Bible Study Commentary
1 PETER
Lesson 6: Fear Of God
1 Peter 1:17-21
17 Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
Right after the exhortation of holiness, Peter encouraged the early believers to fear God. He reminds them of who God really is and what God has done for them. Again, Peter's exhortation in this passage is based on solid theology. It is to remind the believers that as chosen people of God, their lifestyle should express that they belong to God.
What kind of relationship does the early believers have with God when they become a Christian?
answer: Verse 17 implies that the father-child relationship they have with God has already been existing even when Peter was writing the letter to them. Just like the status of holiness, they are not required to do anything to have that father-child relationship. God has already accepted them as his children the moment they had faith in Jesus Christ.
What is Peter really asking them to do in verse 17?
answer: One can argue that Peter does not explicitly say "fear God" but rather he says "live in fear". Looking at the motivation Peter gives with living in fear implies no other suggestion other than God himself as the object of this fear. It is difficult to suggest that Peter is asking the early believers to fear anything or anyone other than God.
Why should they fear God according to verse 17?
answer:
They should fear God because God will judge each man’s work impartially. Like a father, God will discipline his children who disobey his requirement for holiness.What does "fear" mean in our passage?
answer: The NIV addition of the adjective "reverent" as well as the mention of God who will judge us as our father are helpful in understanding the accurate meaning of the word "fear." This fear does not convey a feeling of terror, dreadfulness, anxiety or worry. This is the fear that human beings would feel in the presence of God who is merciful, absolutely great, powerful, holy and just. The kind of fear that a child has for his father who is loving but will not compromise discipline.
Peter added this sense of reverent fear in his exhortation with the early believers about living as a Christian in the midst of a pagan society (see purpose of the epistle). Again, the purpose is not to cause anxiety or dread but rather to encourage them not to let their familiarity with God or their awareness of God’s great mercy leads to careless behavior and degradation of God’s standard of holiness.
"for you know
"This phrase indicates that the early believers were already aware of Jesus Christ's sacrificial death to redeem (save) them from their old sinful life. The truth of verses 18-21 is not new to them, although Peter might have elaborated more than what is common knowledge during the early days of the Church. Some also suggest that these verses, (18-21) or part of it, belongs to an early liturgy (e.g. hymn).
"you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers,"
What does "redeemed" means in our passage?
answer:
In this passage, it means to be released by a ransom payment. The language used by Peter tells us that he is thinking of the Passover (see Exodus 12, particularly verse 5) . The Passover is an annual celebration that commemorates the Israelites’ freedom from slavery (redemption) in Egypt that was accomplished through the blood of the Passover lamb.In the passage, Peter reminds them that it is through the blood of Jesus (1 Cor. 5:7) that they have been redeemed from sin (see 1:14) which is an empty way of life or life without God.
Idols and idolatry are often describes as empty, vain or futile.
"Empty way of life," therefore, is seen by some to refer specifically to idolatry, which also characterizes the pagan’s lifestyle and culture. "handed down to you from your forefathers" indicates that the lifestyle of idolatry passes from one generation to another.19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
What was the ransom paid for their redemption?
answer:
The price is something that none of them could afford and only God could provide: the blood of Jesus Christ (sacrificial death of the Son of God).Peter added the word "precious," which in Greek can also mean valuable or costly. The description "without blemish or defect" drives the point that God will only accept this sacrifice and nothing less (Lev. 22:21).
What was the other reason given to live in reverent fear?
answer: The fact that God has paid a tremendous price to redeem them from sin is another reason to live in reverent fear. Living in fear of God to keep their lives holy should be the Christians’ natural response of gratitude to God.
"He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake."
What is Peter's emphasis in this phrase?
answer: It is easy to get carried away with various doctrinal issues from this verse. What Peter simply wants us to see is that God's plan of redemption does not happen accidentally or haphazardly. God's act of redemption is part of God's great plan of salvation in Jesus Christ since the very beginning. The plan was made even before time, and is now being revealed to us in this appointed time. The phrase "for your sake" also indicates that God has the believers in mind as the benefactor of the redemption plan.
What is significant of "last times" in this passage?
answer: This, of course, encourages them to feel the nearness of Jesus Christ’s return. To Judaism the "last times" refers to the coming of the Messiah. For the Christians, the "last times" has already begun during the incarnation of Jesus Christ. We are now awaiting for its consummation when Jesus Christ returns again not to die, but to rule and reign (Acts 2:16-17).
Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
What is the believers part in accomplishing God's plan of redemption?
answer: God planned and set out to accomplish our redemption from beginning to end. Just like what the passage indicates, it starts with God and ends with God. Our part is simply to believe (have faith) and put our hope in God.
What evidence or assurance does the Christian have that their faith and hope in God is not in vain?
answer:
God raised Jesus Christ from the dead and glorified him. Peter is one of the many eye witnesses of the event (compare to verse 1:8). Their conviction of these truth about Jesus Christ leads them to believe in God.Present Application
What are the benefits of knowing that God's the ultimate impartial Judge?
answer: This world has so much injustice. All of us have experienced or witnessed injustice of some kind. As with the early believers, it would have been very common for us to experience mistreatment and persecution unjustly from the people around us who do not appreciate our faith in God. It would have been very disturbing to see injustice including the guilty not being punished, unless we have the assurance that at the end, God will judge everyone according to what he/she had done. Knowing God as the ultimate Judge will help us not to have an attitude of vengeance towards those who have wronged us.
God as an impartial Judge will gives us an extra motivation for us to live in holiness. Knowing that there is nothing hidden before God, it will help us to be more careful in the way we think or do things even when no one is around.
What are the implications of God’s redemption in our lives?
answer: First, we should always remember that we cannot redeem ourselves. We do not own ourselves, rather we belong to God. God has redeemed us from sin, and was given us another chance to serve Him.
The fact that God is willing to give up his only Son to save us, assures us that God's love for us is great and genuine. No wonder He is willing to call us His own children. Such truth will also motivate us to respond, not only with awe and fear, but with love, trust and gratitude towards our God.Is there anything else that you can learn from Lesson 6? How would you apply it to your life today?
answer: [Write in your answer]
Summary Lesson 6: As Peter continues his exhortation, he reminds the readers that God is an impartial Judge to whom everyone will give an account at the end. Peter also reminds them that the blood of Jesus Christ has paid the price to redeem us from the life of sin. These truths should motivate them to live in reverent fear of God. Let's go to Lesson 7.Note to teachers: If you have any questions, need additional clarification, or have comments concerning this commentary, please do not hesitate to inform me. CLICK HERE