Reading for March 8th

Read 1 Peter 3.13-22. In verses 13-17: suffering well. In verses 13-15: All members are addressed in terms resembling the exhoration to slaves in 2.18-25. Peter declares unjust suffering a blessing or honor (Mt 5.10-11) whie enemies are put to shame. In verses 16-17: Although Christians forswear vengence (3.9), they may prepare an appropriate defense (Mt 10.19-20) for some forms of civic trail. The best defense is a clear conscience, that is repect for the values and actions though by others to be honorable. In verese 18-22: Christ as model. While paralleling the example of Jesus in in 2.21-22, these verses contain a traditonal hymn about his death and vindication, and enthronement (see 1 Tim 3.16 for a similar structure). In verses 18-19: Christ models sinless suffering, emphasizing the good that comes from endurance. Put to death, Jesus was made alive by God; when vindicated, he rebuked the evil powers responsible for his death and the group's suffering. In verses 20-21: Peter interrupts with a reminder of baptism. Noah and seven other persons escaped destruction inthe flood, prefiguring baptism, spiritual washing and new birth. In verse 22: The hymn continues with mention of Jesus' resurrection and enthronement, when all heavenly spirits and powers obey him. Suffering like Christ, disicples experience a baptismal transformation from moral death to heavenly life, thus sharing in Jesus' resurrection. They also glory in Jesus authority over the cosmos. Comments or Questions..

Reading for March 7th

Read 1 Peter3.1-12. In verses 1-7: Wives and Husbands. In verse 1: In this exposition of patriarchal authority, wives should accpt their husbands' authority. In verses 2-5: Honorable behavior resides in a heightened sense of purity, which here means avoidance of expansive and seductive adornment. Instead of out ward glitter (Hair, jewelry, or clothing), wives should adorn themsleves with inner virtue, such as a gentle and quiet spirit. As slaves imitate the example of the crucified Jesus, wives follow Sarah's example of obedience to Abraham. In verse 7: Husnbands reciprocate by honoring their wives. Conjugal duties here reflect the ancient gender division of society, withmakes exercising authority in public, while females, considered weaker, show obedience in private. In verses 8-12: Something for everybody. In verses 8-9: Peter celebrates actions that bind the church together, such as unity, love, tenderness, and humility: these can be no envy or competiion inthe group, thus the deadly games of seekinghonor are censured. Moreover, all vengence is forsworn, as Jesus mandated (Mt 5.43-45) and Ps 34.12-16 confirms. Comments or Questions..

Reading for March 6th

Read 1 Peter 2.11-25. In verses 11-17: Civic and family duties. Peter begins here a lenghty catalog of traditional duties, which are aspects of justice. Although aliens and exiles, disicples must act honorably like citizens. This means accepting the authority either of civic rulrs, Roman emperor, local governors, or heads of families. Despite their social status as servants, they should live as free people by honoring and fearing those with political authority. In verses 18-25: Slaves gaining honor. Typical catalogs of duties address both masters and slaves (Eph 6.5-9; Col 4.1), but only slaves are mentioned here. In verses 18-20: Honorable behavior is expected, namely, accepting authority from good and evil masters alike. Unjust suffering for doing good, while shameful toothers, is a credit to God (see honorable in 2.12). In verses 21-25:: Isa 53.9 says that Christ leftan example of suffering unjustly but honorably. He forswore vengence, the mark of honorable males in classic cultures; his wounds healed our sins. Slaves, then, belong to the flock of an honorable shepherd and guardian, who rewards them (5.4). Comments or Questions..

Reading for March 5th

Read 1 Peter 2.4-10. In 2.4-10: Holy Temple in Christ. Suffering challenges belief in God's providence: Jesus' death, moreover, was shameful (Heb 12.2). Peter reinterprets Jesus' death according to Scriptures and invites the addressees to reinterpret their own ambigous situation. In verses 4-8: Despite death, Jesus is a living stone; although rejected, he is exalted. Thus he serves as conerstone (Isa 28.16) and head of the corner (Ps 118.22) of an imperishable new temple. Through crisis and deliverance, believers become like Christ, namely livingstones of a spiritual house and a holy priesthood (2.5, 9). In verses 9-10: Theu enjoy high status, once not a people, they are God's chosen race and God's own people; dishonored here, they will not be put to shame (v. 6) in God's kingdom. Comments or Questions..

Reading for March 4th

Read 1 Peter 1.22-2.3. In 1.22-2.3: New birth, new behavior. Coversion to the "holy" God demands a holy life. In verses 22-23: The new birth (1.3) functions as part of the exhortation to the holy living. In verses 23-25: In contrast to a mortal world where things die (All flesh is like grass), in God's immortal world, the word of the divine promises endures forever (vv. 10-11, 21). In 2.1-2: The addressees' new birth means death to previous sin, pursuit of spiritual milk which nourishes for endurance, and wisdomfor valuing this noble state. Comments or Questions..

Reading for March 3rd

Read 1 Peter 1.10-21. In verses 10-16: Good theology means good morals. Topics from the thanksgiving are developed inheritance and suffering leading to glory. In verses 10-11: Prophets confirm that suffering leads to future glory, a pattern applied to Jesus (2.22; Isa 53) and his disciples. In verses 13-14: Thus they should act like obedient children, avoiding desires and pursuing purity. In verses 15-16: Called by the holy God, they too must be holy, spotless or blameless (Lev 11.43-44). In verses 17-21: Recalling conversion. In verse 17: Alhough blessed, they still face God's impartial judgment. In verses 18-21: Jesus' sacrifical death ransomed Christians; this God works inthem the process of death leading to glory. Comments or Questions..

Reading for March 2nd

Read 1 Peter 1.1-9. In verses 1-2: Letter opening. In verse 1: Peter addresses Christians in Asia Minor, acknowledging their civil status as exiles. In verse 2: God their patron purifies them with the blood of Jesus, thus conferring worth on a valueless people. Patrons are high-ranking persons with great resources who enter into formal agreement with lower ranking suplliants or clients, patrons bestow protection, food, and the like, while clients maintain strong loyalty to their patrons and give them praise and honor. Thus the Christian God bestows lavish divine gifts on God's clients, the christian communities, but expects from them respect, exclusive allegiance, and praise. In verses 3-9: Thanking. Most christian letters begin with a thnaksgiving, this one is semitic in form (Blessed be the God; see 2 Cor1.3-7). It introduces themes developed later (new birth, inheritance, suffering). In verses 3-5: Peter reherses God's benefaction tothese exiles, especially the promise of resurrection. In verses 6-7: Loyalty fromgod's clients in diffiuclt circumstances brings paise, glory, and honor from their patron on judgment day. Comments or Questions..