Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
Summary: Everyone who knows Jesus has a story to tell about their meeting with the Lord. Practice sharing your story so that you are prepared to give an answer to everyone who is curious about the hope that you have.
Continue reading “1 Peter 3:15 (b) — Story Time”
Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.
Summary: Peter has a unique insight into suffering for our Lord.
Continue reading “1 Peter 3:13-14 (a) — Reason & Fact”
…but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.
Summary: Looking at the whole of verse 12 we see that Peter is contrasting God’s reaction to righteousness and evil. It is helpful to know what God thinks each of those words means.
Continue reading “1 Peter 3:12 (c) — God’s Whiteboard”
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous …
Summary: ”Righteousness” is one of those words with multiple meanings. We are not righteous under the law, but we are righteous in God’s eyes when we accept his Son and set our eyes on his will.
Continue reading “1 Peter 3:12 (a) — Slaves to Righteousness”
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing…
Summary: What is evil? Anything you don’t like might qualify. Peter tells us to respond to things we don’t like with a blessing.
Continue reading “1 Peter 3:9 (a) — Essence of Evil”
… love one another …
Summary: Peter tells us to love one another using a rare word that means ‘brotherly love.’ This kind of love is not caught up in arguments but is the oil on the water that calms arguments. It allows brothers and sisters in the same family to get along.
Continue reading “1 Peter 3:8 (c) — Oil on the Water”
…be sympathetic …
Summary: To be sympathetic is to resonate with another person’s heart. Being sympathetic is an important component of love. Being sympathetic is essential in the Body of Christ.
Continue reading “1 Peter 3:8 (b) — The Eyes of the Heart”
… so that nothing will hinder your prayers.
Summary: The choices we make affects our relationship with God. Choosing to follow Peter’s guidance opens the door to a better relationship with God.
Continue reading “1 Peter 3:7 (e) — The Reason Why”
… and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life …
Peter has packed a lot of instruction into this one passage we have been studying. He began by telling husbands to be considerate of their wives. Then he adds, “treat them with respect.” Before we, his readers, can even begin to form the question, “Why?” in our minds, Peter offers the answer. Because your wife is your partner, and because she is physically weaker, you must take extra care to show that you respect her. Oh yes, Peter adds, there is one other reason. Because she is an heir with you of the gift of life.
Continue reading “1 Peter 3:7 (d) — The Gift”
…and treat them with respect …
Today’s topic is Part Two of Peter’s instruction to husbands. He started with what the NIV translates as “be considerate.” As Rich pointed out yesterday, the word “considerate” was translated from the Greek, “gnōsis.” This word is most often translated as “knowledge” or “knowing.” Peter intends that men should be mindful of how women are different.
Today we look at the second part of this passage, “… and treat them [your wives] with respect.” The first question that comes to mind is, “Why wouldn’t a husband treat his wife with respect?” Peter continues the passage referring to wives as “the weaker partner.” So let’s look at the question in the context of physical size.
Continue reading “1 Peter 3:7 (b) — Giving to Get”