Coachlight Bible Study – First Peter 2:1-3:12

The Exhortation To Holiness – Be What God Wants You To Be

Some have accused Peter of being an ignorant fisherman not capable of communicating as others in his time.  The first two chapters, especially, of I Peter prove this wrong.  Peter has used metaphors such as the botanical expression of “Begotten again” as well as the mixed metaphor of “withering like grass”, all concepts taken from the Old Testament.  Peter will now continue his mixed metaphors from “putting on new clothes” and “a baby crying for milk” to tasting that the Lord is good; and on to “stones” and “spiritual houses”.  All of these vivid word pictures have in common the exhortation to grow up and show forth God’s praises, as is God’s will.

Whereas chapter one taught us to base our philosophy and decisions on the Word of God, chapter two through chapter 3 verse 12 contain practical everyday applications on how to show forth the praises of the Lord – (Or Be An Example).

 

Focus

Salvation

Lifestyle

Being An Example

Scripture

1:1-----1:13------------2:13---------------3:13------3:18-------4:7-----------5:1

Plan

Lively Hope

Lively Stones

Lifestyle of Submission

Being An Example

Christ As Example

An Example of Charity

Feed The Flock

Intention

Peter wrote to encourage the Christian groups in Asia Minor to stand or endure in holiness during the “Trial of their faith”, therefore fulfilling God’s will by being examples to those without hope.

Topic

Holiness

Harmony

Humility

Location

Babylon

Time

Circa AD 63

 

I. Grow Up – Be What God Wants You To Be

I Peter 2:1 Wherefore laying aside<659> all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

I Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word<3050>, that ye may grow thereby:

I Peter 2:3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.<5543>

 

A. If you have tasted the Lord’s milk, you know He is gracious – Psalm 34:8

5543. crhstov chrestos khrase-tos’; from 5530; employed, i.e. (by implication) useful (in manner or morals):— better, easy, good(-ness), gracious, kind.

B. The strangers need of “Laying aside” – “Often used to take off old clothing”

1. The same word Paul used showing putting off the “old man” like a suit of clothes

 

Ephesians 4:22 That ye put off<659> concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

Ephesians 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

 

659. apotiyhmi apotithemi ap-ot-eeth’-ay-mee; from 575 and 5087; to put away (literally or figuratively):— cast off, lay apart (aside, down), put away (off).


C. The strangers need to “Put off the old clothes of”

1. Guile - 2549 kakia kakia kak-ee’-ah - malice, ill-will, desire to injure

2. Hypocrisies - 1388 dolov dolos dol’-os  - craft, deceit, guile (subtle)

3. Envies - 5355 fyonov phathonos fathon’-os – envy, for envy, or prompted by envy

4. Evil Speaking - 2636 katalalia  kat-al-al-ee’-ah – backbiting, defamation

D. The strangers need to “Desire the sincere milk of the Word” – “Mind Milk”

3050 logikov logikos log-ik-os’ from 3056; TDNT-4:142,505; adj

reasonable 1, of the word 1; 2

1) pertaining to speech or speaking  2) pertaining to the reason or logic

2a) spiritual, pertaining to the soul 2b) agreeable to reason, following reason, logical

 

II. Pattern Lives After The “Living Stone” – Foundation of a Building

I Peter 2:4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,

 

A. This is reference to:

 

Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

 

B. Paul Also made this analogy of a building:

 

I Corinthians 3:7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

I Corinthians 3:8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

I Corinthians 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. {husbandry: or, tillage}

I Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

I Corinthians 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

 

III. The Strangers are “Lively Stones” – “Built Up A Spiritual House”

 

I Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. {are: or, be ye}

I Peter 2:6  Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

I Peter 2:7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, {precious: or, an honour}

I Peter 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.


A. The Nation Of Israel was desired to be a kingdom of priests

 

Exodus 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:

Exodus 19:6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

 

B. The Nation Of Israel was to “show forth my praise”                                                                                                                                                    

 

Isaiah 43:19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

20 The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen. {owls: or, ostriches: Heb. daughters of the owl}

Isaiah 43:21 This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise.

 

IV. The Strangers Are To Be An Example By Praising Him

                                                                                           

I Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: {peculiar: or, purchased} {praises: or, virtues}

I Peter 2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

 

V. The Strangers Are To Be An Example By Living Honestly

 

I Peter 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you<3870> as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

I Peter 2:12 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. {whereas: or, wherein}

 

3870 parakalew parakaleo par-ak-al-eh’-o - from 3844 and 2564; TDNT-5:773,778; v

beseech 43, comfort 23, exhort 21, desire 8, pray 6, intreat 3, misc 4, vr besought 1; 109

1) to call to one’s side, call for, summon

2) to address, speak to, (call to, call upon), which may be done in the way of exhortation, entreaty, comfort, instruction, etc.

2a) to admonish, exhort 2b) to beg, entreat, beseech 2b1) to strive to appease by entreaty

2c) to console, to encourage and strengthen by consolation, to comfort

2c1) to receive consolation, be comforted 2d) to encourage, strengthen

2e) exhorting and comforting and encouraging 2f) to instruct, teach


VI. The Strangers Are To Be Examples By Submission To Human Government

 

I Peter 2:13 Submit<5293> yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

I Peter 2:14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

I Peter 2:15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

I Peter 2:16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. {using: Gr. having}

I Peter 2:17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. {Honour all: or, Esteem all}

 

5293 upotassw hupotasso hoop-ot-as’-so - from 5259 and 5021; TDNT-8:39,1156; v

put under 6, be subject unto 6, be subject to 5, submit (one’s) self unto 5, submit (one’s) self to 3, be in subjection unto 2, put in subjection under 1, misc 12; 40

1) to arrange under, to subordinate

2) to subject, put in subjection

3) to subject one’s self, obey

4) to submit to one’s control

5) to yield to one’s admonition or advice

6) to obey, be subject

 

A Greek military term meaning "to arrange [troop divisions] in a military fashion under the command of a leader". In non-military use, it was "a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden".

 

VII. The Strangers Are To Be Examples In Business

 

I Peter 2:18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.

I Peter 2:19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. {thankworthy: or, thank}

I Peter 2:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. {acceptable: or, thank}

I Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example<5261>, that ye should follow his steps: {

I Peter 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

I Peter 2:23  Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

I Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

I Peter 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.


5261 upogrammov hupogrammos hoop-og-ram-mos’ - example 1; 1

1) a writing copy, including all the letters of the alphabet, given to beginners as an aid in learning to draw them

2) an example set before one

Used in Greek schools consisting of a line of writing at the top of a tablet written by the teacher so that the child could write under it and make his letters like the mas­ter.

 

VIII. The Strangers Are To Be Examples In Marriage

 

I Peter 3:1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

I Peter 3:2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

I Peter 3:3  Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;

I Peter 3:4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

I Peter 3:5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:

I Peter 3:6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. {daughters: Gr. children}

I Peter 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

I Peter 3:8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: {love as: or, loving to the}

I Peter 3:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

 

IX. The Strangers Are To Be Examples In All Of Life

 

I Peter 3:10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

I Peter 3:11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

I Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. {against: Gr. upon}

 

X. The Lesson – As The Pharisees Didn’t Know Who Christ Was…    

 

Matthew 21:33 Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:

Matthew 21:34 And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.

Matthew 21:35 And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.


Matthew 21:36 Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise.

Matthew 21:37 But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.

Matthew 21:38 But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.

Matthew 21:39 And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.

Matthew 21:40 When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?

Matthew 21:41 They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.

Matthew 21:42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

Matthew 21:43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

Matthew 21:44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

Matthew 21:45 And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.

Matthew 21:46 But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.  

 

 

As the Pharisees did not know Christ when He appeared

So we in this day won’t know Him when He appears

If we do not hold to the “Lively Hope” being “Lively Stones”