Bible Study Commentary
1 PETER
Lesson 5: Be Holy
1 Peter 1:13-16
13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be
self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus
Christ is revealed. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the
evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he
who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is
written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
Although it is very common to take the passage found in verses 13-16 as a single, cohesive instruction regarding holiness, verse 13 can be noted as a separate, stand-alone instruction. Lesson 4 was dedicated to verse 13 only. Here, in Lesson 5, we will cover the rest of verses 14-16.
As
we have learned from Lesson 4, Peter is now in the process of giving an
exhortation on how Christians should live their lives as God's children in the midst
of a pagan society. Verse 13 was Peter's instruction for them to be
mentally prepared. In verses 14-16, Peter will exhort them to live in
holiness.
14 As obedient children, do not conform to the
evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.
What is the implication of the phrase "obedient children" in this passage?
answer: The phrase is a Semitic idiom that literally means "children of obedience." They should not see obedience only as something that they do after salvation, but it is the expression of what they have become because of salvation and as children of God. The word ‘obedient’ focuses on who they are and not merely a command of what they should do. Children are expected to obey their parents, so the phrase also reveals the personal relationship they have with God and Jesus Christ (see verse 1:2,17).
What does the word "holy" really mean?
answer: Basically the word holy is understood to express separation or apartness. Therefore everything that was set aside or set apart for God from the common use is considered to be holy. The fact that God is holy also reveals that there is no one like him nor will there ever be one like him. He is absolutely holy. Everyone that He has chosen for himself has already been declared holy.
According to verse 14, how should they live their lives after receiving salvation?
answer: The key is the phrase "do not conform." This phrase displays two characteristic of holy living which are: "separation" and "being different." It reminds us of Paul’s exhortation in Romans 12:2. As Christians, they should live a different life from the way they used to live before (or the way the world lives). A different lifestyle will separate them from the rest of the world, not by distance but by their actions and behaviors.
What can you see as the main hindrance in their pursuit of holiness?
answer: Their old evil desires. The passage takes it for granted that evil desires is still present in the life of the believers, but the command also implies that they can now overcome such desires because of the (1) sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit (verse 1:2) and because of the (2) new nature (new birth) they obtained from God (verse 1:3).
"...when you lived in ignorance." This description of the epistle’s original recipients tells us that they are not a Jewish congregation since such a description cannot described Jews that were living during New Testament times. Such description fits a pagan or gentile audience.
15 But just as he
who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is
written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
Are not all Christians considered holy at the moment of their salvation?
answer: Yes they are. Every person who becomes a Christian is considered holy at the moment of his or her conversion (see 2:9).
If Christians are already holy, what is it that Peter wants by asking them to "be holy"?
answer: When Peter asked them to be holy, he is asking them to act in holiness since they have already been declared holy. Notice that Peter's exact exhortation is for them to be holy in all they do (v.15). In this passage the emphasis of holiness is not on their status but on their actions. Basically, Peter wants their lifestyle to agree with their status of holiness.
According to this passage what does it mean to live in holiness ?
answer: Take note of the word "obedient" and "do not conform." Here, holiness means to be obedient (see 1:2) and to be different. Obedience to God's command is synonymous to living a holy life. Christians who are obedient to God's commandments are living a holy life because they are morally excellent compare to those who live in the ways of the world. To be different means not to do the same evil things they used to do before their salvation. It is impossible for a Christian to live in holiness while disobeying God's command. It is also impossible not to be different from people around them if they are genuinely living a holy life.
15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
What is Peter's main reason for asking them to be holy?
answer: The early Christians need to be holy because God is holy. They are expected to show the characteristics of God in their lives, which require holiness because God is holy. Also, it is implied that the standard and example of holiness is God himself and not the norms of their current society. They should live their lives as Jesus Christ lived his life while here on earth.
Is holiness a new requirement of God for New Testament believers?
Answer: No. The phrase "it is written" implies that this principle of holiness is not something new or only for the early believers in Peter's time, but it is something that God required from Israel from the very beginning when He separated and called them to be his people (see Leviticus 11:44-45).
Present Application
What is the relationship between salvation and living a holy life?
answer: After reminding them of their great salvation, and telling them to be mentally ready, Peter's first exhortation was to live a holy life. Peter's emphasis on salvation at the beginning of the epistle was the proper order of giving an exhortation for holy living. God's requirements for being holy is not for us to obtain salvation but rather because we have already been saved from our sin.
This tells us that there is no use for asking or forcing other's to conform to Christian moral values if they have never received salvation, which includes new birth. Peter recognized that the validity of asking Christians to live in holiness is based on the fact they have been saved and given a new life. Asking sinners who have never received salvation to live holy lives is like asking a pig not to play in the mud. As sinners, we need to change from within (new birth) before we can live out holiness.
The main point here is to remind us that our main goal for our unsaved love ones or friends is for them first and foremost to know Christ and received salvation (new birth). We should not expect them to live godly lives and accept Christian principles as truth by simply asking them what to believe or telling them what to do.
What is the extent of holiness that Peter is asking from us?
answer: The first thing to remember is the fact that Peter is not asking us to be holy because we are trying to reach the status of holiness. Peter is asking us to live a holy lifestyle because we have already been declared holy. It means that our holiness should be something that people can see in our deeds and lifestyle as we live and interact with them. Like the early believers in the New Testament era, we who live in modern society have the life of Jesus Christ and the Bible as the standard for our holiness, not the ever changing morals of varying societies of different times (see Galatians 5:22-23).
Is there anything else that you can learn from Lesson 5? How would you apply it to your life today?
answer: [Write in your answer]
Summary Lesson 5: As God's chosen people, Peter reminds the early believers that they are expected to reflect holiness in their lifestyle. God requires them to be holy just as he required all his people from the very beginning to be holy. God is holy, and those who belong to Him should be holy not only in their status but also by their actions. Let's go to Lesson 6.
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