Monday, January 18, 2010

I Peter 3: 13-22

I Peter 3: 13-22


I will briefly discuss the context, content and concern of I Peter 3: 13-22. I will include background information concerning this passage. In addition, I will provide a brief structure of the text outline. Finally, I will try to determine the intended meaning of the author when he wrote the passage and state how the points in this passage apply to our lives today.
To begin, according to The NIV Rainbow Study Bible, I Peter dates sometime between A. D. 63 and 64. The author of I Peter is the apostle Peter himself. Peter wrote this book in Rome to the scattered Christians in Asia Minor. Persecution had been a fixture of the church since the time of Christ and now, the evil reign of Nero in Rome was making matters even worse. This letter is the Apostle Peter’s attempt to prepare, comfort and urge the believers in Asia Minor to remain strong despite their suffering.
In I Peter 3:8-5:11, Peter addresses the suffering of the believer (p. 1365). It is in this section that I find the passage of study I Peter 3: 13-22.
Next, I will outline briefly the structure of the passage. In v13-17, Peter writes about suffering for doing good. In v18, Peter refers to Christ’s own suffering. In v19-21, Peter reveals a parallel between Noah’s ark, the flood and baptism. The NIV Rainbow Study Bible I Peter 3: 20-21 states that “…Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also…” (p. 1369). Matthew Henry’s Commentary in One Volume states, “Noah’s salvation in the ark upon the water prefigured the salvation of all good Christians by baptism” (p. 1945). In v22, Peter discusses the ascension of Christ into heaven to sit at God’s right hand with authority.
Finally, I think Peter’s intent in relating this information was to comfort and encourage Christians who were suffering. I think in response, he wanted Christian’s faith to be increased and for them to be strengthened through their sufferings and to see beyond their sufferings to God’s ultimate purpose and glory. I believe v18-22 exist in the text to remind us that Christ suffered before us and that He is able to help us through our sufferings by the same Spirit that was in Him. It also reminds us that we share in Christ’s sufferings. I Peter 2:21 comes to mind…”to this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving an example, that you should follow in His steps.”
In closing, I will use two of the themes highlighted in The NIV Rainbow Study Bible to conclude and apply the author’s points to our lives today. One, a way to identify with Christ is to share in His suffering. Two, suffering for righteous living brings glory while suffering for sinful living brings shame.

Bibliography

The NIV Rainbow Study Bible: New International Version, Rainbow Studies,
Inc., El Reno, Oklahoma, 1992.

Henry, Matthew, Matthew Henry’s Commentary in One Volume, Zondervan
Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1961.

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