By Roy E. Ciampa, Ph.D., S. Louis and Ann W. Armstrong Professor of Religion, Samford University
The Endurance of Our Hope
1 Peter 3:8–17
We are called to love and bless even those who intend evil toward us. (8–12)
Peter and his readers were living in dangerous times. The world that had rejected our Lord would not hesitate to take out its anger on those who followed Him.
It is always important for brothers and sisters in Christ to manifest “unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.” It is even more important in times of persecution or suffering. That mutual support and the presence of the Lord are the keys to responding in the Christ-like ways described in verses 9–11.
Peter alludes to two ways of life. One way is to speak and practice evil and deceit and to revile others. The other way is to turn from such things and to practice and pursue peace and that which is good and to speak kindly rather than to insult others.
Evil is mentioned five times in verses 9–12 and is contrasted each time with “blessing” or “good” or “righteous.” In verses 10–12, Peter quotes Psalm 34:12–16 which uses language related to parts of the human face (“see,” “tongue,” “lips”) and then to God’s face (“eyes,” “ears,” “face”). On the human side, the facial parts suggest kinds of behavior and experience, and each part is associated with a virtue or vice.
If one wants to see good (experience God’s blessing) his or her tongue must avoid evil and his or her lips deceit. The references of God’s (metaphorical) eyes and ears emphasize His responsiveness.
We can live as God calls us to live knowing His eyes watch over us and His ears are attentive to our prayers.
Our hope in Christ carries us through any circumstances or suffering. (13–14)
Those who consistently seek to do good usually are met by goodwill from others, including those who have authority. But as our Lord also experienced, those who pursue righteousness and goodness sometimes suffer in this world for doing so.
Even in those cases, God will ultimately see to it that a commitment to righteousness will be rewarded with blessing. Such confidence in God’s ultimate reward has the power to overcome the fear of and intimidation by those who would do us harm.
Normally people aren’t interested in harming those who are zealous to do good and pursue righteousness. But if such a commitment does result in suffering or harm, one should not fear, since God will ultimately bless us for choosing to live as He has called us to live (the opposite of the suffering and harm dished out by human antagonists).
The hope we have in Christ helps us endure unjust suffering, and it also can strengthen us in the face of other forms of suffering.
Faithfulness in suffering is an opportunity to point to the hope we have in Christ. (15–17)
Peter highlights the integrated relationship between the inner workings of the human being and our outward behavior. The proper attitude of our heart and the disposition of our (good) conscience lead to actions or good behavior, marked by gentleness and respect toward others.
The key is for Christ to be honored in our hearts as our holy Lord. Constant submission to our holy Lord leads us to respond appropriately when we have opportunities to explain the basis of our hope and to respond in godly ways when we are slandered or caused to suffer in other ways for doing good.
Such constant submission invites those opportunities to explain the hope we have in Christ.
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