Welcome to the fourth part of our series, "Blessed Assurance."
Here is today's text:

(1 Peter 2:11-17) Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world. For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state, or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right. It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. Respect everyone, and love the family of believers. Fear God, and respect the king.

And that word is the Good News that was preached to you..

We can stand firm because we have a blessed assurance that nothing on Earth can touch.

Overall Commentary: 🌎

Many scholars believe that this passage marks a significant transition in 1 Peter. From this point on, Peter discusses how to be a practical example to those in the surrounding areas. This is while the Roman Empire is blaming all the Christians for the burning of Rome. Peter realizes this is probably going to get worse before it gets better. It is incredible at what he does not say. He does not call for rebellion. He does not declare that they should leave their cities and move in together. He calls on them to be a living example to the world. He calls them to be IN the world, but not OF the world.

Commentary.

Verse 11-12. Be a Living Example.

Verse 11.

"Dear Friends"- This is an adequate but weak translation of the Greek word. Other translations use "beloved." This is closer to what Peter is going for when he talks about those loved by God, chosen by God, and sealed for the day of redemption by God. He is placing all that emphasis into this one phrase.
"temporary residents and foreigners"- Peter reminds them again that they are spiritual citizens of Heaven. Therefore, this world should be treated as a 70-80-year pitstop.
"wage war with your very souls"- Peter has already covered this focus of guarding our souls from the sins of the world. He speaks again about this to imply that war is necessary to accomplish all that comes next.

Verse 12. (This verse is thought by some scholars to be the transition point for the rest of the letter. Peter will now continue to talk about what it looks like to be a living example.)

"Be careful to live properly"- Pay attention to how you live.
"When He judges the world."- Scholars are divided over whether this phrase refers to the end of the world, or when the light of judgment is placed on the human heart (individually), and they respond to the Gospel. While the second one sounds better, the first one is likely more in line with what Peter is talking about, since he has already referred to the judgment of the world earlier in the letter.

Verse 13-14. Submit to worldly leaders.

Verse 13-14.

"For the Lord's sake" - This statement fuels the rest of the letter. All is done for the sake of the Lord and with our trust in Him to make it possible.
"submit"- Romans 13:1 echoes this statement a few years earlier. It is important to note that even after the government has become hostile to the Christians, the game plan is the same.
"King" - This refers to Emperor Nero.

Verse 15-16. Outlast the waves of criticism.

Verse 15.

"It's God's will"- There are many places where God's Word outlines exactly what God's will is for the life of the believer. The reason people continually look to spiritual leaders to help them discern God's will is that many of the statements have to do with how we live our lives, rather than a destination.
"silence"- It is our actions, not our words alone, that silence the critics.
"make foolish accusations."- The accusations being referenced are likely the following:
- They were accused of burning Rome.
- Oddly enough, early Christians were called atheists due to their belief in only One God.
- Cannibalism- Because they said the Eucharist represented the Body and Blood of Jesus.
- Inappropriate Love - Some early accusations were that Christians were too "free" with their love because they highly valued community. This was, of course, taken out of context.

Verse 16.

"You are free"- Peter reminds them that they have been ransomed and set free.
"God's slaves"- The term 'slave' has been ruined for the modern reader, and for good reason. However, during biblical times, it did not always have a bad meaning. Paul considered it a badge of honor to be a "slave of Christ." This would have been the type of slave who loved his master so much that he or she pledged their life to them. It would have been a way to show the ultimate act of love.
"Don't use your freedom as an excuse to do evil." He reminds the reader to use freedom for doing good and being an example, not to destroy the reputation of Christ.

Verse 17. Live a Life of Honor.

Verse 17.

"Respect everyone" - The Christian is reminded that no one is beyond respect because everyone is made in the image of God. This does not mean we agree with everyone. It means we see God's fingerprint in everyone, so we respect that spark of eternity within each person.
"love the family of believers"- ESV- brotherhood.
"Fear God"- This is the highest level of honor. The King fears to honor the King above all others.
"respect the king." This is referring to Nero. This is powerful when we realize that this is the same Nero who lied about the Christians and put them to death. We do not live a life of honor only when it is convenient. It takes great confidence in God to show honor to those who do not "deserve" it.

God's Promise:

(Romans 15:1-4) We who are strong must be considerate... We must not just please ourselves. We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. For even Christ didn’t live to please himself... Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures GIVE US HOPE and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.