10 And at that time many will fall away and will deliver up one another and hate one another. It is not the messenger who is authoritative; it is the message. In so doing, we will deal with sin in a Christlike fashion and pursue holiness rather than persisting in the pursuit of sin and fleshly lusts as we formerly did. (NIV), If any of you is a preacher then he should preach his message as from God. He is well called "the mouth of the apostles." 2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with [an attitude of] thanksgiving; 3 praying at the same time for us as well, that God may open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; 4 in order that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak. Peter reiterates these same principles in our text and actually spells out those things we should be found doing when our Lord returns: Because the “end of all things is at hand,” the Christian should be found doing these things: (1) Being of sound judgment and sober unto prayer (verse 7b). 1 Peter 4:8-9. 9 Be hospitable142 to one another without complaint. 39 And when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, [even] the least [of them,] you did it to Me’” (Matthew 25:31-40, emphasis mine). Consider these solutions to this apparent problem. 137 This, of course, is looking at salvation solely from a human standpoint. This may refer to the prayers of individual saints which are of various kinds and over a period of time. 141 William Barclay, The Letters of James and Peter (Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, [rev. When they realized we had come to talk about spiritual things, the atmosphere chilled. We have ministry groups, most of which meet in homes. From Peter’s words in 2 Peter 3:3-4, he seems to have expected a delay before all the prophecies were fulfilled. Ham did not act in love toward his father, because he made his father’s sin public. One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; 33 but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, 34 and [his interests] are divided. The faithfulness of the saints was evidenced, in part, by their hospitality shown to believers who were rejected and persecuted for their faith and the proclamation of the gospel: 32 But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, 33 partly, by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated. Troas, too, is known as the scene of Paul's preaching and raising Eutychus to life ( Acts 20:6-10 staying for a time with Carpus ( 2 Timothy 4:13 Church is expressly named in Scripture elsewhere. So that it is likely it was after this, namely, after Paul's martyrdom, that Mark joined Peter, and consequently that this Epistle was written. 32 But I want you to be free from concern. This is what Jesus had said they must be ( Acts 1:8) and what Peter claimed to be ( Acts 3:15; Acts 10:39). 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you (2 Corinthians 5:13, emphasis mine). In his first and second epistles, Peter speaks of the blessings which await believers and the judgment stored up for unbelievers: they will glorify God in the day of visitation, grace to be brought at the revelation of Jesus Christ, the spirits in prison; judgment in days of Noah, they will give account to Him who will judge the living and the dead, the Chief Shepherd appears and we receive crown of glory, will be kept under punishment for day of judgment, black darkness reserved for them (contrast 1 Peter 1:3-5), the day dawns, the morning star arises in our hearts, the new heavens, new earth, in which righteousness dwells. We are to speak as though God Himself had spoken.144, A number of years ago I was asked on a couple of occasions to preach at a church which tried to create a “laid back” atmosphere. It was not I who had authority, but the Word of God has authority. If spiritual gifts are to be employed in serving one another, they are ultimately to be employed to the glory of God. Crescens, his companion, went there about the time of Paul's last imprisonment, just before his martyrdom. In chapter 1, Peter can call for a persevering love because we are born of an eternal seed, and thus our love should likewise be long-lived and not just fair-weather sentimentality. The leading incidents in his apostolic life are well known: his walking on the troubled waters to meet Jesus, but sinking through doubting ( Matthew 14:30 the divine person and office of Jesus ( Matthew 16:16 ; Mark 8:29 ; John 11:27 notwithstanding the difficulties in the way of such belief, whence he was then also designated as the stone, or rock ( Matthew 16:18 but his rebuke of his Lord when announcing what was so unpalatable to carnal prejudices, Christ's coming passion and death ( Matthew 16:22 his passing from one extreme to the opposite, in reference to Christ's offer to wash his feet ( John 13:8 John 13:9 that he would never forsake his Lord, whatever others might do ( Matthew 26:33 curses ( Matthew 26:75 and prophecy of his faithfulness unto death, after he had received from him a profession of "love" as often repeated as his previous denial ( John 21:15-17 zealous, pious, and ardently attached to the Lord, but at the same time impulsive in feeling, rather than calmly and continuously steadfast. Truly I say to you, not one stone here shall be left upon another, which will not be torn down.” 3 And as He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what [will be] the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:1-3). Compare 1 Corinthians 15:1 Gospel wherein ye stand." His familiarity with Paul's Epistles shown in the language accords with what we should expect from the fact of Paul's having "communicated the Gospel which he preached among the Gentiles" (as revealed specially to him) to Peter among others "of reputation" ( Galatians 2:2 answer of a good conscience toward God" ( 1 Peter 3:21 of God" (Greek), 1 Peter 2:19 "living hope" ( 1 Peter 1:3 and that fadeth not away" ( 1 Peter 1:4 ( 1 Peter 5:14 than as at present exalted and hereafter to be manifested in all His majesty. 143 Some maintain that no one can possess more than one gift. Indeed, COSMAS INDICOPLEUSTES, in the sixth century, understood the Babylon meant to be outside the Roman empire. Prompt in action and ready to avow his convictions boldly, he was hasty in judgment, precipitate, and too self-confident in the assertion of his own steadfastness; the result was that, though he abounded in animal courage, his moral courage was too easily overcome by fear of man's opinion. They sought to keep the sin of their father as private as possible. 13 Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy (Romans 13:11-13). . The desired goal is not just the meeting of a need but the praise and glory of God. Amen. In Mysia was Pergamos. 12:11), but not at once (II Thess. He may have gone to Rome after Paul's death, and, as common tradition represents, been imprisoned in the Mamertine dungeon, and crucified on the Janiculum, on the eminence of St. Pietro in Montorio, and his remains deposited under the great altar in the center of the famous basilica of St. Peter. No new revelation has been given during this past 2,000 years because there is nothing to add to God’s complete revelation through our Lord and His apostles. There is a world of difference between serving our brothers and sisters by giving in the strength God supplies and the kind of giving we see when a panhandler receives a dollar on a city sidewalk. … It is all a part of one big plan, a plan God is bringing to a close. (III). Peter does not mention the repercussions of hospitality here nor does he call attention to the blessings we will experience from showing hospitality toward the saints. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but [wanting] to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths. TO WHOM HE ADDRESSES THIS EPISTLE.--The heading, 1 Peter 1:1 elect strangers (spiritually pilgrims) of the dispersion" (Greek), clearly marks the Christians of the Jewish dispersion as prominently addressed, but still including also Gentile Christians as grafted into the Christian Jewish stock by adoption and faith, and so being part of the true Israel. From an eternal point of view, man’s destiny has been divinely ordained in eternity past (see Romans 9). Indeed, the “end of all things is at hand.”. In our text, Peter first reminds us that we are living on the edge of eternity. 15 Instead, [you ought] to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and also do this or that.” 16 But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. (5) Spiritual gifts are not given to us primarily for our own benefit and edification but as the means of edifying and blessing others. Noah’s other sons did the opposite. Peter goes even further as I understand his words. We also have many these days who have not known the love and devotion of a Christian home. JOSEPHUS [Antiquities, 15.2.2; 3.1] states that there was a great multitude of Jews in the Chaldean Babylon; it is therefore likely that "the apostle of the circumcision" ( Galatians 2:7 Galatians 2:8 would at some time or other visit them. “And if it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15). Tons more resources, better tools, NIV84 and easier navigation. 37 Blessed are those slaves whom the master shall find on the alert when he comes; truly I say to you, that he will gird himself [to serve,] and have them recline [at the table,] and will come up and wait on them. Sound judgment is the opposite of insanity. The writer to the Hebrews therefore urges his readers to obey the gospel rather than continue to rebel against it. 6 For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to [the will of] God (1 Peter 4:6). The church called "Domine quo vadis" on the Appian Way, commemorates the legend. 5:6), though it is drawing nearer all the time (Rom. Paul was very careful in the things he spoke and wrote to distinguish between what he taught by the command of the Lord, those things he taught by permission, and those things which were his own opinion (1 Corinthians 7:6, 10, 12, 25, 40). It is in love that we should seek out wayward saints and seek to turn them from their sins. So Peter is saying, ‘If a man has the duty of preaching, let him preach not as one offering his own opinions or propagating his own prejudices, but as one with a message from God.’” Barclay, p. 256. The provinces are named by Peter in the heading in the order proceeding from northeast to south and west. (4) Peter’s words must be understood by giving heed to the term “end” and the expression “all things.” The word “end” refers to the goal or the outcome of a sequence of events or elements. Click the Bible for the all new StudyLight.org!! 38 And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? (5) The “end” seems to begin with the first coming of our Lord. The Peter writing these epistles is not the same Peter we know from the Gospels. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Therefore [it] says, “GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE” 7 Submit therefore to God. Rather than preach from behind a pulpit, the speaker sat on a bar stool. Some of the translations appear to go too far, suggesting or at least leaving room for, something the Scriptures elsewhere condemn. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, Test drive it and tell us about your experience. How easy we have it here compared to saints elsewhere. The evils which existed among themselves, and which are therefore reproved, were ambition and lucre-seeking on the part of the presbyters ( 1 Peter 5:2 1 Peter 5:3 members in general, and a want of sympathy and generosity towards one another. Spiritual service is serving in the name of Christ. It was out of His love for us that Christ came to die in our place, bearing the punishment for our sins. The heathen used it for the oracles which come to them from their gods; the Christians used it for the words of scripture and the words of Christ. One’s response to the gospel seals one’s eternal destiny. The Word of God is completely sufficient revelation for every spiritual need (2 Timothy 3:15-17; 2 Peter 1:2-4, 19-21). We must pray and ask for divine wisdom to know how best to serve others, and then we must do so in the strength God supplies. 37 FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE, HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY. 2:2).” A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1933), VI, p. 124. So EUSEBIUS [Ecclesiastical History, 2.25, and Demonstration of the Gospel, 3.116]. We are not of night nor of darkness; 6 so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. Peter can instruct us to persevere in love “above all” because love is the foundational motive which underlies all our attitudes and actions as Christians (see also 1 Corinthians 13). We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. In all other cases he showed himself to be, indeed, as Paul calls him, "a pillar" ( Galatians 2:9 him in "Babylon," whence he wrote this First Epistle to the Israelite believers of the dispersion, and the Gentile Christians united in Christ, in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. How can Peter say the end of all things is at hand, and yet 2,000 years later the kingdom of God still has not come to the earth? Men of Cappadocia, as well as of "Pontus" and "Asia," were among the hearers of Peter's effective sermon on the Pentecost whereon the Spirit decended on the Church; these probably brought home to their native land the first tidings of the Gospel. 5 But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry (2 Timothy 4:1-5, emphasis mine). Peter sums up all prophecy with these few words: The end of all things is at hand (1 Peter 4:7a). Article Images Copyright © 2021 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. But He did emphasize the importance of watchfulness and alertness, a consistent readiness for the kingdom. We must demonstrate our love for one another by practicing hospitality. 4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief; 5 for you are all sons of light and sons of day. 1 Peter 1:24 ‘For, “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of grass. 31 “But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. When Jesus spoke to His disciples, He told them He spoke nothing but what the Father gave Him to say (John 3:11; 7:16; 8:28; 12:49-50). The fragment of the canon called MURATORI'S omits it. They spent the summer in our home with many good times shared together, and the memories we have of this family are warm ones. Introduction. Notice the way the term “sound judgment” is used elsewhere in the New Testament: 15 And they came to Jesus and observed the man who had been demon-possessed sitting down, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the “legion”; and they became frightened (Mark 5:15, emphasis mine). 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, [as it were,] with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person (Colossians 4:2-6). He further told them that after He was gone, the Holy Spirit would enable them to remember the things He had said to them (John 14:26). . 5 Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us”? Also Caius, the presbyter of Rome, in EUSEBIUS [Ecclesiastical History, 2.25] asserts that some memorials of their martyrdom were to be seen at Rome on the road to Ostia. Even the Gentile Christians would naturally look to the spiritual fathers of the Church at Jerusalem, the center whence the Gospel had emanated to them, for counsel wherewith to meet the pretensions of Judaizing Christians and heretics; and Peter, always prominent among the apostles in Jerusalem, would even when elsewhere feel a deep interest in them, especially when they were by death bereft of Paul's guidance. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:1-8). A few of the relevant texts are Matthew 24:45–25:13; 26:45-46; Mark 13:33-37; Romans 13:11-14; 1 Corinthians 7:29; 10:11; 15:20-58; Philippians 4:4-6; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:11; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12; 2 Timothy 3:1-17; 4:3-4; Hebrews 10:23-31; James 4:13–5:11; 1 John 2:18; Revelation 1:3; 22:12, 20. 28 It was the same as happened in the days of Lot: they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building; 29 but on the day that Lot went out from Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. And then, having done this, he outlines the way this truth should manifest itself in our day to day living. Our clear-headedness enables us to pray as we ought, seeking divine wisdom, guidance, and power to live faithfully in difficult times. They were already introduced "into" (so the Greek, 1 Peter 5:12 safe standing-ground. I took a seminary student along with me, and because we were both wearing suits, the family greeted us eagerly. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. (8) In this passage, spiritual gifts are not named but described in terms of two general categories: (a) speaking gifts and (b) serving gifts. (4) Spiritual gifts are given to Christians as a stewardship. We should suffer patiently, after the example of Christ, 1 Peter 4:1.And no longer live according to our former custom, but disregard the scoffs of those who are incensed against us because we have forsaken their evil ways, who are shortly to give account to God for their conduct, 1 Peter 4:2-5.How the Gospel was preached to Jews and Gentiles, 1 Peter 4:6. Some time ago a Romanian Christian visited our church, and I happened to be standing by as he spoke to another Romanian believer attending that day. Other things, the atmosphere chilled sufficient revelation for every spiritual need ( Peter... 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