Abstract
Growth towards maturity is dependent on the presence of freedom, holiness and immortality. These are presented as divine qualities that are utterly lacking in human beings. However, while human beings are ignorant and weak, sinful and mortal the addressees of 1 Peter1 are reminded that they have also been begotten anew by the imperishable seed of God’s Word, the Good News of Jesus Christ in order to share immortal life. This article looks first at human beings who as God’s creatures are ‘flesh’, but are also enabled to acknowledge their ‘fleshly’ state, to appreciate (‘desire’ and ‘taste’) (2:2–3) the Gospel and to submit to God. The second part considers the saving role of Christ as the powerful yet rejected ‘stone’ placed and offered by God as the model and means to transcend the ‘flesh’ in the flesh (4:1–2). A final part focuses on the new birth and the growth process in which the fleshly desires and ways of living give way to a manner of life, which is a witness to God’s saving power.
Highlights
We can find at least three sets of contrasting pairs in 1 Peter, each one of them characterising on the one hand the initial human condition, and on the other hand the divine life
It was taken for granted that human beings are responsible for their actions and will be judged by God according to their actions (1:17; 2:23; 4:5; compare Mt 25:31–46)
True human freedom is service of God while false freedom is enslavement to evil (2:16)
Summary
Read online: Scan this QR code with your smart phone or mobile device to read online. Growth towards maturity is dependent on the presence of freedom, holiness and immortality These are presented as divine qualities that are utterly lacking in human beings. While human beings are ignorant and weak, sinful and mortal the addressees of 1 Peter are reminded that they have been begotten anew by the imperishable seed of God’s Word, the Good News of Jesus Christ in order to share immortal life. 5.See ἵνα ἐν αὐτῷ αὐξηθῆτε εἰς σωτηρίαν (2:2); the growth towards maturity is the work of God (notice the passive aorist) by means of their passionate devotion to the Good News. Following this holy desire stands in clear contrast to following the desires of the flesh (1:14; 2:11; 4:2-3). Alexander et al (1999), for the abbreviations of the biblical books, the works of Philo and the Church Fathers
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