1 Peter 3:5 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

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1 Peter 3:5

Comments

Why does Peter go all the way back to Sara? Because of her notable subjection in being willing to follow Abraham when he was called to leave behind the comforts and security of Ur and to go to a land he did not know. Ur had stout protective walls, beautiful homes and gardens, lovely jewellery and clothing, means of transportation, written trade receipts, and advanced sewer systems. It was one of the most civilised places in the ancient world and yet God said, ‘Come out and go to a place I will show you.’ Out they went on the dusty road to travel vast distances. From that time on they would be permanent tent-dwellers. What an example! None of us are called to be perpetual campers, to improvise, to make do. In spite of her evident physical beauty what came first for her was not fussing over her external beauty, but the development of her internal beauty by being in subjection to Abraham even at the expense of external comforts.‘Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord.’ Our translation, perhaps, is a shade strong: ‘acknowledging his headship’ would be nearer the mark. Whose children ye are, as long as the signs of spiritual life are in you. And what are the signs of spiritual life? You do well, you seek after virtue, you are concerned for holiness and you ‘are not afraid with any amazement.’ Literally from the Greek, you are not afraid with any alarms, any agitation. In other words, like Sarah, for when Abraham said, ‘We are going to live in this part of the world for so long, we are going to make our home in tents,’ she didn’t say, ‘I can’t possibly live like that. This is terrifying. There are wild animals out there. I can’t do this.’ No, if it’s of God, he will keep us and he will bless us. She exercised faith; she did not get agitated with amazement. She did not say to Abraham, ‘Look, you’ve got flocks and herds. You are the richest person in the entire neighbourhood. Why can’t we build a castle or a palace, we’ve got substance?’ No, the call of God was to be pilgrims and to live in tents for Abraham at that time and so there was no agitation, no loss of faith. She supported him. You are not called to those sorts of difficulties, so you can comply with God’s order and support your husband.

Application

Who might we be afraid of with amazement? Perhaps by the world around you. In these days you see feminists, and bossy people, and people who must have their way, people who must be king, people who must be chief, people who are watching their rights the whole time. Do not be intimidated. Do not be overawed by people who will not conform to the rules of God, and the ways of God, and to the sanctifying influences of the Lord.

Questions

What does Peter mean by saying to Gentiles, ‘whose daughters ye are.’ Peter, what are you saying? Don’t you understand the implications of what you are saying? There are people in the 21^st century who get very upset about this type of terminology. They say, ‘This is replacement theology. You are saying that the Gentile church, the New Testament church has replaced the Jews. You can’t say that. The Jews are God’s special people in every age. Gentiles are an inferior people of God. The Jews are going to be brought back. Never suggest that the Jewish-Gentile international church of Jesus Christ is a replacement for the Jewish era.’ There are people who think that way. But Peter, who was a Jew, is unafraid to say, ‘whose daughters ye are.’ We are children of Abraham; we are sons and daughters of Sarah and this is addressed to Gentiles. We are Israel now! It is no longer the Jewish institution of the Old Testament; it is Jews and Gentiles and there’s no difference between them at all. If you believe in the Lord and you love him and you are saved by grace, well, then, you are a child of Abraham, a child of Sarah, regardless of ethnicity.

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Introduction

1 Peter 3:5 Commentary and Bible Study