BBCC Bible Study Notes
Blessed Living in a Broken World – 1 Peter 3:8–11
October 27, 2024
Christians are described as exiles, foreigners, and refugees. We belong to God — adopted, heirs, loved, and redeemed. However, we navigate a broken world, constantly reminded by pain and discomfort that we are merely passing through.
Our Identity as Refugees
We are people belonging to God despite worldly suffering. Trust God in adversity, knowing our true home is with Him. Peter's context: early Christians facing persecution and oppression.
Living as Exiles Today
Let our behavior reflect our heavenly inheritance. How our identity changes everyday life — work, community, family. Peter's call to embody Christian virtues in normal interactions.
"Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." (1 Peter 3:8–9, NIV)
Five Indications of a Blessed Life
1. Like-minded: Live in harmony, willing to submit for Christ's sake. "Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind." (Philippians 2:2)
2. Sympathetic: Rejoice and mourn with others, embodying the church as a body. "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet he did not sin." (Hebrews 4:15)
3. Love One Another: Foster brotherly love, treating each other as family. "It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me." (Philippians 1:7)
4. Compassionate: Take action to help others, not just feel sympathy. "But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him." (Luke 10:33–34)
5. Humble: Emulate Jesus' humility, serving others selflessly. "Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." (John 13:14–15)
Responding to Evil with Blessing
Do not repay evil with evil; instead, bless those who harm you. "The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days…" (Psalm 34:10–12)
Living with Hope and Boldness
"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." (1 Peter 3:15, NIV)
Application
Strive to incorporate these virtues in all aspects of life — work, family, community — and trust God to handle the results. Let your hope in Christ be evident, prompting others to inquire and learn about the source of your unwavering peace and joy.
BBCC Verse of the Week
"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." (1 Peter 3:15, NIV)
Study & Discussion Guide – 1 Peter 3:8–11
This section concludes with some general instructions on relating to others, especially those who may be hostile. The term translated "unity of spirit" means sharing the same thoughts and attitudes, thinking harmoniously — a goal too infrequently attained in Christian churches. "Love of the brethren" refers to love for others within the church. "A tender heart" refers to being caring and compassionate, not only in actions but in one's feelings and emotions. "A humble mind" refers not only to ideas but also to attitudes and general mental outlook — contrasted with pride in Proverbs 29:23. (Grudem)
Christians are free from vindictiveness because they trust God's justice; but they are free for blessing because they know God's goodness. It is not only in the world that Christians must repay evil with good; they must do it in the church, too. Certainly this attitude of loving humility will provide the strongest rebuke to the conscience of a fellow Christian. (Clowney)
How does a Christian behave when surrounded by a world that doesn't understand what we're about and is potentially hostile? The answer comes in Peter's quotation from Psalm 34: seek peace, and follow after it. Don't expect peace to come to you when you whistle — you have to do the work. Here is the irony: Christians are supposed to stand out as distinctive, but when we do and are mocked or criticized for it, we are tempted to mock and criticize right back — and then we are no longer distinctive, because we are behaving just like everyone else. The new habits of heart and life are to be learned in the comparatively safe environment of the church itself (v. 8) so that they can then be practiced and applied in the wider world (vv. 9, 12–16). (Wright)
Peter reminds his readers that at baptism they pledged to live in relationship with God, which would result in a good conscience before him. He can therefore exhort them to continue to live, even under persecution, in a way that honors their baptism. The efficacy of water baptism is completely dependent on Christ's resurrection (3:21), and the three redemptive elements of Christ's death, resurrection, and ascension frame this passage. The discourse on baptism is not a digression from Peter's main point but is where the objective accomplishment of redemption is brought to bear on the very real and pressing life situation of Peter's readers. (Jobes)
Discussion Questions
1. When we deal with those outside the faith, what attitudes should we carry in our hearts?
2. Why is it so difficult to not repay evil with evil but instead with blessing (v. 9)?
3. How does this affect your understanding of the significance of baptism for you?
4. What encouragement do you draw from Peter's assurance that all authorities and powers are subject to Christ (v. 22)? (Wright)
For next week: Read 1 Peter 4:1–11