The second half of this chapter begins with an exhortation for all of us to be sober-minded and to be watchful. We are called to be ‘vigilant’ (this Greek word can be found 22 times in the New Testament) and self-controlled, while we remain calm and collected. It would be difficult to have someone ask us about the hope that is in us, if we are not watchful or calm (see 1 Peter 3:15). A panicked or stressed-out person is rarely asked for advice. In a recent Fox News poll 58% of Americans polled thought that “the way things are going” could best be described by the phrase: “things are going to hell in a handbasket.”[1] It would be difficult to give a “reason for the hope that is in you” if you are not paying attention and lost your calm or peace.
5:8b Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Verse eight began with the instruction to remain sober-minded and watchful, if we are not paying attention Peter warns us that our enemy, the devil, is actively prowling around looking for someone to destroy (see Job 1:7; 2:2). The pronoun ‘your’ makes this very personal, so yes, the devil is after you. The term adversary is often used as a legal reference identifying a legal opponent. It’s bad enough that the devil is prowling around like a lion, but to say he is ‘roaring’ is interesting. Lions roar for many reasons, one being to express their dominance in an attempt to keep other lions away, or to claim their territory. But that’s not all, their loud roars can startle their prey, which confuses them forcing them to panic and run in fear aiding to their capture. We need to be watching and remain sober-minded to prevent us from panicking and blindly following the schemes of the devil, or fall into any trap that he sets out for us.
The devil is the enemy of God, angels and all of God’s people (see Job 1:6-12; 2:1-6; Zechariah 3:1). The devil commands a dark demonic realm as the result of sin and a fallen world. He is a predator seeking to destroy us (see also Ezekiel 22:25; Psalm 7:2; 10:9-10; 17:12; 22:13-21; 35:17; 58:6; 104:21). He does not want to ‘wound’ us, but to destroy us, the word ‘devour’ can also mean to ‘swallow’ or to gulp down.[2] This unseen world can affect us in many ways including through other people (see 1 Tim 4:1-2; 2 Peter 2:1-22; Jude 3-16).
5:9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
Peter tells us that we need to resist the devil, just like James and Paul wrote (read James 4:7; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Ephesians 6:11-12). Beginning with this verse, Peter will use several words that are all derived from the same Greek word ‘histēmi’. The first word is the word ‘resist’ which sounds like the English word ‘antihistamine’ namely ‘anthistēmi’ which means to take a stand against. We are to be firm in our faith. The word for ‘firm’ is another word that comes from ‘histēmi’, meaning to be immovable or rigid. The devil from the beginning has been trying to thwart God’s plan of salvation. Satan is a liar and the only way to combat a lie is to expose the truth. We need to demonstrate the truth of God and His Word by living our faith. Peter continues by reminding us that we are not alone and that there are many who are also standing firm, fellow Christians suffering for their faith.
We regularly read or hear about Christians suffering and dying around the world. Much like it was during Peter’s time, we are also seeing a rise in Christian intolerance, much of our brotherhood around the world is indeed suffering right now. The index of persecution of Christians[3] (yes, that is a real statistic) has doubled since 2012 (see also Hebrews 13:1). Christian suffering goes on in many countries, not just the ones we hear about in the news like Iraq, Iran, Syria, and North Korea.
5:10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Peter offers some good news saying that we will only suffer for a little while. He is reminding us that the suffering we encounter in this lifetime is nothing in comparison with an eternity with Jesus (see Romans 8:18). Peter says that after our suffering, the God of all grace (similar to Paul’s “God of all comfort” in 2 Corinthians 1:3; Romans 12:3; 16:20 where both authors refer to God’s grace), who has called us by name to His eternal glory in Christ (see 2 Timothy 2:10; Philippians 3:12-16; 1 John 3:2-3) will Himself restore us. God will personally restore us from our fallen state to a perfect pre-corruption state (read Hebrews 13:20-21). The word translated here as ‘restore’ is another word that is derived from the Greek word ‘histēmi’ meaning to be made perfect again.[4]
Next, are the words ‘confirm’ and ‘strengthen’, both derived from the same Greek word as above. The word ‘confirm’ (or ‘sthenōsei’) applies to making something stronger[5] and the word translated here as ‘strengthen’ conveys something established as strong or “to make firm.”[6] Peter says God will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish (the Greek word for ‘establish’ means to lay a foundation to make us stable)[7] each one of us. God will be doing all the work, all we have to do is believe that He will! To Him be the dominion (often translated as energy or something done out of one’s own might or strength). For how long? Forever! Amen (speaking truly or so it may be).
5:12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.
Silvanus was Paul’s faithful companion (also known as Silas, see Acts chapters 15 and 16). Peter calls him a faithful brother and then concludes with the reason why he wrote this letter. “I have written briefly to you exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.” The term ‘stand’ is the Greek word that all of the other similar words were based on, namely ‘histemi’ which is something Peter will amplify even further in 2 Peter (see also Romans 5:1-2).
5:13 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son. 14 Greet one another with the kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
She who is at Babylon (often thought to be a code word for Rome to avoid unnecessary suspicion)[8], who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son. John Mark was Peter’s spiritual son; he was actually Barnabas’ cousin (see Acts 1:12). Then Peter finalizes with one last request, that everyone was to greet one another with the kiss of love.
Peter exhorts and declared many things in his first epistle. How to live as a Christian (especially through suffering), how to be prepared to witness for God, to be living examples to other Christians, and to stand firm, unwavering. In his next epistle Peter focuses on the need to trust the Word of God. Peter will make a strong case regarding the purity of the Word and the need to watch out for false teachers. Based on how God’s Word is poorly understood today and often improperly taught, Peter’s second letter could have just as easily been written today.
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[1] Fox News Polls: US voters weigh in on ISIS and Ebola (Interviews conducted October 12-14, 2014) by Anderson Roberts Research and Shaw & Company Research. <http://www.foxnews.com/politics/interactive/2014/10/15/fox-news-polls-us-voters-weigh-in-on-isis-and-ebola/>
[2] Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary: New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers. Strong’s Greek No. 2666
[3] Statista, Inc. Index of Persecution of Christians Worldwide (2015) <http://www.statista.com/statistics/271002/persecution-of-christians-worldwide/>
[4] Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary: New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers. Strong’s Greek No. 2675
[5] Strong, J. (2001). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software. Strong’s Greek No. 4599
[6] Strong, J. (2001). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software. Strong’s Greek No. 4741
[7] Strong, J. (2001). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software. Strong’s Greek No. 2311
[8] Myers, A. C. (1987). In The Eerdmans Bible dictionary (p. 118). Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.