International Sunday School Lesson March 17, 2024, Spring Quarter #3
Background
There are many theories as to the audience of 1 Peter. Albert Barnes summarizes these theories as follows: (1) native-born Jews who had been converted to the Christian faith (2) all Gentiles (3) Jewish proselytes who had been converted to Christianity (4) descendants of the ten tribes that had wondered from the Holy Land after the Babylonian captivity (5) generic Christians that were both Jews and Gentiles.1 I firmly believe #5.
There are varying opinions of Peter’s location when writing this epistle. We know the name is Babylon. It is mentioned in 1 Peter 5:13. However, it could have meant several different physical locations. It could have been the original city of Babylon. Babylon was abandoned in 1000 AD. However, the name, Babylon, could have been used metaphorically.
Humble Mind
1 Peter 3:8 ESV Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
1 Peter 3:8 ESV
We should try to get along with each other. Our lives should be filled with love and patience. God directs us to be gentle and peace loving. Paul told the Colossians, “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, (13) bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” 2 Notice that the section of scriptures that discusses defending the faith also discusses being meek and tenderhearted. Verses eight through eleven (the be peaceful and meek verses) are so close to verse fifteen (defend the faith verse). Peter is setting the tone that we must use when defending the faith. Defend the faith but do not be obnoxious. Moreover, Paul told the Ephesians, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. (32) Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”3
Seek Peace
1 Peter 3:9-11 ESV Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. (10) For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; (11) let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.
1 Peter 3:9-11 ESV
Peter is encouraging the church to have a good testimony with the lost. Nothing hinders our testimony like being obnoxious. You can prove your point but alienate the lost to the point that they will never come to Christ. We must keep our tongue constrained. James says, “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.” 4 Letting our tongues ramble in frustration hinders the cause of Christ. The writer of Hebrews wrote, “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” 5 We must demonstrate the love of God to the folks we hope to win.
Those Who Do Evil
1 Peter 3:12 ESV For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
1 Peter 3:12 ESV
Evil intentions trigger catastrophic results. God works against those committed to working evil. The book of Leviticus states, “I will set my face against you, and you shall be struck down before your enemies. Those who hate you shall rule over you, and you shall flee when none pursues you.”6 There is nothing more frightening than having the face of God set against you.
Persecution
1 Peter 3:13-14 ESV Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? (14) But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,
1 Peter 3:13-14 ESV
We can live for the Lord and still see hard times. Sometimes persecution comes upon us. Sometimes hard times fall. However, God is still in control in all situations. God still has our best intentions at heart. The important thing for us is that we are faithful regardless. James says, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”7
Apologetics
1 Peter 3:15-17 ESV but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, (16) having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. (17) For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.
1 Peter 3:15-17 ESV
The flow of this section of scripture is very intentional. Verse fifteen has the Greek word, apologia (reasoned statement or argument), which every discussion of the defense of Christianity defines. I have read multiple books on evolution. I have read multiple books on the Great Flood. I have read multiple books philosophy. All for only one purpose — to make a defense of the Gospel to those who do not believe. All of them start the discussion by defining apologetics. All of them start with 1 Peter 3:15.
I could be so harsh and abrupt in my defense of the Gospel when I was a young man. I could also be so youthfully wrong. The meekness and gentleness that Peter, the one that chopped off Malchus’ ear in his younger days, stresses gentleness around verse fifteen. Gentleness is more important than getting every little point correct in an argument. Showing love is more important in soul winning than shouting facts.
Concluding Thoughts
Be meek, gentle, and peaceful. Give a reasoned defense of the Gospel but do it with love and calmness.
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