"\w* result \w of|strong="G4102"\w* \w your|strong="G4102"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w*,\f + \fr 1:9 \ft Here Peter emphasizes human responsibility; the verb ‘obtain’ is in the middle (reflexive) voice.\f* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w salvation|strong="G4991"\w* \w of|strong="G4102"\w* \w your|strong="G4102"\w* \w souls|strong="G5590"\w*.   
\s1 Salvation foretold by prophets  
\p
\v 10 \w Concerning|strong="G4012"\w* \w this|strong="G3588"\w* \w salvation|strong="G4991"\w*\f + \fr 1:10 \ft “This salvation” presumably includes the basis and the process, as well as the result; evidently quite different from the ‘salvation’ the prophets themselves knew.\f* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w prophets|strong="G4396"\w*, \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w prophesied|strong="G4395"\w* \w about|strong="G4012"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w* \it that would come\it* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w searched|strong="G2532"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* inquired \w diligently|strong="G1830"\w*,  
\v 11 investigating \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w whom|strong="G5101"\w*, \w or|strong="G2228"\w* \w what|strong="G5101"\w* sort \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w time|strong="G2540"\w*, \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*\f + \fr 1:11 \ft The Spirit of Christ was at work in the Old Testament. Is this a reference to the Holy Spirit, or did Jehovah the Son also do some inspiring?\f* \w who|strong="G5101"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w indicating|strong="G1213"\w*\f + \fr 1:11 \ft Evidently Peter had access to information that we do not. However, when a prophet spoke or wrote under inspiration, he would not necessarily receive an explanation of the interpretation. Anything pertaining to the Messiah would be of intense interest, and they would certainly keep mulling over the implications—assuming a single advent, it would be hard to reconcile glory and suffering.\f* \w as|strong="G1519"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w testified|strong="G4303"\w* beforehand \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w sufferings|strong="G3804"\w* \it that would be inflicted\it* \w on|strong="G1722"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*\f + \fr 1:11 \ft The Text says literally, ‘the sufferings into Christ’.\f* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w glories|strong="G1391"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w would|strong="G2532"\w* \w follow|strong="G3326"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w*.  
\v 12 \w It|strong="G3754"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* revealed \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w they|strong="G1161"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w ministering|strong="G1247"\w* \w these|strong="G3739"\w* \w things|strong="G3588"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w themselves|strong="G1438"\w*, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*;\f + \fr 1:12 \ft The familiar ‘to us’ (TR, AV, NKJV) is based on about 14% of the Greek manuscripts, and is more congenial than “to you”; I take it that having already narrowed the focus to his addressees, Peter just keeps on going.\f* \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w things|strong="G3588"\w* \w have|strong="G3748"\w* \w now|strong="G1161"\w* \w been|strong="G3568"\w* announced \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w proclaimed|strong="G2097"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w gospel|strong="G2097"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w with|strong="G1722"\w*\f + \fr 1:12 \ft The more usual rendering is ‘by’, but I do not think it fits the context. The Holy Spirit went along with the Gospel.\f* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Holy|strong="G4151"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w sent|strong="G4151"\w* \w from|strong="G3588"\w* \w heaven|strong="G3772"\w*—\w things|strong="G3588"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* angels really \w desire|strong="G1937"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w look|strong="G3879"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w*.\f + \fr 1:12 \ft That is what the Text says, but I am not sure what it means. I assume that angels can read, so are they not allowed to? Or is it that they cannot really understand why the Sovereign would do something like that? Do angels have ‘soul’—emotions, ambitions, etc.? I wonder.\f*   
\s1 Be serious, be holy, be fearful  
\p
\v 13 \w Therefore|strong="G1352"\w*, having girded \w up|strong="G1909"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w loins|strong="G3751"\w* \w of|strong="G5485"\w* \w your|strong="G1722"\w* \w mind|strong="G1271"\w*,\f + \fr 1:13 \ft This is obviously a figure of speech, but I wasn't sure how else to render it; in order to work, fight, run, or whatever, they would tie in their loose garments with a rope or a belt—the idea appears to be to prepare the mind for action, which would involve discipline and determination.\f* staying \w sober|strong="G3525"\w*,\f + \fr 1:13 \ft I take this phrase to be basically synonymous to the figure of speech; staying sober involves being disciplined and determined.\f* rest \w your|strong="G1722"\w* \w hope|strong="G1679"\w* fully \w upon|strong="G1909"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w* \w being|strong="G5547"\w* \w brought|strong="G5342"\w* \w to|strong="G1909"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* revelation \w of|strong="G5485"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*\f + \fr 1:13 \ft In verse 7 I rendered the same Greek phrase as ‘at the revelation of Jesus Christ’, referring to His second coming, but here in verse 13 “being brought” is in the present tense, so I take the revelation to be contemporaneous. The more we obey, the more Jesus reveals Himself to us.\f*—  
\v 14 \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w children|strong="G5043"\w* \w of|strong="G1722"\w* \w obedience|strong="G5218"\w*,\f + \fr 1:14 \ft Peter, a Jew, uses a Jewish idiom—he is not saying they are children, but are to be characterized by obedience.\f* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* conforming \w yourselves|strong="G4771"\w* \w to|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w former|strong="G4387"\w* \w lusts|strong="G1939"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w your|strong="G1722"\w* ignorance,  
\v 15 \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w just|strong="G2532"\w* \w as|strong="G1722"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w called|strong="G2564"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* holy, \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G1096"\w* holy \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w your|strong="G2532"\w* \w way|strong="G2596"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* life,  
\v 16 \w because|strong="G1360"\w* \w it|strong="G1510"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w written|strong="G1125"\w*, “\w You|strong="G1510"\w* \w shall|strong="G3748"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* holy, \w for|strong="G1360"\w* \w I|strong="G1473"\w* \w am|strong="G1510"\w* holy.”\f + \fr 1:16 \ft Since God is holy all the time, we are to be also. The quote is from Leviticus 11:45 or 19:2.\f*   
\p
\v 17 \w Also|strong="G2532"\w*, \w since|strong="G2596"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* invoke \w as|strong="G1722"\w* \w Father|strong="G3962"\w*\f + \fr 1:17 \ft To “invoke as Father” is to place yourself under His authority and protection—also His evaluation!\f* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w One|strong="G1538"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w without|strong="G2532"\w* partiality \w judges|strong="G2919"\w* \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w each|strong="G1538"\w* \w one|strong="G1538"\w*'s \w work|strong="G2041"\w*, \w conduct|strong="G2041"\w* \w yourselves|strong="G4771"\w* \w during|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w time|strong="G5550"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w your|strong="G2532"\w* sojourn \it here\it* \bd \+w in|strong="G1722"\+w* \+w fear|strong="G5401"\+w*\bd*,\f + \fr 1:17 \ft “In fear” is emphasized in the Text. We tend to forget just who and what God is, and so we get complacent—\+nd not\+nd* a good idea, says Peter.\f*  
\v 18 \w knowing|strong="G1492"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w it|strong="G3754"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w with|strong="G1537"\w* \w perishable|strong="G5349"\w* \w things|strong="G3588"\w* (silver \w or|strong="G2228"\w* \w gold|strong="G5553"\w*) \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* \w redeemed|strong="G3084"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G1537"\w* \w futile|strong="G3152"\w* \w way|strong="G1537"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* life handed \w down|strong="G1537"\w* \w by|strong="G1537"\w* \w your|strong="G3588"\w* \w forefathers|strong="G3970"\w*,\f + \fr 1:18 \ft All ways of life that are not biblical are futile. We should not be apologetic about challenging people's belief systems or presuppositions, provided we are in a position to present the biblical worldview.\f*  
\v 19 \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w with|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w precious|strong="G5093"\w* blood \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*, \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w a|strong="G5613"\w* faultless \w and|strong="G2532"\w* pure lamb;  
\v 20 \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w foreknown|strong="G4267"\w* \w indeed|strong="G3303"\w* \w before|strong="G4253"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w foundation|strong="G2602"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w world|strong="G2889"\w*,\f + \fr 1:20 \ft This sort of ‘blows my mind’—the Text is saying that the Lamb, with blood shed, was so known before the creation of our race and planet; which means that the Creator knew, before creating, what would happen and the terrible redemption price He Himself would have to pay, yet He went ahead anyway. Wow!\f* \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w revealed|strong="G5319"\w* \w in|strong="G1909"\w* \w these|strong="G3588"\w* \w last|strong="G2078"\w* \w times|strong="G5550"\w* \w for|strong="G1223"\w* \w your|strong="G1223"\w* \w sake|strong="G1223"\w*,  
\v 21 \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w believing|strong="G4103"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*,\f + \fr 1:21 \ft “Into” not ‘in’, both here and at the end of the verse; what is involved is a change of position, from being outside to being inside.\f* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w raised|strong="G1453"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w out|strong="G1537"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w dead|strong="G3498"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w gave|strong="G1325"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w*, \w so|strong="G2532"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w your|strong="G1223"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w hope|strong="G1680"\w* \w are|strong="G1510"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*.   
\s1 Born again through an eternal Word  
\p
\v 22 \w Since|strong="G1537"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w have|strong="G5210"\w* purified \w your|strong="G1722"\w* \w souls|strong="G5590"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w obeying|strong="G5218"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* truth \w through|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G3588"\w*,\f + \fr 1:22 \ft Some 8% of the Greek manuscripts omit “through the Spirit” (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.).\f* \w resulting|strong="G1519"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* sincere \w brotherly|strong="G5360"\w* \w love|strong="G5360"\w*, \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w must|strong="G3588"\w* \w love|strong="G5360"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w* \w another|strong="G3588"\w* \w fervently|strong="G1619"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w a|strong="G1519"\w* pure \w heart|strong="G2588"\w*,  
\v 23 \w having|strong="G2532"\w* \w been|strong="G2532"\w* begotten \w again|strong="G2532"\w*, \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w corruptible|strong="G5349"\w* \w seed|strong="G4701"\w* \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w an|strong="G2532"\w* incorruptible,\f + \fr 1:23 \ft The seed that Adam received when he was created proved to be corruptible, in fact became corrupted upon his Fall, and that corrupted seed has been passed down through the succeeding generations [less than 300]; so our first begetting, by a human father, was with that corrupt seed. God gives us a second begetting with a pure seed that cannot be corrupted.\f* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w living|strong="G2198"\w* \w Word|strong="G3056"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w that|strong="G2532"\w* \w remains|strong="G3306"\w* \it valid\it* \w forever|strong="G1223"\w*.\f + \fr 1:23 \ft As it says in Psalm 119:89, “Forever, O \ft \+sc Lord\+sc*, your word is settled in heaven.” Some 6% of the Greek manuscripts omit “forever” (as in NIV, NASB, etc.).\f*  
\v 24 \w For|strong="G2532"\w*:  
\q1 “\w All|strong="G3956"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w grass|strong="G5528"\w*,  
\q2 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w man|strong="G3956"\w*'s \w glory|strong="G1391"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* flower \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w grass|strong="G5528"\w*.  
\q1 \w The|strong="G2532"\w* \w grass|strong="G5528"\w* \w withers|strong="G3583"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w its|strong="G3956"\w* flower \w falls|strong="G1601"\w* \w off|strong="G1601"\w*,  
\q2 \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Lord|strong="G3588"\w*'s \w word|strong="G3588"\w* endures forever.”\f + \fr 1:24 \ft The quote is from Isaiah 40:6-8.\f*   
\m
\v 25 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w good|strong="G2097"\w* \w word|strong="G4487"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w was|strong="G1510"\w* \w proclaimed|strong="G2097"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*.\f + \fr 1:25 \ft Wait a minute—was the “good word” they proclaimed limited to the Old Testament? I would say it was mostly about Jesus, the content of the Gospels. So Peter is saying that New Testament material is also God's Word. By the time he wrote this letter, Matthew and Mark were already in circulation, and maybe even Luke. (Luke was ‘published’ in 45 AD.)\f*   
\c 2  
\s1 To grow you must eat  
\m
\v 1 \w So|strong="G3767"\w* \w then|strong="G3767"\w*, \w laying|strong="G3767"\w* aside \w all|strong="G3956"\w* malignity\f + \fr 2:1 \ft This refers to the deliberate effort to harm others. If they must ‘lay aside’ such attitudes and activities, the implication is that they have not yet, or at least not sufficiently—actually, if they are still involved in such activities they have quite a ways to go.\f*—\w even|strong="G2532"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w deceit|strong="G1388"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* play-actings \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w envies|strong="G5355"\w*, yes \w all|strong="G3956"\w* malicious speaking—  
\v 2 crave \w the|strong="G1722"\w* pure \w spiritual|strong="G3050"\w* ‘\w milk|strong="G1051"\w*’,\f + \fr 2:2 \ft Since Peter has just referred overtly to God's Word, it is generally assumed that the “milk” here is a metaphor for that Word. Peter is not saying that they are babies, just that they should imitate the craving.\f* \w like|strong="G5613"\w* newborn \w babies|strong="G1025"\w* \w do|strong="G1722"\w*, \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w it|strong="G2443"\w* \w you|strong="G1722"\w* \w may|strong="G2443"\w* grow \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w salvation|strong="G4991"\w*,\f + \fr 2:2 \ft Until quite recently, based upon von Soden's apparent ascribing of some 80% attestation to the shorter reading (80% of the extant Greek manuscripts), I was rather critical of the longer form; I argued that Peter was writing to the “elect” [1:2], to the “redeemed” [1:18], to the “born again” [1:23], to a “holy priesthood” [2:5], to “believers” [2:7], to “slaves of God” [2:16]—they did indeed need to grow, but not “into salvation”. However, the evidence as presented by ECM [\ft \+it Editio Critica Maior\+it*] looks quite different—some 65% for the longer reading, including the best line of transmission, and joined by all three ancient versions, a not insignificant witness. Time and again Peter presents both divine sovereignty and human responsibility; God guarantees His part, we must do our part. According to 1:5 above the full manifestation [at least] of our salvation is still future. Here in 2:2 the immediately following “if indeed” would appear to allow for some uncertainty as to their spiritual condition; Peter is emphasizing their responsibility.\f*  
\v 3 \w if|strong="G1487"\w* indeed \w you|strong="G1487"\w* \w have|strong="G3748"\w* \w tasted|strong="G1089"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* benevolent.  
\v 4 \w Coming|strong="G4334"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w Him|strong="G3739"\w*, \w a|strong="G1161"\w* \w living|strong="G2198"\w* \w stone|strong="G3037"\w*—rejected \w indeed|strong="G3303"\w* \w by|strong="G5259"\w* \w men|strong="G3739"\w* \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w chosen|strong="G1588"\w* \w by|strong="G5259"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w precious|strong="G1784"\w*—  
\v 5 \w you|strong="G2532"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w*, \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w living|strong="G2198"\w* \w stones|strong="G3037"\w*, \w are|strong="G2532"\w* \w being|strong="G2532"\w* \w built|strong="G3618"\w*\f + \fr 2:5 \ft Spiritual growth is a process, much like physical growth.\f* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w a|strong="G5613"\w* \w spiritual|strong="G4152"\w* \w house|strong="G3624"\w*, \w a|strong="G5613"\w* holy \w priesthood|strong="G2406"\w*, \w to|strong="G1519"\w* offer \w up|strong="G1519"\w* \w spiritual|strong="G4152"\w* \w sacrifices|strong="G2378"\w* \w acceptable|strong="G2144"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*.\f + \fr 2:5 \ft Much of the preaching nowadays focuses on what we are supposed to get, rather than what we are supposed to do. We need to talk more about what God is supposed to get—‘spiritual sacrifices’. Don't sacrifices cost?\f*   
\s1 The Chief Cornerstone  
\p
\v 6 \w That|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w why|strong="G2400"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Scripture|strong="G1124"\w* contains:  
\q1 “Attention, \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w am|strong="G2532"\w* \w laying|strong="G5087"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Zion|strong="G4622"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w chief|strong="G2532"\w* cornerstone,  
\q2 \w chosen|strong="G1588"\w*, \w precious|strong="G1784"\w*,  
\q1 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* rests \w his|strong="G1909"\w* \w trust|strong="G4100"\w* \w upon|strong="G1909"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w*  
\q2 \w will|strong="G2532"\w* absolutely \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w humiliated|strong="G2617"\w*.”\f + \fr 2:6 \ft The quote is from Isaiah 28:16. I suppose that the not being humiliated refers to the final Accounting.\f*   
\m
\v 7 \w So|strong="G3767"\w* \w then|strong="G3767"\w*, \w this|strong="G3778"\w* recompense \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w believe|strong="G4100"\w*, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* disobey,\f + \fr 2:7 \ft Instead of “disobey”, perhaps 8% of the Greek manuscripts have ‘disbelieve’ (as in NIV, NASB, TEV, etc.).\f* “\w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w stone|strong="G3037"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w builders|strong="G3618"\w* rejected \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w just|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w one|strong="G3739"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w became|strong="G1096"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w chief|strong="G2776"\w* \w cornerstone|strong="G2776"\w*,”\f + \fr 2:7 \ft The quote is from Psalm 118:22.\f*  
\v 8 \w also|strong="G2532"\w* “\w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w stone|strong="G3037"\w* \w of|strong="G3056"\w* \w stumbling|strong="G4625"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w rock|strong="G4073"\w* \w of|strong="G3056"\w* \w offense|strong="G4625"\w*”;\f + \fr 2:8 \ft The quote is from Isaiah 8:14. One is reminded of the Sovereign's words in Matthew 21:44. “Whoever falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; but upon whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.”\f* \w being|strong="G2532"\w* disobedient \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Word|strong="G3056"\w*, \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w stumble|strong="G4350"\w*, \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w which|strong="G3739"\w*, \w indeed|strong="G2532"\w*, \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* \w appointed|strong="G5087"\w*.\f + \fr 2:8 \ft Were they ‘appointed’ to stumble, a direct and necessary consequence of being disobedient to the Word, or were they ‘appointed’ to be disobedient? If the latter, this would become one of a very few passages that overtly point to ‘double predestination’ or preterition (that the lost are predestined to be lost). The answer hinges on the grammar, the antecedent of the pronoun ‘which’—is it the finite verb ‘stumble’ or the participle ‘disobey’? Being higher in rank, the finite form presumably takes precedence. Also, since there are hundreds of passages that clearly teach human responsibility, I take the former option to be the preferred interpretation.\f*   
\s1 A royal priesthood  
\p
\v 9 \w But|strong="G1161"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w a|strong="G1519"\w* \w chosen|strong="G1588"\w* \w family|strong="G1085"\w*, \w a|strong="G1519"\w* royal \w priesthood|strong="G2406"\w*, \w a|strong="G1519"\w* holy \w nation|strong="G1484"\w*, \w a|strong="G1519"\w* private-property \w people|strong="G2992"\w*, \w so|strong="G1161"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w may|strong="G1484"\w* \w proclaim|strong="G1804"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* excellencies \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w called|strong="G2564"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w out|strong="G1537"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w darkness|strong="G4655"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w His|strong="G1519"\w* \w marvelous|strong="G2298"\w* \w light|strong="G5457"\w*;  
\v 10 \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w formerly|strong="G4218"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w a|strong="G1161"\w* \w people|strong="G2992"\w* \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w now|strong="G1161"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s \w people|strong="G2992"\w*, \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w had|strong="G2316"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w obtained|strong="G3568"\w* \w mercy|strong="G1653"\w* \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w now|strong="G1161"\w* \w have|strong="G1653"\w* \w obtained|strong="G3568"\w* \w mercy|strong="G1653"\w*.\f + \fr 2:10 \ft Peter alludes to a number of OT passages, including Hosea 2:23. Presumably it is in this world, this life, that we are to proclaim God's excellencies—which raises the question: how much time do we spend doing that?\f*   
\ms1 Your practice should be consistent with your standing  
\p
\v 11 Dear \w ones|strong="G3748"\w*, \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w urge|strong="G3870"\w* \w you|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* abstain \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w lusts|strong="G1939"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4559"\w*, \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w war|strong="G4754"\w* \w against|strong="G2596"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w soul|strong="G5590"\w*,\f + \fr 2:11 \ft When we indulge the flesh our soul is adversely affected; to ‘indulge’ is more than normal, necessary use.\f*  
\v 12 \w keeping|strong="G2192"\w* \w your|strong="G2192"\w* \w way|strong="G1722"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* life \w among|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w nations|strong="G1484"\w* praiseworthy (\w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w being|strong="G2192"\w* foreigners \w and|strong="G2316"\w* sojourners), \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w wherein|strong="G1722"\w* \w they|strong="G3588"\w* \w speak|strong="G2635"\w* \w against|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w evildoers|strong="G2555"\w*, \w in|strong="G1722"\w* spite \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* praiseworthy \w deeds|strong="G2041"\w* \w they|strong="G3588"\w* \w have|strong="G2192"\w* observed,\f + \fr 2:12 \ft The critics have already observed the good deeds—they know their criticism is false.\f* \w they|strong="G3588"\w* \w may|strong="G2443"\w* \w glorify|strong="G1392"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w day|strong="G2250"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w visitation|strong="G1984"\w*.\f + \fr 2:12 \ft What “day of visitation” might this be? Is it a personal visitation wherein God touches a critic, wakes him up and he glorifies God; or is it the Day of judgment where ‘every knee will bow and every tongue confess’, only it will be too late to do them any good? In either event, we are to live in such a way that we do not furnish any pretext to those who are looking for ways to ‘justify’ their unbelief.\f*   
\s1 Respect civil authority  
\p
\v 13 \w Therefore|strong="G1223"\w* subordinate \w yourselves|strong="G5293"\w* \w to|strong="G5293"\w* \w every|strong="G3956"\w* human \w institution|strong="G2937"\w* \w because|strong="G1223"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G3956"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w*, \w whether|strong="G1535"\w* \w to|strong="G5293"\w* \w a|strong="G5613"\w* \w king|strong="G3588"\w*, \w as|strong="G5613"\w* being \w in|strong="G3956"\w* \w authority|strong="G5242"\w*,  
\v 14 \w or|strong="G1535"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w governors|strong="G2232"\w*, \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w being|strong="G1161"\w* \w sent|strong="G3992"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w him|strong="G1519"\w*, \w both|strong="G1161"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w punishment|strong="G1557"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w evildoers|strong="G2555"\w* \w and|strong="G1161"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w praise|strong="G1868"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* good-doers.\f + \fr 2:14 \ft But what happens if the ‘government’ does just the opposite, persecutes those who fear God and protects the corrupt? We have spiritual ‘weapons’ (authority) that we should learn how to use, but the time may come when we must say with Peter, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29), and take the consequences.\f*  
\v 15 \w Because|strong="G3754"\w* \w such|strong="G3779"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w will|strong="G2307"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w to|strong="G2316"\w* \w silence|strong="G5392"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* ignorance \w of|strong="G2316"\w* foolish \w people|strong="G1510"\w* \w by|strong="G1510"\w* doing \w good|strong="G3588"\w*:  
\v 16 \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w free|strong="G1658"\w* (\w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w using|strong="G2192"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w freedom|strong="G1657"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w a|strong="G2192"\w* cover \w for|strong="G2532"\w* \w evil|strong="G2549"\w*), \w yet|strong="G2532"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w slaves|strong="G1401"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*.  
\v 17 \w Respect|strong="G5399"\w* \w everyone|strong="G3956"\w*;\f + \fr 2:17 \ft Since every human being carries the ‘image of God’, that image should be respected (even when it is scarcely recognizable).\f* love \w the|strong="G3956"\w* brotherhood; \w fear|strong="G5399"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*; \w honor|strong="G5091"\w* \w the|strong="G3956"\w* \w king|strong="G3588"\w*.   
\s1 A word for servants  
\p
\v 18 \w Servants|strong="G3610"\w*, \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w submissive|strong="G5293"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w your|strong="G2532"\w* \w masters|strong="G1203"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w respect|strong="G5401"\w*, \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w only|strong="G3440"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w good|strong="G3956"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w gentle|strong="G1933"\w* \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* unscrupulous.\f + \fr 2:18 \ft Slavery was a normal aspect of the culture at that time. Note that belonging to Christ did not automatically change one's social situation; and it did not change a bad boss. However, we can use our spiritual authority to ‘improve’ a bad boss.\f*  
\v 19 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w is|strong="G2316"\w* commendable, \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w because|strong="G1223"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w conscience|strong="G4893"\w* \w toward|strong="G4893"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w someone|strong="G5100"\w* \w endures|strong="G5297"\w* \w grief|strong="G3077"\w*, \w suffering|strong="G3958"\w* unjustly.  
\v 20 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w what|strong="G4169"\w* \w credit|strong="G5485"\w* \w is|strong="G2316"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w upon|strong="G5485"\w* sinning \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w being|strong="G2532"\w* beaten \w you|strong="G1487"\w* \w endure|strong="G5278"\w* \w patiently|strong="G5278"\w*? \w But|strong="G2532"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w upon|strong="G5485"\w* \w doing|strong="G3844"\w* \w good|strong="G2532"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w suffering|strong="G3958"\w* \w you|strong="G1487"\w* \w endure|strong="G5278"\w* \w patiently|strong="G5278"\w*, \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w is|strong="G2316"\w* commendable \w before|strong="G3844"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*.   
\ms1 Christ gave the example  
\p
\v 21 \w Now|strong="G2532"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w been|strong="G2532"\w* \w called|strong="G2564"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w*, really, \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w suffered|strong="G3958"\w* \w in|strong="G1519"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w* \w behalf|strong="G5228"\w*, \w leaving|strong="G5277"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*\f + \fr 2:21 \ft 15% of the Greek manuscripts have “our” and ‘us’ (1\+sup st\+sup* person pl., as in TR, AV and NKJV) while a different 15% have ‘your’ and “you” (2\+sup nd\+sup* person pl., as in the eclectic text currently in vogue and most modern versions)—I take it that the 85% readings are correct (“our” and “you”); in addressing his readers Peter uses the expected 2\+sup nd\+sup* person, but referring to the scope of the benefits of Christ's suffering he properly uses the inclusive 1\+sup st\+sup* person.\f* \w an|strong="G2532"\w* \w example|strong="G5261"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w should|strong="G3588"\w* \w follow|strong="G1872"\w* \w in|strong="G1519"\w* \w His|strong="G1519"\w* footsteps:  
\v 22 \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w did|strong="G4160"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w commit|strong="G4160"\w* sin, \w neither|strong="G3761"\w* \w was|strong="G3588"\w* \w deceit|strong="G1388"\w* \w found|strong="G2147"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w His|strong="G1722"\w* \w mouth|strong="G4750"\w*;  
\v 23 \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w being|strong="G3739"\w* \w reviled|strong="G3058"\w* \w did|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w revile|strong="G3058"\w* \w in|strong="G3756"\w* return, \w suffering|strong="G3958"\w* \w did|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* threaten \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w committed|strong="G3860"\w* \w it|strong="G1161"\w* \w to|strong="G3756"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w judges|strong="G2919"\w* \w righteously|strong="G1346"\w*;  
\v 24 \w who|strong="G3739"\w* Himself bore \w our|strong="G1722"\w* sins \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w His|strong="G1909"\w* own \w body|strong="G4983"\w*\f + \fr 2:24 \ft This refers to the human body of Jesus that was nailed to the cross. Without a body there is no blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins.\f* \w on|strong="G1909"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w tree|strong="G3586"\w*, \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w we|strong="G2249"\w*, having \w died|strong="G3588"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* sins,\f + \fr 2:24 \ft Since the Lord died \+nd for\+nd* our sins, we should die \+nd to\+nd* them (separate ourselves from them).\f* \w might|strong="G1473"\w* \w live|strong="G2198"\w* \w for|strong="G1909"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w*\f + \fr 2:24 \ft The Text has the definite article; the point being, I suppose, that there is only one true righteousness, God's.\f* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w*; \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w whose|strong="G3739"\w* \bd wound\bd*\f + \fr 2:24 \ft “Wound” is singular in the Text; of course the familiar ‘stripes’ sounds better, but do you really suppose that the marks left by the individual blows produce our healing? It was THE WOUND, when the Father placed on the Son the sins of the world (including yours and mine). In verses 22-25 Peter obviously has Isaiah 53:4-12 in mind, though he creates his own mosaic.\f* \w you|strong="G3739"\w* \w were|strong="G3588"\w* \w healed|strong="G2390"\w*.  
\v 25 \w Yes|strong="G1063"\w*, \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w were|strong="G1510"\w* \w like|strong="G5613"\w* \w straying|strong="G4105"\w* \w sheep|strong="G4263"\w*, \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w now|strong="G3568"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w returned|strong="G1994"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Shepherd|strong="G4166"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w Overseer|strong="G1985"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w*\f + \fr 2:25 \ft The evidence is split between “our” and ‘your’; both make good sense, but I take it that the best line of transmission reads “our”, inclusive.\f* \w souls|strong="G5590"\w*.   
\c 3  
\s1 A word to wives  
\m
\v 1 \w Similarly|strong="G3668"\w*,\f + \fr 3:1 \ft This is parallel to 2:18 above, and both are examples of “the will of God”, 2:15.\f* \w wives|strong="G1135"\w*, \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w submissive|strong="G5293"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w your|strong="G1223"\w* \w own|strong="G2398"\w* husbands, \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w even|strong="G2532"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w some|strong="G5100"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* disobedient \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Word|strong="G3056"\w*, \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w won|strong="G2770"\w* \w over|strong="G1223"\w*, \w without|strong="G2532"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w word|strong="G3056"\w*, \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* conduct \w of|strong="G3056"\w* \w their|strong="G2532"\w* \w wives|strong="G1135"\w*  
\v 2 (having watched \w your|strong="G1722"\w* pure behavior \it accompanied\it* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w respect|strong="G5401"\w*),  
\v 3 \w whose|strong="G3739"\w* \w adorning|strong="G2889"\w* \w should|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w outward|strong="G1855"\w* \w one|strong="G3739"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w braiding|strong="G1708"\w* \w hair|strong="G2359"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w wearing|strong="G4025"\w* \w gold|strong="G5553"\w*, \w or|strong="G2228"\w* \w putting|strong="G2532"\w* \w on|strong="G2228"\w* \w fine|strong="G2532"\w* \w clothing|strong="G2440"\w*,\f + \fr 3:3 \ft Peter is not advocating a sloppy or slovenly appearance; the problem is the vanity and competition expressed by extravagant hairstyles, clothes, jewelry—anything to get attention.\f*  
\v 4 \w but|strong="G2532"\w* rather \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w hidden|strong="G2927"\w* \w person|strong="G3739"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w heart|strong="G2588"\w*, \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* incorruptible \it adorning\it* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w gentle|strong="G4239"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w quiet|strong="G2272"\w* \w spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w great|strong="G2532"\w* value \w before|strong="G1799"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*.  
\v 5 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w this|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w how|strong="G3779"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* holy \w women|strong="G1135"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w hoped|strong="G1679"\w* \w in|strong="G1519"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w in|strong="G1519"\w* \w former|strong="G4218"\w* \w times|strong="G4218"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w adorned|strong="G2885"\w* \w themselves|strong="G1438"\w*, \w being|strong="G2532"\w* \w submissive|strong="G5293"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w their|strong="G1438"\w* \w own|strong="G2398"\w* husbands,  
\v 6 \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w Sarah|strong="G4564"\w* \w obeyed|strong="G5219"\w* Abraham, \w calling|strong="G2564"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w* ‘\w lord|strong="G2962"\w*’, \w whose|strong="G3739"\w* (f) \w daughters|strong="G5043"\w* \w you|strong="G3739"\w* \w became|strong="G1096"\w*\f + \fr 3:6 \ft A woman becomes a ‘daughter of Abraham’ by faith in God; she becomes a ‘daughter of Sarah’ by doing good.\f* \w by|strong="G2532"\w* \w doing|strong="G1096"\w* \w good|strong="G3588"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w being|strong="G1096"\w* \w afraid|strong="G5399"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w any|strong="G3367"\w* intimidation.\f + \fr 3:6 \ft An incorruptible character does not surrender to intimidation. Since there has never been a lack of evil people in the world, to keep on being and doing good one must stand up to intimidation.\f*   
\s1 A word to husbands  
\p
\v 7 \w Similarly|strong="G3668"\w*,\f + \fr 3:7 \ft This is parallel to 3:1 and 2:18.\f* husbands, \w live|strong="G2532"\w* \w together|strong="G2596"\w* knowledgeably \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w with|strong="G2532"\w* \w a|strong="G5613"\w* weaker \w vessel|strong="G4632"\w*,\f + \fr 3:7 \ft Oh dear me, definitely \+nd not\+nd* politically correct in this year of our Lord! But then, when did the Sovereign Lord ever worry about being ‘politically correct’, especially in a culture heavily influenced by Satan? And when did the Sovereign's true servants ever worry about being ‘politically correct’ in such a culture? Remember James 4:4—“Adulterers and adulteresses! [so 98% of the Greek manuscripts]. Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? So whoever may want to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” 1 John 2:15-17 is to the same effect. To love the things of the world (especially its values) is to adulterate against God: “the love of the Father is not in him”. As Joshua said so long ago, “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15). In Genesis 3:16 the Creator said to the woman, “your desire shall be for your husband”—a woman's emotional health and sense of security are heavily influenced by her husband's attitudes, more so than vice versa.\f* \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w honor|strong="G5092"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w wife|strong="G1134"\w* especially \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w being|strong="G2532"\w* \w a|strong="G5613"\w* joint \w heir|strong="G4789"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w life|strong="G2222"\w*,\f + \fr 3:7 \ft “The grace of life”—I love it. I take this to be the bottom line in marriage, husband and wife are joint heirs of the grace of life. Without males the race dies out; without females the race dies out; so both sexes are 100% necessary, so they are equally important. But for people to live together harmoniously there has to be organization, a chain of command, an authority structure.\f* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w your|strong="G2532"\w* \w prayers|strong="G4335"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w hindered|strong="G1465"\w*.\f + \fr 3:7 \ft Oops, there is more involved than meets the eye. “Your” is plural—it could be referring to the husbands, but could also be referring to a husband and his wife, which seems to me more likely. Praying together is an important activity for any Christian couple, but if their relationship is strained such praying becomes awkward, in fact probably won't even happen.\f*   
\s1 The golden rule  
\p
\v 8 \w Finally|strong="G5056"\w*, \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w of|strong="G3956"\w* \w you|strong="G3956"\w* \w be|strong="G3956"\w* like-minded, \w compassionate|strong="G2155"\w*, loving \w as|strong="G1161"\w* brothers,\f + \fr 3:8 \ft This list of attitudes refers primarily to relationships within the Christian community.\f* \w tenderhearted|strong="G2155"\w*, courteous,\f + \fr 3:8 \ft Instead of “courteous”, some 22% of the Greek manuscripts, have ‘humble’ (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.).\f*  
\v 9 \w not|strong="G3361"\w* returning \w evil|strong="G2556"\w* \w for|strong="G3754"\w* \w evil|strong="G2556"\w* \w or|strong="G2228"\w* reviling \w for|strong="G3754"\w* reviling, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w instead|strong="G1161"\w* \w blessing|strong="G2129"\w*, knowing \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w you|strong="G3754"\w* \w were|strong="G3778"\w* \w called|strong="G2564"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w you|strong="G3754"\w* \w may|strong="G2443"\w* \w inherit|strong="G2816"\w* \w a|strong="G1519"\w* \w blessing|strong="G2129"\w*.  
\v 10 \w For|strong="G1063"\w*:  
\q1 “\w The|strong="G2532"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w wants|strong="G2309"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w love|strong="G2309"\w* \w life|strong="G2222"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w see|strong="G3708"\w* \w good|strong="G3588"\w* \w days|strong="G2250"\w*  
\q2 \w must|strong="G3588"\w* \w refrain|strong="G3973"\w* \w his|strong="G3708"\w* \w tongue|strong="G1100"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w evil|strong="G2556"\w*  
\q2 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w his|strong="G3708"\w* \w lips|strong="G5491"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w speaking|strong="G2980"\w* \w deceit|strong="G1388"\w*;   
\q1
\v 11 \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w must|strong="G4160"\w* \w turn|strong="G1578"\w* \w away|strong="G1578"\w* \w from|strong="G1515"\w* \w evil|strong="G2556"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w do|strong="G4160"\w* \w good|strong="G2532"\w*;  
\q2 \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w must|strong="G4160"\w* \w seek|strong="G2212"\w* \w peace|strong="G1515"\w*, \w even|strong="G2532"\w* \w pursue|strong="G1377"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w*.   
\q1
\v 12 \w Because|strong="G3754"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w eyes|strong="G3788"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w are|strong="G2532"\w* \w upon|strong="G1909"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w righteous|strong="G1342"\w*,  
\q2 \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w His|strong="G1519"\w* \w ears|strong="G3775"\w* \it open\it* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w their|strong="G2532"\w* \w prayer|strong="G1162"\w*;  
\q1 \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w face|strong="G4383"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w is|strong="G2962"\w* \w against|strong="G1909"\w* \w those|strong="G1161"\w* \w doing|strong="G4160"\w* \w evil|strong="G2556"\w*.”\f + \fr 3:12 \ft The quote is from Psalm 34:12-16. Based on this Psalm, the blessing to be inherited is in this life. Without peace life is not ‘good’.\f*   
\s1 Better to suffer than to sin  
\p
\v 13 \w Now|strong="G2532"\w* \w who|strong="G5101"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w he|strong="G2532"\w* \w who|strong="G5101"\w* \w will|strong="G5101"\w* \w harm|strong="G2559"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w if|strong="G1437"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w become|strong="G1096"\w* imitators \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w good|strong="G3588"\w*?\f + \fr 3:13 \ft “The good” is ambiguous as to gender; it could be a good person or a good thing, or a generic good.\f*  
\v 14 \w But|strong="G1161"\w* \w even|strong="G2532"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w you|strong="G1487"\w* \w should|strong="G3588"\w* \w suffer|strong="G3958"\w* \w for|strong="G1223"\w* \w righteousness|strong="G1343"\w*' \w sake|strong="G1223"\w*, \w you|strong="G1487"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w blessed|strong="G3107"\w*. “\w Do|strong="G2532"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w fear|strong="G5401"\w* \w what|strong="G3588"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w fear|strong="G5401"\w*, \w neither|strong="G3366"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w troubled|strong="G5015"\w*.”\f + \fr 3:14 \ft The quote is from Isaiah 8:12. In that context there is a contrast between Jehovah as the ‘fear’ of Israel and whatever god the others fear. Whatever ‘fear’ motivates those who persecute you for doing good, do not let it shake your devotion to the true God.\f*  
\v 15 \w Rather|strong="G1161"\w*, sanctify \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Lord|strong="G2962"\w* \w God|strong="G2532"\w*\f + \fr 3:15 \ft Instead of “God”, perhaps 6% of the Greek manuscripts have ‘Christ’ (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.).\f* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w your|strong="G2962"\w* \w hearts|strong="G2588"\w*, \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w always|strong="G3956"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w ready|strong="G2092"\w* \w with|strong="G3326"\w* \w an|strong="G2532"\w* \w answer|strong="G3056"\w* \w for|strong="G4012"\w* \w everyone|strong="G3956"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* asks \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w reason|strong="G3056"\w* \w concerning|strong="G4012"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w hope|strong="G1680"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w with|strong="G3326"\w* \w meekness|strong="G4240"\w*\f + \fr 3:15 \ft ‘Meek’ is not ‘weak’—it is power that is restrained, under control. Since the worldview of the Bible is far superior to all others, someone who really understands the issues can smash the opposition, but Peter says not to do that; by handling the questioners gently we have a better chance of converting them. In verse 18 below he will make the point that in this we will be following Christ's example. But remember what Jesus Himself said about ‘dogs’ and ‘pigs’ in Matthew 7:6.\f* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w respect|strong="G5401"\w*;  
\v 16 \w keeping|strong="G2192"\w* \w a|strong="G2192"\w* \w good|strong="G3588"\w* \w conscience|strong="G4893"\w*, \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w wherein|strong="G1722"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w speak|strong="G2635"\w* \w against|strong="G3326"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w as|strong="G1722"\w* evildoers,\f + \fr 3:16 \ft This clause is a repeat of 2:12.\f* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w revile|strong="G1908"\w* \w your|strong="G2192"\w* \w good|strong="G3588"\w* \w way|strong="G1722"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* life \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w put|strong="G2617"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w shame|strong="G2617"\w*.\f + \fr 3:16 \ft Often such people are put to shame in this life, but if not, they certainly will be at the Judgment.\f*  
\v 17 \w For|strong="G1063"\w* \w it|strong="G1063"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w better|strong="G2909"\w* \w to|strong="G2309"\w* \w suffer|strong="G3958"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w doing|strong="G2554"\w* \w good|strong="G3588"\w*, \w should|strong="G2316"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w will|strong="G2307"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w so|strong="G1063"\w* determine, \w than|strong="G2228"\w* \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w doing|strong="G2554"\w* \w evil|strong="G2554"\w*.   
\s1 Follow Christ's example to victory  
\p
\v 18 \w Because|strong="G3754"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* suffered \w on|strong="G5228"\w* account \w of|strong="G4012"\w* sins, once \w for|strong="G3754"\w* \w all|strong="G2532"\w*,\f + \fr 3:18 \ft “Once for all”—no one can kill Jesus twice.\f* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w righteous|strong="G1342"\w* \w on|strong="G5228"\w* \w behalf|strong="G5228"\w* \w of|strong="G4012"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* unrighteous, \w that|strong="G3754"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w might|strong="G2532"\w* \w bring|strong="G4317"\w* \w us|strong="G4012"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*; \w having|strong="G2532"\w* \w been|strong="G2532"\w* \w put|strong="G2289"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w death|strong="G2289"\w*, \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w sure|strong="G3303"\w*, \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w*, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w having|strong="G2532"\w* \w been|strong="G2532"\w* \w made|strong="G2316"\w* \w alive|strong="G2227"\w* \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w spirit|strong="G4151"\w*;  
\v 19 \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w went|strong="G4198"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w made|strong="G2784"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w proclamation|strong="G2784"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w spirits|strong="G4151"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w prison|strong="G5438"\w*\f + \fr 3:19 \ft What spirits are these? Peter gives a little more detail in his second letter, 2:4-6. “For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to Tartarus and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction…” So the spirits in question are angels. Jude 6-7 refers to those same angels: “and the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day; as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these [angels], having given themselves over to fornication and gone after a different kind of flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” Recall that the men of Sodom wanted to rape the angels who were in Lot's house; whatever kind of flesh angels have when they materialize, it is not human flesh, it is precisely a different kind of flesh. So the angels in question are the ones who cohabited with women, producing the mongrel race of \ft \+it nephilim\+it* (Genesis 6:2-4). Their crime was so terrible that God incarcerated them even before Jehovah the Son became flesh and defeated Satan—they were put in cold (or hot) storage until human history played itself out. So the “proclamation” that Jesus went to make to those spirits was that he had won and that their condemnation was now irreversible.\f*  
\v 20 \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w formerly|strong="G4218"\w* \w were|strong="G1510"\w* disobedient, \w when|strong="G3753"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w patience|strong="G3115"\w* \w of|strong="G2250"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w kept|strong="G3739"\w* waiting \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w days|strong="G2250"\w* \w of|strong="G2250"\w* \w Noah|strong="G3575"\w*, \w while|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Ark|strong="G2787"\w* \w was|strong="G1510"\w* \w being|strong="G1510"\w* \w prepared|strong="G2680"\w*,\f + \fr 3:20 \ft It probably took Noah at least 100 years.\f* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w a|strong="G1519"\w* \w few|strong="G3641"\w*, \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w eight|strong="G3638"\w*, \w souls|strong="G5590"\w* \w were|strong="G1510"\w* \w brought|strong="G1295"\w* \w safely|strong="G1295"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w water|strong="G5204"\w*.  
\v 21 \w This|strong="G3739"\w* \w is|strong="G2316"\w* \w an|strong="G2532"\w* antitype\f + \fr 3:21 \ft Why “antitype” rather than ‘type’? I suppose because the roles are reversed: the ark was to save Noah from the water, the water was the problem; in baptism the water is part of the solution, it saves us from something else. From what, from sin and death? Probably not. I have been given to understand that for the early Church water baptism was meant to do the following: by invoking the name of the Lord Jesus Christ the convert was placing himself under Christ's protection and repudiating Satan and the world system (with its values) and the demons controlled by him. Recall that in the New Testament water baptism followed immediately upon conversion (no weeks or months of instruction). Peter discounts the physical effect of water—the point is to appeal to God in good conscience—and goes on to the victory of Christ over death and the whole angelic hierarchy. So obviously He is in a position to protect us from Satan and his angels.\f* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* baptism, \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w now|strong="G3568"\w* \w saves|strong="G4982"\w* \w us|strong="G1519"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* (\w not|strong="G3756"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* removal \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w physical|strong="G4561"\w* \w filth|strong="G4509"\w*, \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w appeal|strong="G1906"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w good|strong="G1223"\w* \w conscience|strong="G4893"\w*) \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* resurrection \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*,  
\v 22 \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w at|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w right|strong="G1188"\w* \w hand|strong="G1188"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w having|strong="G2532"\w* \w gone|strong="G4198"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w heaven|strong="G3772"\w*, angels \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w authorities|strong="G1849"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w powers|strong="G1411"\w* \w having|strong="G2532"\w* \w been|strong="G1510"\w* \w made|strong="G2316"\w* \w subject|strong="G5293"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w Him|strong="G3739"\w*.\f + \fr 3:22 \ft I believe that this truth is directly relevant to Ephesians 2:6 (see the footnote there). In Christ we have authority over the hierarchy of fallen angels. [I am still working on how we may interact with the good ones.]\f*   
\c 4  
\ms1 Some concluding instructions  
\s1 Pursue the will of God  
\m
\v 1 \w Therefore|strong="G3767"\w*, \w since|strong="G3754"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w suffered|strong="G3958"\w* \w on|strong="G3767"\w* \w our|strong="G2532"\w* behalf\f + \fr 4:1 \ft Some 4.5% of the Greek manuscripts omit “on our behalf” (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.).\f* \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w*, \w arm|strong="G3695"\w* \w yourselves|strong="G4771"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w with|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w same|strong="G2532"\w* mentality (\w for|strong="G3754"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w has|strong="G5547"\w* ‘\w suffered|strong="G3958"\w* \w in|strong="G2532"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w*’ \w has|strong="G5547"\w* \w been|strong="G2532"\w* made \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w cease|strong="G3973"\w* \w from|strong="G2532"\w* sin)\f + \fr 4:1 \ft 3:18 above says Christ was “put to death in flesh”, as the culmination of His suffering, and I take that to be the point of reference here. I take ‘suffer in flesh’ to be a euphemism for death, and when one dies he stops sinning [I suppose]. All during His earthly life Jesus knew He was going to die on account of sins and was totally committed to doing the Father's will. With the same mentality we too will be committed to doing God's will, and so will avoid sin. “Reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin but alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:11). Verse two here agrees that this is not automatic—we must determine not to indulge the flesh.\f*  
\v 2 \w so|strong="G1519"\w* \w as|strong="G1519"\w* \w not|strong="G3371"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* live \w your|strong="G1722"\w* remaining \w time|strong="G5550"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w human|strong="G4561"\w* \w lusts|strong="G1939"\w* \w any|strong="G1722"\w* \w longer|strong="G3371"\w*, \w but|strong="G2316"\w* \w for|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w will|strong="G2307"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*.  
\v 3 \w Because|strong="G1063"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w time|strong="G5550"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w has|strong="G2532"\w* \w passed|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* plenty \w for|strong="G1063"\w* \w you|strong="G1722"\w*\f + \fr 4:3 \ft The Greek manuscripts are about evenly divided between “you” and ‘us’, but the best line of transmission has “you”, which jives with verse 4.\f* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w performed|strong="G2716"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w pagans|strong="G1484"\w*—\w having|strong="G2532"\w* \w walked|strong="G4198"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* lewdness,\f + \fr 4:3 \ft All the nouns in this list are actually plural, emphasizing that their life was characterized by these things. The main ingredients would be alcohol and sex.\f* \w lusts|strong="G1939"\w*, \w drunkenness|strong="G3632"\w*, revelries, carousings \w and|strong="G2532"\w* disgusting \w idolatries|strong="G1495"\w*—  
\v 4 \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w regard|strong="G1519"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w they|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* disagreeably \w surprised|strong="G3579"\w* \w at|strong="G1722"\w* \w your|strong="G1722"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* running \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w them|strong="G3588"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w same|strong="G3739"\w* flood \w of|strong="G1722"\w* debauchery, reviling \w you|strong="G5210"\w*;\f + \fr 4:4 \ft Is that not precisely the way that people in the world react, when someone breaks out of their circle? They feel condemned, but do not want to admit that they are wrong. Or they know that they are wrong, but do not want to change.\f*  
\v 5 \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w give|strong="G2192"\w* \w an|strong="G2192"\w* \w account|strong="G3056"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3739"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w ready|strong="G2093"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w judge|strong="G2919"\w* \w living|strong="G2198"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w dead|strong="G3498"\w*  
\v 6 (\w which|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G2316"\w* precisely \w why|strong="G1063"\w* \w dead|strong="G3498"\w* ones \w were|strong="G2532"\w* \it once\it* evangelized, \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w should|strong="G2316"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w judged|strong="G2919"\w* \w as|strong="G1519"\w* \w men|strong="G3778"\w* \w in|strong="G1519"\w* \w flesh|strong="G4561"\w*, \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* \w sure|strong="G3303"\w*, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w they|strong="G2532"\w* \w should|strong="G2316"\w* \w live|strong="G2198"\w* \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w in|strong="G1519"\w* \w spirit|strong="G4151"\w*).\f + \fr 4:6 \ft This delightful verse has given commentators no end of exercise. Verse 5 ends with “judge living and dead”, but anyone who is dead was once alive, obviously, and the judgment will be based on what they did while alive, which is why everyone needs to be evangelized while in this life (including the people who are making fun of us). There is no definite article with “dead”, either in verse 5 or 6, so Peter is referring to the ones who were evangelized in this life—he is not saying that \+nd everyone\+nd* has been or will be evangelized. Everyone will be judged, but to “live according to God in spirit” one must respond adequately to the Gospel.\f*   
\s1 Redeem the time  
\p
\v 7 \w The|strong="G2532"\w* \w end|strong="G5056"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w things|strong="G3956"\w* \w has|strong="G2532"\w* \w approached|strong="G1448"\w*; \w therefore|strong="G3767"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* serious \w and|strong="G2532"\w* self-controlled \w in|strong="G1519"\w* \w your|strong="G2532"\w* \w praying|strong="G4335"\w*.\f + \fr 4:7 \ft Haven't you heard a lot of ‘praying’ that would not qualify?\f*  
\v 8 \w Above|strong="G4253"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w things|strong="G3956"\w* \w your|strong="G2192"\w* love \w for|strong="G3754"\w* \w one|strong="G3956"\w* \w another|strong="G1438"\w* \w should|strong="G3588"\w* \w be|strong="G3956"\w* constant, \w because|strong="G3754"\w* love \w covers|strong="G2572"\w* \w a|strong="G2192"\w* \w multitude|strong="G4128"\w* \w of|strong="G3956"\w* sins.\f + \fr 4:8 \ft Love overlooks sins, does not make a big deal out of them, in interpersonal relationships. The eternal consequence of sin is not in view here.\f*  
\v 9 \w Be|strong="G1519"\w* \w hospitable|strong="G5382"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w one|strong="G1519"\w* another without \w grumbling|strong="G1112"\w*.\f + \fr 4:9 \ft Have you never heard anyone grumble? Recall that to be hospitable is commanded.\f*  
\v 10 \w As|strong="G5613"\w* \w each|strong="G1538"\w* \w has|strong="G2316"\w* \w received|strong="G2983"\w* \w a|strong="G5613"\w* \w gift|strong="G5486"\w*, \w minister|strong="G1247"\w* \w it|strong="G2531"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w one|strong="G1538"\w* \w another|strong="G1438"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w good|strong="G2570"\w* administrators \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s \w varied|strong="G4164"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w*.\f + \fr 4:10 \ft Does your church allow people to minister their gifts?\f*  
\v 11 \w If|strong="G1487"\w* \w anyone|strong="G5100"\w* \w speaks|strong="G2980"\w*, \w let|strong="G2443"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w utterances|strong="G3051"\w* \w of|strong="G1537"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*. \w If|strong="G1487"\w* \w anyone|strong="G5100"\w* \w serves|strong="G1247"\w*, \w let|strong="G2443"\w* \w it|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w from|strong="G1537"\w* \w strength|strong="G2479"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w supplies|strong="G5524"\w*, \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w things|strong="G3956"\w* \bd \+w God|strong="G2316"\+w*\bd* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G1510"\w* \w glorified|strong="G1392"\w* \w through|strong="G1223"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G2424"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*, \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w whom|strong="G3739"\w* \w belong|strong="G1510"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w dominion|strong="G2904"\w* \w throughout|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* ages. Amen.   
\s1 Suffering in the will of God  
\p
\v 12 Dear ones, \w do|strong="G1096"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w be|strong="G1096"\w* \w surprised|strong="G3579"\w* \w at|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w fiery|strong="G4451"\w* \w trial|strong="G3986"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w has|strong="G1096"\w* \w come|strong="G1096"\w* \w upon|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w a|strong="G1096"\w* test, \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w though|strong="G5613"\w* something \w strange|strong="G3581"\w* \w was|strong="G1096"\w* \w happening|strong="G1096"\w* \w to|strong="G4314"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*,  
\v 13 \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G2443"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* extent \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w you|strong="G1722"\w* \w share|strong="G2841"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*'s \w sufferings|strong="G3804"\w*, \w rejoice|strong="G5463"\w*, \w so|strong="G2443"\w* \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w at|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* revelation \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w His|strong="G1722"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w* \w you|strong="G1722"\w* \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w may|strong="G2532"\w* \w rejoice|strong="G5463"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w great|strong="G2532"\w* deal \w more|strong="G2532"\w*.\f + \fr 4:13 \ft Presumably the reference is to our rewards; the more we share in Christ's sufferings, the more we get.\f*  
\v 14 \w If|strong="G1487"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* insulted \w for|strong="G3754"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w name|strong="G3686"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*, \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w blessed|strong="G3107"\w*, \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w Spirit|strong="G4151"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w of|strong="G4151"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w has|strong="G2316"\w* \w come|strong="G2532"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* rest \w upon|strong="G1909"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*. \w On|strong="G1909"\w* \w their|strong="G2532"\w* \w part|strong="G2532"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* blasphemed,\f + \fr 4:14 \ft If someone insults us because of the results of the Holy Spirit's working in our lives, they are blaspheming Him; but we should glorify God for the privilege of belonging to Him, both now and for eternity.\f* \w but|strong="G2532"\w* \w on|strong="G1909"\w* \w your|strong="G2532"\w* \w part|strong="G2532"\w* \w He|strong="G2532"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w glorified|strong="G2532"\w*.\f + \fr 4:14 \ft Perhaps 17% of the Greek manuscripts omit this whole sentence (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.).\f*  
\v 15 \w Now|strong="G5613"\w* \w do|strong="G3361"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w any|strong="G5100"\w* \w of|strong="G5100"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w suffer|strong="G3958"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w a|strong="G5613"\w* \w murderer|strong="G5406"\w*, \w or|strong="G2228"\w* \w a|strong="G5613"\w* \w thief|strong="G2812"\w*, \w or|strong="G2228"\w* \w an|strong="G2228"\w* \w evildoer|strong="G2555"\w*, \w or|strong="G2228"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w a|strong="G5613"\w* meddler \w in|strong="G1063"\w* \w others|strong="G5100"\w*' affairs;  
\v 16 \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* anyone suffers \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w a|strong="G5613"\w* \w Christian|strong="G5546"\w*, \w let|strong="G1161"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w be|strong="G3361"\w* ashamed, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w let|strong="G1161"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w* \w glorify|strong="G1392"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* matter.\f + \fr 4:16 \ft Instead of “matter”, perhaps 11% of the Greek manuscripts have ‘name’ (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.).\f*  
\v 17 \w Because|strong="G3754"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w time|strong="G2540"\w* \w has|strong="G2316"\w* come \w for|strong="G3754"\w* \w judgment|strong="G2917"\w* \w to|strong="G1161"\w* begin \w at|strong="G1161"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*'s \w house|strong="G3624"\w*;\f + \fr 4:17 \ft Dear me, does this mean that the more I call down judgment on the forces of evil at work in the society at large, the more God judges the church? If that is the price to be paid for doing our job (1 John 3:8), so be it.\f* \w now|strong="G1161"\w* \w if|strong="G1487"\w* \w it|strong="G3754"\w* starts \w with|strong="G2316"\w* \w us|strong="G2249"\w*, \w what|strong="G5101"\w* \w will|strong="G2316"\w* \w be|strong="G2316"\w* \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w end|strong="G5056"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G5101"\w* keep disobeying \w the|strong="G1161"\w* \w Gospel|strong="G2098"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*?  
\v 18 \w Also|strong="G2532"\w*, ‘\w If|strong="G1487"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w righteous|strong="G1342"\w* \w one|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w saved|strong="G4982"\w* \w with|strong="G2532"\w* \w difficulty|strong="G3433"\w*, \w where|strong="G4226"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* godless \w and|strong="G2532"\w* sinful \w person|strong="G1342"\w* \w appear|strong="G5316"\w*?’\f + \fr 4:18 \ft See Proverbs 11:31 in LXX (Septuagint), which is quite different from the Hebrew Text. However, Peter does not claim to be quoting Scripture here, but used a statement that is true and served his purpose. “Saved with difficulty” does not sound automatic.\f*  
\v 19 \w And|strong="G2532"\w* \w so|strong="G2532"\w* \w let|strong="G2532"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w suffer|strong="G3958"\w* \w according|strong="G2596"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w will|strong="G2307"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w entrust|strong="G3908"\w* \w their|strong="G2532"\w* \w souls|strong="G5590"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* doing \w good|strong="G3588"\w*, \w as|strong="G1722"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w a|strong="G2532"\w* \w faithful|strong="G4103"\w* \w Creator|strong="G2939"\w*.\f + \fr 4:19 \ft The bottom line when we are suffering is whether or not we are going to trust God's concern for us.\f*   
\c 5  
\s1 How to be a shepherd  
\m
\v 1 \w The|strong="G1722"\w* \w elders|strong="G4245"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w among|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w I|strong="G2532"\w* \w exhort|strong="G3870"\w*, \w I|strong="G2532"\w*, \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w fellow|strong="G4850"\w* \w elder|strong="G4245"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w witness|strong="G3144"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w*'s \w sufferings|strong="G3804"\w*; \w also|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w partaker|strong="G2844"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w* \w that|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w to|strong="G2532"\w* \w be|strong="G2532"\w* revealed:\f + \fr 5:1 \ft I take it that Peter is referring to his having been on the mount of transfiguration; only James and John could say as much, and presumably they were not among the addressees (James had already been martyred). Peter uses the definite article with “fellow elder” and “partaker”, from which I conclude that he is claiming a position of special authority.\f*  
\v 2 \w Shepherd|strong="G4165"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w flock|strong="G4168"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w which|strong="G3588"\w* \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w among|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, serving \w as|strong="G1722"\w* overseers \w willingly|strong="G1596"\w*,\f + \fr 5:2 \ft Perhaps 14% of the Greek manuscripts add ‘according to God’ (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.).\f* \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w under|strong="G1722"\w* compulsion; \w not|strong="G3361"\w* \w for|strong="G1722"\w* dishonest gain \w but|strong="G3361"\w* freely;  
\v 3 \w neither|strong="G3366"\w* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w lording|strong="G2634"\w* \w it|strong="G2634"\w* \w over|strong="G2634"\w* \w those|strong="G3588"\w* entrusted \w to|strong="G1096"\w* \w you|strong="G5613"\w*,\f + \fr 5:3 \ft How many church leaders do you know who enjoy ‘lording’?\f* \w but|strong="G3588"\w* \w being|strong="G1096"\w* \w examples|strong="G5179"\w* \w to|strong="G1096"\w* \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w flock|strong="G4168"\w*.  
\v 4 \w And|strong="G2532"\w* \w when|strong="G2532"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w Chief|strong="G2532"\w* Shepherd \w is|strong="G3588"\w* \w revealed|strong="G5319"\w* \w you|strong="G2532"\w* \w will|strong="G2532"\w* \w receive|strong="G2865"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* unfading \w crown|strong="G4735"\w* \w of|strong="G2532"\w* \w glory|strong="G1391"\w*.   
\s1 Humility is a must  
\p
\v 5 \w Similarly|strong="G3668"\w*, \w you|strong="G3754"\w* \w younger|strong="G3501"\w* \w ones|strong="G4245"\w*, \w submit|strong="G5293"\w* \w to|strong="G1325"\w* \w elders|strong="G4245"\w*. \w Yes|strong="G1161"\w*, \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w you|strong="G3754"\w* \w clothe|strong="G1463"\w* \w yourselves|strong="G5293"\w* \w with|strong="G2316"\w* \w humility|strong="G5012"\w*, \w submitting|strong="G5293"\w* \w to|strong="G1325"\w* \w one|strong="G3956"\w* \w another|strong="G3588"\w*, \w because|strong="G3754"\w* ‘\w God|strong="G2316"\w* resists \w proud|strong="G5244"\w* \w ones|strong="G4245"\w*, \w but|strong="G1161"\w* \w gives|strong="G1325"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w* \w to|strong="G1325"\w* \w humble|strong="G5011"\w* \w ones|strong="G4245"\w*.’\f + \fr 5:5 \ft Proverbs 3:34 in LXX.\f*  
\v 6 \w Therefore|strong="G3767"\w*, \w humble|strong="G5013"\w* \w yourselves|strong="G4771"\w* \w under|strong="G5259"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w mighty|strong="G2900"\w* \w hand|strong="G5495"\w* \w of|strong="G5259"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w*, \w that|strong="G2443"\w* \w He|strong="G3588"\w* \w may|strong="G2443"\w* \w exalt|strong="G5312"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w due|strong="G1722"\w* \w time|strong="G2540"\w*;  
\v 7 \w casting|strong="G1977"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w your|strong="G3956"\w* \w care|strong="G3199"\w* \w upon|strong="G1909"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w*, \w because|strong="G3754"\w* \w He|strong="G3754"\w* does \w the|strong="G3956"\w* caring \w for|strong="G3754"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*.\f + \fr 5:7 \ft My rendering follows the best line of transmission; God is offering to handle our concerns for us, so we do not have to—now that is a real deal (but it only works if we hand them over).\f*   
\s1 Guard against the devil  
\p
\v 8 \w Be|strong="G3588"\w* \w sober|strong="G3525"\w*, \w stay|strong="G1127"\w* \w alert|strong="G1127"\w*! Because \w your|strong="G3588"\w* enemy \w the|strong="G3588"\w* \w devil|strong="G1228"\w*, \w like|strong="G5613"\w* \w a|strong="G5613"\w* \w roaring|strong="G5612"\w* \w lion|strong="G3023"\w*, \w is|strong="G3588"\w* circling \it you\it*,\f + \fr 5:8 \ft He is not ambling aimlessly; he is circling the prey, looking for an opening. I follow the best line of transmission, albeit with only 24% of the Greek manuscripts here.\f* \w looking|strong="G2212"\w* \w for|strong="G2212"\w* \w someone|strong="G2666"\w* \w to|strong="G2212"\w* \w devour|strong="G2666"\w*;  
\v 9 withstand \w him|strong="G3588"\w*, steadfast \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w faith|strong="G4102"\w*, \w knowing|strong="G1492"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w same|strong="G3739"\w* \w sufferings|strong="G3804"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w experienced|strong="G1492"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w your|strong="G1722"\w* brotherhood \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w world|strong="G2889"\w*.\f + \fr 5:9 \ft What does this last clause have to do with withstanding Satan? Well, when we are suffering it is easy to question God's goodness, to think that we are being picked on, to feel sorry for ourselves, and so on—our faith starts to waver and Satan has all sorts of fun. ‘Devour’ means to gobble up (or gobble down); for a while I lived among a people in the Amazon jungle who used to practice cannibalism—I was assured that human flesh is sweet; now really, would any self-respecting ‘lion’ turn up his nose at such a treat? But this particular ‘lion’ is especially fond of devouring Christians.\f*   
\ms1 Benediction  
\p
\v 10 \w Now|strong="G1161"\w* \w may|strong="G3956"\w* \w the|strong="G1722"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w of|strong="G2316"\w* \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w*, \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w called|strong="G2564"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w into|strong="G1519"\w* \w His|strong="G3956"\w* eternal \w glory|strong="G1391"\w* \w by|strong="G1722"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* \w Jesus|strong="G4741"\w*, \w Himself|strong="G1519"\w* \w perfect|strong="G2675"\w*, \w establish|strong="G4741"\w*, \w strengthen|strong="G4741"\w* \w and|strong="G1161"\w* ground \w you|strong="G5210"\w*—\w after|strong="G1161"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w have|strong="G5210"\w* \w suffered|strong="G3958"\w* \w a|strong="G1519"\w* \w while|strong="G1722"\w*.\f + \fr 5:10 \ft Oh dear, can't I have all the good stuff without needing to suffer? Guess what the answer is.\f*  
\v 11 \w To|strong="G1519"\w* \w Him|strong="G3588"\w* \w be|strong="G1519"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* glory \w and|strong="G3588"\w* \w the|strong="G1519"\w* \w dominion|strong="G2904"\w* \w forever|strong="G1519"\w* \w and|strong="G3588"\w* \w ever|strong="G1519"\w*. Amen.   
\s1 Sign-off  
\p
\v 12 \w I|strong="G3739"\w* \w have|strong="G2532"\w* \w written|strong="G1125"\w* \w to|strong="G1519"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w briefly|strong="G3641"\w* \w by|strong="G1223"\w* \w our|strong="G2316"\w* \w faithful|strong="G4103"\w* brother \w Silvanus|strong="G4610"\w*,\f + \fr 5:12 \ft This may be the same Silvanus who is mentioned in the opening verse of both Thessalonian epistles. If so, he was a man of some importance in the Church at that time. Evidently he was entrusted with the responsibility of delivering this letter; if he personally had to go to each province, he had quite a journey.\f* \w as|strong="G5613"\w* \w I|strong="G3739"\w* \w consider|strong="G3049"\w* \w him|strong="G3588"\w*, \w exhorting|strong="G3870"\w* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w testifying|strong="G1957"\w* \w that|strong="G3739"\w* \w this|strong="G3778"\w* \w is|strong="G1510"\w* \w the|strong="G2532"\w* \w true|strong="G4103"\w* \w grace|strong="G5485"\w* \w of|strong="G1223"\w* \w God|strong="G2316"\w* \w in|strong="G1519"\w* \w which|strong="G3739"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w* \w stand|strong="G2476"\w*.  
\v 13 \w The|strong="G1722"\w* jointly elect \it sister\it* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* ‘Babylon’ greets \w you|strong="G5210"\w*;\f + \fr 5:13 \ft Almost half the Greek manuscripts have a postscript that the letter was written in Rome, and it seems likely that such was the case. So ‘Babylon’ presumably refers to Rome. (So far as I know, the historical Babylon was a ruin at that time, without inhabitants.) The ‘sister’ could be an individual woman, but could also be the church.\f* \w and|strong="G2532"\w* \w so|strong="G2532"\w* \w does|strong="G5207"\w* \w Mark|strong="G3138"\w*, \w my|strong="G1722"\w* \w son|strong="G5207"\w*.\f + \fr 5:13 \ft Presumably Peter is referring to John Mark (Acts 12 & 15, Colossians 4:10, 2 Timothy 4:11), whom he took under his wing, as it were. This is the Mark who wrote the second Gospel. Many Greek manuscripts have a scribal comment that Mark wrote his Gospel with Peter at his elbow.\f*  
\v 14 Greet \w one|strong="G3956"\w* \w another|strong="G3588"\w* \w with|strong="G1722"\w* \w a|strong="G1722"\w* \w kiss|strong="G5370"\w* \w of|strong="G1722"\w* love.\f + \fr 5:14 \ft The love here is αγαπη, not φιλια. What is involved is genuine concern for the other's well-being, not an emotional interest.\f*  
\p \w Peace|strong="G1515"\w* \w be|strong="G3956"\w* \w to|strong="G1722"\w* \w you|strong="G5210"\w*, \w all|strong="G3956"\w* \w who|strong="G3588"\w* \w are|strong="G3588"\w* \w in|strong="G1722"\w* \w Christ|strong="G5547"\w* Jesus.\f + \fr 5:14 \ft If you are not in Christ Jesus you cannot expect peace. Perhaps 5% of the Greek manuscripts omit “Jesus” (as in NIV, NASB, LB, TEV, etc.).\f* Amen.