peace – Written Exposition

‘And let the peace of God rule in your hearts.’ Colossians 3:15

I don’t know about you but I have never been much interested in sport. I do not follow any teams and am always at a loss when others start a conversation about cricket, soccer, rugby and (even at this Wimbledon season) tennis.

In the world of the New Testament it was athletic competitions with one winner rather than ball games or team sports that the people enjoyed. Since many of the big sporting events in those days were held in honour of pagan gods it is highly unlikely that the apostle Paul was a sports fanatic. However, he would certainly have been aware of major competitions like the four main Panhellenic Games: the Olympic, Pythian, Nemean and Isthmian Games. The latter games were held in honour of the sea-god Poseidon every two years at Corinth, a city where Paul lived for a year and a half (Acts 18:11).

Although not a fan Paul did make several allusions to sport in his letters:

APOSTLE PAUL’S REFERENCES TO ATHLETICS

1 Cor 9:24-27 speaks of the winner’s crown and the possibility of being disqualified.

2 Cor 5:10 mentions the judgement seat of Christ – bema – a raised platform on which the judges sat.

Galatians 2: 2 says; ‘lest I run or had run in vain.’

In Galatians 5:7 Paul again talks about running well (cp. Heb 12:1).

In Ephesians 6:12 he maintains: ‘we wrestle not against flesh and blood’

In Philippians 3:14 he says: ‘I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling in Christ.’

Near the end of his life Paul wrote: ‘I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.’ 2 Tim 4:7-8 (NLT)

Here in Colossians 3:15 the reference is not to competitors but to someone who moderates a sporting event – a referee or umpire .

The term ‘rule’ is the verb brabeúō which describes the activity of an umpire at the games. It means ‘to act as an umpire (brabeus)’.

Paul’s advice to the Christians at Colosse was: ‘Let the peace of God be the umpire in your hearts!’

In other words:

‘Let the peace of God call the shots in your life!

‘Let the peace of God be the umpire that settles your emotions and your decisions!

‘Let the peace of God rule in your hearts!’

How do most of us react whenever we have a bad day, when things are uncertain and everything seems to get on top of us? Often we get grumpy, irritable and upset.

In this verse the apostle Paul tells us that whenever we confront difficult situations we should let God’s peace dominate every emotion. We must choose to let God’s peace settle any detrimental thoughts and feelings that might rise up in our minds. We are not to get into an emotional frenzy. The peace that comes from God will be a guide that orders and directs our decisions, relationships and actions but order to let this peace call the shots we must acknowledge the lordship of Jesus Christ and follow his instructions.

Whenever we let this umpire called ‘divine peace’ control the game of life all decisions will be correct. There will be no anxiety, fretfulness or worry, and definitely no need for the spiritual equivalent of review technology like Hawk-Eye.

So, whenever overwhelmed by problems or emotions that would disturb us, we ought to stop, refocus, and let God’s peace call the shots in our hearts.

The umpire always has the final say. Does God’s peace serve as umpire in your heart, and in mine?

‘And let the peace of God rule in your hearts.’ Colossians 3:15

1 Peter 5:5-7 EXHORTATION TO ASSEMBLY MEMBERS

1 Peter 5:8-11 A WARNING ABOUT THE ADVERSARY

1 Peter 5:12-14 FAREWELL AND FINAL GREETINGS

5:5-7 Just as in 3:1, 7 Peter uses the word ‘likewise’ to stay on the same subject but address his remarks to a different group of people. Here he continues with the idea of subordination and, having addressed the elders in v.1, now addresses the ‘younger.’ Although ‘younger’ is masculine Peter possibly has in mind every member of the assembly who was not an elder, rather than just the younger men. He instructs them to be subject to the elders (church leaders).

Without diminishing the leadership role Peter exhorts them all, including elders, to have an attitude of subordination to one another and to ‘clothe’ (egkombóomai) themselves with humility. This word is derived from egkómbōma – an apron or garment with strings that a slave wore when working. Humility (tapeinophrosúnē) is the attitude of lowliness of mind that Christians ought to display toward one another. A similar sentiment using the same word is expressed by the apostle Paul in Eph 4:2; Phil 2:3 and Col 3:12. Peter asserts that this is the will of God by quoting Prov 3:34 LXX. That verse is also quoted in James 4:6; a similar passage which also refers to resisting the devil (4:7) and to humbling oneself before God, who will later exalt (4:10).

The thought changes from humility in relation to others to humility before God. ‘Therefore’ (i.e. because God resists the arrogant but honours the humble) they should also subordinate themselves to God, knowing that he will exalt them in due time. They are to accept that, despite the persecution and uncomfortable situation in which they find themselves, everything is under God’s control (‘powerful hand’). The mighty hand of God is an Old Testament idea: Exod 12:3, 9, 14,16; Deut 9:26; Ezek 20:33.

Divine Provision – God gives grace to the humble.

Divine Promotion – God will exalt the humble in due time.

The contrast is between humbling and raising up. See 1 Sam 2:7-9; Ezek 17:24; Mt 23:12; Lk 1:52; 14:11; 18:14.

5:7 DON’T WORRY

‘Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.’ 1 Peter 5:7 This is not an imperative but a participle following ‘humble yourselves’ (6a). See Psa 55:22.

It is interesting that the apostle Peter employed a term from his former occupation as a fisherman to advise Christians how to handle the cares and worries of daily life. What does ‘casting’ involve? It calls for ‘throwing away’ and ‘letting go.’ This verse falls naturally into two sections; each emphasizing a responsibility. Our part: ‘casting all your care upon him’ and God’s part: ‘he careth for you.’ Let us follow Peter’s advice, bearing in mind those two parts. We do the casting, God does the caring.

The Action: ‘casting’

The Amount: ‘all’

The Advocate ‘on him’

The Affection: ‘he careth’

The Administration: ‘for you’

5:8 STAY AWAKE

‘Be sober’ (nḗphō) – be serious i.e. stay focused

‘Be vigilant’ (grēgoreúō) – stay awake.

Peter knew from experience how difficult it was to stay awake. He fell asleep in the Lord’s hour of need. Grēgoreúō is the word for ‘watch’ in the Gethsemane episode and occurs three times in Mark’s account (14:34, 37, 38).

‘And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch…..And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation…’

By the way: The Lord Jesus had asked his disciples to watch and pray with Him in the Garden of Gethsemane, to help him through a difficult time. He was praying and suffering anguish such as no-one has ever suffered and went back to receive encouragement from his friends – but they were asleep. He woke them the first time, but thereafter let them sleep. Jesus had to bear his burden alone. Peter and the others who slept were able to serve him later on but never again did they have the opportunity to watch with Jesus in his hour of agony. The friend you fail today, you may not see again tomorrow. You may never have another opportunity to encourage, or display an act of kindness. Now back to the passage under consideration

5:9 FIGHT THE ADVERSARY

Peter tells them to keep calm and stay awake because there is a serious threat. Peter knew from experience how dangerous Satan was (Lk 22:31). The adversary is like a lion circling to ‘gulp them down’ (katapínō). This word can also mean ‘destroy’ or ‘overwhelm.’ Peter warns the believers about the person, power and purpose of Satan.

His Desire: ‘your adversary’ – He is an enemy.

His Danger: ‘a roaring lion’ – He is a formidable foe. – Psa 22:13

His Disposition: ‘ the devil’ – He slanders and falsely accuses.

His Determination: ‘walketh about’ – He never gives up.- Job 1:7

His Devouring: ‘may devour’

His Defeat: ‘resist stedfast in the faith’

They are to resist the Devil, firm in their faith. Firm and determined opposition is imperative. They are not told how to resist here but see Eph 6:10-13. The reference is most likely to their personal faith rather than faithfulness or the body of truth. A motivating factor in resisting the devil is knowing, as they do, that they have solidarity with other believers. The same kinds of sufferings are being experienced by the worldwide ‘brother hood’ (adelphótēs). Peter sets the suffering of Christian believers in Asia Minor in a global perspective.

‘ World’ – could be earth, inhabited world or world order.

5:10 ‘But’ – they have one who is more than a match for the adversary. He is the ‘God of all grace’ i.e. he gives help in every situation. He is the one who has called them in Christ (see also 1 Pet 1:15; 3:9, 21) to eternal glory. Their trials on earth will be short-lived but their glory will be eternal. Olígos could mean ‘little’ (a bit) but since the contrast here is with eternal glory it must mean a ‘little while.’

Next comes a promise, in the future tense. It is not a prayer. Four strong verbs emphasize their permanent vindication:

RESTORE (katartízō) complete, put back in order. For example, the fishing nets in Mt 4:21.

ESTABLISH (stērízō) make permanent. For example, the great gulf fixed in Lk 16:26.

STRENGTHEN (sthenóō) make strong.

SETTLE (themelióō) to lay on a firm foundation, secure by fixing firmly in place.

5:11 A doxology similar to that in 4:11b.

5:12-14 FAREWELL AND FINAL GREETINGS

‘By Silas’ See my post SILVANUS

For commendation of the bearer of a letter see: 1 Cor 16:10-11; Eph 6:21-22; Col 4:7-9; Tit 3:12-13.

‘Exhorting’ This could be a one word summary of 1 Peter. This letter gives instruction and encouragement to face persecution with hope and patience.

‘Testifying’ bearing witness. What he says carries weight.

‘God’s true grace’ This is the state they will enter at the unveiling of Jesus Christ (1:3). It is authentic, God will certainly fulfil his promises.

‘She who is at Babylon, elect like you, sends you her greetings’

Who was the lady? a) Peter’s wife 1 Cor 9:5? b) the church in the area Peter was writing from? A picturesque description. Compare 2 John 13.

What does ‘Babylon ‘ refer to? It is unlikely that the author was writing from Babylon on the Euphrates as it lay in ruins at that time. It is possible that he wrote from Rome. The city may have been a metaphor for a place of evil ( Rev 14:8; 17:5,18; 18:2. It was the capital of the pagan world. Or. since Babylon would have conjured up the idea of the Dispersion and the Exile in the minds of the Jewish believers the church at Rome was thought to be in Babylon because that was its place of exile. The Christians were sojourners and temporary aliens (1:1, 17;2:11).

‘Marcus my son’ John Mark the Evangelist. Peter had a close relationship with Mark.

The Christians are ‘all’ to greet each other with a kiss of love.

The letter closes with a prayer that this persecuted church will know peace. The peace is in Christ.

Peace as a Gift John 14:27

Peace as a Guard Phil 4:7

Peace as a Guide Col 3:15

Peace as a Goal Heb 12:14

1 PETER BIBLIOGRAPHY

1 PETER – INTRODUCTION

1 PETER – OUTLINE

1 PETER 1:1-2 – COMMENTS

1 PETER 1:3-12 – COMMENTS