A Study in Peters First Epistle

Peter has “used the word ‘suffer’, in relation to the sufferings of Christ and those that Christians have to bear as a sort of Ariadne thread for the whole work”[1].

Peter is immensely interested in the nature of suffering.  It should be noted though, that he is not here interested in general human suffering.  His central concern is with those who suffer for the cause of God.  They suffer for their loyalty to God.  

Peter addresses himself to those who suffer as Christians. The starting point for Peter is the suffering of Christ.  Although Jesus was innocent, he suffered a cruel death on the cross.

The prophets of the Old Testament, moved by the Spirit, predicted his sufferings (1 Pet 1:10, 11).

Peter, more than any other New Testament writer, links Jesus with the suffering servant of Isaiah (1 Pet 2:22-25).  Suffering is the consequence and the only cure for sin.  It must be faced, if God is to intervene in the world to save men.  Suffering had to be borne by the righteous for the unrighteous (1 Pet 3:18).  Jesus bore our sins in his body on the cross that we might be freed from our sin (1 Pet 2:14). 

God loved the lost world, and wanted to redeem it, so Jesus had to suffer humiliation and the agony of cross.  He is the Passover lamb, who shed innocent and precious blood (1 Pet 1:19). For Peter the sufferings of Jesus are the basis of an understanding of human suffering.  He elaborates a number of implications for Christians who suffer.

Suffering is Normal

This is not the view of Peter. The hard message of his epistle is that since Christ suffered, his followers should also suffer.  Jesus was sinless and yet he was hated and mistreated. Those who follow him cannot expect exemption from similar treatment [3]

To be a Christian is to follow Christ.  Anyone who follows in his footsteps and lives the same kind of life is also bound to suffer.

To this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps (1 Pet 2:21).

Therefore, we should not he surprised when suffering comes upon us.

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you (1 Pet 4:12).

Jesus’ gospel did not promise a soft cosy life, but was a call to a life of hardship, suffering and humiliation, just like his own.  So when suffering comes, we should not be surprised.

Consequence of Obedience

Yet this is the life to which we are called.  In a hostile world, steadfast loyalty to Christ will lead to trials and trouble. Life is a battleground where the forces of good and evil meet, so those who take Christ’s side must expect to be attacked by the forces of evil.  Our struggle is against the devil, so a life of love, makes us vulnerable to his attack [5].  For Peter, suffering is an inevitable consequence of a godly life.

God’s Will

The love of God reaches out to heal such suffering.  God’s way is not to meet violence and sin with violence and sin, but with suffering and love. God brings in his kingdom, not as a conquering: commander, but as the suffering servant.

He turns alienation to atonement by suffering.  Sin seeks to conquer love by inflicting suffering; love conquers sin by accenting the suffering [6]. Christians are part of the divine plan for the redemption of the world.  As part of that plan, we can expect suffering as part of God's will for us. This suggests that those of us who are living in comfort in the West may have missed part of that plan.

Pathway to Glory

The prophets who foretold his suffering, also foretold his glory (1 Pet 1:11).  After Jesus suffered by “being put to death in the flesh”, he was raised into heaven, “and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him” (1 Pet 3:18, 22).  He received his glory through suffering. Just like Jesus, we also will receive glory through suffering.  Peter says,

If you are reproached for the name of Christ, you are blessed because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you (1 Pet 4:14).

JH Burtness says,

It is a fundamental fact of New Testament faith that resurrection comes only after death, that Easter comes after Good Friday, that renewal comes only through suffering.

The church has perhaps not so often been true to itself and to its Lord.  But at those times and at those places where it has followed him, it has also shared in his suffering, and in that suffering it has discovered the joy of renewal. [7]

Rejoice in suffering

But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.  (1 Pet 4:13).

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you,(1 Pet 1:3,4). We have this wonderful privilege, so we can rejoice even in suffering.  We are chosen by God, and nothing can take away the joy that this knowledge brings.

Even suffering is a cause for rejoicing because it purges and strengthens our character, unites us with Christ, and is a prelude to the glorious recompense of the last day [8].  God's love and power is a guarantee of our hope, so we can rejoice with confidence.

Redemption through Suffering

Arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin.

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast(1 Pet 5:10).

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed (1 Pet 1:6,7).

Suffering for Doing Evil

But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. (1 Pet 4:15).

But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? (1 Pet 2:20).

It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil (1 Pet 3:17).

Self-inflicted suffering

It would be more sincere and more religious to eat a full dinner in the spirit of gratitude, than to make a sacrifice of part of it with the feeling that one is suffering martyrdom.  Self chosen sacrifices are nearly always inferior to those unasked for ones which the situation throws in the way. [10]

Respond with Love

When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly (1 Pet 2:23).

Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing (1 Pet 3:9).

Submission

Christians must follow this example and react to all authority with humility and submission. God will oppose those who are proud and give grace and protection to those who are humble. We do not submit blindly to authority, but freely for the sake of the gospel.

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors.... For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men (1 Pet 2:12-15

Good Works

He is not suggesting that salvation is by works, but rather he is concerned that persecution may cause Christians to withdraw from their society.  Instead of retreating, we should actively attack evil by doing good whenever we can.

Suffering should not diminish our zeal for performing acts of love, but spur us on. If Christians who are persecuted respond in these ways, they will bring glory to God through their suffering.  They should refrain from retaliation and commit their cause to God.

Comfort

By pointing out the glory which is theirs, and the benefits which their suffering will bring, he hopes to comfort them. Peter has suffered, so he knows how hard suffering can be. He urges the Christians not to lose heart, or be overcome by their difficulties.

If we hold fast, then the God who has called us will bless us, and bring us into his glory. In our suffering we are sharing with Christ, and this is the greatest privilege that anyone can have. So even in the hardest times we can rejoice.

Then we will be able to share with him in all his glory, when it is eventually revealed.  This is a glorious message for us, should we ever be called to suffer for the name of Jesus.

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast (1 Pet 5:10).