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1 Peter 5:12 – Standing Firm

Posted on March 19, 2009 by admin

1 Peter 5:12

By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand.

Truth to Learn

It is only by God’s grace that we can firmly stand in Christ.

Behind the Words

The Greek word for the name “Silvanus” is Silounou, which is an alternate spelling of Silon or “Silas.” It is most reasonable to assume that this person is none other than Silas, the one who accompanied Paul on much of his missionary travels. He is mentioned numerous times through chapters 15, 16, 17, and 18 of the book of Acts.

The expression “as I consider him” is an unfortunate translation of the Greek word logidzomai, which means “to reckon” or “to put to someone’s account.” This is the same word that appears in James 2:23 where it is translated as “counted to him,”

And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness, and he was called the friend of God.”

Peter is not speculating about Silvanus’ faithfulness, he is absolutely confirming it.

Meaning Explained

This verse and the two that follow are the closing salutation of this letter. Peter indicates that he believes this is a fairly short letter; “I have written to you briefly…” He tells us at the beginning of this verse that this letter is by Silvanus. As mentioned earlier, this is Silas who is commonly accepted to be the same Silas who accompanied the Apostle Paul during much of his missionary travels. But what does Peter mean, “by Silvanus.” Some believe that Silvanus (Silas) was the scribe who wrote the words which Peter dictated to him. Others believe that he was the messenger who carried this letter to the believers in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia (see 1 Peter 1:1). Either one or both of these may be true, though we don’t really know for sure. It certainly would make sense for Peter to send this letter to these churches by Silas, since he travelled with the Apostle Paul through much of this area (current day Turkey), and these Christians knew Silas.

Peter then tells his readers that he, himself, is exhorting and testifying that which is contained in this letter is a representation of the true grace of God. That is, Christianity is the one true religion, not Judaism, nor paganism, nor humanism, nor any other “ism.” It is this true belief in Jesus Christ by the grace of God in which we Christians stand.

Some translations have this last phrase as a command, “Stand firm in it!” This is because there is a variant reading regarding the tense of the final word of this verse. One Greek version has this as a command and another expresses this in the perfect tense implying completed action with a resultant state of being. The important thing is not the tense of this verb, but the fact that it is only by God’s grace that we can stand firm in Christ.

Application

Is that where you are today, firmly standing by the grace of God? Do you recognize that you cannot earn your salvation? The only way we can be righteous in God’s eyes is by His gracious gift of salvation. And, God’s grace, through the blood of Jesus Christ, is greater than our sins.

In God’s service, for His glory,

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1 Peter 5:10 – Temporary Suffering

Posted on March 17, 2009 by admin

1 Peter 5:10

But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

Truth to Learn

God will use our suffering to make us complete in Him.

Behind the Words

The word translated “all” is pas, which as we saw in verse seven means “all” or “the whole.”

“Perfect” is from the Greek katartidzō, meaning “to complete or repair thoroughly.”

The word translated “establish” is stēridzō, which means “to set securely” or “to turn resolutely in a certain direction.”

The word “strengthen” is from the Greek sthenoō, which means “to give bodily vigor or strength to.”

And the word, “settle” is from the Greek themelioō, which means “to place firmly on a foundation.”

Meaning Explained

Now Peter gives us a few more words of encouragement lest we think that we are fighting this battle alone. He tells us that even in the midst of our suffering, the God of all grace will do something for us. He is not simply a gracious God (the God of grace) but the God of all grace. The implication is that there is no grace which does not come from God.

Peter goes on to tell us that not only does He bestow favor on us that we don’t deserve, but he also invites us to approach His eternal glory. Approaching this glory is only possible for us because of the shed blood of Jesus Christ. This is the glory that James, John, and Peter got a glimpse of at the transfiguration:

And after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them up into a high mountain apart, and was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. (Matthew 17:1,2)

God has invited us (called us) to come and see His glory! According to Peter, this same God will complete, securely set, strengthen, and firmly place us after we have suffered a little.”

God will not stop His work until He has absolutely completed what He wants to accomplish in us. God will establish our position in Christ, firmly and securely. God will make us spiritually strong. Our position in Christ will be built “on Christ” as we are used by God to build his church of which Christ is the chief cornerstone.

All of this will be done to us when? Peter says, after you have suffered a while. The word translated “a while” is oligon, which literally means “puny in degree or duration.” That is to say, our suffering here under God’s divine providence will be insignificant when compared with what is promised us in eternity.

Application

Though the suffering that you may be undergoing right now seems to be almost more than you can stand, God will use the suffering to bring you to a more Christ-like condition, and He will use it to bring glory to Himself. And … when we reach heaven, we will look back on the suffering and say, “Now, that wasn’t so bad after all!”

In God’s service, for His glory,

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1 Peter 5:5 – Humble Submission

Posted on March 10, 2009 by admin

1 Peter 5:5

Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Truth to Learn

Submission is the key to life within the Body of Christ.

Behind the Words

The word translated “younger people” is neōteros, which is a form of neos, meaning “new in relation to time.” This could be referring either to more youthful members of the church or those who are younger in Christian maturity.

The word translated “submit yourselves to” is hupotassō, a word we have looked at before. This word means “to under-rank oneself.” It is the same word used of wives and employees who are to submit themselves to their husbands and bosses.

The expression “be clothed with” (some translations have “put on”) is a translation of the Greek word egkomboomai, which means to put on clothing. It is particularly used of an apron which is a symbol of servitude. This particular Greek word is written in the imperative mood, indicating a command, and in the middle voice, which means that it is an action which we are to do to ourselves. We are not to do it to others or have others do it to us.

Meaning Explained

Any verse that starts off with a connective word or phrase (therefore, wherefore, in the same manner, likewise, similarly, etc.) requires the reader to pay special attention to the preceding verses to glean the full meaning. This verse starts off with “Likewise” (some translations have this as “In a similar way”), so we need to see what this verse is tied to. Peter has just been talking to the pastors (elders), instructing them how to treat the flock under their care. They are to take on the task willing, eagerly, not as dictators, but as examples. This is a picture of humble leadership.

Now Peter turns his attention to younger ones in the congregation. Peter tells them that, in the same manner as the pastor is to exercise his office (with humility and submission to the Chief Shepherd), they are to submit themselves to the elders of the church.

Peter is telling the congregation that it is their responsibility to voluntarily submit to the authority of the pastor, having just told the pastors how to treat those under their care. This is further corroborated by the following expression, “be submissive to one another.” This is a beautiful picture of the Church of Christ willingly submitting to one another as situations dictate, recognizing that we are all subjects of the God of all creation.

Why are we to submit to each other in the church and to clothe ourselves with humility? Peter tells us, ‘”because God resists the proud (ones) but gives grace to the humble (ones).” Do you want to receive the fullness of the grace of God? Peter tells us that submission is the key!

Application

Whether you are a church leader or a church member, it is your responsibility under God to be submitted to others in the Body of Christ. Members are to be submissive to the elders and the elders are to be examples by submitting to the Chief Shepherd.

In God’s service, for His glory,

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1 Peter 4:10 – Ministering Gifts

Posted on February 18, 2009 by admin

1 Peter 4:10

As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Truth to Learn

God has given every Christian gifts. These are to be shared with the rest of the church, liberally and humbly.

Behind the Words

The expression “one another” is translated from the Greek word hekastos, which means “each one,” but it has the force of a superlative (as in good … better … best, better is a comparative and best is a superlative). So we could translate this word as “each and every one of you.”

“Gift” is the from the Greek word charisma, which means “a gift,” that is, “something which is bestowed gratuitously.” Some translations have this as “the gift,” but the definite article (the) is not in the original. So, this is not talking about some specific gift, rather any gift which God has bestowed on you. These gifts can be spiritual gifts such as are talked about in 1 Cor 12:4-10, (i.e. wisdom, faith, and knowledge), or in Ephesians 4:8-13 (i.e. evangelism, teaching, and pastoring). But these could also be any possession (spiritual, physical, or mental) which God has bestowed on you.

“Minister” is from the Greek word diakoneō (the word from which we get our English word deacon). This word means “to run errands, to wait on (like a waiter in a restaurant), or to serve.”

The word translated as “stewards” is oikonomos, which means “house manager” or “overseer,” one who is entrusted with the care of something belonging to someone else.

The word “manifold” is from poikilos, meaning “variegated” or “many faceted.” It means that God gives various different gifts to individual members of the body of Christ as He determines.

Meaning Explained

In today’s verse Peter continues his description of how we should agape-love each other. He starts out by talking about something that each one of us should do: we should minister to one another. That is to say that we should learn to be each other’s servant. Peter intends that all Christians are included in this call to action.

After all, the gifts that Peter is talking about are not things that we have earned ourselves, but things that God has entrusted to us. Peter makes that very clear when he admonishes us to be “good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” The gifts (abilities, talents, possessions, etc.) are bestowed upon us by the graciousness of God Himself and, as Peter points out in this verse, are to be shared in a ministering manner within the body of Christ. Hence, you can see that everything we have is really a gift from God, and we are entrusted to use and take care of these gifts for the good of the church universal.

If we put this all together, we see that Peter is telling us that we are to unselfishly serve one another (Christians) with the gifts that God has freely bestowed on us (spiritual or material) in a manner that will please and glorify God.

Application

Are you sharing with the rest of the church the gifts and abilities that God has given to you? Or are you a Christian sponge, taking in all that others give you (materially or spiritually) but not giving anything back to the body of Christ? God wants you to share liberally with other Christians.

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –