1 Peter 2:25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. Truth to Learn Not only is God our Shepherd, He is the guardian of our soul. Behind the Words “Going astray” is translated from a form of planaō,...
1 Peter 2:24 – Sin Bearer
1 Peter 2:24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. Truth to Learn Christ took our sins to the cross to pay the price for them. Behind the Words The...
1 Peter 2:23 – Surrender to God
1 Peter 2:23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; Truth to Learn Instead of attacking our accusers, we should surrender to God. Behind the Words What does it mean to be...
1 Peter 2:22 – Silent Suffering
1 Peter 2:22 "Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth"; Truth to Learn Jesus Christ is the perfect example of patient suffering. Behind the Words The word translated “sin” is hamartia, which literally means “to miss the mark.” In our case the mark is God-like perfection....
Matthew 2:1-2, 9-11 – Kings at the Manger?
Matthew 2:1-2, 9-11 1Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and...
Luke 2:12, 15-17, 20 – Impossible, Improbable, but True
Luke 2:12, 15-17, 20 12And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger. 15So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to...
Luke 2:8-14 – Promised Peace
Luke 2:8-14 8Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10Then the angel said...
1 Peter 1:21 – Exemplary Suffering
1 Peter 2:21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: Truth to Learn We have been called by God to follow Christ’s example. Behind the Words The word “called” is translated from kaleō, which means...
1 Peter 2:20 – Patient Suffering
1 Peter 2:20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. Truth to Learn When we patiently endure unjust punishment for having done good...
1 Peter 2:19 – Joyful Suffering
1 Peter 2:19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. Truth to Learn We should rejoice when we suffer for doing what is good. Behind the Words “Commendable” is translated from the Greek word charis, which is derived from the verb chairō,...
1 Peter 2:18 – Submit to Bosses
1 Peter 2:18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. Truth to Learn Submission to others is necessary, but not always easy. Behind the Words The word translated “servants” is the Greek word oiketēs, which means...
1 Peter 2:17 – Christ-like Behavior
1 Peter 2:17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. Truth to Learn Treating others respectfully is not an option for Christians; we are commanded to do it! Jesus Christ is our example. Behind the Words The word translated “honor” is timaō, which means “to place...
1 Peter 2:16 – Free to Submit
1 Peter 2:16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Truth to Learn We are free from the penalty of sin, but we are God’s servants. Behind the Words The word translated “free” is eleutheros, meaning “unrestrained” or “able to move...
1 Peter 2:15 – Good Works = God’s Glory
1 Peter 2:15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— Truth to Learn God will use our good works to bring glory to Himself. Behind the Words The word translated “will” is thelēma, meaning “a desire...
1 Peter 2:14 – All Authorities
1 Peter 2:14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. Truth to Learn We are to submit to all authorities over us at all times, not just when it is convenient, or...
1 Peter 2:13 – Submit to Authority
1 Peter 2:13 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, Truth to Learn We are to submit to whatever government we might live under. Behind the Words The word translated “submit” is hupotassō, a compound word made up of...
1 Peter 2:12 – For His Glory
1 Peter 2:12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. Truth to Learn Our good conduct will bring glory to God. Behind the Words “Conduct” is...
1 Peter 2:11 – Holy Pilgrims
1 Peter 2:11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, Truth to Learn We are to live like citizens of heaven, not like earth dwellers. Behind the Words The word “beg” is an interesting one. It is the Greek word,...
1 Peter 2:10 – Humbling Realization
1 Peter 2:10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. Truth to Learn God shows us mercy because He wants to, not because we want Him to. Behind the Words The Greek word translated...
1 Peter 2:9 – Praising Chosen Ones
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; Truth to Learn We were chosen to give praise to God. Behind the...
1 Peter 2:8 – Stumbling Disobedience
1 Peter 2:8 and "a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense." They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed. Truth to Learn Those who reject God’s call are condemned because they don’t believe. Behind the Words The word translated “stone” is lithos, which...
1 Peter 2:7 – Foundational Judge
1 Peter 2:7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, "the stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone," Truth to Learn What you believe about Jesus determines the role He plays in your life, both now and eternally. Behind the...
Surgery Update
Thanks to all of you who prayed for my knee surgery yesterday. I had a large cyst removed from the inside of my right knee. As it turned out, the cyst was larger and more complex than the Orthopedic Surgeon originally thought and it took longer than he thought it...
1 Peter 2:6 – Chief Cornerstone
1 Peter 2:6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame." Truth to Learn Jesus Christ is the main foundation stone of the church. Behind the...
1 Peter 2:5 – Our Priestly Sacrifices
1 Peter 2:5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Truth to Learn All true Christians are priests and we are to offer sacrifices. Behind the Words The expression “are being...
1 Peter 2:4 – A Precious Stone
1 Peter 2:4 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, Truth to Learn We have the great privilege of directly approaching our Lord. Behind the Words “Coming” is translated from the Greek word proserchomai, made up of pros, meaning...
1 Peter 2:3 – Tasting God’s Provision
1 Peter 2:3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. Truth to Learn Our Heavenly Father treats us very well. Behind the Words “If indeed” is translated from eiper, which is a compound word made up of ei, meaning “if” and per, meaning “perhaps” or “indeed.” In...
1 Peter 2:2 – Spiritual Craving
1 Peter 2:2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, Truth to Learn The moment we became a Christian we started craving spiritual food. Behind the Words “Newborn” is translated from the Greek word artigennētos, which is made up of arti, meaning...
1 Peter 2:1 – Vacating the Throne
1 Peter 2:1 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, Truth to Learn Since we have been born again through the word of God, our behavior should demonstrate that we are a new creation. Behind the Words The word translated “laying aside” is apothithēmi,...
1 Peter 1:25 – Sowing the Eternal Gospel
1 Peter 1:25 But the word of the Lord endures forever." Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you. Truth to Learn Those who share the gospel message are sowing incorruptible seed, which produces eternal life. Behind the Words “Endures” is translated from the Greek...
1 Peter 1:24 – Withered Blossom
1 Peter 1:24 because "All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, Truth to Learn Like flowers, our physical body will wither and die some day. Behind the Words The word “flesh” is...