1 Peter 3:13-4:6

Big Idea

Enduring suffering for doing good honors Christ, reminding us of His example and the eternal glory awaiting believers. Living in light of eternity helps us persevere with hope and faith, knowing that our present sufferings are temporary compared to the joy to come.

Opening Thoughts

In 2017 I was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer. I was not sure of what the future held. As I sat in my study one morning having my quiet time and listening to worship music the song my Mercy Me “Even If” came on. It was as if Jesus were telling me that He could cure me but even if He didn’t I would still be blessed by coming into His eternal presence. It was at that moment I received peace about my future. I placed and continue to place my life in His hands and trust Him one day at a time.

How many times have you heard these questions; Why do good people have to endure suffering? Why does a good God allow suffering to exist at all? Since there is suffering how am I as a believer supposed to respond? Peter is writing to encourage believers that have these questions. He gives us a biblical perspective to suffering that will help us to overcome doubt and fear.

Earlier in his letter, Peter, urged the embattled believers to submit to authorities even if these authorities abused their power. Their obedience would be a witness to Christ who set the example. In the same way their response to suffering could and would be used as a witness of their faith in Christ. As believers, we must always remember that we are to live our lives in the light of eternity.

Blessed in Suffering, Bold in Faith

1 Peter 3:13–16 (ESV)

¹³ Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? ¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, ¹⁵ but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, ¹⁶ having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

Peter starts out with the observation that when a person is zealous for doing good, people are less likely to want to harm them. He is not saying that being committed to doing good will prevent suffering. Rather, he made the point that normally people who behave rightly are not the object of ill treatment at the hands of most authorities. In general, persons in various positions of power reward those doing good, while disciplining wrongdoing. We need to be committed to doing what is good, lawful, and right. Even when we are zealous for what is good, we can still face trials and opposition to our faith.

The church is a source of much good in our society. It operates hospitals, homeless shelters, and many other things to help the needy in our society. But this does not stop a culture that calls evil good and good evil from attacking. It seems that we live in a culture that wants to eliminate Christianity from the public square, even when the church seeks to do good.

Peter is reminding us that we should not fear or be intimidated by the attacks of those who seek to harm us for doing good. We need to remember Jesus’ promise from the Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs” (Matt. 5:10). We must remember that what we do is done in the light of eternity.

We prepare for suffering for our faith by establishing in our hearts that Jesus, the Messiah, is Lord of our lives. We can face suffering for our faith if our hearts are firmly committed to Jesus’ lordship over every aspect of our lives. It requires us to go beyond a once-a-week relationship to a daily relationship with Jesus through daily prayer and study of the Word of God.

Having an ongoing personal relationship with Jesus and consistent study of the Bible will prepare us to make a defense of our faith. The word “defense” Peter uses is the Greek word “apología” from which we get our English word apologetics. Paul used this word when he made his defense before the Jews in Jerusalem (Acts 22:1) and when he made his defense to King Agrippa (Acts 25:16). To give an “apologı́a” means simply to give reasons or a rationale for what you believe or for what you are communicating through your lifestyle.

The defense of our faith must be done with gentleness and reverence. If you are living your life as unto Jesus, then those around you will see Jesus in you. You will not have to be constantly telling them you are a Christian or make yourself obnoxious by constantly making some pious statement. The best defense you can make for your faith is to live it out. By doing so those around you will see the Jesus in you. This is what Peter is meaning by “yet with gentleness and reverence.”

Our defense of our faith should not be offensive to others. We are to present the defense of our faith with gentleness and respect and thereby keep our consciences clear. In this way we can put to shame our accusers when they denounce our Christian lives. Notice the three-fold defense that believers are to offer to a hostile world. First, we are to offer the beauty of living passionately for the good. Secondly, we are to offer a rational, faith-filled explanation of our faith and hope. Thirdly, we are to do so with such tact and courtesy that our opponents are shamed by their accusations.

If you experience discrimination or mistreatment in any form, recall 1 Peter 3:13-16‘s exhortation to respond with a clear conscience and a gentle spirit. Practice living out your faith consistently in all areas of your life, whether at work, at home, or in your community. Let your actions reflect the love and truth of Jesus, so that others may see the light of Christ shining through you. Do not be afraid to have a bold faith.

Christ’s Victory, Our Identity

1 Peter 3:17–22 (ESV)

¹⁷ For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. ¹⁸ For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, ¹⁹ in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, ²⁰ because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. ²¹ Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, ²² who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

We need to remember nothing happens in the Christian’s life that is not a part of God’s will. This truth does not mean God causes suffering. However, God allows suffering to come into our lives for His purposes that are far greater than ours. God will not reward anyone who suffers for doing evil, but if we suffer for doing what’s right, we demonstrate our submission to His will in all things.

‌Our suffering should always serve as a witness for Christ. When we experience pain, we must remember that Christ also suffered. Peter wants us to remember what Christ did for us on the cross. He died once for all our sins. “The just for the unjust.” No longer does a priest have to offer a recurring sacrifice for our sins. We can be forgiven for our sins and have a personal relationship with the God of the universe. This is accomplished when we place our faith in the life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

‌Peter goes on to tell us that God’s patience with human wickedness in Noah’s day is parallel to His patience with evil men now. Though God may appear to be inactive in the face of evil, He actually is giving evil people an opportunity to repent. The delay of God’s judgment is an expression of His mercy.

‌Peter used the picture of Noah’s family being borne to safety as a symbol of the Christian experience. Only Noah’s family was carried to safety and life by the death-dealing waters of the flood. Baptism signifies both the death and resurrection of Jesus. “having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.” (Col 2:12). Baptism also points to Christ’s resurrection and our new life in Him as well as our future resurrection. In this way baptism corresponds to Noah’s experience in the flood.

‌But we must always remember it is not baptism that saves us. Our salvation is made possible through the atoning death and resurrection of Christ. Thus, we receive salvation when we confess our faith. We bear witness to that confession in baptism.

‌When you feel overwhelmed by daily responsibilities and challenges at home, remember that just as Noah and his family were saved through the waters of the flood, you too can find salvation in Christ’s sacrifice. Lean on God’s grace and trust in His plan for your life.

Living in God’s Will

1 Peter 4:1–6 (ESV)

¹ Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, ² so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. ³ For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. ⁴ With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; ⁵ but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. ⁶ For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.

The word “therefore” points us back to Jesus’ victory over evil and calls us to share His point of view. “Arm yourselves” is a military term calling us to take up the spiritual armor of God that will give us victory. We are to have the same resolve that Jesus Christ had when He went to the cross.

‌Peter reminds us that suffering loosens sin’s grip on us. That is, when we go through suffering, we no longer give in to the lusts of the flesh; we no longer succumb to sin with the same ease, the same vulnerability we experienced previously. Suffering will cause us to take a closer look at our lives and cause us to seek to draw closer to God.

‌Like the first-century culture of the believers to whom Peter wrote, our culture does not understand our refusal to join them in their wickedness. They are offended when we will not join with them into the flood of sin that swamps our society and destroys the lives of our youth and many adults. Many of our contemporaries are offended by our objection to the prevailing climate of pornography and obscenity, sexual license and abortion, homosexual marriages, and ordained gay people. Consequently, they slander us, calling us intolerant Pharisees, narrow-minded Neanderthals, unloving hypocrites, and homophobic bigots.

‌We need not be intimidated by these slurs. Such opposition to commitment to the lordship of Jesus Christ is nothing new. We will suffer because of our stand on moral and ethical issues. Because of what Christ has done in our lives and the suffering we have experienced; we no longer can spend our lives in trivial pursuits. We have to be about the proclamation of the Gospel. The Gospel is God’s good news that people who have sinned in their flesh can be forgiven through Christ and find new life that is spiritual in nature and empowered by God’s Spirit. Even if the culture refuses to accept the Gospel, we are to still be about preaching and living it out in our lives.

‌We must remember God has the last word. The verdict of our culture on us is irrelevant. All that matters is God’s judgment and the life God gives us in Christ our Lord.

‌In a culture that promotes materialism and consumerism, we must resist the pressure to find our identity and worth in possessions or wealth. Instead, investing our time, talents, and resources in advancing God’s kingdom and meeting the needs of the marginalized. By living with eternal perspective and generosity, you demonstrate that true fulfillment is found in serving God and others rather than pursuing worldly gain.

Application

‌When you encounter unjust treatment or unfair circumstances, it can be disheartening and frustrating. Instead of seeking revenge or harboring bitterness, turn to God in prayer and entrust your situation to Him. Remember that God is just and that He sees all things. Choose to respond with patience and trust in His perfect timing for justice. By surrendering the desire for vengeance to God, you can experience peace and freedom from the burden of bitterness. We must seek to live lives in the light of eternity not the present.

Suggested Resources

• Barclay, William. 2003. The Letters of James and Peter. 3rd ed. fully rev. and updated. The New Daily Study Bible. Louisville, KY; London: Westminster John Knox Press.
• Barnes, Albert. 1884–1885. Notes on the New Testament: James to Jude. Edited by Robert Frew. London: Blackie & Son.
• Barton, Bruce B. 1995. 1 Peter, 2 Peter, Jude. Life Application Bible Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Pub.
• Cedar, Paul A., and Lloyd J. Ogilvie. 1984. James / 1 & 2 Peter / Jude. Vol. 34. The Preacher’s Commentary Series. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.
• Courson, Jon. 2003. Jon Courson’s Application Commentary. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.
• Evans, Tony. 2019. The Tony Evans Bible Commentary. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
• Grudem, Wayne A. 1988. 1 Peter: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 17. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
• Hindson, Ed, and Elmer L. Towns. 2013. Illustrated Bible Survey: An Introduction. Nashville, TN: B&H Academic.
• Landrum, Eli. 2016. Explore the Bible: Adult Commentary: 1 & 2 Peter, Jude (Fall 2016). LifeWay Christian Resources.
• Leadership Ministries Worldwide. 1996. 1 Peter–Jude. The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible. Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.
• MacArthur, John F., Jr. 2004. 1 Peter. MacArthur New Testament Commentary. Chicago: Moody Publishers.
• Mangum, Douglas, ed. 2020. Lexham Context Commentary: New Testament. Lexham Context Commentary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
• Manser, Martin, ed. 2018. The New Testament Page by Page. Open Your Bible Commentary. Creative 4.
• Spurgeon, Charles. 2014. Spurgeon Commentary: 1 Peter. Edited by Elliot Ritzema and Jessi Strong. Spurgeon Commentary Series. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
• McGee, J. Vernon. 1997. Thru the Bible Commentary. Electronic ed. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
• Walls, David, and Max Anders. 1999. I & II Peter, I, II & III John, Jude. Vol. 11. Holman New Testament Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
• Wiersbe, Warren W. 1992. Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
• Wiersbe, Warren W. 1996. The Bible Exposition Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
• Wright, Tom. 2011. Early Christian Letters for Everyone: James, Peter, John, and Judah. For Everyone Bible Study Guides. London; Louisville, KY: SPCK; Westminster John Knox Press.