October 13th 2024 1 Peter 2 v 15 to 25
V 15. With well doing . . . put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. Pliny, in his report to emperor Trajan about the Christians in Pontus and Bithynia, two of the provinces mentioned in ch 1 v 1 , speaks of the "crimes clinging to the name" of Christian.
Although coming at a considerably later time. (c. A.D. 112),
this is an explanation of the uninformed and unfair way in which a group of people may be assumed to be criminal. The answer of a good life would be the best defence.
V 16. As free. Spirit-driven self-control is the only lasting basis of freedom:
If ye be led of the Spirit ye are not under the law" (Gal 5: 18).' But as the servants (slaves) of God. The man wholly mastered of God is truly free.
God then works in such a person the willing and the doing of His good will.
It is this God-implanted love for His way that makes Jesus's yoke easy, His burden light.
V 17. Honour . . . love . . . fear. Here is expressed self-denial and willingness to give to each his due. The word for honour is related to the word "precious," and suggests the Christian's high regard for human behaviour. The word for love indicates the divinely given agape of I Cor 13. This was the love with which Christ had twice challenged Peter in Jn 21: 15,16,
a challenge from which honest Peter swerved with the reply, "I love (Cr., philo, "to love humanly") thee."
V 18-20. Servants, be subject . . also to the froward. The Spirit-filled man is assisted to meet demands that are unreasonable, yes, quite impossible on any other basis. "Love your enemies," "turn the other cheek" -these are included only through the complete mastery of him who prayed for his crucifiers, "Father, . forgive them."
V 19 This is thankworthy. Reward begins where the reasonable ends. He who serves God without superior divine love, builds wood, hay, and stubble.
V 20 What glory is it . . . ? Compare Jesus' questions in Lk 6:32-36. v.32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. v.33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. v.34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. v.35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. v.36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
Acceptable with God. The word acceptable is the Greek (charis), which has a Beautiful double force of "grace" and favour.
It can give the sense, "When ye do well! and suffer :,' . patiently, this is grace with God
or this is favour with God."
V 21-23 .. Christ also suffered. Here of course, is the representation of divine love.
Here is our pattern for life.
V 22 Who did no sin hence all punishment and indignity to him was without reason.
V 23 Who reviled not again. but committed himself Here is the perfect fulfilment of the principle seen in Rom, 12; 19,20 Vengeance is mine ... saith the Lord ' therefore if thine enemy hunger feed him. Here is perfect love for God and man.
V 24. Who . . . bare our sins in his own body. Peter reminds his readers that this was done for them.
That we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness.
He implies that Christ's death was more than an example.
By sharing his cross they will share his triumphant life.
By whose stripes . . .
1) the paschal lamb "without blemish and without spot" ,(1: 19), 2) the suffering servant of Isa 53, by whose stripes ye were healed," 3) and the scape goat, "who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree."
V 25. For ye were as sheep . : . but ... Peter has been urging upon his readers a sharing of Christ's sufferings.
Even as He commanded (Luke 14: 27, ) they are to follow Him taking up the cross daily.
But they have already made an initial step in this sharing of the cross; once wayward sheep, they have been converted to
the Shepherd and Bishop (caretaker) of their souls.
News from the Church New dates
16th October….. Knit and natter is a time to finish old projects or learn new skills
6th November …..Friendship Group, (this covers all ages and the lonely people.)
ANSWERS TO 6th October QUESTIONS
1) Two Gen 28 v 12 and ch 32 v 1 2) He wrestled all night with him 3) By wrestling, his new name Israel 4) Twelve 5) Joseph and Benjamin 6) Ephraim and Manasseh 7) Israel 8 ) Pharaoh
9) He gave the interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream 10). To prove they were not spies 11) No 12) Cried 13) 5 times more food 14) No only Bemjamin 15) Wolf 16) Stephen
Bible Quiz this week’s Quiz is about Moses and Aaron and Jethro
1 When Aaron was left at the foot of Mt. Sinai what did the people do?
2 What feeble excuse did he give to Moses?
3 What special position was given to Aaron and his sons” ?
4 With which brother was the Lord very angry?
5 Both brothers died on a mountain what do you know about it?
6 Moses spoke of a Prophet to come, who was it?
7 Who is said to have been “faithful in all his house ?
8 How is an action by Moses, to be compared with the crucifixion of Jesus?
9 What was Moses employment while in exile?
10 How long did he stay there?
11 Besides being a farmer what else was Jethro?
12 Jethro is called by another name, do you know it?
13 What was the occasion of Moses first meeting Jethro?
14 How many daughters had Jethro got?
15 Three well know men found their wives in the similar way, who were they?
16 What was the last reference to Jethro?
Isaiah 40 v 11
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
God Bless