Fellowship Study of 1st Peter, Chapter 2: vs 19-25

[p.rehbein]

Hey guys, wondered if anyone would be interested in sharing what these Scriptures mean to you?  I want to do this thread in a "Christian Fellowship" format please.  No challenging others with regards to their comments, no arguing, or demanding proof of something they say.  Just a chance to read the Scriptures and speak of our thoughts of them without the worry of having to defend ourselves for our opinions.

Thanks.
(p.rehbein)


1st Peter, Chapter 2:

19 .) For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.

20 .) For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

21 .) For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
22 .) Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

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

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

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

[fenton]

it appears to me he is talking about atleast two different things here.

how other people treat us and

healing

there may be more but im to dumb to figure it out this quick

i edited ---  i may be way off the mark too in what you are wanting

[p.rehbein]

To start us off, I will post what James Karmelich of biblestudyemail.com wrote concerning these Scriptures.  You may agree/disagree with his understanding/study, and select one or more of the verses that mean something to you, and speak just of them.
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Verse 21:  To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.  22 "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth."

a)                  Let me try to paraphrase Peter:  "Folks, Jesus suffered for you out of His love for you.  He expects you to do likewise.  That doesn't mean we commit suicide or just be passive for the sake of nonbelievers.  It means that God suffered out of the love for nonbelievers, and He expects us to suffer out of the love for nonbelievers.  It is better to suffer in this lifetime than to have to suffer for eternity.  

b)                  Verse 22 is Peter quoting Isaiah 53, Verse 9.

i)                    Chapter 53 of Isaiah is one of the most famous passages in the Old Testament to Christians.  It gives one of the best descriptions of what Jesus did for us on the cross, centuries before it ever happens.

ii)                  Here, Peter is quoting Isaiah 53 and attributing it to Jesus.  

iii)                So why did Peter pick this verse to quote?  I believe the point is the second phrase where it said, "no deceit was found in his mouth

[p.rehbein]

For my first thought(s), I chose this Scripture, because it is one I truly believe in.

Verse 24:  He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
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Karmelich says of this Scripture:

a)                  A purpose of Jesus dying for our sins is stated in Verse 24.  It is so that we might (our choice!) "die to sins and live to righteousness

[p.rehbein]

it appears to me he is talking about atleast two different things here.

how other people treat us and

healing

there may be more but im to dumb to figure it out this quick

i edited ---  i may be way off the mark too in what you are wanting

You are "spot-on!"  Thanks for your thoughts Fenton, and know that there is no such thing as being too dumb to achieve an understanding of Scripture.  Through His written Word, God speaks to each of our hearts, and, if we listen, and continue to study and abide in His Word, we will all grow in Christ in my opinion.

[fenton]

For my first thought(s), I chose this Scripture, because it is one I truly believe in.

Verse 24:  He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Karmelich says of this Scripture:

a)                  A purpose of Jesus dying for our sins is stated in Verse 24.  It is so that we might (our choice!) "die to sins and live to righteousness

[Nevertheless]

I think that if we confine ourselves to just these verses we will miss Peter's point. The word "for" at the  beginning of v.19 is a connector, so we need to look back to see what we are connecting to.

I think we need to look all the way back to v.12 to get the full meaning.

Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

vs.13-14 tell us to behave properly towards governing authorities, and v.15 tells us why.

For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.

Verse 18 tells us to respect our masters, which in today's society the closest thing would be our employers.

Now if we put all that together with vs.19-21, we get this:
Make sure you behave properly. Show respect for all those who have authority over you, whether they are good or evil. Then you will qualify to follow Jesus' example. He suffered for doing good, not evil, and you should do the same.

[JohnDB]

It is easy & not "burdensome" at all to do good things for/to those we like or deem worthy. But according to Jesus and Peter it is of no faith at all to do so. Even the heathen without faith do that. We are called(jewish meaning here) for something different and much more difficult...something that requires the use of our Faith IN Jesus. He died for us when we were more than simply hated by Him; we were treasonous and contemptible and corrupting of everything good (including the innocent).

We consider our acts of kindness and charity to be exceptionally valued when in truth they are not really acceptable to even be placed on the alter of offerings.

So when the evil ones are harassing us for our faith it is God, who is in control of all, who has allowed it for reasons that are always good.
And just because we think them unworthy it really isn't a material fact when we change our nature to exact revenge by denying them kindness or acts of charity. 
   

[p.rehbein]

1 Peter, Chapter 2:

1 .) Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

2 .) As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

3 .) If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

4 .) To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,

5 .) Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

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

7 .) Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

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

9 .) But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

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

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11 .) Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

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

13 .) Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

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

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

16 .) As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

17 .) Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

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

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19 .) For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.

20 .) For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

21 .) For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

22 .) Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

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

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

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

=======================================================================

It seems to me that we can divide this Chapter into three parts, and maybe this will help in the reading of it, and in finding the message(s) Peter was conveying to the believers he was writing to.