The First Epistle of Peter April 19, 2015 Bob Eckel 1 I Peter 2: “Submission to Authority Part 2” I Peter 2:15,16 - For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men — as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.” –Before we interpret these verses, in general, what is the will of God for all of us? II Cor 3:18 - But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. Rom 8:28,29 - And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. –And it’s only by such acceptance that this verse make sense. –What does ‘this’ or ‘such’ in the 1 st phrase represent?

The First Epistle of Peter April 19, 2015 Bob Eckel 2 I Peter 2: “Submission to Authority Part 2” Verse 13 – submit and for the Lord’s sake, not for any earthly institution. –Describe doing good – present active participle. III John 1:11 - Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God. –Notice in verse 16 that this is done as free. »John 8:38 - “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” »What does being free indeed mean? »It’s the freedom we have to live a life separated from the power of sin. –Isn’t this identification truth? »Phil 1:21 - For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain How do we know good when we see it? –Can we be tricked here? How do we know good when we do it? –And should we take credit? –And what is the purpose of doing good? That you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men

The First Epistle of Peter April 19, 2015 Bob Eckel 3 I Peter 2: “Submission to Authority Part 2” –Literally to close the mouth with a muzzle. –What does this imply about the foolish men? »Are they more willing to criticize us when we fall short? »What is their ignorance (lacking spiritual knowledge)? »Do the unsaved understand our two natures? –yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice How would our liberty or freedom be a covering or veil for vice or maliciousness? –And this vice/evil/maliciousness is not subtle, e.g. a bit of self-righteousness, but the intent to injure. »Gal 5:1 - Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. »Gal 5:13 - For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. –vs. bondservants of God. Remember, in context this is a reference to men who brought charges against Christians, accusing them of being hostile to the government, or insubordinate, or guilty of crimes.

The First Epistle of Peter April 19, 2015 Bob Eckel 4 I Peter 2: “Submission to Authority Part 2” I Peter 2:17 - Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. –Honor all people. Honor means to estimate, fix the value. –The tense is aorist active imperative meaning in every case render How do we do this? –See each and everyone as God’s creation. Notice this isn’t love. –Love the brotherhood. Love is agapao – present active imperative – unequivocally, habitually. Notice honor has already been assumed. –Fear God. Is reverence sufficient here? Rom 8:15 - For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”

The First Epistle of Peter April 19, 2015 Bob Eckel 5 I Peter 2: “Submission to Authority Part 2” –Honor the king. Again, honor means to estimate, fix the value. –Here, however, is present active imperative and implies habitually and continually. King – not just the king but any leader of the people. –Honor is not the same as respect; how do they differ? And, respecting someone and treating them with respect are also different, how?