Explaining Why | Dana C. Baldwin

Introduction

The disciples to whom Peter wrote were experiencing some of the most difficult circumstances of their time—persecuted, cut off from social and economic life, shamed, and laughed at. It would get worse, though Peter and they did not know this at the time. Peter reminds his readers that they have a new life because of the resurrection of Jesus. This new life gave them a new hope with the understanding that a precious inheritance was awaiting them. Peter instructs them to submit to those who are over them—government, masters, spouse—the disciple was to learn how to yield to others. They were to live godly lives in the face of this persecution.

Peter uses Jesus as the example that they were to follow. They were to suffer as he did—silently. They were to allow the insults and respond with blessing. They were to endure the abuse without retaliation. They were to approach life with a new attitude and a new direction. As God’s people, they were to live godly lives and quiet the opposition in doing so. Such instructions would have been difficult then. They are difficult now. Living in a culture that demands rights and refuses to yield to another, learning to live godly lives seeking the best for others and yielding to others is not easy. But the instructions do not change according to situations and circumstances. Today our text deals with further instructions to live godly lives among unbelievers. Peter once again uses Jesus as the example of how to live godly lives but in this text Peter reveals the victory which comes because of one’s faith in Jesus. Through Jesus victory is ours.

The Text

There are two sections to this text that often are the focus of discussion. The first section is found in verse 15—always be prepared to given an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. The other section is found in verses 18-22 in which Jesus preaches to the spirits in heaven. But to focus solely on these few verses is to miss Peter’s point. The readers are dealing with trying circumstances. They are pressed to remain faithful to their commitment while suffering because of their faith. Peter’s words are intended to encourage. His overall point is that they will be victorious. Their allegiance is with Jesus. He suffered for doing good; so will they. He died and was given life; so they, too, have life. He won; so will they. So remain faithful.

Let’s see how these two sections specifically fit into this point. Verse 15 is often taken as a verse that means that we are to be defenders of truth. While there is nothing wrong with such a view, we need to dig a bit deeper about the verse. Notice the context. After instructing his readers to live in harmony with one another, Peter quotes from Psalm 34. The intent—God endorses the righteous. Even if you suffer for doing the right thing, make sure that your heart is set apart for God. Why?

The time may come when someone wants to know—why do you bless when cursed? Why do you not retaliate when insulted? Why do you remain silent when others threaten you? The answer is Jesus. This answer Peter says will result in shame for those who slander you. This is the answer for those who inquire. It isn’t just to defend what we believe but to explain our hope in Jesus. Peter has used this term back in 1:3. Our hope has to do with the expectation of future salvation. Why do we bless when cursed? Because our focus is not on the temporary discomfort of this life but on the inheritance which is to come.

Peter goes on in verse 17 to point out that it is better to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. This is the principle that he wants his readers to live by. Verse 18 begins with “For” and serves to introduce an illustration of one who suffered for doing good, but was victorious in the end. In verses 18-22 Jesus is the example. Jesus suffered for doing good. He died so that the unrighteous could be brought to God. The mention of Noah in this text is an interesting insertion.

Archaeological discoveries in this area have found Roman coins. These coins date from 193-251 A.D. On one side of the coin is the image of the Roman Caesar at the time. On the other side is an image of Noah and his wife. The flood story was prominent throughout this region. There were four different versions but all seem to come from the same source. The point is that Noah was a well-known figure to this region although the bulk of folks were not Jewish.

Peter uses this additional illustration to reveal that just as Noah was saved when all others were against him, so they, too, will be saved through the resurrection of Jesus although so many are opposed to them. Verse 22 signals victory. All are in submission to the resurrected Jesus. They have given their lives to Jesus. They will share in his resurrection and by doing so will share in his victory as well. So what does this text have to say to us?

Application

First, your life affects others. Peter says that we are to be prepared to explain our hope. This assumes that we possess such hope and that we trust this hope. Some claim to be believers while living as an unbeliever. Others claim that the quality of their moral choices demonstrates their goodness. But there are plenty of unbelievers who are good moral people. Peter’s point is that true believers will walk the talk. Listen to how C.S. Lewis once described the Christian responsibility to defend the faith: “Here is a door, behind which, according to some people, the secret of the universe is waiting for you. Either it’s true, or it isn’t. And if it isn’t, then what the door really conceals is simply the greatest fraud, the most colossal ‘sell’ on record. Isn’t it obviously the job of every person to try to find out which, and then to devote our full energies either to serving this tremendous secret or to exposing and destroying this gigantic humbug?”

We need believers who are so convinced of the hope they have that they will praise rather than complain. We need believers who are so convinced of the hope they have that they will bless when cursed. We need believers who are so convinced of the hope they have that they will yield to others when retaliation would be more pleasing. We need believers who are so convinced of the hope they have that they will be modest when the world tells us immodesty is acceptable. We need believers who are so convinced of the hope they have that they will remain focused on their hope when the noise of the world calls them. By the conduct of our lives we either defend the hope or reveal that the hope has no meaning.

Second, remember your pledge. In this last section, Peter uses baptism as an illustration of the salvation that belongs to the believer. In our baptism we make a pledge. Baptism isn’t a bath. It is a pledge. It isn’t the act of baptism that saves us, but the acceptance of the resurrection in baptism that saves us. In our baptism we announce to the world that our hope is in the resurrection of Jesus. We pledge to live for God. Live up to your pledge.

Our baptism was a pledge to listen to God not our own selfish desires. Our baptism was a pledge to submit to God not what we want. Our baptism was a pledge that we were going to live for God. Live up to your pledge. The victory belongs to those who keep their pledge.

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