Crisis in the Churches of Northwest Asia

• The Christians throughout the Empire are suffering severe persecution.
• Peter has received word that the churches in northwest Asia are suffering massive attacks.
• They are distressed and in great need of encouragement.
• The persecution has become so bad that the Gentile Christians are being tempted to revert to their past pagan lifestyles to lessen the heat.
• Some believers are rebelling against local authorities because of the mistreatment and slander they are receiving from them.

PETER WRITES 1 PETER

• Year: A.D. 65
• From: Rome
• To: The churches in northwest Asia: Pontus, North Galatia, Cappadocia, and Bithynia.[1]
• 1) Set your hope (1:13)
• 2) Be holy (1:16)
• 3) Conduct yourselves (1:17)
• 4) Love one another (1:22)
• 5) Crave spiritual milk (2:2)

 
WIVES AND HUSBANDS
1 PETER 3
1 In the same way, wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, even if some disobey the word, they may be won over without a word by the way their wives live 2 when they observe your pure, reverent lives.

• In the previous chapter Peter was talking about submitting to leaders of different types because there is no point in revolting against leadership.
• Instead, we are to love and serve our leaders.
• Likewise, Peter is recognizing that wives ought to love and serve their husbands by allowing them to lead.
• This submissive attitude then impacts men in a positive way.
• If they are not believers, then perhaps they will be won over by the love of their wives.
• If they are believers, then they will feel respected and encouraged.

3 Don’t let your beauty consist of outward things like elaborate hairstyles and wearing gold jewelry or fine clothes, 4 but rather what is inside the heart—the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

• Peter is not forbidding the wearing of Jewelry or any clothing that is attractive.
• Peter is talking about not making beauty merely an outward attribute.
• He is against making external beauty the big deal.
• Instead, women are to seek to know Christ and live from His Spirit.
• This type of beauty never ceases, even with the coming of old age, because it is internal.
• Thus, Peter wants women to find their worth not in that which is visible but in that worth which is spiritual and precious.
• When the focus is on this inner beauty, women may choose to dress nicely or wear Jewelry, but not in order to become something more than who they are in Christ.

5 For in the past, the holy women who put their hope in God also adorned themselves in this way, submitting to their own husbands, 6 just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord.

• The women in the Old Testament wore submission to their husbands like clothes.
• The clothing of submission is a perfect fit for children of God.
• It is completely compatible with who wives, as well as husbands, are in Christ.
• Christians can choose to wear behavior that is not fitting for saints.
• But this will never yield peace and joy.
• Only the fruit of the Spirit is fitting for Christians.
• When wives express the fruit of the Spirit to men, then men will feel honored and valued.
• The fear that women carry with this type of lifestyle is based on not wanting to become doormats to their husbands.
• But Peter is clear: Women are co-heirs with their husbands.

You have become her children when you do what is good and do not fear any intimidation.
7 Husbands, in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker partner, showing them honor as coheirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

• Husbands are to love their wives as one would love a weaker person.
• In other words, husbands are to be gentle with their wives.
• This is not a statement about women's value in marriage.
• Notice that they are fellow heirs of salvation with their husbands.
• Instead, Peter is speaking of physical strength.
• Obviously, in many marriages, the wife is the stronger person: emotionally, mentally, spiritually, morally, socially, and/or physically.
• Nevertheless, physically, the wife is usually weaker than her husband. Most men tend to choose as their wives women who are not as strong as they are.
• This pertains to physical force as well as emotional and verbal abuse.
• Peter likely also has in mind the emotional depth of women and how vulnerable this makes them.

 

• Hinder your prayers: This is a practical statement for couples who are not treating one another well.
• People will not want to pray with their spouses if they are being treated poorly.
• If, however, we express the fruit of the Spirit to one another, then nothing will get in the way of our prayer life.

DO NO EVIL
8 Finally, all of you be like-minded and sympathetic, love one another, and be compassionate and humble,

• Peter has in mind the whole church, men and women.
• Christians are to have mutual respect and love for one another regardless of gender.
• Males and females must be united under the lordship of Christ.
• This behavior verse and all others encourage Christians to live according to their new nature.
• Ultimately, these verses are timesavers.
• God simply wants us to save ourselves from turmoil which comes from choosing to live in a way that is no longer compatible with our natures.
• God has worked righteousness into us and, consequently, wants us to live in accordance with this nature.
• This will produce good days for the believer as they live from the Spirit and experience the unceasing joy Christ gave us.

9 not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since you were called for this, so that you may inherit a blessing.

• Christians are not to fight back against opponents.
• Instead, they are to know the blessing of Christ’s indwelling life and to choose to love despite any insults that come our way.
• We can choose not to be concerned about our status, instead forgive insults, and live from the inner person that we are in Christ.
• If we understand God’s opinion of us, then the opinion of humans doesn’t matter.

10 For the one who wants to love life
and to see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking deceit,

• The mouth determines the health of our relationships.
• Our words have the ability to sooth and edify people, or cause harm.
• Likewise, our tongues can tell truth or lies.
• Lies will always lead to distrust in relationships.
• Truth, however, always edifies.
• Speaking truth will reflect our new natures in Christ.

11 and let him turn away from evil
and do what is good.
Let him seek peace and pursue it,

•  Christians are to seek edifying relationships with one another and the world, even though it will always inherently resist the claims of Christ.

12 because the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against
those who do what is evil.

• God is not in a swivel chair.
• God’s eyes are always on the eyes of His children.
• Likewise, His ears are always attentive to our prayers.
• His face, however, is against all who have rejected the Son of God.
• God hates sin and is forever against it.

 
UNDESERVED SUFFERING
13 Who then will harm you if you are devoted to what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear them or be intimidated, 15 but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy,

• Believers do not make Christ Lord.
• He is Lord.
• When we receive Christ as Savior, we also receive Him as Lord because we believe that He can save us and has the authority to save us.
• This is a recognition of His lordship.

ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.

• Peter is encouraging believers to be ready to give a reason or a defense of our hope in Christ to all who ask us.
• This means that our expression of the Gospel is to be to all who engage us.
• This means that we only tell the Gospel to those who are interested.
• Notice that Peter is not encouraging Christians to walk out onto the street and be belligerent.
• This would not be gentle and respectful of unbelievers.
• Our place is to be ready to engage those who engage us simply.

16 Yet do this with gentleness and reverence, keeping a clear conscience, so that when you are accused, those who disparage your good conduct in Christ will be put to shame. 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 for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God.

• Christ’s sacrifice was so perfect that He only needed to die once for all of our sins-past, present and future.
• When we believe this finished work of Christ cleanses us perfectly.
• Peter encouraged Christians to suffer for adhering to this reality, and not for doing wrong.
• Our sins have consequences, and when we treat one another poorly, these consequences impact relationships with believers and unbelievers alike.
• Instead, believers are to love people and be ready to give a reason for this love they possess.
• If we suffer for believing the Gospel, then we share in Christ’s sufferings who died for our sins.
• He suffered for being the Son of God in the midst of worldly darkness.
• Likewise, Christians too will suffer in different ways.

He was put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, 19 in which he also went and made proclamation to the spirits in prison 20 who in the past were disobedient, when God patiently waited in the days of Noah while the ark was being prepared. In it a few—that is, eight people—were saved through water.

• This is a particularly difficult passage to interpret.
• Some believe it means that Christ went to hell to preach to those who were there after the time of Noah’s flood.
• This could certainly be true; however, it is more likely that this is speaking of previous expressions of Christ throughout history.
• The passage specifically speaks of those who were alive when the ark was being built.
• So, it stands to reason, that Christ proclaimed the Gospel through Noah to those who are now currently in spiritual prison.

21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you (not as the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a good conscience toward God) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

• Peter is speaking of being baptized spiritually into Christ at faith in Jesus, not a physical baptism.
• Notice Peter’s language: The baptism that saves does not remove dirt from the body.

22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him.[2]

• Christ is seated at the right hand of God because His salvific work is complete.
• He has removed our sins past, present, and future.
• This means that there is no longer a sacrifice needed for sin.

His work as a High Priest is, therefore, finished. [3]

[1] Viola, Frank, The Untold Story of the New Testament Church. Destiny Image, Shippensburg, PA, 2004. 166-167.
[2] Christian Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2020), 1 Pe 3:1–22.
[3] Farley, Andrew. www.BibleCommentary.com. 1 Peter 3.

• Kids Getting Hurt Videos
• Michelle Hernandez – Crossfit differences
• Michelle Kennedy – His jobs & her jobs
• Our society today, doesn’t want to acknowledge that we are different.
• Actually they do, they want the genders to be equal and it has become a competition, with one side not saying much at all.
• Men will shut down and step out of the way when women dominate.

EPHESIANS 5:18-21
18 And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless living, but be filled by the Spirit: 19 speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music with your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.[1]
 
WIVES AND HUSBANDS
EPHESIANS 5:22-33
22 Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord,

• The verb hupotassō (ὑποτασσω), “submit, subject,” is supplied from the preceding verse. (Wuest)‎
• Submit in verse 21 is covered in the following verses:
• 1)Wives to Husbands (5:22-33)
• 2) Children to Parents (6:1-4)
• 3) Slaves to Masters (Employees to Employers) (6:5-9).
• ‎Submission has nothing to do with the order of authority, but rather governs the operation of authority, how it is given and how it is received.[2]
• Did Jesus lose his authority when He washed His disciples’ feet?
• No institution or organization can function without submission.
• In fact, eliminate submission in any area of society and the result is utter chaos... (Examples? - LA Riots ('92), New Orleans during Katrina ('05), etc.)
• Genesis 3:16 - He said to the woman: I will intensify your labor pains; you will bear children with painful effort. Your desire will be for your husband, yet he will rule over you.[3]
• ‎Desire - It is not Eve's emotional or physical desire for Adam (that was already present).
• It was the desire to take control of her husband's authority.
• This usurp of authority will be impossible.
• ‎It will only be through the power and teaching of the Holy Spirit that submission to one another takes place. This takes place through Jesus.
• ‎Bob Warren – “Fallout = Strong, unyielding wife produces a passive husband. Then down the road when the woman eventually needs a man to lead... there is only resentment. A woman being overbearing and strong will eventually play out and have no desire for the state of their current relationship due to her initial dominance.
• ‎True authority is built on truth.
• Therefore, if any wife has currently placed themselves as the leader of their house, she does not have true authority.
• True authority is attained only through submission to authority.
• ‎A wife's dominance prevents the God-ordained authority (the husband) from ruling and the children are angered without really knowing why.
• Deficient discipline occurs and the kids are confused.
• ‎Submission to authority does not mean that one is inferior.
• It is purely acknowledging God's order.
• ‎God created Eve from Adam's rib to make him complete.

23 because the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of the body.

• This verse also teaches submission. Christ submitted Himself to death for our, the sake of the church.
• Who is the church? From Acts 2 to the point of the End.
• No wife minds submitting to a husband that has this attitude.
• Who has ever ended up submitting to Christ and regretting it? No one.
• Christ does not demand for us to submit to Him... He waits for us to choose to submit.
• It is through His kindness and love (not His wrath) that brings us to a place of submission.
• What happens when a husband refuses to lead (either out of choice or laziness)?
• The family never gets to experience the huge benefits as result of true leadership.

24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives are to submit to their husbands in everything.

• The only way this works is if the wife feels secure and safe in her place of submission.
• In other words, the man has to love and protect her.
• When this occurs, selflessness rules in the house, children are raised in a stable environment and the world has a model of how the family is intended to operate.

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her

• “The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.” (Theodore Hesburgh).
• This is not going to occur by the church teaching behavior modification or trying to control the outcome.
• The only way possible is for the church to teach believers their identity and the Holy Spirit reveal it to them and let it play out.
• When the husband becomes selfless and loves his wife (through servanthood), all are greatly benefited.

26 to make her holy, cleansing her with the washing of water by the word.

• When a person is sanctified (made holy), he is set apart from his past unto his future.
• This has application to marriage because when a man marries a woman, he sets her apart from her past and unto a future that he has promised to her.
• There is no doubt that the spiritual growth of the wife is greatly enhanced through the godly influence of the husband.

27 He did this to present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and blameless.

• A bride typically wears white at the wedding, representing purity and holiness.
• That doesn’t come from a point of behavior, but from a point of what Christ has done in her.
• His desire is for a glorious church, and He wants to love that church as a man loves his own bride.
• This is not a performance-based relationship.
• It is a knowing and understanding relationship.
• What the husband knows and understands greatly impacts what the wife and kids know and understand.
• It is imperative that the husband pays special attention to the wife's spiritual needs.
• How does he do that? By taking care of his own first.

28 In the same way, husbands are to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

• 5:23 - Says the husband is the head and the wife is the body.
• ‎5:31 - Says we are one flesh.
• ‎If a husband doesn't love his wife (the body) then can't love himself.
• ‎You will love your wife fully when know who you are yourself. ‎
• ‎Tony Evans – “Unless we’re talking about a case where a wife is deliberately trying to undermine her husband, when you look at a man’s wife, you should get a pretty good idea of what he thinks about himself.
• ‎‎If a wife is miserable all the time, maybe it’s because she is married to a miserable man.
• If her countenance is bright, chances are she is being nourished and cherished by a loving husband.
• Our wives are like mirrors, reflecting back to us what kinds of husbands we are.”

29 For no one ever hates his own flesh but provides and cares for it, just as Christ does for the church,

• Society spends more money and time on caring for their own flesh than ever before.
• There is no doubt that loving our bodies (earth tent) by taking care of them gives you added energy, vigor and fulfillment in life.
• The same truth occurs when we take care of our wives.
• We should marry to date rather than date to marry:
• 1. Words of affirmation - You did this when you were dating.
• 2. Quality time - Don't talk about doing it... just do it.
• 3. Giving gifts - "Just because I love you"
• 4. Acts of service - Doing the unexpected.
• 5. Physical touch - Nonsexual touch

30 since we are members of his body.

• We share common life with Jesus... we are one with Him.
• Do you realize who you are and what you have been given?

31 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.

• Genesis 2:24 - This is why a man leaves his father and mother and bonds with his wife, and they become one flesh.[4]
• 1) Both partners are to leave their homes (parents). You still care for them but you are no longer under their influence as before.
• #4 & #5 reasons for divorce?
• #4 - Mother of the bride
• #5 - Mother of the groom
• 2) You become one flesh... Your bond is greater than a parent/child relationship.
• Keep this a priority.
• Cleave = glue

32 This mystery is profound, but I am talking about Christ and the church.

• Mystery - the Jews and the Gentiles became one.
• So it is with the husband and wife.
• We become one when we are in Christ.
• Hard for a husband and wife to become one in a marriage without Christ... it is impossible.

33 To sum up, each one of you is to love his wife as himself, and the wife is to respect her husband.[5]

• If the husband loves his wife as himself, both being believers, the wife's respect should automatically follow.
• Woman wants to be loved.
• Man wants to be respected.
• Love and Respect book.
• Crazy cycle

 

• 1)Wives to Husbands (5:22-33)
• 2) Children to Parents (6:1-4)

3) Slaves to Masters (Employees to Employers) (6:5-9).

[1] Christian Standard Bible (Eph 5:18–21). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 50). Victor Books.
[3] Christian Standard Bible (Ge 3:16). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible (Ge 2:24). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Christian Standard Bible (Eph 5:22–33). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.