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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Aliens in the World, but Chosen by God | 1 Pet 1:1 | Morant61 | 21235 | ||
Study of 1 Peter 1:1.............................. Sir Pent recently suggested that it might be beneficial to study books of the Bible, rather than simply commenting on and asking questions about the same passages over and over again. Thus, I volunteered to start with a study of 1 Peter. Please feel free to ask questions or make comments as the Spirit moves! 1 Peter reads very much like a how to manual. If I were to sum up the message of 1 Peter in one sentence, I would say, "1 Peter tells us how to live the Christian life in a hostile world." The very first verse sets the stage for this message by focusing upon the contrast between the audience’s spiritual status and their social status. Peter uses three words to describe his audience. Two of the words are found in this verse and one in 1 Pet. 2:11. They are: a) Elect - 1 Pet. 1:1. b) Strangers - 1 Pet. 1:1, 2:11. c) Aliens - 1 Pet. 2:11. Unfortunately, most have viewed the last two terms as descriptions of a metaphorical spiritual journey. However, given the context, the best view is that these two terms describe the social status of Peter’s audience. If this is the case, these two terms are very meaningful. Strangers is a translation of the Greek word ‘paroikos.’ It refers to people who live in a certain place, but without the legal protection and rights that citizens would have. Aliens is a translation of the Greek word ‘parepidemos." It is a word which refers to people who live in a certain place, but have no lasting roots. They are temporary residents. If these were the kinds of people to whom Peter was writing, it is not surprising that much of the letter deals with suffering and injustice, brought about because of faith. Peter was writing to people who had no legal recourse. There was no one to whom they could turn to when their employer fired them because they were Christians. There was no one to whom they could turn to when people treated them unfairly simply because they believed differently than their neighbors. Would it not be tempting to get even? Would it not be difficult to keep from developing a harsh attitude toward those who were abusing you? Thus, much of 1 Peter deals with the issue of how to respond to injustice and persecution. But, here at the beginning of the letter, Peter makes a very important point about his audience. They may be temporary residents in their countries. They may not have any legal standing among their peers. They may be slaves, or worse. But, with God, they were chosen - elect! This is the reality that Peter will appeal to time and again in this letter. It doesn’t matter what the world thinks of you! It doesn’t matter what you boss thinks of you! It doesn’t matter what your family thinks of you! God has chosen you! Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
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2 | Aliens in the World, but Chosen by God | 1 Pet 1:1 | Paulfromnys | 27719 | ||
Hi Tim, I'm doing a Bible fellowship on 1 Peter also on another forum. I thought I'd check here to see if any light on these verses could be found to share. I'm at 1 Peter1:9 presently. I like what you said regarding getting into the scriptures as given, being fruitful, as opposed to trying to deal with the thoughts we have regarding our personel understanding of the Bible. I love the fellowship of Malachi 3:16-18, and the road to Emmaus, so I concur with your thoughts on fellowshipping IN the word. I've been following this as a vision for over a year now, and can tell you it will take patience on your part. I had one ask about strangers, so if you don't mind I'll copy your explanation for him, as I think it's good. Hang tough, and I'll pop in with any good insights from our fellowship. For now, I'll just add some scriptures your teaching on strangers and aliens brought to mind: Hbr 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of [them], and embraced [them], and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. Hbr 11:14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. Hbr 11:15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that [country] from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. Hbr 11:16 But now they desire a better [country], that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. Hbr 13:12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Hbr 13:13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. Hbr 13:14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. Hbr 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of [our] lips giving thanks to his name. Hbr 13:16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Yours in Christ, Paul |
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