Duties of Christians To Each Other 1 Pet. 3:8-9 1

Introduction 2 In 1 Pet. 3 Peter talks to wives and husbands in verses 1-7 In 1 Pet. 2 he addresses servants The word “finally” in 3:8 leads to the conclusion of the special addresses to the various groups he had mentioned

Introduction 3 This final section of chapter 3 includes exhortations to Christians in their relations with others

1. “Be Ye All Of One Mind” This means we are to be likeminded – unity of mind and purpose “Agreement in all major details of the Christian life” G.N. Woods 4

Jn. 17:20-21 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 5

Acts 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 6

2. “Having Compassion One Of Another” Compassion = Sorrow or pity brought about by the distresses or misfortunes of another; sympathy The Godhead is filled with compassion 7

Mt. 9:36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 8

Mt. 20:34 So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him. 9

2. “Having Compassion One Of Another” As Christians we must have compassion 10

Rom. 12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 11

1 Cor. 12:25-26 That there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. 12

Heb. 10:34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. 13

3. “Love As Brethren” Christians have the same Father and this makes us brothers and sisters in the same family 14

Rom. 12:9 Let love be without dissimulation (hypocrisy) Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 15

1 Pet. 1:22-23 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 16

1 Jn. 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 17

4. “Be Pitiful” “tenderhearted” It is an attitude which is shown by pity and affection It is a quality of the new man in Christ 18

Eph. 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. 19

5. “Be Courteous” “Lowly in mind” (Vine’s Dict.) The idea is “humble minded” It is the opposite of arrogance and pride 20

Rom. 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 21

Phil. 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 22

6. “Not Rendering Evil For Evil…” We must refrain from revenge – in what we say to and about others and how we treat them “The Christian is not to give evil back for evil” “Railing” = abuse; reviling 23

1 Pet. 2:21-23 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 24

Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 25

1 Th. 5:15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men 26

6. “Not Rendering Evil For Evil…” Christians must continue to give blessings to those who do evil against us “As Christians we are a bountifully blessed people and must be a people who blesses others” Robert R. Taylor 27

References Taken FORTY OUTLINES ON 1 AND 2 PETER, by James Meadows 28