regarding which, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same excess of unsavedness, speaking evil of you.
Truth to Learn
Leaving old habits behind comes at a cost.
Behind the Words
The word translated “they think it strange” is the Greek word xenidzō, which is derived from xenos, meaning “a stranger or a foreigner.” Hence, this word can mean “to receive a stranger as a guest” or “to perceive someone or something as strange.”
“You do not run with them” is translated from the word suntrechō, which is a compound of sun, meaning “together with” and threchō, which means “to walk hastily” or “to run.” Hence, it means “to fraternize, run around with, or be in harmony with others.”
The word translated “excess” is anachusin, meaning “to pour out again,” but it has come to mean “excessive indulgence.” In classical Greek, this word is used to describe the tides which repeatedly come back with flooding again and again.
The word translated “unsavedness” is asotias, which literally means “not saved like.”
The participle “speaking evil,” meaning “to vilify or to rail on,” although placed at the end of the verse for emphasis, could be moved back with the other verb. Hence, this verse could read:
In these things they think it strange and they rail on you because you are not running together with them into the same unsaved-like excessive indulgence.
Meaning Explained
Most of us have had the experience where under the conviction of the Holy Spirit we have stopped doing some activity that was inconsistent with our life as a faithful Christian. In some cases we have experienced the wrathful tongue of those with whom we had previously joined ourselves, not simply wondering why we stopped doing it with them, but actually attacking us verbally as if we had accused them of wrongdoing.
You will recall in the previous verse Peter included idolatry along with other descriptions of obvious unchristian-like behavior. When we get caught up in any kind of behavior that has a greater importance than God, it becomes idolatry. It then takes our focus away from God, but it often happens so gradually that we aren’t even aware of it. Such things aren’t sinful in themselves, but they are sinful in their effects on our relationship with our Heavenly Father. When we finally realize that we need to quit and get our focus back on God, our friends (even Christian friends) often will not understand.
Peter tells us this reaction is to be expected. When we turn away from the types of excesses and idolatry described in the previous verse, those with whom we did these things will notice, and their words may not be kind in telling us so.
Application
If this has happened to you as a result of your putting an end to some unchristian-like behavior, then you should drop to your knees and say a couple of prayers. The first is a prayer of thanksgiving and praise that God has rescued you from it. And the second, that He would open the eyes of those who are still engaged in such activity so as to draw them out of it as well.
In God's service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2017 Will Krause. All rights reserved