1st Peter 5.end
Meat
December 6th 2015
Okay, last week we read that Peter said:
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
And then he continues on, giving some final instructions in this 1st Epistle, saying (to his audience):
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
And then at this point gives us an official wrap up saying:
12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.
13 The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.
14 Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Alright, back to verse 8 where Peter continues with his advice and insights, saying:
1st Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
In the verse before he said cast all your cares upon God and here he gives some specific instructions IN MY OPINION – ON HOW TO SURVIVE THE COMING ONSLAUGHT and the first thing he says is:
“Be sober.” Nepho.
Literally, “abstain from wine.” Figuratively, “stay alert.”
I think Peter was speaking in both senses
1, due to the times they were in, 2, because the next word he uses in association with it is “be vigilant” which in the Greek is “gregoreo,” (where we get our gregarious, and 3rd, because to remain watchful and on alert would include abstaining from wine.
Specifically, Peter ties to this instruction the next line:
“because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
Now, before we address this line read the next verse with me, where speaking of Satan the roaring lion, says:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
BBE translation says it this way:
“Do not give way to him but be strong in your faith, in the knowledge that your brothers who are in the world undergo the same troubles.”
Okay, back to verse 8 – and remember the times they were in.
“Be sober be gregarious, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
Now, admittedly, the word for devil here is diabolos. But Peter describes him as a roaring lion, not a lion who sneaks up with cunning and overtakes you.
This is the picture of a powerful foe that terrifies all within the sound of its roar, so much to that some animals fall over stunned by the roar itself, surrendering themselves to his jaws.
I believe, because Peter in verse nine tells his reader to not give way (not be intimidated by its roar) but to remain strong in faith KNOWING that others in the world are under the same troubles that this is speaking of present terrifying troubles.
In other words I think Peter is likening the roaring Lion to the Roman armies and the terror that was coming down around them due to their powerful presence.
But Peter says that they will be safe from the trials and tribulations they face by remaining steadfast in FAITH – faith in Jesus, faith that they will be saved, knowing other brethren face the same situation.
I find this last line really interesting. Peter tells them to take encouragement because
Their brethren in the world are suffering the same sort of trials, and the term Peter uses for world is kosmos meaning the whole world and he does not use, “oi-ku-mene.”
If Peter was speaking of Judea or the vincinity of Jerusalem or even of those in that age he would have used either
OIKUMENE or he would have used AION.
But he used kosmos – meaning believers everywhere. And since we know that there were no believers anywhere but the Roman Empire who were suffering trials due to their faith, then Peter’s reference seems to have application to us in our age!
It is one of the few passages, in my estimation, that reach out beyond the scope of that day and that time and refer specifically to believers now.
However, to be fair, Paul also uses Kosmos instead of OIKUMENE or AION in Romans 1:8 where he says:
“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.”
Robertsons Word Pictures says, “Throughout all the world (en holôi tôi kosmôi) is natural hyperbole widely used because the church was in the central city of the empire.
Paul uses such hyperbole again in Colossians 1:6 when he says:
“Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth.”
And Luke uses it in Act 17:6 saying:
“These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also.”
Unfortunately, we have to admit to Hebrew hyperbole might is the probable reason Peter used Kosmos here instead of Oik-umene or Aion.
And I am back seeking to compile references in the New Testament that are absolutely directed to an audience today.
It is a VERY short list.
Anyway, Peter speaks of the devil, “Your adversary the devil” and as stated describes him as “a roaring lion,” “walketh about” “seeking whom he may devour.”
Again, I believe that Rome personifies the devil as a roaring lion here but it is speaking of demonic powers driving them.
Because Revelation speaks to the seven churches in that day and age chapter 12 verse 12 is fitting as it says:
“Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.”
And once again, I have no idea why Peter and other apostles warn of Satan and his wrath if once people are saved they are always saved.
Makes no sense to me at all. What does make sense is that if the time was short, and Peter here contextually tells believers to be on their guard that the imagery assigned to describe Satan is perfect.
Zoologists say and have observed that a lion roars when he is most hunger and when most hungry is also most fierce.
Peter seems to be saying that he is walking all around looking for prey. And the way to overcome him – did you catch it? (Verse 9)
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
Appealing to arming a soldier going to battle, Paul says in Ephesians 6 these all familiar words:
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
So we see that this is a battle where we employ Him to fight and it is by His might we persevere.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Again, armor of who? Of God.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
How on earth do we wrestle against “principalities, powers, and rulers of darkness of this world” and “against spiritual wickedness in high places?”
We first realize we DO NOT WAR AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD – people and individuals.
And we then go to spiritual war appealing to weapons of spiritual warfare, which Paul now describes, repeating verse 11 and saying:
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Peter says that Satan like a roaring lion is walking about seeking to whom he can devour.
The word devour is katapino – which means to gulp DOWN, drink DOWN.
Paul here in Ephesians says “to stand,” in verse 17 and then repeats in verse 18:
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
And then in verse 16 adds –
16 Above all . . .
Above all, above all, above all . . . taking the shield of faith.
Now listen, we talk a LOT about love here at CAMPUS, but in the spiritual warfare which I believe we as believers are engaged in – (it’s NOT physical its spiritual)
And we know that there is spiritual warfare today because there continues to be
“principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places.”
To say there is not is to deny reality in my opinion.
And the means both Peter says to keep from being gobbled down by them (in what I believe is a physical sense given to these people in that day) and Paul says to engage in warfare (which from his is all spiritual) is by taking the shield of FAITH.
The apostle John says
1st John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
And then he adds:
5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
Peter has said that being steadfast in faith is the means believers resist the devil who seeks to literally gobble them up.
Paul has said, “above all” take the shield of faith as a means to stand and resist spiritual darkness in high places,
And now John says that faith is the means by which we overcome the world,” and “who has overcome the world BUT he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?”
Holy camole! What an important pivotal role faith plays in the life of “believers.”
Let’s read on with what Paul says here in Ephesians 6. He just said, above all things . . .
“taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” (then verse 17)
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
And the sword of the Spirit which IS the Word of God.
We have a tendency to separate the Spirit from the Word but here Paul seems to put them together!
We remember that the Writer of Hebrews said:
Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
I want to point a few things out about this passage in conjunction with what Paul said about, “the sword of the Spirit being the Word of God.”
In the passages before verse 12 in chapter 4 of Hebrews the writer was talking about the topic of rest.
And he says that, “If Joshua (who lead the nation of Israel into the promised land) had given them (the nation of Israel) a complete and final rest, and that was sufficient, then another type of rest would not have been alluded to again, as it was in the time of David.”
In other words Joshua did lead the Nation of Israel to “a rest” (in the promised land) but it was not all which was intended and a better rest awaited them.
Then he says prior to verse 12
Hebrews 4:11 Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
Which is a reference to the Nation of Israel who fell into unbelief time and time again.
We note that Paul tells us to Stand and the Writer of Hebrews warns us against falling.
We stand steadfast in faith, Peter said. John said we overcome the world by faith. Peter added that Satan seeks to drink us down (and faith is the defense) and the writer of Hebrews likens falling (the opposite of standing and an equivalent to being drank down) to failing in faith.
And then AFTER this warning, we then read in Hebrews 4:12:
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
This is the context of this powerful passage. “Let us labor . . . therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.”
What does this labor look like that will protect us from falling into unbelief?
The implication is that it is personal access and application of the Word of God to our respective lives.
Notice that the Writer of Hebrews does NOT say that the Word of God ought to be used to war with each other.
He does not say that the Word of God ought to divide the “souls” of believers from each other.
He says
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
It’s a personal application. It has ability in the lives of individuals to strengthen them, to cut away the fat, to divide the things of the Spirit from the things of the Human mind, will, and emotion.
It – this spirit of truth – discerns the thoughts and intents of the human heart.
And according to Romans it is the primary creator and supporter and reinforce of . . . FAITH.
Remember what it says?
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Again, in Colossians 1:21 Paul says, speaking to Gentile believers:
“And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister.”
Alright, back to verse 10 of 1st Peter 5 where Peter writes:
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
Peter has used the words suffer or suffering ten times in this epistle not to mention other words that describe trial and tests.
He seems to use them as examples through which believers could commiserate. For some reason we are much better at suffering when we think we are not alone.
Maybe it helps us know that God is not singling us out but that we’re part of a group that God loves?
It also seems to introduce something of a competitive spirit in us where we are able to bear the difficulty better because others have or are along with us.
Here in verse 10 Peter says
“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
I’ve had a couple conversations this past week with people about the idea of suffering at the hands of God verses the unbelievers who often seem to skate through life unscathed.
What is it about Christians and suffering and God being the author of it? Are we misinterpreting His desires? Does He really want His children to bask in comforts and if NOT why the heck not?
When Marx called religion the opiate of the masses did he tap into the false system of belief Christians embrace as a means to get through this insufferable existence, with the masses of humanity always being subject to suffering?
Or does God really, truly allow those who are His to suffer?
I do not think we can honestly read the Old and New Testament Narrative and expect to do anything as believers but suffer.
I realize this does not present a very appealing picture of God (especially in comparison to the opposite views that say God wants all of us to live in opulence) but if His Son suffered as He did, as did His apostles, as did the early church members, as have the majority of true representatives of Jesus since the beginning.
Intellectually I get the purpose behind God allowing suffering in the flesh for those who are his.
Think about it – almost all of everything that occurs in this life that is good has an element of suffering.
An element of work. An element of pain.
I don’t think this fact will ever change – not in this world.
So, what would be the result if the moment people received Christ a million was placed in their bank accounts, their teeth were fixed, and they were healed?
Wouldn’t the end result be the same as the masses who followed Jesus because He fed them bread and it caused Him to tell them that they ought to rather seek the bread of life?
Maybe suffering for the Christian serves as a tremendous sifter – that those who seek and want God are willing to submit to what He allows while those who won’t . . . don’t.
But perhaps even more pertinent is the fact that amidst and in the suffering we grow – by dying to the flesh and learning to live by the Spirit – which will prepare all of us, upon our exit from this world to abide in the presence of God.
In other words those who feed and pamper and live by the flesh may have a really rough time transitioning from this realm to the next.
Paul gave some insight into the suffering that God puts us through when he said in
2nd Corinthians 4:15-18:
“For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
There are all sorts of implications in these words –
“All things are for our sakes?”
What does that say about the suffering we experience.
I’ve used the approach before but what if we sent our kids to school and the teachers assigned to teach them math never gave them math problems to solve?
How would they learn and grow and benefit thereby? What about the coach who never pushes an athlete, or a drama or music teacher who discourages her students from practicing – which is work, which is painful, which is insufferable at times?
And yet we get angry at God for allowing us to have our spiritual metal tested through material challenges?
It’s not only short-sighted, its unfair.
Are we to forget Hebrews 12:5-6 which says
“And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.”
Even the words of the Lord, in John 15 make it clear that God will cut us back, when He taught:
John 15:1-2 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.”
We my tend to see ourselves as humans existing here on earth and seeking for comfort but wouldn’t God, who, calling us His children, see us in terms of the eternal, and know fully what we need while here to better prepare for that time and place?
All of this stuff is an appeal to walking and living by faith, in trusting the purgers hand, and allowing Him to do whatever is necessary to get us to bear more fruit – which is love – which is what He is – and since He is love, wouldn’t He want His children to BE LOVE TOO?
Look what Peter says here in verse 10:
“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, (and establish, strengthen, and settle you.)”
Sounds like there is purpose in His ways and wisdom- hard as they can be to bear or understand. And from what Peter says putting us through the fires of trial is a means to make us:
Perfect. (to put us all together)
To set us immovably.
To strengthen us.
To settle us. (like an immovable foundation)
And then, in all of this, Peter wraps it up saying:
11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
And we would read this as God through Jesus Christ receives all glory.
At verse 12-14 Peter leaves off with a benediction of sorts, saying:
12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.
A better way to read this might be:
“I send this short letter by Silas, our faithful brother–for such I regard him–in order to encourage you, and to bear witness that what I have told you is the true grace of God. In it stand fast.”
Silas was the intimate friend and companion of Paul, and had worked with him in the regions where the churches were situated where this epistle was addressed.
Peter adds that “this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand,” which I take to mean the favor of God is now had by his grace.
Verse 13 then says:
13 The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.
This is a real treat of a verse in the King James because “the church” is not even in the latest mss.
The Greek is
Soon eh klectos, and means elected with.
So in a liberal way it could be church but it could also mean a woman.
This is why some translations of the verse say:
(RSV) She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings; and so does my son Mark.
(TCNT) Your sister-Church in ‘Babylon’ sends you greeting, and so does Mark, who is as a son to me.
(BBE) She who is in Babylon, who has a part with you in the purpose of God, sends you her love; and so does my son Mark.
(DBY) She that is elected with [you] in Babylon salutes you, and Marcus my son.
(MNT) Your sister church in Babylon, elect with you, sends you salutations, and so does Marcus, my son.
A number of scholars think it relates to a woman in the Christian church, perhaps even the wife of Peter himself.
But the Arabic, Syriac, and Vulgate, as well as the English versions of the King James include the word church.
And then where Peter says, as does Marcus my son he is probably speaking of John Mark.
Last verse
14 Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
A kiss of love which was a common method of affectionate greeting in the times of the apostles.
Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. That are true Christians.
Next week, we will begin the controversial 2nd Peter, a book greatly disputed as to its authenticity and place in the Bible.
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