THE PRESENT FUTURE PERFECT (1 PETER 4)
In a YouGov survey of 1,225 US adults conducted in late February, at a time when several dozen cases of COVID-19 had been confirmed in the US, nearly three in 10 (29%) US adults think there will likely be an apocalyptic disaster in their lifetime. Nearly one in five (19%) Americans said they believed a global pandemic was the most likely cause of the apocalypse while an equal number (19%) pointed to climate change, while slightly fewer (17%) said the cause of the apocalypse would be a nuclear war.
If the apocalypse strikes, most Americans are optimistic about their odds of survival - at least for a few days. 42% of US adults think they would survive a week or more, while 15 percent give themselves “almost a week,” and 29% estimate they would last just a few days. Another 13 percent of Americans say that they would only survive one day once the apocalypse strikes.
https://today.yougov.com/topics/lifestyle/articles-reports/2020/03/18/apocalypse-climate-change-pandemic-coronavirus
If you were like me last year it was a menacing, miserable and manic year. I did not get to celebrate my all-important birthday! A fellowship member’s wedding had to be postponed three times and a missionary friend could not return home for months.
How has the virus affected you last year or future days? If the end of the world were near, what things or people concern you the most? What are your plans, if any? Why are we still helpers and not helpless in crisis?
Mend Your Ways
1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4 They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.
Author and pastor Warren Wiersbe and a friend met at a restaurant to have lunch. It was one of those places where the lights are low, and you need a miner's helmet to find your table. They sat several minutes before they started looking at the menu. Wiersbe remarked, “I am amazed how easily I could read it.” To which his friend replied, "Yes, it doesn't take us long to get accustomed to the darkness."
(Warren Wiersbe, 1 Peter 4, The Bible Exposition Commentary)
Jesus answered the classic blame question on the fate of the Galileans killed by Plate: “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” (Luke 13:1-3)
You might be surprised to know that the recurrent theme of “Christ + suffered” (twice in verse 1) makes the most entry in 1 Peter (1 Peter 2:21, 3:18, 4:1, 5:10), more than any chapter or book from Paul. Shockingly, the verb “suffer” occurs the most in one chapter in 1 Peter 2 (vv 19, 20, 21, 23) and 4 (vv 1 twice, 15, 19), occurring 12 times in 1 Peter, doubling the next book of Luke’s six times.
The first imperative and focus of the first section, however, is “arm” (hoplizo), which occurs only once in the Bible, but its noun (hoplon) form is also translated as weapons (John 18:3), instruments (Rom 6:13) and armor (Rom 13:12). It means weapons, warfare and watchfulness, with arms and not appliances, to face it and not fear it, and not to be caught unprepared, caught napping or caught off guard.
Arm oneself means to make preparations, maintain vigilance and mobilize resources. From the verb “arm,” we get the noun “armor,” “army” and “armament.” The important word “attitude” (v 1, ennoia – as in “Christ suffered in the body”) is translated also as intents (Heb 4:12) in KJV, “purpose” in New American, and “way of thinking” in ESV. It is not a literal war because “attitude” is feminine in Greek, but it is in the literal mindset, viewpoint and outlook.
Time element v 2 “(do not)/no longer live”
v 3 in the past
v 5 ready Be Delivered
- Mind over matter
(v 1, attitude/mind vs body/flesh)
- earthly live/rest of his time (v 2) VS time past (v 3) Belief
Contrasts & comparison the will of God
VS
evil human desires/lusts of men (v 2)
pagans/will of the Gentiles (v 3)
“reckless, wild living/excess of riot” v 4 Be Disciplined
- “reckless, wild living/excess of riot” v 4
- don’t run with the crowd
Behavior
Repetitions v 1 Christ suffered in his body (flesh)
whoever suffers in the body is done with sin
v 2 do not live the rest of their “earthly(bodily)” lives for evil human desires
v 6 so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.
Be Dedicated
- v 6 so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.
Beneficiary
The progression of “time” helps us to understand better our past, present and future circumstances:
v 2 “(do not)/no longer live” (meketi)
v 3 in the past
v 5 ready
Time (vv 2, 3, chronos) occurs twice in this chapter, the most in a Bible chapter. The contrast is “earthly live/rest of his time” (v 2) with “time past” (v 3).
Verse 2’s evil human desires, verse 3’s pagans and verse 4’s “reckless, wild living” is contrasted with “the will of God” (v 2). In Christ we are converted, changed, cleansed and cleaned.
The four repetitions of the word “body/flesh” is also significant:
v 1 Christ suffered in his “body”
whoever suffers in the “body” is done with sin
v 2 do not live the rest of their “earthly(bodily)” lives for evil human desires
v 6 so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.
Verse 6 is important because it tells us the reason (“for” - for this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead,) and a hina subjunctive or a twofold purpose clause: “so that” (hina) they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit. We are to live in His strength, by the Spirit and for His service – no longer slimy but shiny, not sick but strong in Him, not sputter but steadfast.
Make Your Mark
7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
The last days do not mean ministry absence, abandonment and apprehension, but ministry activism, availability and application. I can remember how the pandemic energized me rather than exhaust me. I started out being so active by accident. At one leaders meeting, Mrs. So asked, “How can we helped seniors who have problem reading our initial 30 days coronavirus devotions?” All were quiet not knowing how to respond. I blurted out, “Record them,” to no one’s support. Later at lunch I asked, “Why not ask a senior fellowship staff to record it?” Again, already looked at me incredulously, as if I don’t know how things work at our church. Going home, I asked a group of young adult fellowship members who could do the devotions in Cantonese, Mandarin and English. Many hands shot up immediately! At the end of the month, the fellowship members took over the recordings.
At the same time, the Mandarin ministry, of which I was a large part of, experienced a shortage of people serving because we have three praise teams and depended on a guest praise team to fill in one week of the month, but they were not coming anymore. Also, many older singers fear coming out due fear of infection. I asked the young adult fellowship members again, “Anyone wants to learn the guitar to help out the praise team?” Surprisingly, I have three volunteers, so I started training them to play the guitar, prayed with them weekly and asked them to record my sermons in their voices (I hate my voice), so they must be the most active praise and serving team in church now.
Near (v 7) is surprisingly not an adverb but a verb, also translated as at hand (Matt 3:2), drew nigh (Matt 21:1), approaches (Luke 12:33) in KJV. It is nearby, nearer, nearing, nearly there. The Lord’s coming is creeping, circling and calling. At hand is near but not necessarily now, close but not currently, pending but not presently.
The urgency, however, is not when he returns, but are you ready. Sober mind (v 7) and “self-controlled” are both imperatives, orders and not obligations, demand and not merely duty, fact and not fiction in the last days. The word has to do with the mind (v 7, sophrones) – another mind word different from verse 1, or to be in the right mind. It means to be attentive, aware and anticipatory. A sober mind is like coffee in the morning, milk tea at noon and peanuts in between for me. It is to be clear-headed, clear-minded and to be clear thinking. The other verb “self-controlled” (v 7) is also an imperative, also translated as sober in other verses, is a command and not a counsel, a must do and not maybe do, in the context of prayer, mostly spiritual preparation in this section.
The next verse 8-11 has no imperatives but a progression:
V 8, 10 among yourselves - heautou love Oneself
V 9 one to another - allelon hospitality One another
V 10 every man - hekastos
VS
one to another - heautou Received gift (charisma)
VS
minister grace (charis) Others
The next paragraph (vv 8-9) is grouped by three pronouns - each other/among yourselves (v 8, heatou) and one another (v 9, allelon) and every man (hekastos vs heautou or “every man” vs “one to another”). The Greek word kalupto (v 8, “cover” - love covers over a multitude of sins.), where we get the word apocalypse or revelation. It means to cover the shame, clothe the scar and convert the sinner, not to break, bind or blind a person for his faults, flaws or failings.
Love (v 8) and hospitality (v 9) is linked. Love is agape but hospitality is philoxenos, or love of foreigners or aliens. Hospitality is not dictated by custom, convenience or compensation for previous favors. Love has nothing to do with policies, politics and personalities. Love is forgiving wrongs, forsaking grudges and forbearing injustices.
The last paragraph is a tense affair. The first tense “received” is in the aorist tense, a thing of the past. It is in your bank, bag and body. Your gifts are undeserved, unsought and unjustified. This makes us more humble, helpful and human. Shockingly, this is the last time the noun gift (v 10) and the verb minister (vv 10, 11) is mentioned in the Bible. It is now or never, here and now, now or again opportunity. The oneness factor or unity in diversity is demonstrated by the plural noun of stewards but the singular noun of gift, grace and various (v 10). Note the progression “of all things” (v 7), “above all things” (v 8) and “in all things” (v 11).
The purpose clause (hina) is to “praise/glorify” God (v 11): to experience God’s grace, goodness and guidance.
Mind Your Attitude
12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” 19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
When Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts was invited to deliver the commencement address at his son’s ninth-grade graduation last month, he gave an interesting address:
“Now the commencement speakers will typically also wish you good luck and extend good wishes to you. I will not do that, and I’ll tell you why. From time to time in the years to come, I hope you will be treated unfairly, so that you will come to know the value of justice. I hope that you will suffer betrayal because that will teach you the importance of loyalty. Sorry to say, but I hope you will be lonely from time to time so that you don’t take friends for granted. I wish you bad luck, again, from time to time so that you will be conscious of the role of chance in life and understand that your success is not completely deserved and that the failure of others is not completely deserved either. And when you lose, as you will from time to time, I hope every now and then, your opponent will gloat over your failure. It is a way for you to understand the importance of sportsmanship. I hope you’ll be ignored so you know the importance of listening to others, and I hope you will have just enough pain to learn compassion. Whether I wish these things or not, they’re going to happen. And whether you benefit from them or not will depend upon your ability to see the message in your misfortunes.”
https://time.com/4845150/chief-justice-john-roberts-commencement-speech-transcript/
The last section has five imperatives and one purpose clause (hina subjunctive). Surprise (v 12) is an imperative, translated also as lodge (Acts 10:6), strange (Acts 17:20) and entertain (Heb 13:2). The verb “surprised” (xenizo) and the noun strange (xenos) share the same root. Verse 12’s surprise, strange and verse 9’s hospitality to “strangers” share the same root. We are partakers, partners and posterity to God’s suffering. It is expected, earmarked and entered, not encouraged, endorsed or envied.
V13 is a repetition – rejoice + overjoy, which is rejoice + exceeding joy in KJV. Exceeding joy (agalliao) is from “agan” (much) + “to jump; figuratively, to gush, leap, spring up).
Imperatives
V 12 (Not be) Surprised Reality Ordeal & Option
V 13 “rejoice” … so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed Revelation Overjoy & Objective
V 15 “suffer” … not be as a murderer or thief Reexamination Obligation & Order
V 16 do not be “ashamed”
v 16 “praise” God that you bear that name Resilience Oppression & Obedience
V 19 “commit themselves” to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. Reliance Outcry & Outsource
There are four imperatives to end the chapter: suffer (v 15), ashamed (v 16), praise (v 16), and commit (v 19). The verb “suffer” (pascho) appears more times (12x) in this book than any other book in the Bible - more than any gospel, Acts or Revelation. The crux is to depend on God,
The last imperative “commit” (paratithemi) is entrust in NASB and ESV. True commit is alongside from the preposition “para,” from the word parallel: Entrust is to be beside, alongside, side by side, on His side.
Conclusion: Have you repented from sin, returned to God and rededicated your life? Are you gifts offered to God? Is your love shared, supportive and substantiated? Have you manifested, multiplied and maximized your gifts and talents? Are you prompt, patient and positive in serving?
Victor Yap
Bible.ryl.hk (Grammar Bible)
Preachchrist.com (sermons)
