Bible Question:
1 Peter 1:17 (if you address as Father the One Who) How can you say this where it makes sense? what does it mean |
Bible Answer: Hello, Look at the previous verses. Beginning in verse 13, Peter says for us to "gird your minds for action." During Biblical times, Hebrews wore robes, even during combat. Before a battle began, they would take a scarf, belt, or sash and tie it around them, and tuck their robes into it. It aided in preventing them from falling in the middle of battle. As time passed, the phrase "Gird yourself" meant "prepare for what is immediately coming". Then we go onto what we should prepare for. In verse 14, Peter tallks to us in the context of being children. In that discussion, he tells us to be holy, or separate from the world as Christ was separate. Our behavior should reflect Christ's. Then we move on to verse 17 and on until verse 21. Here, Peter changes gears from reflecting upon how we relate to christ, to focusing upon how we relate to God the Father. The main point throughout this particular passage is how we should conduct ourselves before the world around us. Now, let's look at verse 17 in particular. In Matthew 23:9, Jesus tells us to not call anyone on earth your "Father", but to only refer to God in Heaven as "Father". You take that, along with the following description that Peter gives of someone who "impartially judges according to each man's work ...", and you have an accurate description of God the Father. So, here you have Peter telling us to remain obedient to God the Father as children should be. To remain separate from this world, and to conduct ourselves accordingly. Then he tells us that the one we call "Father" is also an impartial judge who judges our actions as well, and that we should be fearful of that. Jesus Loves You! Jesusman |