The Ethic of a Christian- pt3
Of particular interest is v. 27, the warning to swerve neither to the right nor to the left. Deuteronomy 5:32; 17:11; 28:14; and Josh 23:6 are similar. The idea is that one should not be distracted from the way of wisdom (v. 25). Temptation to allegorize “right” and “left” in light of modern usage should be resisted. At the same time, the text can be taken to urge the reader to maintain the simplicity of biblical teaching
Abraham uttered these words in a context in which he had no property on which to bury his wife. Similarly, the Petrine readers had no permanent home in this world
Such desires cannot be confined to sexual sins or sins of the body like drunkenness. We have already seen in 2:1 that believers are warned against “social” sins like slander and envy. The depth of the struggle in which believers are engaged is explained by the words “which war against your soul.”
Such “good conduct” (RSV) will appear beautiful to “pagans” (lit. “Gentiles,” ethnesin). Using the term “Gentiles” for pagans indicates that the terminology of Israel is now applied to the church of Jesus Christ. Hence, even though unbelievers are inclined to revile Christians as those who do evil, they will be constrained by the godly lifestyle of believers to reconsider
Unbelievers viewed Christians with suspicion and hostility because the latter did not conform to their way of life (4:3–4). Since believers did not honor the typical gods of the community, they were naturally viewed as subversive and evil in that social context
Suffering stalks the believer until this present evil age comes to an end. Instead, Peter assured believers that nothing can ultimately harm them if they continue to walk in God’s paths, that the pain inflicted on them now is only temporary, and that they will be vindicated by God on the last day
Fear of human beings, even of those who persecute, is forbidden. The reason fear is prohibited relates back to vv. 13–14a. Since no one can ultimately harm believers and since even their suffering is a sign of God’s blessing, then it follows that they should not fear what others can do to them.
Peter continued to emphasize that the conduct of believers is related to the Lord, where all conduct is in the sphere of Christ. Further, Christians should only be abused for their “good” conduct. Believers are to live righteously so that those who abuse their good conduct will “be ashamed”
The heart is the origin of human behavior (cf. 1:22; 3:4), and from it flows everything people do. Hence, setting apart Christ as Lord in the heart is not merely a private reality but will be evident to all when believers suffer for their faith. The inner and outer life are inseparable, for what happens within will inevitably be displayed to all, especially when one suffers.