Hebrews 13

This letter was written by the Apostle Peter in about 64 A.D. Most Bible scholars believe that Peter was in Rome when he wrote it. The letter was written to the churches in several provinces of the Roman Empire located in what is now modern Turkey; it was written to encourage the believers there to follow in Christ’s steps and to stand firm in their faith during trials.

Peter was the chief of Jesus’ twelve original disciples. His life is described in detail in the four Gospels and in the book of Acts.

1 Peter wrote this letter to God’s elect—that is, to Christians—living in several provinces ofthe ROMAN EMPIRE, located in what is now modern Turkey. Because ofpersecu-tion by the Romans,¹ these Christians had been scattered from their original homes, and had fled to these provinces. Probably they included both Jewish and Gentile believers.

Peter calls himself an APOSTLE. He had been the chief of Jesus’ original twelve disciples. Except for Judas, all of these disciples became known as apostles after Jesus’ death.

2 Peter addresses his readers as those who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God—that is, believers in Christ. All Christians have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God from before the creation of the world (see Romans 8:29-30; Ephesians 1:4-5 and comments). We have been chosen for obedience to Jesus Christ. That is, God has chosen us to be conformed to the likeness of his Son (Romans 8:29), and to be holy and blameless in his sight (Ephe-sians 1:4). To be holy is to obey God; holiness and obedience always go together (see verse 22).

We have been chosen through the sanctifying work of the (Holy) Spirit. God chooses us; His HOLY SPIRIT sanctifies us—that is, makes us holy. Only through the help of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us can we become holy in God’s sight.

To become holy, we first must be cleansed of our sins. And we are cleansed through Jesus’ sacrifice—that is, through His death, through the sprinkling of his blood (see Hebrews 9:13-14). The old covenant that God made with the ancient Jews was confirmed by the sprinkling of blood (Exodus 24:8). In the same way, the new covenant mediated by Jesus Christ was confirmed by the sprinkling of blood, Christ’s blood (Mark 14:24; Hebrews 9:18-22). Through the sprinkling of [Christ’s] blood we are cleansed from our sins, and receive forgiveness not only for past sins but also for new sins committed day by day. The blood of Jesus … purifies us from all sin (1 John 1:7).

Therefore, in this verse, we can see the saving work ofour triune God: God chooses us, Jesus Christ redeems us with His blood, and the Holy Spirit makes us holy.

Here Peter prays for these scattered Christians: GRACE and PEACE be yours in abunda6nce (see Romans 1:7; Ephesians 1:2 and comments). First grace; then peace. Through grace we have peace with God, with each other, and with ourselves.

3-4 In these verses, Peter describes the believer’s SALVATION from beginning to end. Our salvation begins in the great mercy of God. His mercy is so great that He saved even such undeserving sinners as us (Romans 5:8). In His great mercy God also gave us a new birth and a living hope (see John 3:3,5; Romans 8:24; Titus 3:7).

We receive this living hope through the RESURRECTION of Jesus Christ from the dead. Peter himself had seen Jesus die. His own hope had been destroyed. But then he saw Jesus risen from the dead! Peter’s hope was restored to life through the resurrection of Jesus.

Because Jesus rose from the dead, all Christians will also rise from the dead. They will gain victory over death, and they will receive an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—namely, eternal life (verse 4). This inheritance is kept for us in heaven. God gives good gifts to all men, but He gives an inheritance only to His children (Romans 8:16-17; Galatians 4:4-7).

5 From the first day we believe to the day when we receive our full salvation in heaven, we are shielded by God’s power (see 1 Corinthians 1:8; Philippians 1:6 and comments). But to receive salvation, we must also do our part: namely, we must believe. Without FAITH we receive no salvation, no inheritance.

Our salvation will be revealed in the last time—that is, when Christ comes again. At that time He will gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens (Mark 13:27). Our salvation begins on earth now (2 Corinthians 6:2); but only in heaven will it be completed.

6-7 God allows all kinds of trials to come upon us in order to test and strengthen our faith. Just as gold is refined by fire, so our faith is “refined” or purified by trials. By means of trials, God can tell whether our faith is genuine or not. Because of our hope of eternal life, we are able to rejoice in these brief trials. These trials are not for our harm but for our good (see Matthew 5:11-12; Romans 5:34; James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 4:12-14 and comments). If, after we have been tested, our faith has proved to be genuine, we will receive praise, glory and honor. We will receive this praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed—that is, when He comes again.

If our faith fails under testing, then everything we do is in vain. Satan especially attacks our faith. Jesus said to Peter: “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail” (Luke 22:31-32). If our faith remains firm, we will remain firm.

8-9 Those to whom this letter was sent had never seen Jesus with their eyes. Nevertheless, they had fully believed in Him and placed their confidence in Him, and loved Him (John 20:29). They had also experienced joyful fellowship with Him through the Holy Spirit. True faith always gives rise to love and joy in this way. And each day they were coming nearer to the goal of their faith: namely, the salvation of their souls, or eternal life (verse 9).

10-11 The Old Testament PROPHETS had prophesied that grace—that is, salvation through Christ—would come to all who believe in Him, both Jew and Gentile (see Mark 13:10; Romans 9:25-26; 15:12 and comments). The Spirit of Christ (verse 11)—that is, the Holy Spirit—spoke through these Old Testament prophets (see 2 Peter 1:20-21). The Holy Spirit pointed out through the prophets that Jesus would first have to suffer and then He would be glorified (Isaiah 53:3-7,10-12; Luke 24:25-27,45-47).

12 The things that the Old Testament prophets spoke about Christ were not spoken for their benefit but for our benefit. They longed to find out more about Christ, but they all died before Christ came. The grace and the blessing they pointed to are for us who believe in Christ. The Spirit of Christ who inspired the Old Testament prophets is the same Holy Spirit who inspired Christ’s twelve disciples (John 20:22), after which they became apostles—meaning “inspired or impelled ones.” He is the same Spirit who came upon the disciples on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4). That is why Paul says that the church is built on the foundation of the prophets and apostles (Ephesians 2:2022). Through that same Holy Spirit the church has been built. And now through the power of that same Holy Spirit, the GOSPEL of Christ has been preached to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).

So wonderful is the Gospel of Christ, and so amazing has been the work of the Holy Spirit, that even ANGELS long to look into these things.

13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action. In view of the glorious salvation that God has arranged for us (verses 39), we must respond. We must do our part. God has given us grace; therefore, we must prepare [our] minds to serve and obey Him. We must be made new in the attitude of [our] minds (Ephesians 4:23); that is, we must “put on” a new mind (see Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:2224 and comments). Together with that, we must be prepared … for action.² Any man prepared for action must be in complete control of himself; every part of him must be ready to act. Thus he must be self-controlled. Self-control is one the gifts of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:23). Paul in his letters has admonished us many times to be self-controlled (1 Corinthians 9:25; 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 2:2,5-6).

Christians must set their hope fully on the grace to be given [them] when Jesus Christ is revealed. This grace has already been brought to us through Jesus Christ when He first came to earth (see Titus 2:11). Furthermore, that grace is now available to us daily through Christ’s Holy Spirit dwelling within us. And finally, when Jesus Christ is revealed at His second coming, we shall receive the full measure of His grace for all eternity. Therefore, let us set our hope fully on this grace.

14 God has given us a great blessing: He has made us His children. But along with this blessing, He has also given us a great responsibility: We must obey Him. Just as a child desires to please his human father, so must we try to please our heavenly Father by being obedient. Therefore, we must no longer conform to the evil desires we had before we became Christians (see Romans 12:2; Ephesians 2:1-3; 4:17-18; Titus 3:3 and comments).

15 Having turned from our old sinful desires, let us be holy. To be holy, two things are necessary: first, we must put offunholi-ness; second, we must put on holiness (see Ephesians 4:22-24; 1 Thessalonians 4:7; Titus 2:11-12 and comments).

16 Be holy, because I am holy. Peter quotes here from Leviticus 11:45; 19:2. We must imitate our heavenly Father (Ephe-sians 5:1). Jesus said: “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). We have been called to be God’s children (Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 1:5). Therefore, we must lead lives worthy of that calling (Ephesians 4:1).

Our supreme goal is to be like our Lord Jesus (Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18). Our standard is God Himself. All Christian moral teaching in the Bible is based on the character and qualities of God.

17 God is a loving Father. But we must remember that God is also a judge, who judges each man’s work impartially (see Romans 14:12; 1 Corinthians 5:10; Ephe-sians 6:8 and comments). Therefore, let us live our lives in reverent fear (see Matthew 10:28; Acts 10:34-35).

Peter says that we must live our lives here as strangers. Our true home is in heaven. On earth, we are only strangers (John 15:18-19). Therefore, let us not be proud; let us not put our confidence in earthly things. The earth will pass away (1 John 2:17). Rather, let us fear God and obey Him alone.

18-19 We were once prisoners of Satan in this world. But now Christ has redeemed us; that is, He has paid a price to win our freedom from Satan (Mark 10:45). The price He paid was much more valuable than silver or gold; the price was His own precious blood—His life! Christ gave up His own life as a sacrifice for our sins. He was alamb without defect or blemish (Leviticus 22:19-21). John the Baptist called Him the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Jesus Himself was without blemish or defect—that is, He was without sin (Hebrews 4:15; 7:26). Only a sinless person can make ATONEMENT for the sins of others. If Christ had had sins of His own, His death would have atoned only for His own sins, not for the sins of others.

20 Christ was with God before the creation of the world (John 1:1-2). At that time, God made a plan for our salvation (Ephesians 1:4). Now that plan—salvation through Christ—has been revealed in these last times. “These last times” are the period between Christ’s first coming and His second coming (see Hebrews 1:2).

21 God has redeemed us from the punishment of sin by the sacrifice of His Son Jesus; He has raised Jesus from the dead and glorified Him in heaven. Because of this amazing work of God, we can fully place our faith and hope in Him. We have been set free from bondage to sin by Jesus’ death. And because of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, we too will be glorified and receive eternal life with Him in heaven (Romans 6:5,8; 8:23-24).

22-23 Christians are purified by obeying the truth—that is, by obeying Christ’s word (see John 15:3; 17:17). If we do not obey His word, it will not purify us. To obey Christ’s word means to love our brother (John 13:34). We must love our brother with a sincere love … deeply, from the heart. We must love our brother without selfishness. This is how Christ loved us; and so this is how we must love our brother. We believers are all children of our heavenly Father. If we love our natural brothers and sisters, how much more should we love our spiritual brothers and sisters!

Not only have we been purified; we have also been born again. We have been spiritually born again, not by perishable seed (human seed) but by spiritual seed—that is, by the living and enduring word of God (see Luke 8:11; John 3:3; 1 John 3:9).

Here we see that two things are necessary to be a Christian. First, we must be purified (verse 22); that is, our sins must be washed away and forgiven. Our baptism in water signifies that this has taken place. Second, we must be born again (verse 23); that is, we must receive the Holy Spirit, from whom we obtain new spiritual life. Jesus said: “… no one can enter the Kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit” (John 3:5). In the same way, in his sermon on the day of Pentecost Peter spoke of these same two things—forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. He said: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).

24-25 Peter quotes here from Isaiah 40:6-8. …the word of the Lord stands forever (verse 25). Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (Mark 13:31). Men are like grass, but Christ’s word (God’s word) is living and enduring (verse 23). This is the word Peter has preached. This is the word that is written fully in our Bible. If anyone is seeking forgiveness, new life, and fellowship with God—that is, if anyone is seeking salvation—the way to find these things is written clearly in God’s word, the Bible.

1 Most Christians do not murder, steal, or fornicate. These sins are found relatively infrequently among Christians. But there are other sins, which sadly are very common among Christians, such as malice … deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander. Indeed, among Christian workers, the most common and destructive sins are envy and slander (criticism behind another’s back). If one Christian gets a high post or is successful in some endeavor, others in the church frequently become envious and begin to speak against him. Satan uses these two sins more than any other to divide the church and destroy our fellowship.

Peter warns his readers about the five sins mentioned in this verse. These sins are hidden in our hearts. Often Christians are not even aware they are committing these sins. Many deny that they have committed them. That is why it is so important to always ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to us these hidden sins. There are sins like these in each one of us, and we daily need to confess them before God (1 John 1:8-9).

However, the two most basic sins of all are pride and selfishness (or self-love). These two sins give rise to all other sins.³ It is very difficult to uproot these two sins, because they are buried deeply within our hearts. The prophet Jeremiah wrote: The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? (Jeremiah 17:9). But God fully understands our heart; He sees all our sins. The psalmist wrote: You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence (Psalm 90:8).

2 Having put away the poisonous sins mentioned in verse 1, let us crave pure spiritual milk—that is, God’s word. Just as a newborn infant eagerly desires his mother’s milk, so should we eagerly desire to read and understand God’s word and live according to it. Only by doing this can we grow up in our salvation—that is, become mature Christians and receive the full blessing of our salvation.

But first it is necessary to rid ourselves of the poisonous sins mentioned in verse 1 (and other sins too). Ifour stomach is filled with evil, we will have no appetite for spiritual milk.

3 As we read God’s word, we can “taste” the goodness of His mercy and His other blessings. Through reading and obeying His word, we come to know God Himself and receive His grace. Therefore, when we open our Bible and read, let us not just seek to know God’s word, but through His word to know, to “taste,” to love, God Himself (Psalm 34:8).

4-5 Peter here calls Christ the living Stone. Christ is the cornerstone (verse 6) or capstone⁴ (verse 7) of the church. If one were to remove this stone from a building, the building would fall down. Christ is a living stone, because God brought Him to life from the dead (Romans 6:9). Paul called Christ a life-giving spirit (1 Corinthians 15:45). But it is not only Christ Himself who is alive; He also makes alive all who come to Him. Thus we too, who believe in Jesus, become living stones like Him (verse 4). God takes us and builds us into a spiritual house or temple (verse 5), in which God Himself can live (see Ephe-sians 2:18-22 and comment). We ourselves are God’s house!

Not only that, we are also God’s priests; we are a holy priesthood. Among the twelve tribes of Israel, only the Levites could be appointed priests. But among Christians, every believer is a priest. And, as priests of Christ, we must offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God. These sacrifices include the sacrifice of obedience—that is, the sacrifice of our own bodies (Romans 12:1), the sacrifice of praise (Hebrews 13:15), and the sacrifice of service to others (Hebrews 13:16). We must never think that there are two kinds of Christians—one kind who are priests and pastors, and another kind who are just ordinary believers. We must never think that some Christians are called to be holy and others are not. All Christians are equally called to be holy; all Christians are equally called to be priests. Thus it is the duty of every Christian to offer these spiritual sacrifices.

Peter says here that Christ the living Stone was rejected by men—that is, by the Jewish leaders and their followers (see Mark 8:31). But Christ was chosen by God and was precious to Him. Notice how opposite God’s thoughts are from man’s thoughts. What man values, God detests (Luke 16:15). What man despises, God honors (1 Corinthians 1:27-30). Men rejected Christ, but God honored Him by raising Him from the dead and seating Him at His right hand in heaven (Ephe-sians 1:20-21). Peter had preached this very thing many times before (see Acts 2:23-24,32-33; 5:30-31).

6 To illustrate the rejection of Christ by men, Peter here in verses 6-8 quotes three passages from the Old Testament: Isaiah 28:16; Psalm 118:22; Isaiah 8:14. In verse 6, Christ is called a precious cornerstone (see Ephesians 2:20-21). All who trust in Christ will never be ashamed before God; they will be accepted by God (see Romans 10:11-13 and comment). Christ the cornerstone is laid in Zion—that is, in heaven, in the heavenly Jerusalem (see Hebrews 12:22-23).

7-8 For believers, Christ is a precious stone (verse 7). But for non-believers, Christ is a stone that causes men to stumble (verse 8). Paul calls Him a stumbling block (1 Corinthians 1:23-24). For believers, Christ is Savior; for non-believers, He is Judge (John 5:22; Romans 14:10).

The Jews rejected Christ. They refused to believe in Him. They threw out the “cornerstone.” But then they stumbled on it (see Romans 9:30-32 and comment). In the same way, if we reject Christ and disobey his message, we too will stumble and be condemned.

All man’s sins have their origin in unbelief, which is basically a refusal to acknowledge that God is greater than we are. Always associated with unbelief is disobedience; to disbelieve God and to disobey God always go together (Hebrews 3:18-19; 11:6). When we refuse to believe, we are, in effect, disobeying God (John 6:29). The destiny or end of every person is determined by whether or not he or she has believed in Jesus Christ (see John 1:10-12; 3:18,36; Romans 2:8; 10:9; 1 John 5:1112). Those who reject and disobey Christ are destined to stumble; that is, they are destined to be condemned.

9 Here Peter describes Christians by quoting some expressions from the Old Testament about Israel, the Jewish nation. Indeed, Christians are the new and true “Israel.” They are a chosen people (Isaiah 43:20), a royal priesthood and a holy nation (Exodus 19:5-6), a people belonging to God (see Titus 2:14). God has made us His people so that we might declare [His] praises (Isaiah 43:21). God has called us out of darkness—out of the world of sin and unbelief—and brought us into his wonderful light—that is, into the kingdom of heaven (see Acts 26:17-18; Ephesians 5:8; Colossians 1:13-14).

10 We were once unbelieving Gentiles (non-Jews). We did not belong to God’s people, the Jews; we were not part of Israel, the Jewish nation. But now we have become the people of God; we have received God’s mercy, God’s salvation, through Christ (see Romans 9:23-25 and comment). But we are not merely God’s people; we are His sons—sons of the living God (Romans 9:26).

11 Because we are God’s children, members of His holy household, we must abstain from sinful desires (see 1 Peter 1:14). Such sinful desires war against our soul (see Romans 7:21-23; Galatians 5:16-17,19-21). We are not citizens of this world; we are only passing through, like aliens and strangers. Therefore, let us not become entrapped by the sinful desires of the world; let us not partake of its sins.

12 Instead, let us live in the world as God’s holy children, so that men will honor God because ofour good deeds (Matthew 5:16). People will certainly slander and abuse us, as they slandered and abused Christ (see John 15:18-20). But we do not need to answer back. Rather, we need only to continue doing good, and in the end those who speak against us will be silenced (verse 15).

The day [God] visits us is that day when God draws near to us and calls us to repent. May men and women, because of our good deeds, be led to repent and glorify God on the day he visits them.

13-14 Every law and every authority among men is instituted by God. A ruler may be evil, but his authority has still been given to him by God. All authority comes from God; there is no other authority (John 19:10-11; Romans 13:1).

God has appointed rulers to punish evildoers and to reward welldoers. It is His will that we submit to these rulers and obey them. We must submit to them for the Lord’s sake—that is, we must submit to them in order to show our submission to God’s authority and to set an example of righteous living for others to follow. However, if the earthly authority or ruler commands us to do anything clearly opposed to God’s word, we must not obey that command; rather, we must obey God’s word (see Acts 4:18-20; 5:29; Romans 13:1-5; Titus 3:1 and comments).

15 When people oppose and slander us, let us not argue with them, let us not defend ourselves. We must never try to get even, or take revenge. Instead, we must show them love and continue to do good (verse 12). In the end their evil and foolish talk will be silenced (see Matthew 5:44; Romans 12:14,17-21; Titus 2:7-8; 1 Peter 3:9,16).

In Peter’s time, Christians were considered to be outlaws and rebels, because they worshiped only Christ and refused to worship the Roman emperor. The Jews also opposed the Christians. Therefore, to avoid bringing upon themselves unnecessary accusations, it was important for Christians, as far as possible, to obey all civil laws and to submit to their rulers.

16 Christians are free men. They have been freed from sin, from selfish desires, and from Satan’s power. They have been freed from the Jewish law and its condemnation (see John 8:31-32,34-36; Romans 8:1-2; Galatians 5:1 and comments). However, Christians are not free from God! They are servants of God (see 1 Corinthians 7:22-23 and comment). Christians are free from sin, but they are not free to commit sin. Therefore, Christians must not use their freedom as a cover-up for evil. They must never say: “I am free from the law; therefore, I don’t have to obey God” (see Galatians 5:13 and comment).

We believers submit to other men, not because we are their servants but because we are God’s servants. We submit to others not out of compulsion but out of love, desiring thereby to serve both them and God (see 1 Corinthians 9:19). For this reason Jesus taught that if anyone forces us to go one mile, we should go with him two miles (Matthew 5:41). Only a person who is free—free of sin and pride—is ready and willing to do more than is required (see Matthew 5:39-41 and comment).

17 We must show respect to everyone—whether believer or non-believer, whether good or evil; because all men are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27).

We must especially love our Christian brothers and sisters. Here Peter says that we must love the brotherhood of be-lievers—that is, the church. It is possible to misinterpret this verse. Some Christians claim to love the church, but they show little love to the members of the church! Such people seek to purify the church, but in so doing they mistreat their brothers and sisters. Let us never think that we can love the church and at the same time oppose other Christians. To love the church means to love each and every brother and sister in the church.

18 Just as we must all submit to our rulers (verse 13), so must slaves (or employees) submit to their masters (or employers). Even if a master is harsh, the slave must willingly submit to him (see Ephesians 6:5-8; 1 Timothy 6:1; Titus 2:9-10 and comments).

19-20 In these verses, Peter gives us a difficult but very important teaching: It is commendable in God’s sight when we bear unjust suffering—that is, when we suffer for doing good (see Matthew 5:10-11,44,46-47; Luke 6:32-35). This teaching is the opposite of the world’s teaching! Even Christians have difficulty accepting this teaching. The moment we suffer some small injustice or hurt from our employer, we cry out; we at once begin to oppose our employer, to talk against him. When we do this, we lose the commendation of God.

21 Instead, when we suffer unjustly, let us endure it patiently and quietly, because to this we were called. Christ was called to suffer for us (Mark 8:31; 10:45; 14:24; Luke 24:25-27,46). And those who follow Christ are called to suffer also (Mark 8:34-35; John 15:20; 2 Timothy 3:12).

22 Here Peter quotes from Isaiah 53:9. Christ was completely innocent in word and deed. He committed no sin; nevertheless, men despised and mocked Him, and in the end, they put Him to death as a criminal.

23 When He was abused, Christ did not retaliate. He did not behave badly to any man; He did not seek revenge. He suffered quietly (Isaiah 53:7; Mark 14:61,65). He entrusted Himself to God (see 1 Peter 4:19). In this world, men may judge and condemn us, but it is God who is the final judge. And God always judges justly; we can entrust ourselves to Him.

24 Christ suffered for us (verse 21). He suffered not for His own sins but for ours. Because Christ, being sinless, did not have to bear His own punishment, He was able to bear our punishment. He himself bore our sins in his body; that is, He bore the punishment for our sins (Isaiah 53:12). That punishment was death (Romans 4:25). Christ was put to death on the tree—that is, the CROSS. Christ died so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness. Christ not only erased our sins and delivered us from the power of Satan, but He also turned our lives completely toward God and gave us a new mind and a new power to live righteous lives (see Romans 6:2,6,11-13,18,22-23 and comment).

… his wounds you have been healed (Isaiah 53:5). Christ was wounded at the hands of Roman soldiers (Mark 15:15; John 19:1). Here we see a deep and important spiritual principle: By suffering we are healed. Not only that, by our suffering others also are healed. If we suffer for God’s sake and in accordance with His will, then tremendous healing power will be released through our suffering (see 1 Peter 4:14-16). When we suffer for Christ’s sake, people will see that our faith is genuine, and they will turn to God. When we suffer for Christ, strife and divisions between us will be healed. Through our suffering God can accomplish great things.

25 We are like sheep who have gone astray (Isaiah 53:6). But our Shepherd has called us back to Him. We are one flock, because we have one shepherd, Jesus Christ (John 10:14-16).

1-2 Just as all Christians should submit to their rulers, and all workers to their employers, so in the same way should wives be subject to their husbands. In a family, the husband is the head of the wife (see 1 Corinthians 11:3,7-9; Ephesians 5:22-24 and comments; General Article: Christian Marriage).

If a husband is an unbeliever—one who does not believe the word—he may oppose the Gospel. He may be harsh with his Christian wife. But let the believing wife of such a man not quarrel or complain against her husband. Rather, let her live quietly in purity and reverence, showing respect for both her husband and for God. In this way her unbelieving husband, seeing her good behavior, may in time be led to repent and believe in the Lord. Behavior is always more effective than words in winning people to our side. Indeed, the best way to bring people to Christ is through our good behavior.⁵

3-4 There are two kinds of beauty (or adornment): outer or physical beauty, and inner or spiritual beauty. True beauty is inner beauty, the beauty ofthe inner self; this is the beauty that God sees. Inner beauty is the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit (verse 4). This kind of beauty is of great worth in God’s sight. Let the beauty or adornment of the believing wife be like that.

However, to dress attractively is not a sin. A Christian woman doesn’t have to wear tattered, worn-out clothes. Let the believing wife dress suitably and modestly (see 1 Timothy 2:9-10 and comment).

In New Testament times, ungodly and worldly women customarily braided their hair and wore expensive clothes and jewelry. Therefore, it was unsuitable for Christian wives in Peter’s time to dress and wear their hair in this manner. To do so would give the appearance that they too were ungodly and worldly, and this would bring dishonor to God.

But in other countries, it is customary for ordinary godly people to braid their hair and wear gold jewelry. In these countries, then, it would be suitable for Christian wives to do the same. The main rule is this: whatever a woman wears must be pleasing and honoring to God. Let the Christian wife’s main concern be to adorn herself spiritually, to adorn her inner self. Let her remember God’s words to Samuel: “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).

5-6 To illustrate his teaching, Peter cites the example of godly Old Testament wives, whose beauty consisted in their submissive and obedient spirits. Peter’s main example is Sarah, Abraham’s wife, who called her husband master. In calling Abraham “master,” Sarah showed that she submitted to her husband. Just as Abraham is called the “father” of those who believe, so Sarah can be called the “mother” of those who obey.

7 Now Peter gives some instructions to Christian husbands. Husbands must be considerate as they live with their wives (see Ephesians 5:25,28 and comment). Husbands must treat their wives with respect. Because women are physically weaker than men, husbands must protect their wives, and be kind and gentle with them.

However, in spiritual things, wives are not behind their husbands. The husband may be stronger than his wife physically, but spiritually they are equal. The wife receives the same grace her husband does; she receives the same salvation her husband does. Husband and wife are heirs together of the gracious gift of life.

If a husband treats his wife harshly or if a wife refuses to submit to her husband, the spiritual fellowship between them is broken. When this happens, their prayers are hindered. Let this not happen. A husband and wife must remember the words of Jesus: “… if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven” (Matthew 18:19). Think of the prayer power that a husband and wife possess together! Let nothing hinder it!

There is something else the husband and wife (and all of us) must remember. When the husband and wife pray together, they can know that Jesus is present with them. Jesus said: “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20). When the fellowship between husband and wife is broken, their fellowship with Jesus is also broken. Husbands and wives, let this not happen!

8 Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another (see 1 Corinthians 1:10). This doesn’t only mean that we should avoid arguing with each other; it also means that we should think and care deeply about the same things together, the things of Christ (Colossians 3:1-2). As Christ’s mind was, so should our mind be (see Phil-ippians 2:5).

In order to be of one mind and live in harmony together, we need to be sympathetic toward one another, and love each other as brothers; we need to be compassionate with one another. This means that we must share each other’s joy and sorrow. It means that we must always be trying to please our brother (Romans 12:15; 15:2).

In addition, we must be humble. Ifsome in the church think that they are better or more worthy than others, then there can be no harmony or unity of mind in that church (see Romans 12:3,16; Ephesians 4:2-3; Philippians 2:1-4 and comments).

9 Christians must never take revenge.⁶ Rather, we must repay evil with good (see Luke 6:27-31; Romans 12:14,17-21; 1 Corinthians 4:12-13; 1 Peter 2:23). God gives blessings⁷ to the evil as well as to the good (Matthew 5:44-45); therefore, so should we. As much as we show mercy and forgiveness to others, that much will God show mercy and forgiveness to us (see Matthew 5:44-45; 6:12,14-15; 18:32-35; Mark 11:25; Luke 6:35-38; Ephesians 4:32).

… because to this you were called. We were called to endure injustice and to do good to those who wrong us. If we do this, we will inherit a blessing—namely, our inheritance in heaven (see Romans 8:17-18; 1 Peter 2:21).

10-12 To show that God blesses those who do good and opposes those who do evil, Peter here quotes from Psalm 34:1216. Notice in verse 11 that we must not only turn from evil, but we must also do good. We must not only seek peace; we must also pursue it (see Romans 12:18; 14:19; Hebrews 12:14).

13 If we do good, no one can really harm us, because the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous (verse 12). Yes, men can give us trouble in this life—they can even kill our body. But in the end they can do us no spiritual harm. We do not need to fear those who can only kill the body (Matthew 10:28; Romans 8:31,35-39).

14 In the world, believers must expect to face suffering (2 Timothy 3:12); but for those who love God and walk in His will, such suffering will in the end be for the believer’s benefit (Romans 8:28; 1 Peter 1:67). If we suffer for the Lord’s sake, we will be blessed (Matthew 5:10-12).

“Do not fear what they fear” is a quotation from Isaiah 8:12. Peter’s meaning is that we believers should not fear the things that other people fear. Other people fear the loss of their wealth. Or they fear the loss of health—they fear death. These are things that believers in Christ do not need to fear.

15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. In our hearts Christ must be the Lord. It must not be we who reign in our hearts, but Christ. No longer can we Christians do what we want; we must do only what He wants. We are no longer the ruler of our lives: He is.

Christ is the ruler, and we are His messengers or ambassadors. In a sense, we are His lips and tongue here on earth. Therefore, we must always be ready to witness to Christ. Peter says here that we must give people the reason for the hope that we have. Christ is our hope (1 Timothy 1:1). Paul writes: Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). If anyone asks us about our hope, about our Lord, let us be ready at once to give that person an answer. If someone shows even a little interest, let us be ready to share our faith with him. Most Christians remain silent. Why? Are we ashamed of our Lord? Are we afraid of man?

But when we witness to others, let us do so with gentleness and respect. We do not need to speak forcefully. We must never put others down. We must never argue, or give offense. Because if a person is offended by our manner of speaking, he will not listen to the words we speak.

Surely, as Peter wrote this verse, he remembered his own experience. Three times Peter had denied His Lord. He had been afraid then. He certainly had not been ready to witness to Christ. He answered those who questioned him neither with gentleness nor with respect—nor with truth! (see Mark 14:66-72). Therefore, let us not be discouraged when we fall; if Peter could overcome his early sins and weaknesses, so can we.

16 We must keep a clear conscience. If

our conscience is unclean—that is, if sin is hidden in our hearts—we will not be able to witness to others. All Christians have had this experience (see Acts 24:16; 1 Timothy 1:5,19 and comments).

If our conscience is clean—if we have repented of our sins and are obeying God’s will—then those who speak against us will in the end be ashamed (see Titus 2:7-8; 1 Peter 2:12,15 and comments).

17 Suffering will come to us; but let it come because we’ve done good, not because we’ve done evil. If we are punished for doing evil, there is nothing praiseworthy about that. Only when we suffer for doing good will we receive praise from God (see 1 Peter 2:19-20 and comment).

18 Whenever we suffer for doing good, let us remember that Christ Himself walked the road of suffering before us. He is for us an example (1 Peter 2:21). Christ suffered for doing good. He did not deserve the suffering He received. But God had appointed Him first to suffer, and only after that to enter into glory (Luke 24:26). Christ’s suffering was completely in accordance with God’s will; the Old Testament prophets had written about it (Luke 24:45-46). Thus when we suffer for doing good we can rejoice, because we know we are following in Christ’s footsteps and will enter into His glory (Romans 8:17-18; 2 Corinthians 4:17; Philippians 3:10-11).

In one way, Christ’s suffering and our suffering are similar. But in another way, Christ’s suffering was special and unique, because He was the sinless Son of God. Through His suffering Christ brought men to God; that is, through His suffering He saved them. Christ died for sins once for all. The RIGHTEOUS man died in the place of unrighteous men (see 1 Peter 2:24 and comment). The innocent Christ offered Himself as a perfect and unblemished sacrifice for our sins (Hebrews 9:14; 1 John 2:2; 4:10). His sacrifice will never have to be repeated (see Hebrews 9:26-28; 10:10-14 and comments). Christ took upon Himself the punishment for our sins. Now we are free forever from the condemnation of sin (see Romans 8:1 and comment).

As soon as Christ died, He was made alive again by the Spirit. He conquered death (Romans 6:9-10). But not only that, He also delivers us from death, the punishment for sin (Romans 6:23; Hebrews 2:14-15).

19 From this verse (and from Ephesians 4:9) comes the section in the Apostles’ Creed where it says: “He descended into hell.” After Jesus died and was made alive in spirit, three days passed before His body was resurrected. During that time He went and preached to the spirits in prison. It is not certain what spirits Peter is talking about here. Some Bible scholars believe that they are the spirits of men who died in the flood in Noah’s time without ever hearing about Jesus. Other scholars believe that these spirits are fallen angels (see 2 Peter 2:4-5; Jude 6).

20 The flood in Noah’s time was a sign both of judgment and salvation. God waited patiently while the ark was being built. That is, He gave the evil men of Noah’s time a chance to repent. But when they did not repent, God destroyed them all by sending a flood upon the earth (2 Peter 3:5-7,9). But Noah and his family—eight people—were saved by the flood (Genesis 7:11-12,17-23). They were saved through water. They were saved not only from the water but also through the water, because the water lifted up the boat Noah had built and thus enabled Noah and his family to escape drowning.

Except for those eight people, every other person on earth was destroyed by that flood. Consider this: To follow the majority of people is neither good, nor wise, nor safe. It’s better to follow the eight people in the boat! (see Matthew 7:13-14 and comment).

21 The water ofthe flood is an illustration or symbol of our BAPTISM into Christ. Just as those eight people who entered the boat were saved from judgment and death, so those who enter into Christ through faith are saved from judgment and death. The ceremony of baptism in itself does not save us; it is Christ who saves us. Christ saves us from death, because He Himself overcame death through His resurrection. In order to receive this salvation, all we have to do is to believe in Christ (Romans 10:9).

The meaning of baptism is this: When we are baptized, we die with Christ. … all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death⁸ (Romans 6:3). With Christ we die to sin (see Romans 6:6,10-11 and comment). True baptism is not an outer washing; it is an inner spiritual washing. In baptism our sins are washed away, our consciences are cleansed, and we are raised with Christ (Romans 6:5).

22 How great and deep is the meaning of baptism! How great is our Savior Christ! Christ has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand. All things have been placed under His authority (see Romans 14:9; Ephesians 1:20-22).

1 When Christ suffered and died for us, He died to sin once for all (Romans 6:10). In the same way, we too must suffer with Christ; our old sinful self with its sinful nature must be crucified (see Romans 6:6; 8:13; Galatians 5:24 and comments). We must also count ourselves dead to sin (see Romans 6:11 and comment). This is the meaning of Peter’s command here: … arm yourselves also with the same atti-tude—that is, with Christ’s attitude. He who suffers—who has died to sin—has put away sin. Sin no longer has any power over him (Romans 6:7). He is done with sin.

2 Therefore, having died to sin, we must no longer live for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. Paul writes: Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness (Romans 6:12-13). This is why Christ died for us, so that we might offer ourselves to God (Romans 6:13; 12:1), so that we might live the rest of [our] earthly life … for the will of God.

3 Therefore, we must stop doing what we used to do—that is, we must stop doing what pagans⁹ choose to do (see 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Ephesians 4:17-19). Rather, we must make new our minds, goals, and desires. We must put on the mind of Christ (see Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:22-24 and comments).

4 When we stop participating in the evil activities of our former friends, they will naturally be upset. They will be angry with us and revile us, because by our good life their evil will be exposed and condemned (see Ephesians 5:11).

5 Every evildoer will have to give an account to Christ, who is the judge of all men, both living and dead (John 5:22,27; Acts 10:42; Romans 2:16). Whoever does not accept Christ as Savior will in the end have to face Him as Judge.

6 The gospel was preached to men so that their sin might be judged in this life, and so that the penalty for their sin might be removed through faith in Christ—that is, so that their punishment might fall on Christ. This is Peter’s meaning when he says here: so that they (men) might be judged according to men in regard to the body. The bodies of believers die like the bodies of other men (because the judgment of sin is death), but their spirits do not die. Through faith in Christ, believers receive new spiritual life, which begins now in this life and lasts forever. That is, they live according to God in regard to the spirit.

Therefore, even though their bodies die, believers in Christ receive eternal life (John 5:24; 11:25-26). But those who do not accept Christ will, after death, receive the eternal judgment of God. They will receive eternal punishment.

7 The end of all things—that is, the second coming of Christ—is near. We must each live our lives as if Jesus was going to come tomorrow (see Mark 13:33-37; Luke 12:35-36; 17:26-27).

We must remain clear minded and self-controlled, so that we can pray more effectively. As Peter wrote this, he surely had in mind the time when the disciples were in the garden of Gethsemane with Jesus, and because of sleepiness they could not stay awake to pray (Mark 14:37-40). Perhaps it was because Peter failed to pray in the garden that he later fell into temptation and denied his Lord (Mark 14:66-72).

8 Above all, love each other deeply. The commandments to love God andto love man are the first and greatest commandments (Mark 12:30-31). All other commands are included in these commandments to love (Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 5:14; Col-ossians 3:4). By our love for each other, we show the world that we are disciples of Christ and children of God (John 13:3435; 1 John 4:7).

… love covers over a multitude of sins. This means that love does not look at other people’s faults and weaknesses. Love keeps no record of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:5). Love not only covers our brother’s sin but it also “covers” our own sin; because to the extent we forgive our brother’s sins in love, to that same extent God will “cover,” or forgive, our sins (Matthew 6:12,14-15; Mark 11:25-26).

9 Christians must offer hospitality to all people, but especially to other believers. Not only that, they must do it without grumbling (Romans 12:13; Hebrews 13:2; 3 John 5-8). The more of our goods we share with others, the more God will give to us in return (2 Corinthians 9:6-8). And let us not forget that when we show hospitality to others, we are at the same time showing hospitality to Christ Himself (see Matthew 25:35,37-40). … whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me (Matthew 25:40).

10 Every Christian has received one or more gifts from God. These gifts can be both natural and spiritual gifts (see Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 and comments). Every gift is given for the common good of the members of the church (1 Corinthians 12:7). Whatever gift we have received, we have received it as stewards; we are to use it for others, not for ourselves.

No Christian can say: “I have no gift.” Every Christian has received at least one gift from God, and along with it, the grace and strength to use it. If we do not use the gifts we have been given in God’s service, He will punish us for it (see Matthew 25:14-30).

11 Here Peter mentions the two main kinds of Christian ministry: first, the ministry of the word—speaking the very words of God; and second, the ministry of service (see Acts 6:2-4). The first ministry is carried out mainly by pastors, elders, and evangelists.¹⁰ Those who teach and preach the word of God must do so as if God Himself were speaking. They must act as God’s spokesmen.

All Christians can take part in the second ministry, the ministry of serving and helping others. God will provide the means and strength—everything that is needed—for carrying out this ministry. If money is needed, God will provide it. But we can’t just wait around and expect God to do everything. We must use all ofour abilities, our strength, our time, and our wealth in God’s service. When we do this, we will bring glory to God. All our labors and efforts in this world have but one ultimate purpose, and that purpose is to glorify God.

12 Some of the believers to whom Peter wrote this letter were suffering various kinds of trouble and persecution. Perhaps they were surprised and shocked and disillusioned by the troubles that had come upon them. They had thought that after believing in Christ they would receive blessing, joy, and prosperity. But instead of these good things, they had received trouble from their friends and persecution from the Romans. Some of them may have thought: “We have been betrayed.”

But Peter reminds his readers that just as gold is refined by fire, so their faith is being refined by the “fiery” or painful trial that has come upon them (see Mark 4:5-6,1617; 1 Peter 1:6-7).

13 But rejoice¹¹ that you participate in the sufferings of Christ. For Christ, suffering was the road to glory; and it is the same for us. If we suffer for Christ now, we will share in His glory later (Matthew 5:10-12; Romans 8:17). When Christ comes to earth again, we will all the more rejoice with Him (Romans 8:18; 2 Thes-salonians 1:4-5). Therefore, during times of suffering, let us turn our thoughts to the glory and the joy of Christ, in which we shall one day share—if we stand firm. Paul wrote: … we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us (Romans 5:2-5). … if we endure, we will also reign with him (2 Timothy 2:12).

14 Anyone who faithfully follows Christ will from time to time be insulted because of the name of Christ (Psalm 69:7-9; 89:50-51; Matthew 10:22; John 15:1821). To bear reproach and abuse for Christ’s sake is not a disgrace but an honor and privilege(seeMatthew5:11; Acts5:41; Hebrews 11:26; 13:13; 1 Peter 4:16). If we bear Christ’s reproach, His Spirit—the Spirit of glory—and God Himself will come to us and remain with us (see John 14:23).

15 If we suffer for doing wrong, however, we bring no honor to Christ or to ourselves. There is no joy in suffering punishment we deserve. Therefore, let us make sure that any trouble we suffer is for Christ’s sake— that is, for doing good. Only in this way will we glorify God (see 1 Peter 2:19-20; 3:17 and comments).

16 In Peter’s time, the name Christian was despised by almost everyone. Many Christians were poor; some were slaves or servants. Some had been former Jews. Therefore, the Romans despised the Christians. To be called a “Christian” was a shameful thing. However, Peter says here, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed. Rather, praise God that you bear that name, because that is the name of the King of kings and Lord of lords (see verse 14 and comment).

17 God’s judgment against sin begins with the family of God—that is, with believers. God will judge Christians, and He will give a punishment for their sins. The punishment God gives for sin is spiritual death; this is the punishment that Jesus bore in our place (see verse 6 and comment). But think: if God’s judgment against the sins ofbelievers is so great that He gave His only Son to pay the price for those sins, then how much worse will be God’s judgment against the sins of those who do not obey the gospel of God—who do not accept Christ as their Savior.¹² The judgment of God against unbelievers will be fearful and terrible (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10).

18 Here Peter quotes Proverbs 11:31. If the righteous must be judged and their faith tested by fire and painful trials, what will the end of the unrighteous be like! It is better by far to come to Christ and face His judgment against sin in this life, than to wait and face God’s final and terrible judgment in the next life.

19 Therefore, let us not be angry with God or man when suffering comes upon us. Because through such suffering we are being made holy. Through suffering our faith is being tested and strengthened. And through suffering we are being prepared to receive a place in God’s kingdom (Romans 8:17; Hebrews 12:5-7,10). We must commit ourselves, therefore, to God; He is faithful. Paul writes: … he (God) who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6). And he also writes: He (God) will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful (1 Corinthians 1:8-9).

Therefore, let us commit ourselves to God, the righteous Judge (see 1 Peter 2:23). On the cross, Jesus’ last words were: “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46). Peter heard Jesus speak those words. He surely remembered them as he wrote this verse.

1 Even though Peter was the chief among Jesus’ original twelve disciples, he here calls himself only a fellow elder. From this, we can see Peter’s humility. He did not “lord it over” others (verse 3), but rather he exhorted them as a fellow believer. Peter writes this letter as a witness of Christ’s sufferings (see Luke 24:45-48; Acts 1:8), and as one who also will share in the glory to be revealed(see Romans 8:1718).

2 In the New Testament, church leaders are commonly called elders (Acts 14:23; 20:17; Titus 1:5), or overseers¹³ (1 Timothy 3:1). Nowadays, we also call such church leaders ministers or pastors. In the Greek language, the word “pastor” means shepherd; thus Peter here instructs the elders ofthe church to be shepherds. From this, then, we can see the two main responsibilities of a church leader: first, as an “overseer” or supervisor, he must teach and exhort and discipline the members of the church (see 2 Timothy 4:2); second, as a “pastor” or “shepherd,” he must feed and nurture the flock and protect the sheep from “wolves,” that is, false teachers (see Matthew 7:15; Acts 20:28-29).

Peter fully understood that leaders had to be more than just rulers or overseers; they also had to be shepherds. Three times Jesus, after His resurrection, commanded Peter to take care of His sheep (John 21:1517). The sheep belong to God’s flock, and the Chief Shepherd (verse 4) is Jesus Christ Himself. Church leaders must serve God and His flock not because of compulsion but because oflove. They must exercise their leadership not in order to gain money or honor but in order to serve the sheep (Mark 10:45; John 10:11).

3 A good leader leads mainly by example. Yes, a leader has authority, and he must exercise his authority in the right way and at the right times—especially when he must discipline those who oppose the truth and disobey God. But as far as possible, the leader should lead by his own good example (1 Corinthians 11:1). If the shepherd is good, the sheep will be eager to follow (John 10:14,27). The leader must not lead by force or by threats; he must not use his authority to push others down; rather, he must make himself the servant of others (Mark 10:42-45).

4 If church leaders serve well, they will receive a reward, a crown of glory that will never fade away. In Peter’s time, the winner of a race received a crown made of leaves; the leaves, of course, quickly dried out. But the Christian’s crown of glory will never dry out or fade away (see 1 Corinthians 9:25; 2 Timothy 4:8; James 1:12 and comments).

5 Peter has already said that Christians must remain subject to others (1 Peter 2:13,18; 3:1). Paul wrote the same thing in several ofhis letters (Romans 13:1; 1 Corinthians 16:16; Ephesians 5:21-22; 6:1,5). Here in this verse, Peter especially exhorts the young men ofthe church to be submissive to those who are older. Most young people do not like to remain subject to anyone; they want to be free to go their own way. But most young people are lacking in humility and wisdom. Therefore, for their own sake and for the church’s sake, it is essential that young people be submissive to their elders.

All members of the church must “clothe” themselves with humility. Humility doesn’t just mean behavior that is outwardly humble. True humility arises in our inner mind. The humble person knows he is unworthy in God’s sight. He knows that all his righteous acts are like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). The humble person knows that all he is and all he does is by the grace of God alone (1 Corinthians 4:6-7; 15:10).

In the experience ofmost Christians, humility is the hardest virtue to maintain. The reason is because pride (the opposite of humility) is man’s deepest sin and the hardest to remove.¹⁴ Pride was Satan’s chief sin; he sought to make himself equal with God (Isaiah 14:12-14). Pride was also the main sin ofAdam and Eve in the Garden ofEden; they too wanted to be like God (Genesis 3:4-6). This is why God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (see Proverbs 3:34; Luke 1:51-52; James 4:6). This is why the New Testament in so many places teaches us to be humble (see Romans 12:3; Ephesians 4:2; Philippians 2:3).

6 If we humble ourselves, God will lift us up. If we try to exalt ourselves, God will humble us (see Matthew 23:12; James 4:10 and comments).

Peter says here: Humble yourselves. We must humble ourselves; we must put ourselves down. No one likes to do that. But it is better for us to put ourselves down than to have someone else do it!

We are to humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand. All things are under God’s mighty hand; God controls everything. His hand is mighty to punish the unrighteous and to defend the righteous. We can place ourselves under His mighty hand, because He cares for us (verse 7). We can trust God that every trial He allows to come upon us is for our ultimate good (see Romans 8:28; Hebrews 12:7-9 and comments). Such trials are for our improvement in this life and for our glory in the next.

God will lift us up in due time. We don’t like to wait to be lifted up; rather, we want to be lifted up immediately. But God knows best what is needed for our spiritual welfare. As long as we need discipline, God will continue to give it. When we have learned to be humble, then He will lift us up.

7 When we are cast down because of trials and troubles, let us not be anxious. We may not be able to get rid of our trials and troubles, but we can get rid of our anxiety. We can give our anxiety to God (Psalm 55:22). We can have complete confidence that God will sustain and protect us (Matthew 6:25-34). And when we give our anxiety to God, then He will give us His peace, which transcends all understanding (see Philippians 4:6-7 and comment).

8 Be self-controlled and alert. In order to serve Christ we must be self-controlled and prepared for action (1 Peter 1:13). In order to pray effectively, we must be self-controlled and clear minded (1 Peter 4:7). And here Peter says that in order to keep the devil—SATAN —from devouring us, we need to remain self-controlled and alert.

The devil tries to devour or destroy us by leading us into sin and disobedience. The devil tries to destroy our fellowship by creating conflict among us, and especially by inciting us to slander and backbiting¹⁵ (see Galatians 5:15). Above all, the devil tries to destroy our faith by producing doubt and fear in our minds. If he can destroy our faith, we are lost. Satan is a powerful enemy (Ephesians 6:12). Let us never think that we can defeat him by our own strength.

But God and Christ are stronger than the devil and all his evil forces (Ephesians 6:10-11; 1 John 4:4). The devil may be a roaring lion, but God has tied a rope around his neck. Because of this “rope,” the devil cannot do anything or go anywhere without God’s permission. The devil can only create as much trouble as God allows. God uses Satan to accomplish His own purposes. God will never allow Satan to devour His faithful children.

But we believers must do our part. Without our cooperation, God cannot protect us. First, we must remain self-controlled and alert. Second, we must remain in obedience to God’s will. Third, we must continually pray, so that we do not fall into temptation (Matthew 6:13; Mark 14:38). Fourth, we must put on the armor of God (Ephesians 6:13-18). And finally, having done all the above things, we must resist Satan, by standing firm in the faith (verse 9). And when we resist Satan, he will flee (James 4:7).

9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith. On one occasion, Peter did not resist Satan. His faith failed. Jesus had said to Peter: “I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:32). Now, in this verse, Peter (Simon) is doing what Jesus said: He is strengthening his brothers. All Christians throughout the world are experiencing the same kind of sufferings because of the devil’s schemes. We are not suffering alone. Let us strengthen each other.

In the end, believers can overcome the devil by the blood of the lamb (Christ) and by the word of their testimony; in particular, those who overcome the devil are those who do not love their lives so much as to shrink from death (Revelation 12:11). Peter did not shrink from death. Indeed, because of his faithful testimony to Christ, he was put to death by the Romans. Perhaps some of those to whom Peter sent this letter were at that time facing death. Let their faith not fail! Let them be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power (Ephesians 6:10). Let them, too, overcome the devil (1 John 4:4).

10-11 Now, at the end of his letter, Peter gives us one of the greatest promises in the Bible: And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. Our God is a God of all grace. No matter what our situation, no matter what our need, God’s grace is sufficient for us. Our troubles are light and momentary (2 Corinthians 4:17). God has called us to his eternal glory IN CHRIST. Paul wrote: The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

12 Silas (also called Silvanus) is mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 1:1 and 2 Thessa-lonians 1:1. This same Silas was Paul’s companion on his second missionary journey (Acts 15:40; 16:1-40; 17:1-5).

13 She who is in Babylon refers to the church in Rome. In Old Testament times, Babylon was the capital of a great kingdom (now modern Iraq); the city was known for its evil and ungodliness. Therefore, in New Testament times, Christians gave the name Babylon to Rome, because Rome was the evil capital of the Roman Empire.

Just as Timothy was Paul’s spiritual son (1 Timothy 1:2), so Mark was Peter’s spiritual son. Mark was the writer of the New Testament Gospel of Mark. Mark had learned all about Christ from Peter, and thus he wrote his Gospel according to what Peter told him. Mark is also mentioned in Acts 12:12,25; 15:36-40; Colossians 4:10; 2 Timothy 4:11.

14 In New Testament times, it was the customary greeting among Christians to give each other a kiss (Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20).

Peace to all of you who are in Christ. In this world we shall have suffering. But in Christ we will have peace. Jesus said: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).

¹ At the time this letter was written, the Romans had begun to persecute Christians severely. At that time, all the countries around the Mediterranean Sea were under the control of the Roman Empire.

² In place of the words prepare… for action, some versions of the Bible say, “be sober,” or “be selfcontrolled,” which is a more literal translation of the Greek text. The meaning is essentially the same.

³ There is a sin that is even more basic than pride and selfishness, and that is unbelief. It is so basic that it is not usually listed along with other sins. Unbelief is the real root of all man’s sins. For further discussion, see comment on Romans 3:10-12 and footnote to comment.

⁴ In place of the word capstone, some translations of the Bible say “cornerstone.” The point is the same; Christ is the most important “stone” in the church. Without Him, the church would fall down.

⁵ However, our good behavior by itself is never sufficient to lead people to Christ. At some point, in some way, a person must hear or read God’s word, the Gospel, in order to be saved (see Romans 10:13-14).

⁶ Here Peter is talking only about personal revenge. Rulers, administrators, and others in authority must punish wrongdoers.

⁷ The blessings that God gives to evildoers are natural blessings, such as sunshine and rain, food and family. Apart from these natural blessings, which come to all men equally, God does not bless evildoers; rather, He opposes them.

⁸ Christ Himself called His death a “baptism” (Mark 10:38-39; Luke 12:50).

⁹ The pagans are non-believing Gentiles.

¹⁰ All Christians, however, are called to share their faith with their friends and acquaintances (1 Peter 3:15).

¹¹ In the Greek text, the word rejoice means “keep on rejoicing.”

¹² The punishment God gives to unbelievers is eternal spiritual death. This is sometimes called the second death (see Revelation 20:14-15). Through Christ, believers are saved from this death. The only death that believers face is the “first death,” that is, physical death.

¹³ In the Greek language, overseer means one who supervises. Such a person is also called a “bishop.”

¹⁴ It has been said that pride is an even deeper sin than selfishness, or self-love. For even if we could remove all selfishness from our lives, we would still be proud that we had done so!

¹⁵ In the Greek language, the name Satan means “slanderer” or “false accuser.” (Satan is the Hebrew name for the devil.) In Revelation 12:10, Satan is called the accuser of our brothers.

The Apostle Peter, the chief of Jesus’ original twelve disciples, wrote this letter in about 65 A.D., near the end of his life. Peter wrote this letter to refute a false teaching that was spreading among Christians throughout the Middle East. There were many false teachers who were teaching that it was necessary to obtain a special knowledge of Christ to be saved, but that it was not necessary to obey Him or to lead a holy life. Peter’s main teaching in this letter is that without godly behavior, such “knowledge” of Christ is false knowledge, not real knowledge.

1 Peter calls himself Simon Peter. Simon was his Jewish name; and Peter was his Christian name, which Jesus Himself gave to him (Matthew 16:17-18; Mark 3:16).

Peter was both a servant and an APOSTLE of Jesus Christ (see Romans 1:1). He is writing to fellow believers, to those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received FAITH. From this we can understand that faith is a gift. God gives faith to those whom He calls (see John 6:44; Ephesians 2:8-9; 2 Thessalonians 2:13 and comments). But once we have received faith, we must use it—that is, we must accept Christ; otherwise, we shall receive no benefit from it (John 3:16,18,36).

Peter writes: … our God and Savior Jesus Christ. Here Peter calls Jesus God. And that is who Jesus is, because God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are all one triune God (see John 10:30 and comment).

2 Peter here repeats what he has written in 1 Peter 1:2 (see Romans 1:7; Ephesians 1:2 and comments). In this greeting, Peter adds the words: through the knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. This knowledge that Peter is referring to is the true personal knowledge ofGod and Jesus, from which we receive new life, new strength, and a new mind (see John 17:3; Philippians 3:10). This knowledge is not like the false knowledge of the false teachers, in opposition to whom Peter is writing this letter. To receive the knowledge of Christ is to know Christ; and to know Christ is to obey Him (1 John 2:3). The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him (1 John 2:4). To truly know Christ is to gain Christ (Philippians 3:8), and to gain along with Him grace, peace, and all other blessings (Romans 8:32; Ephesians 1:3).

3 Just as Christ called Peter and the other apostles, so He also calls us. We have been called and drawn to Him by his own glory and goodness (see John 1:14). And having called us, Christ by His divine power gives us everything we need to walk according to His calling (see Ephesians 3:20-21; 4:1; Philippians 2:13; 4:13 and comments). He has given us everything we need for life (see John 10:10), and for godliness (see 1 Thes-salonians 4:7).

4 Through these—that is, through Christ’s glory and goodness (verse 3)—Christ has given us promises, promises of grace, forgiveness of sin, the Holy Spirit, new life, and adoption as children of God. We have been given these gifts, so that we might participate in the divine nature (see John 1:12; 1 John 3:2). We participate in the sufferings of Christ (1 Peter 4:13); we participate in the glory of Christ (Col-ossians 3:4; 1 Peter 5:1,10); and we also participate in the divine nature of Christ (see Romans 8:9; Galatians 2:20; 1 John 3:9 and comments).

Because we now participate in Christ’s divine nature, we must act as Christ would act. We must leave the corruption of the world with its evil desires and put on the qualities of Christ (see Ephesians 4:2024 and comment).

5-7 If we are children of God and participators in Christ’s nature, then we should be growing more like Christ day by day. We should not remain satisfied with our spiritual state, but should constantly press on (Philippians 3:12-14) until we attain to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:13).

In verses 5-7, Peter describes some of the qualities ofChrist that should be increasing in our lives. The first he mentions is faith. Faith is always the first step of our Christian lives; faith is the foundation of all other Christian virtues. Next comes goodness, which Peter has already mentioned in verse 3 as being one of Christ’s qualities. Next is knowledge, by which we can distinguish between good and evil (Hebrews 5:11-14). Through a knowledge of Christ we obtain grace and peace (verse 2), and everything we need for life and godliness (verse 3). We must constantly grow in our knowledge of God and Christ (Colossians 1:10).

Next, in verse 6, Peter mentions self-control (see Galatians 5:23; 1 Peter 1:13; 4:7; 5:8 and comments). Next comes perseverance, which is the outward proof of our faith (see Mark 13:13; Galatians 5:22; Romans 5:3; Hebrews 12:2; James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 1:6-7 and comments). Next Peter mentions godliness.

Together with godliness, there must be brotherly kindness (verse 7). Anyone who says “I love God,” and mistreats his brother is a liar (1 John 4:20). Brotherly kindness or love is the main sign, the main proof, that we are indeed disciples of Christ (John 13:35). Brotherly love means that we carry each other’s burdens (Galatians 6:2), and that we bear with one another in love (Ephesians 4:2). Before we can love those outside the church, it is necessary to first love our fellow believers within the church (John 13:34; Romans 12:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10; Hebrews 13:1; 1 Peter 1:22).

Finally, the greatest of all these virtues is love—love for God and for all people. This love is not only for fellow believers; it is for everyone, even evildoers, even our own enemies (Matthew 5:44; Mark12:30-31; 1 Corinthians 13:13; Colossians 3:14). This love is completely unselfish; it is a spiritual love. This love is not shown to another person according to that person’s worthiness or according to what that person can do for us. This love is freely shown to another person for that other person’s sake alone. This is the kind of love that God first showed to us (John 3:16), and it is this kind of love, therefore, that we should show to others (1 John 3:16).

8-9 The qualities that Peter has mentioned in verses 5-7 must continue to grow in us. If we do not keep growing spiritually, we will die spiritually. A plant either grows or it dies; it cannot remain the same. So it is with Christians. A plant can also be choked by weeds; in the same way, Christians can be spiritually choked by the cares and desires of the world, and thus become unproductive (Mark 4:7,18-19).

Therefore, let us strive to increase these virtues in our lives, so that we might bear much fruit for God. Because we glorify God most by bearing fruit for Him (John 15:8).

The Christian who does not have these qualities is spiritually blind. He is near-sighted; he can see only the nearby things of the world, but not the things of heaven. Such a Christian has forgotten that he is a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17); he has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins (see 1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

10-11 Therefore … be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. In the work of our salvation, God has a part and we have a part. God must first choose us and call us (see John 6:44; Romans 8:29-30; 9:18; Ephesians 1:4-5 and comments). But after that, we ourselves must make our calling and election sure. God gives us faith (verse 1); but we must take that faith and place it on Jesus. God calls us; but we must then live a life worthy of that calling (Ephesians 4:1). We must continue to work out [our] salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12-13). If we do these things, we shall never fall; that is, we shall not lose our salvation. We may stumble and lose the way from time to time (James 3:2), but we shall not completely fall away. Not only that, if we do these things, we will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord (verse 11). We won’t just barely enter God’s kingdom—like the man Paul mentions in 1 Corinthians 3:14-15, whose work was burned up but he himself escaped through the flames. No, we will receive a rich welcome into God’s kingdom; we will enter with praise, glory and honor (1 Peter 1:7).

12-14 Christians need constant reminding of the great truths and doctrines of the Bible. Therefore, as long as he lives, Peter will continue to strengthen his brothers and to remind them of the things of Christ. But, as he writes this letter, Peter’s death is near. He calls his body a tent, which is about to be taken down (see 2 Corinthians 5:1). Even though Jesus told Peter that he would be put to death on a cross just as Jesus had been (John 21:18-19), Peter shows no fear of death. Because for Peter death is the doorway through which he will enter into God’s eternal kingdom.

15 Peter told what he knew about Christ to Mark. Then, according to what he had learned from Peter, Mark wrote the New p>Testament Gospel called Mark’s Gospel. Thus, through Mark’s Gospel (and Peter’s own two letters), Peter provided a means for Christians to always be able to remember these things.

16 When Peter wrote this letter, false teachers had arisen who were claiming that they had received special knowledge of Christ. But, according to Peter, their “knowledge” consisted of cleverly invented stories. But Peter’s knowledge was not invented; the things Peter spoke about he had seen with his own eyes and heard with his own ears. Peter had seen Jesus’ majesty when Jesus was transfigured on the mountain (Mark 9:2-8). He had heard God speak from heaven saying that Jesus was His Son.

When Peter mentions here the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, he could be referring either to Jesus’ transfiguration on the mountain, or to His second coming at the end of the world, or to both. In Peter’s mind, Jesus would appear at His second coming just as He had appeared transfigured before Peter, James, and John on the mountain. In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus’ second coming is mentioned immediately before Mark’s account of Jesus’ transfiguration (Mark 9:1); thus in the minds of both Peter and Mark, the two events seem to be connected.

17-18 God descended in a cloud onto the mountain, and gave honor and glory to Christ (see Mark 9:7). Peter never forgot what he saw and heard at that time. It was then that Peter gained the certain knowledge that Jesus was indeed the Son ofGod, the King whose kingdom would last forever (Psalm 2:7; Daniel 7:13-14).

19 The Old Testament PROPHETS hadspo-ken many prophecies concerning Christ. During His time on earth, Christ fulfilled all of these prophecies. Thus Christ, through His life, made more certain the word ofthe prophets; that is, He confirmed everything the prophets had written about Him. The prophets had prophesied about the coming of a Messiah,¹ a Savior; and Jesus was that Messiah and Savior.

Therefore, we need to pay close attention to both the Old and New Testaments ofthe Bible. We are only aliens and strangers on this dark earth (1 Peter 1:1; 2:11), and the Bible is like a light shining in a dark place (Psalm 119:105). Therefore, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in [our] hearts—that is, until Christ comes again—we must diligently obey what is written in the Bible (see Romans 13:12). In Revelation 2:28 and 22:16, Christ is called the morning star. Christ will “rise in our hearts”; and when this happens, we shall be transformed into His likeness (see 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 John 3:2).

20-21 We can trust the Old Testament prophets, because they did not write according to their own thoughts and understanding, as the false prophets did. The Old Testament PROPHECIES did not come about by the prophet’s own interpretation. Rather, the prophets wrote down what God spoke to them. The prophets were carried along or moved by God’s HOLY SPIRIT. The Greek word for carried along was commonly used in connection with sailing ships; such ships were “carried along” by the wind (see Acts 27:17). The sailors would put up the sails, and the wind carried the ship along. In the same way, the Old Testament prophets put up their “sails,” and the Holy Spirit carried them along. The prophets opened their mouths, and the Holy Spirit guided their thoughts and their tongues. For this reason, we can have complete confidence that every verse in the Bible is God’s own word, written by the direction of His Holy Spirit (see 2 Timothy 3:16 and comment; General Article: How We Got Our Bible).

1 Even in Old Testament times, there were false prophets (Deuteronomy 13:15; Jeremiah 5:30-31). From that time up until the present there have been false prophets and false teachers in every generation. They secretly introduce destructive heresies. They secretly bring false teachings into the church and deceive many (see 1 Timothy 4:1). Their teaching is destructive, because it destroys not only their own faith but also the faith ofthose who are deceived by it. By their false teaching, these teachers deny the lordship of Christ.

Concerning these false teachers, Peter says that Christ bought them with His own blood; therefore, they belong to Him (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 7:23). Nevertheless, they have rebelled against Him. From this we can understand that these false teachers at one time followed Christ. But now they have wandered from the truth; they oppose the truth. Such false teachers always deny Christ, because Christ Himself is the truth (John 14:6). And when they deny Him, they bring destruction upon themselves (Matthew 10:33).

2 The way of truth—that is, the Gospel of Christ—is brought into disrepute not so much by those outside the church as by those inside the church, by so-called Christians. When believers follow after false teachers and false prophets and imitate their shameful behavior, then Christ is es-peciallydishonored.InPeter’stime,themain teaching of the false teachers was this: No matter how a person behaves, he is saved through grace and through a knowledge of Christ; therefore, one doesn’t need to give any thought to his daily behavior. This false teaching is refuted by many passages in the New Testament (see Romans 6:1-2,15; 1 Thessalonians 4:7; 1 Peter 1:14-15).

In every church in every generation there are always some believers who are ready to listen to some new way or some false teaching (2 Timothy 4:3-4). Let us not boast that false teaching could never pass into our church; rather, let us remain on guard. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! (1 Corinthians 10:12).

3 False teachers are interested not in helping others but in getting their payment. They do not seek the benefit of others; they seek only their own benefit and honor (see 1 Timothy 6:3-5). Such teachers will not escape condemnation; their destruction is near. God’s judgment is especially severe for those who lead others astray (Mark 9:42).

4 In verses 4-8, Peter gives three examples from the Old Testament to show that God saves the righteous and punishes the unrighteous.

The first example concerns ANGELS who sinned by rebelling against God. These angels are mentioned in Genesis 6:1-4, where they are called sons of God. God sent them to hell, where they are now being held for JUDGMENT. On the great day of judgment, God will give them their final punishment (see Jude 6).

5 The second example Peter gives is the example of the flood, which is described in Genesis Chapters 6-8. At that time God destroyed all the unrighteous people of the world, but He saved Noah and his wife, together with their three sons and their wives. Noah was a preacher of righteousness. According to Genesis 6:9, Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God (see Hebrews 11:7).

6-8 Peter’s third example is the destruction of the evil cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, which is described in Genesis 19:1-29 (see Matthew 10:15). God utterly destroyed those two cities by fire, together with all their wicked inhabitants (Genesis 19:24-25). But first God rescued one of the inhabitants, Lot, because Lot was righteous in God’s sight.

9 By these three Old Testament examples, Peter shows that God knows how to punish those who are wicked and unrighteous. In the same way, says Peter, God will surely punish the false teachers and those who follow them.

At the same time, God knows how to rescue godly men like Noah and Lot, and He is fully able to do so. In the same way, if a person remains obedient to God and stands firm in the faith, God will rescue him from trials. In Peter’s time, such trials had already begun to come upon Christians, but they will especially come just before Christ’s second coming (Revelation 3:10). … he who stands firm to the end will be saved (Mark 13:13).

10 Here Peter again says that the false teachers will be punished. These teachers follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature; that is, they teach that men can do whatever they want. They despise the authority of Christ and His apostles.

These false teachers are bold and arrogant. They are not afraid to slander celestial beings. When Peter says “celestial beings,” he can be referring to angels, or to church leaders; the Greek text can be translated both ways. In either case, these false teachers refuse to submit to anyone’s authority.

11 Nevertheless, even angels (presumably the “celestial beings” of verse 10) do not slander the false teachers in return (see Jude 9). In this we can see a common truth: evil men slander righteous men, but righteous men keep silent. The righteous do not return evil for evil. The slanderous speech of the false teachers is shameful; no righteous person would dare to speak that way in the presence of the Lord.

Let us remember that whenever we want to accuse someone, we will be making our accusation in the presence of the Lord. We had better be certain, therefore, that our accusation is true and acceptable to God! (see Matthew 7:1-5; 18:15-17; Romans 14:10).

12 These false teachers do not even understand the things they are blaspheming; they don’t understand the people they slander. It is ignorant people such as these who oppose Christ and His followers (1 Peter 2:15). They are ignorant of spiritual things. They are like brute beasts, creatures of instinct, who follow only their own selfish instincts and desires. Brute beasts are born only to be caught and destroyed. In the same way, these false teachers will be “caught” by their own passions and destroyed by them (see Jude 10 and comment). … everyone who sins is a slave to sin (John 8:34). And the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).

13 God is always just. He who sows evil will reap evil (Galatians 6:7). The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction (Gal-atians 6:8). Since these false teachers trade in evil, they will be paid in evil.

These teachers are not content to drink liquor only at night, but they drink it in the daytime too. One who gets drunk at night will soon begin to get drunk in the day also. Smaller sins always lead to bigger sins. These false teachers were even getting drunk at church love feasts, at which the Lord’s Supper was customarily celebrated in Peter’s time (see 1 Corinthians 11:2021; Jude 12). Such men are blots andblemishes on the church. They have no place in Christ’s church, which should be without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish (Ephesians 5:27). Jesus was Himself a lamb without blemish or defect (1 Peter 1:19), and those who follow Him should be the same (2 Peter 3:14).

14 The eyes of the false teachers are full of adultery. They look at every woman with lust, desiring to fulfill their evil passions (Matthew 5:28). They cannot stop sinning (see Ephesians 4:19 and comment). Evil passions are like itches; when you scratch them, they itch even more. People who seek to fulfill their evil passions are never satisfied.

These false teachers seduce the unstable (see 2 Timothy 3:6-7). They are experts in greed; that is, they are clever and skillful in making money (see verse 3). Such teachers are truly accursed in God’s sight. Paul called them objects of wrath (Ephesians 2:3). There is only one way they can escape condemnation, and that is to die to their sins and receive new life in Christ (see 1 Peter 4:1-3 and comment).

15 The false teachers are like the Old Testament prophet Balaam, who was tempted to prophesy for money (Numbers 22:1-21). Not only that, Balaam, through his false prophecies, led the Jews away from the Lord (Numbers 31:16; Revelation 2:14).

16 Balaam’s own donkey rebuked him (Numbers 22:22-34). Notice that a dumb animal had more understanding than the prophet Balaam, whose mind had been darkened by wrongdoing (Ephesians 4:18).

17 False teachers are like springs without water. People come to them thirsty, but find nothing to drink. In contrast to these teachers, Jesus gives the water of life; when a person drinks of Jesus’ water, he will never thirst again (John 4:13-14).

False teachers are like mists driven by a storm. They are blown this way and that (Ephesians 4:14). Their teaching will not last; it will be driven away like the mist.

18 False teachers pretend to be religious. They say to new believers: “It’s all right to follow your lustful desires. It’s only a man’s spirit that must remain pure. God does not care what we do with our body.” This same false teaching had spread to the church at Corinth. Paul taught that man’s body was extremely important. He wrote: The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord (1 Corinthians 6:13). Our bodies are members of Christ (1 Corinthians 6:15). Our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (see 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 and comment).

19 Such false teachers say to new believers: “You are free from the law.” But these teachers are themselves slaves of depravity (see Romans 6:16). Sin is their master.

Christians are indeed free, but they are not free to sin. We are slaves ofChrist. Only in Christ can we obtain true freedom from sin and its punishment (see Galatians 5:13 and comment).

20 The main sin of these false teachers was that they deceived and led astray new Christians (see verse 3 and comment). These new believers had just escaped the corruption of the world, but now through the false teaching of these teachers, they had again become entangled in the world and been overcome. Thus their second state was worse than their first state (see Matthew 12:43-45).

21 It is better for a person to sin in ignorance than to sin knowingly (see Luke 12:4748; John 15:22 and comments). Judgment will be especially severe for those who have once known the way of righteousness but then turn their backs on the sacred command—that is, Christ’s commandments (see Hebrews 3:12-14; 6:4-6; 10:26-29 and comments).

22 The Jews considered dogs and pigs to be unclean (see Matthew 7:6). A dog, when it has vomited something up, will eat it again. Likewise, a person who is entangled in the corruption of the world may momentarily “vomit up” the corruption, but he soon will partake of it again.

In the same way, you can clean a pig momentarily, but it soon will go back into the mud again. Likewise, a man can be cleaned momentarily from his sin; but if he doesn’t receive a new spiritual nature, he will soon go back to his sin.

Those people who taste the grace of God and experience His cleansing, but who then turn from God and return to their old sins, are like dogs and pigs. Their inner nature has not been transformed; they cannot fully free themselves from their old ways.

What terrible things Peter has to say about these false teachers! Jesus said to Peter, “Feed my sheep” (John 21:17). But Peter has now seen these false teachers feeding poison to Jesus’ sheep—and the sheep don’t even know it! Let us not say that such poisonous and false teachers can never rise up in our church. They certainly can. Jesus said: “What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’” (Mark 13:37).

1-2 Peter wrote both of his letters to remind Christians of the teachings of the Old Testament prophets and the New Testament apostles. Both the prophets and the apostles were inspired and carried along by the same Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21). Christ’s church is built on the foundation of the prophets and apostles (Ephesians 2:19-21). The command given by our Lord and Savior,² which Peter mentions here in verse 2, refers to the main teachings of Jesus which have been passed on through the apostles.³

3-4 … in the last days⁴ scoffers will come. These scoffers are the false teachers mentioned in Chapter 2. They do not believe that the world will ever come to an end. They insist that things have remained unchanged since the creation of the world. They say that from the time of their fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, everything has been going along the same. “Where is the end of the world?” they ask mockingly. They don’t believe that Christ will come again to judge all men. People who follow their own evil desires don’t like to think about a final judgment!

5 The scoffers who say the end of the world will never come forget that at one time God, through His word, created the earth (Genesis 1:1-2,6-10; John 1:1-3). If God could create the earth in this way, then surely He can also destroy the earth.

6 Not only that, the scoffers should remember that God once destroyed all the evil men of Noah’s time by sending a flood upon the earth (Genesis 7:17-24). God cannot tolerate man’s sin; He must punish man for it. And just as God punished men in the days of Noah, so will God punish men again at the end of the world, when Jesus Christ comes the second time (see Matthew 24:37-39).

7 By the same word—that is, by God’s word—the present heavens and earth will be destroyed by fire (verses 10-12), and all ungodly men will be judged and condemned (see Isaiah 66:15-16; Malachi 4:1-2; 1 Corinthians 3:13; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8).

8 At the time Peter wrote this letter, many believers had begun to wonder why Jesus had not yet come. And the scoffing false teachers were saying, “See, He’s not going to come.” Therefore, Peter says to these believers: “Do not be agitated; do not think that God has delayed Christ’s coming. In God’s sight, a thousand years is like one day” (Psalm 90:4). Compared with an eternity, a thousand years is but a moment.

Not only that, in God’s sight one day is like a thousand years. God can do the work of a thousand years in one day. Therefore, what God does He will do in His own time, and not according to our thoughts; we need not worry. What God has promised He will fulfill. Our job is only this: to watch, to pray, and to obey.

9 Therefore, let us not think that God is delaying unnecessarily in sending Christ to earth a second time. Rather, He is being patient and merciful. He is giving men and women more time to come to REPENTANCE, before Christ returns again as judge. It is not God’s desire that anyone should perish. When men perish, it is not because of God but because of their own sin. They perish because they have rejected God’s Son, our Savior (see Ezekiel 18:23; 1 Timothy 2:4 and comment). However, after Jesus comes again there will no longer be any chance for men to repent. And no one knows when Jesus will come (Mark 13:32; Acts 1:7). This is why men should repent now without delay, and place their faith in Christ. For if Jesus comes tomorrow and they have not repented, they will be lost (see Mark 13:3337). I tell you … now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2).

10 The day of the Lord (the day of Christ’s return) will come like a thief. Christ will come suddenly when no one is expecting Him (see Matthew 24:4344; 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3; Revelation 3:3; 16:15). When Christ comes again, the earth and heavens will be completely destroyed (Isaiah 34:4; Mark 13:24-25,31; Luke 21:25-26). Just as God once judged the world by water (verse 6), so He will again judge the world by fire; and by that fire the earth will be utterly destroyed (see 1 Corinthians 3:13-15; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-8; Hebrews 10:26-27; 12:29).

11-12 Knowing that Jesus will soon come to judge the world, we ought to live holy and godly lives (verse 11), lest we also be condemned with the world (see Romans 13:11-12; 1 Thessalonians 5:4-8). If we each fulfill God’s will in our own lives, the day of God—the day of Christ’s return—will come sooner; we shall speed its coming (see Acts 3:19-21). God is waiting for us to spread His Gospel to all nations; then the end will come (Matthew 24:14). We must not only repent and obey and preach the Gospel, but we must also pray this prayer: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. … (Matthew 6:9-10).

13 Believers do not need to fear Christ’s second coming. This old earth will be destroyed, but the righteous will enter a new heaven and a new earth (see Isaiah 60:1922; 65:17; 66:22; Matthew 13:40-43; Revelation 21:1-4).

14 Since only the righteous will enter this new heaven and earth, we should make every effort to be found righteous—that is, to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him (see Hebrews 12:28 and comment). John writes: … continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming (1 John 2:28). Those who look forward to Christ’s coming and also desire to lead holy lives (1 John 3:3).

Let us each ask ourselves this question: If we suddenly learned that Jesus was going to return in one year, would we live our lives any differently? Our answer should be no! If we are at present living our lives according to God’s will, then learning that Jesus will return in a year should make no difference in our behavior (aside from canceling long-range plans). We should be living each day as if the Lord were about to return.

15 As long as God waits patiently, that many more people will have the opportunity to repent and be saved (see verse 9 and comment).

Paul also wrote about Christ’s second coming in many of his letters. In particular, Paul wrote many times that Christians must be holy, patient, and steadfast as they wait for the Lord to come.

16 If Paul’s letters seem to us hard to understand, let us not be discouraged: even Peter found some of what Paul wrote hard to understand. But many people also distort Paul’s meaning. In particular, they distort Paul’s teaching that men are saved through faith and not through works. These ignorant and unstable people say that since we are saved only through faith, we no longer have to do any good works; we can do what we please. In this way, they fall into all kinds of sin.

17 Therefore … be on your guard (see Mark 13:5,22-23). Let no believer fall from [his] secure position (see Hebrews 3:12; 4:1; 10:36-38 and comments).

18 … grow in the GRACE and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In order to obtain grace, we need to have a knowledge of Christ—that is, we need to know Christ (see 2 Peter 1:2 and comment). The Christian religion does not consist in merely being happy or having good feelings. The Christian religion consists in following Christ. Christians do not follow a religion; they follow Christ. Christ Himself is our way. To be a Christian means to know Christ personally and to obey His commands. If we do this, we will certainly grow in grace (see 2 Peter 1:5-8,10-11 and comments).

To him (Christ) be glory both now and forever! It is not only to God we give glory but also to Christ, so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father (John 5:23). Christ is our example; Christ is also our goal. And He is coming soon. Therefore, Peter says in verse 17, be on your guard.

¹ Messiah means “anointed one” in the Hebrew language. The equivalent word in the Greek language is “Christ.”

² In 2 Peter 2:21, this command is called the “sacred command.”

³ After the apostles’ teachings had been written down, they could then be passed on to all future generations in the form of the New Testament.

⁴ The last days are the days between Jesus’ first coming and His second coming. Thus we are now living in the “last days” (see 2 Timothy 3:1; Hebrews 1:2).