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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE FIRST LETTER OF PETER

CHAPTER TWO:
“CALLED TO SUFFER, MAINTAIN FINE CONDUCT”

[“Suffering for Right”]
Keyword: Suffering
Theme Verse: 21

1 Peter 2:1-3 – Form New-born Craving for the Word

1PE2:1 Therefore – having put off all harmfulness, 70 deceit, hypocrisy, jealous ambition, and all slander 71 –

70

Put off all harmfulness: Or, KJV: laying aside all malice; WMS: get rid of; BAR: strip yourselves. The Greek word is that for “bad” but since what is bad is most often harmful to others we render it “harmfulness” in this context. Peter uses the word often. [1 Peter 2:14, 16; 3:9, 10, 11, 12, 13; 4:15] It is an easy matter to know what is bad or harmful: What harms you? Now, do not do that to others.

71	Deceit, hypocrisy, jealous ambition, and all slander: Or, guile, envies, evil speaking, insincerity, jealous feelings, recrimination, insincerity, back-biting, reviling. BAR: slanderous gossiping. On these vile practices see the individual words in Nazarene Commentary 2000©.

1PE2:2 as newborn babies earnestly form a craving 72 for the non-deceitful milk belonging to the Word 73 so that you might grow into salvation. 74

72

As newborn babies earnestly form a craving: Or, newborn babes, newly-born infants; desire, long for, eagerly crave. The phrase “new-born babies” alludes back to the New Birth described earlier. All neophyte Nazarene disciples begin as “babes” no matter their age. Failure to “form this craving” will result in what Paul describes at 1 Corinthians 3:1.

73

For the non-deceitful milk belonging to the Word: Or, KJV: sincere milk of the word; ASV: spiritual milk which is without guile; TCN: crave pure spiritual milk. Compare Nazarene Commentary 2000© notes on Hebrews 5:12. This “milk” involves the “first principles of the doctrine of Christ.” [Hebrews 6:1-3] Surely it would first include the teachings of the Messiah. [Hebrews 1:1] One of the earliest signs of spiritual sickness is the failure to spend some time in “the Word” each day. [Psalm 1:2]

74

So that you might grow into salvation: Or, NEB: that you might thrive upon it to your soul’s health; TCN: grow until you attain salvation; BAR: grow up in a steady progress towards salvation. Salvation is not an automatic result of Christian discipleship. It is true one is “saved” from a vile form of life, or a corrupt generation by becoming a Christian. As Peter has already written absolute “salvation” lies in the future in harmony with God’s judgment. [1 Peter 1:5]

1PE2:3 [That is] if you have tasted the kindness of the Sovereign LORD. 75 [Psalm 34:8]

75	[That is] if you have tasted the kindness of the Sovereign LORD: Or, gracious, good. Peter alludes to Psalm 34:8. The “Lord” here is YHWH.

1 Peter 2:4-6 – Living Stones and Spiritual Sacrifices

1PE2:4 Approaching toward him [as] a Living Stone 76 – true, disapproved by humans, 77 [Psalm 118:22] but to God – chosen and precious. 78 [Isaiah 28:16]

76

Approaching toward him [as] a Living Stone: Or, WMS: keep on coming to him; KJV: to whom coming. The approach to YHWH is by means of His Son. [Hebrews 7:25] In the Hebrew Bible YHWH is called the “Rock.” However, the “Angel of Yehowah” represented God and spoke in His Name. This “living stone” followed the Israelites in the wilderness trek. [Deuteronomy 32:4; Exodus 23:20-23; 1 Corinthians 10:4] Here the “living stone” is an illusion to the Hallel Psalm 118:16.

77	Disapproved by humans: Or, disallowed, rejected. This is an allusion to Psalm 118:22. Both Jesus and Peter quote this verse. [Matthew 21:42; Acts 4:11] Compare Isaiah 53:3.

78	Chosen and precious: Or, elect, choice, prized. On “precious” [or, valuable] see 1 Peter 1:7,19; 2:6, 7. “Precious” is from Isaiah 28:16.

1PE2:5 Also, you very ones are being constructed as living stones into a spiritual house, 79 a holy priesthood 80 [Exodus 19:6] to offer up spiritual sacrifices 81 acceptable to God [Isaiah 56:7] through Jesus Christ.

79

You very ones are being constructed as living stones into a spiritual house: Or, built up, form yourselves. The language echoes Ephesians 2:21. The Church is compared to a Temple. [1 Corinthians 3:16, 17; 6:19; 2 Corinthians 6:16; 2 Thessalonians 2:4] There is also a celestial Temple patterned after the Mosaic Tabernacle. [Hebrews 8:2, 5; 9:2, 3, 11] The Greek word NAOS [the Temple is often called also a house, tent, or sanctuary] occurs often in Revelation as a heavenly building. [Revelation 7:15; 11:1, 2, 19; 14:15, 17; 15:5, 6, 8; 16:1, 17; 21:22] On “Tabernacle Shadows” see articles in Biblical Articles or the Nazarene Commentary 2000© on Hebrews.

80	A holy priesthood: Or, consecrated priesthood. This is called a royal, or kingly priesthood in 1 Peter 2:9. The allusion is to Exodus 19:6.

81	To offer up spiritual sacrifices: There could be an echo or allusion here to Isaiah 56:7. [Hebrews 13:15]

1PE2:6 Because of this it is contained in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a chosen Stone 82 – a precious cap-stone. The person believing on [that Stone] will never become ashamed.” [Isaiah 28:16]

82	I am laying in Zion a chosen Stone: Peter quotes Isaiah 28:16.

1 Peter 2:7-10 – A Priesthood Called Out of Darkness

1PE2:7 Therefore, it is to you believers that [Christ] is precious. 83 [Isaiah 28:16] But, to those not believing, “The Stone the builders disapproved has become the head-stone” [Psalm 118:16] –

83	It is to you believers that [Christ] is precious: Or, great worth, value, precious estimation. The idea is “valuable.” Regarding the appraisal of Christ’s value note Hebrews 10:29.

1PE2:8 and, “a stone to strike against, 84 and a rock to cause scandal.” 85 [Isaiah 8:14] These who “strike against” are disobedient to the Word, and for this they were appointed.

84	A stone to strike against: Or, BAS: a stone of falling; TCN: a stumbling-block. Peter quotes Isaiah 8:14.

85	A rock to cause scandal: Or, BAS: a rock of trouble; TCN: a hindrance. The Greek is SCANDALOU. The Jewish “scandal” was their rejection of Jesus and their part in his execution on the Tree. It was the Jewish hierarchy who cried, “Impale him! Impale him!”

1PE2:9 But, you, are “a chosen race, 86 a royal priesthood, a holy nation, 87 a special treasure of a people” 88 [Exodus 19:5, 6] – having been called out of darkness 89 into his awesome illumination 90 – “that you might declare” his virtues. 91 [Exodus 19:6]

86

A chosen race: Or, a chosen generation, elect race. The Greek is GENOS EKLEKTON. On GENOS see Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #1085, a family line, generation, kindred, stock, offspring. Regarding the Hebrews modern genetic studies of DNA would prove that modern Jews have descended from Abraham, particularly through Aaron as Cohanim. Abraham was a descendent of Noah’s son Shem as a Semite. Here Peter applies this to the spiritual House of God.

87

A royal priesthood, a holy nation: The quotation is from Exodus 19:5, 6. The fleshly Jews failed in this covenant and came under the Mosaic curse of Deuteronomy 28:15ff. All that has befallen the Jews throughout history may be traced to this failure to obey God as a nation. Consider the Nazarene Commentary 2000© notes on Romans chapters 9 and 11. [Revelation 1:5; 5:9, 10]

88	A special treasure of a people: Or, KJV: a peculiar people; NEB: a people claimed by God; TCN: God’s own people; ABU: a people for a possession; MON: a purchased people. Compare Revelation 5:9, 10.

89

Called out of darkness: Compare Ephesians 5:8 and Colossians 1:13.Darkness is a parallel to “authority of Satan” and those works belonging to it. [Acts 26:18; Ephesians 6:12] There is a strong echo here of Isaiah 9:2 and Isaiah 60:1-3. On “darkness” see John 1:5; 3:19; 8:12; 12:46; 1 John 1:5, 6; 2:8, 9, 10, 11. Peter uses “darkness” again at 2 Peter 1:19.

90	Into his awesome illumination: Or, KJV: marvelous light; PME: amazing light; TCN: wonderful light. [Isaiah 51:4] Compare 2 Corinthians 4:3-5. [Colossians 1:12]

91

“That you might declare” his virtues: Or, praises, excellence, wondrous deeds, goodness. Peter quotes Exodus 19:6 from the inauguration of Israel before Sinai. The Church – the holy nation and royal priesthood – has been called out of darkness for a particular reason – to proclaim God’s goodness. Peter may echo Isaiah 43:21 where the LXX uses ARETAS [virtues]. [Exodus 33:17-23]

1PE2:10 [You] who were once “not a people” but now God’s People 92 – “those not shown mercy,” but now, “those shown mercy.” 93 [Hosea 1:6, 8]

92

[You] who were once “not a people” but now God’s People: Peter quotes Hosea 1:6, 8, 10. Compare Ephesians 2:11-18. Here he clear is speaking to non-Jews or Gentiles. See notes on Romans 9:25 in Nazarene Commentary 2000©. God’s true “People” are no longer limited to Israel. [Romans 2:28, 29; 9:6; Galatians 3:28, 29]

93

Those shown mercy: Here “mercy” is limited to those who have become part of the “holy nation” and “royal priesthood” – the Church. Compare Isaiah 65:1 and Hosea 2:23. On “mercy” see Romans 9:15, 16, 18, 23; 11:30, 31, 32; 15:9. Note how the “Israel of God” is associated with “mercy” at Galatians 6:16. [1 Peter 1:3]

1 Peter 2:11-12 – Maintain Fine Conduct

1PE2:11 Beloved, I encourage you sojourners and alien residents 94 [Genesis 23:4 LXX] to abstain from fleshly desires 95 which are battling against the soul. 96

94

I encourage you sojourners and alien residents: Or, strangers and pilgrims, exiles, aliens in a foreign land. Peter draws on Genesis 23:4. Compare also Psalm 39:12. See notes above on these terms. It is true this language could be applied to Jews themselves who are scattered throughout the world. [Acts 2:5] Peter uses the language of Christian Jews and non-Jews whose “citizenship exists in the heavens.” [Philippians 3:20, 21]

95

To abstain from fleshly desires: Or, lusts, physical cravings. The disciple of Christ must make personal effort to continue in a course of sanctification, “perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” [1 Thessalonians 4:3; 2 Corinthians 7:1] Compare also Romans 8:5; Galatians 5:24; Colossians 3:5. Note the Nazarene’s list of those desires that defile a person. [Mark 7:20-23; compare notes on Matthew 15:18, 19 in Nazarene Commentary 2000©.] See the original decree given to the non-Jewish Christians in which Peter participated. [Acts 15:20]

96	Battling against the soul: Or, war. Compare this inner struggle at Romans 7:13-24. [Galatians 5:17; James 4:1]

1PE2:12 Continue to conduct yourselves among the non-Jews 97 in a fine and honorable way, 98 so that whenever they slander you as evildoers 99 – as eyewitnesses of your fine works 100 – they may glorify The God in a Day of Inspection. 101 [Isaiah 10:3 LXX; Luke 19:44]

97	Continue to conduct yourselves among the non-Jews: Or, Gentiles or nations. Or, live upright, honest. The world must see in Christians a character above reproach, particularly elders. [Romans 12:17; 2 Corinthians 8:21; 1 Timothy 3:7]

98	In a fine and honorable way: Or, good conduct, honest.

99	Whenever they slander you as evildoers: Or, KJV: speak against you as evildoers; NEB: malign you as criminals; MOF: slander of you as bad characters. Elders must have a fine reputation from those on the outside. [1 Timothy 3:7] So, any thing said about Christians will be a lie or slander.

100	As eyewitnesses of your fine works: Or, as they watch, beholding your noble conduct. There is a strong echo of Matthew 5:16 here.

101

They may glorify The God in a Day of Inspection: Or, praise God. Or, KJV: in the day of visitation; BAS: when he comes to be their judge; NEB: on the day when he comes to hold assize; GDS: on the Day of Judgment; TAY: when Christ returns. The Greek is EN HEMERA EPI-SCOPES, the latter related to the Greek for “overseer.” [over + see] Peter alludes to Isaiah 10:3 in the LXX where E TE HEMERA TES EPI-SCOPES. It is possible Peter alludes also to Luke 19:44 where KAIRON TES EPI-SCOPES. The Nazarene likely refers to the coming judgment on Jerusalem and her Temple between 66-70 AD. [Luke 19:41-43 and Luke 21:20-24] Though Peter could have a similar idea in mind, most see this as a reference to the parousia-judgment. [See notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000© on parousia-judgment.] Compare 2 Corinthians 5:10 and 1 John 2:28 which draw on Daniel 12:2. [John 5:29] Peter is to go on to discuss the judgment beginning with the House of God. [1 Peter 4:6, 16, 17]

1 Peter 2:13-17 – Subjection Muzzles Ignorant Talk

1PE2:13 Be in subjection to every human creation because of the Sovereign LORD 102 – whether to a king as being superior,

102

Be in subjection to every human creation because of the Sovereign LORD: Or, KJV: submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake; TCN: submit to all human institutions; WMS: all human authority; TAY: every law of your government. There is an echo of Matthew 5:39-41 [See notes on Romans 13:1ff.]

1PE2:14 or to governors 103 as being sent by Him to avenge doers of harmfulness, 104 but to praise the doers of good. 105

103	King… governors: Compare 1 Peter 2:17 and Romans 13:3.

104

Sent by Him to avenge doers of harmfulness: Or, evildoers, criminals. Compare Romans 13:1-3. Governments and religions are permitted by God to insure a degree of social order. Though throughout history there have been periods of anarchy and royal inquisitions. [Habakkuk 1:14] One may imagine the present world without such government authority.

105	To praise the doers of good: Or, do well, honest men, well-behaved, those who do right. [Romans 13:3]

1PE2:15 Because this is the will of The God that those doing good muzzle ignorant and senseless persons. 106

106

Those doing good muzzle ignorant and senseless persons: Or, KJV: put to silence the ignorance of foolish men; NEB: put ignorance and stupidity to silence. The English word “ignorant” is from the Greek AGNOSIAN from which “agnostic” is drawn. Compare Titus 2:8 and Ephesians 4:17, 18. Though the 1st Century Christians were paragons of virtue, goodness, civil obedience and hospitality throughout the Ages to the present time the conduct of Christians as a whole hardly “muzzles the ignorant.” Indeed, the wrong doing of Christianity as a whole has become blasphemous. However, the counsel of Peter still identifies the “wheat” in the field of the Lord.

1PE2:16 Be as a free people, 107 not using your freedom as a cover for harmfulness, 108 [Galatians 5:13] but as God’s slaves.

107	Be as a free people: Or, free men. Compare John 8:32 and Galatians 5:1. Christians have been liberated from the burden of the Mosaic Law and the traditions that developed from it; God’s law is planted in the heart of those in the New Covenant. [Jeremiah 31:31-33]

108	Not using your freedom as a cover for harmfulness: Or, moral badness, maliciousness, misconduct, doing wrong, wickedness. It is possible Peter echoes or alludes to Galatians 5:13.

1PE2:17 Honor all persons. 109 Continue to show compassionate affection for the brotherhood. 110 Continue to fear The God. 111 Show honor to the king. 112

109

Honor all persons: Or, respect, show honor to everyone. This would include seniors [Leviticus 19:32] and fellow Christians. [Romans 12:10] Government officials and the police deserve honor. [Romans 13:7] Hard-working elders are “worthy of double honor.” [1 Timothy 5:17] Parents must be honored. [Ephesians 6:1, 2] A Christian must by nature of the New Self [Ephesians 4:23, 24] show honor and be respectful to all persons: superiors at work, teachers, work-mates, class-mates, strangers, persons in the market place – everyone every where. The Christian walk is a respectful one.

110	Continue to show compassionate affection for the brotherhood: Or, spiritual community, fraternity. The Greek is ADELPHTETA [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #81] See 1 Peter 5:9. [1 John 2:10; 3:23; 4:21] Love for the brotherhood is evidence of discipleship. [John 13:35] See Zechariah 11:14.

111

Continue to fear The God: Or, fear God, practice reverence to God. See notes on PHOBOS at 1 Peter 1:17. Fear of God is the beginning of spiritual wisdom. [Psalm 111:10] Hating what is evil or harmful is associated with such fear. [Proverbs 8:13] Christian holiness cannot be perfected without fear. [2 Corinthians 7:1]

112	Show honor to the king: Or, honor the emperor. These Christian “aliens” live dispersed throughout the world. [1 Peter 1:1; 5:9] See notes on Romans 13:1ff. There may be an echo of Proverbs 24:21 here.

1 Peter 2:18-20 – An Agreeable Kind of Suffering

1PE2:18 Household domestics should subject themselves to their masters in fear, 113 not only to those who are good and reasonable, 114 but also to those crooked. 115

113	Household domestics should subject themselves to their masters in fear: Or, servants, slaves; with all fear; submissive and respectful. [Ephesians 6:5; Colossians 3:22; Titus 2:9] Peter begins the theme of subjection with several aspects.

114	Good and reasonable: Or, good and kind. It is easy to be submissive or in subjection to the good and reasonable, the Christian challenge comes from another type of master.

115	Also to those crooked: Or, surly, arbitrary, cruel, hard to please. The Greek is SKOLIOIS [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #4646, warped].

1PE2:19 For this is honorable to God 116 – if one bears a burden because of conscience, 117 suffering grief unjustly.

116	This is honorable to God: Or, pleasing to God, wins God’s approval. That is, those Christian slaves or house servants who show themselves submissive to the difficult master.

117

If one bears a burden because of conscience: Or, suffering wrongly, bears the pain, suffering unjustly. He still speaks to the Christian slave who bears up because of his conscience toward God. This latter matter is where the “fear” of the previous statement enters the picture. On “conscience” see Romans 2:15 and the chapter where it occurs most often, 1 Corinthians 8 and 10.

1PE2:20 For what honor is there 118 if one endures, suffering blows while sinning? 119 But, it is honorable to God if one endures suffering for doing good. 120

118	What honor is there: There is an echo of Matthew 5:46 here.

119	Suffering blows while sinning: The context is still the Christian slave. A master may beat his slave. The “sin” here is something a slave might do and thus bring down the wrath of his master who might “beat him with fists.” [Exodus 21:20, 21]

120	It is honorable to God if one endures suffering for doing good: Or, wins God’s approval. Though the principle may apply to anyone Peter still has the Christian slave in mind. [Matthew 5:10] Compare 1 Peter 3:14; 4:14.

1 Peter 2:21-25 – Christ’s Suffering a Model to Follow

1PE2:21 For unto [suffering] you were called, 121 because [Messiah] also suffered in your behalf, 122 leaving you an example to be copied, 123 so that you might continue to follow his footsteps. 124

121

For unto [suffering] you were called: Or, GDS: That is the life to which you have been called; BER: to such an experience you have been called. One cannot escape suffering in Life. Most of the world during this “season of groaning pain” will experience suffering. [Romans 8:19-21] The Christian will endure those sufferings common to humankind – but doing so in hope – while possibly also suffering for Christian discipleship.

122	[Messiah] also suffered in your behalf: Peter begins to allude to Isaiah chapter 53. One remembers the episode between Christ and Peter and the matter of Messiah’s suffering. [Matthew 16:21-23]

123

Leaving you an example to be copied: Or, pattern, model. The Greek HYPOGRAMMON [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #5261, underwriting, an example for copying]. This is a word from the schoolroom where a student writes under the handwriting model given by the teacher. [Matthew 16:24; John 13:15; 1 Corinthians 11:1] The life of Christ becomes a pattern or role-model for his disciples.

124	Continue to follow his footsteps: Compare a characteristic of the 144,000 end-time Saints. [Revelation 14:4]

1PE2:22 [Messiah] never committed a sin, nor was deceit ever found in his mouth. 125 [Isaiah 53:9]

125

[Messiah] never committed a sin, nor was deceit ever found in his mouth: Or, KNX: did no wrong, no treachery was on his lips. Peter alludes to Isaiah 53:9 and the foretold suffering of Messiah. One cannot miss the interesting similarities between Isaiah 53:9 and Revelation 14:5 [from Zephaniah 3:10].

1PE2:23 When being reviled [Messiah] did not revile in return, 126 when suffering he did not begin to threaten. 127 But rather he surrendered himself to the One who judges righteously. 128

126	When being reviled [Messiah] did not revile in return: Or, insulted, talk back, speak against. The spirit of not returning “injury for injury” is from the Nazarene. [Matthew 5:39; Romans 12:21; Matthew 27:39; Isaiah 53:7]

127	When suffering he did not begin to threaten: There is an example in this for the suffering Christian. [Hebrews 5:8] Compare the examples of Christ with Paul when before a court. [Acts 23:2-5]

128	He surrendered himself to the One who judges righteously: Or, committed his case; NOR: turned the matter over to. One wonders if Jesus were God how he could do this? [Hebrews 5:7] Perhaps an echo of Genesis 18:25 or Psalm 7:11. [Psalm 9:4; 33:5; 98:9; Jeremiah 11:20; John 8:50; 2 Timothy 4:8]

1PE2:24 He bore our sins [Isaiah 53:9, 12] in his body upon the Tree, 129 [Galatians 3:13] so that we might discontinue sin and live in righteousness. 130 “By his wounds you were healed.” 131 [Isaiah 53:5]

129

He bore our sins in his body upon the Tree: Peter alludes to Isaiah 53:9, 12. The Greek for “tree” is XYLON, or “wood.” Both Peter and Paul use XYLON for the instrument of execution upon which Jesus was nailed. [Acts 5:30; 10:39; 13:29; Galatians 3:13] It is a virtual synonym for STAUROS which is generally rendered “cross” but it also translated “stake” or “timber” in the Jewish Greek Septuagint of the 3rd Century BC. See stake or STAUROS in Nazarene Commentary 2000©.

130

So that we might discontinue sin and live in righteousness: Or, KJV: that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness; MOF: that we might break with sin and live the good life; NEB: so that we might cease to live for sin and begin to live for righteousness. Though our Lord’s death on the Tree canceled our debt of sin inherited from Adam, the Nazarene disciple stops a deliberate and habitual practice of sin – resisting sin’s impulses – and striving to live righteously, or according to God’s law. See notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000© on Romans chapters 6, 7, and 8. [Compare also notes on 1 John 3.]

131	By his wounds you were healed: Or, stripes, bruising. Peter quotes Isaiah 53:5.

1PE2:25 For you were as sheep gone astray, 132 [Isaiah 53:5] but now you have turned back to the Shepherd 133 [Zechariah 13:7] and Overseer of your souls. 134

132

For you were as sheep gone astray: Or, continually straying. Peter’s allusion to Isaiah 53:5 would apply specifically to those Jews in the prophetic context. However, thought Jesus came mainly “to the lost sheep of the House of Israel,” [Matthew 10:6; 15:24] he also mentioned “other [non-Jewish] sheep” [John 10:16] that he would father into “one fold” under “one Shepherd.” Compare Ephesians 2:11-22.

133

Now you have turned back to the Shepherd: Or, returned, brought back. In the Hebrew Bible Yehowah is the Shepherd. [Psalm 23:1] However, the promised Messiah was also to be called “Shepherd.” [Zechariah 13:7; Mark 14:27; Matthew 2:6; Micah 5:1, 2] Peter calls Jesus “the chief Shepherd.” [1 Peter 5:4] [John 10:11; Hebrews 13:20] Specifically, these Jews would “return” to Yehowah as Shepherd by means of His appointed Shepherd, Jesus the Nazarene.

134	Overseer of your souls: Or, bishop, guardian. The Greek is EPISCOPON [over + see (scope)]. This is a unique designation occurring only here. Compare notes on 1 Timothy 3:1.

Review Questions on Chapter Two