1 Peter 3

1 Peter 3:1

By faith Abraham, when he was tried. See Genesis 22:1-14. Offered up Isaac . . . his only begotten [son]. Abraham stands as the great Old Testament example of faith, “the Father of the faithful”, the man whose faith was “counted for righteousness” (Romans 4:5). Hence his faith was tried by the sternest test of any Man of God on record, not that God might be certain of his faith, but that all his spiritual children should profit by his example. Note: (1) Isaac was the only child of his marriage; (2) he was the child of promise and by grace; (3) he was the heir, not only of Abraham but of all God’s promises to Abraham. Yet Abraham was told to offer him. It was God’s command. What a trial of faith! Yet, he believed, though he would not see how, that God would keep his promises.

1 Peter 3:2

In Isaac shall thy seed be called. See also Genesis 21:12 Romans 9:7. Even though God raised him from the dead. Hence in faith he obeyed, and his faith was gloriously rewarded. The lesson for us is implicit obedience to God’s command and trust in his promises. Nothing less is a demonstration of faith.

1 Peter 3:3

From whence also he received him in a figure. As one who in his mind had been sacrificed. It was from the altar of sacrifice that he received him back.

1 Peter 3:4

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. See Genesis 27:26-40 28:2-3. In the blessing there are prophecies of their future history.

1 Peter 3:5

By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph. See Genesis 48:8-22. In his blessing he foresaw that both Ephraim and Manasseh would be tribes of Israel, and that the younger would be the ancestor of the greater tribe. [Leaning] upon the top of his staff. See Genesis 47:31. The Hebrew word “mittah” as originally written may mean either staff or bed, that on which one rests. In our English version of Genesis “bed” has been preferred. The Septuagint, followed here, says “staff”. It means that the sick old man raised from his couch and leaned his weight on his staff while conferring the blessing.

1 Peter 3:6

By faith Joseph . . . gave commandment concerning his bones. See Genesis 50:24,25. By faith he looked forward to the children of Israel going up to Canaan for a home, and charged that his body should be carried up. This charge was faithfully fulfilled. See Joshua 24:32.

1 Peter 3:7

By faith Moses . . . was hid three months of his parents. See Exodus 2:2 Acts 7:20. Through faith in God the parents were led to disobey the king’s cruel edict, and to hide the child. Because they saw [he was] a proper child. A promising child.

1 Peter 3:8

By faith Moses . . . refused to be called the son of Pharoah’s daughter. He had faith in God’s promises, and hence forsook his honored position, for the sake of his people.

1 Peter 3:9

Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God. There were honor, wealth and pleasure in the palace, but affliction with the enslaved nation. He chose the latter by faith. Than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. The pleasures of sin are transient.

1 Peter 3:10

Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches. Any reproach endured through faith in the promises of which Christ was the center and sum, was called the reproach of Christ. This reproach, though men might shrink from it, was really of more value permanently than the treasures of Egypt, because he looked forward to the recompence of the reward, the heavenly blessings.

1 Peter 3:11

By faith he forsook Egypt. The Exodus was all an achievement of faith. Not fearing the wrath of the king. It was faith that made Moses disdain the king’s wrath. He endured, as seeing him who is invisible. The unseen God was present with him by faith and his support gave strength to endure all.

1 Peter 3:12

Through faith he kept the passover. See Exodus 12:3-30. He kept it because God commanded, and he believed all God promised. And the sprinkling of blood. The blood of the lamb sprinkled on the door posts. He not only believed that this would protect Israel’s first born, but his faith went beyond the type to the Lamb of God.

1 Peter 3:13

By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry [land]. See Exodus 14:13-22. In obedience to God’s command they marched into the sea and “were baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea” (1 Corinthians 10:1,2).

1 Peter 3:14

By faith the walls of Jericho fell. See Joshua 6:8-21.

1 Peter 3:15

By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not. See Joshua 2:1-22.

1 Peter 3:16

What shall I say more? All these cases are examples of heroic deeds and holy lives of faith. And the Scriptures are full of them; of such examples as Gedeon. See Jude 6:1-8:35. Barak. See Jude 4:1-5:31. Samson. See Jude 13:1-16:31. Jephthae. See Jude 10:6-12:7 David. See 1 Samuel 16:1. Samuel. See 1 Samuel 1:20. The prophets. Many of these were illustrious examples of the power of faith.

1 Peter 3:17

Who through faith subdued kingdoms. Some of those named subdued kingdoms, as Barak, Gideon, David. Obtained promises. Promises were made to many of the worthies named. Stopped the mouth of lions. The case of Daniel is the most remarkable. See Daniel 6:20.

1 Peter 3:18

Quenched the violence of fire. See the case of “the Hebrew children” in Daniel 3:19-28. Escaped the edge of the sword. See 1 Samuel 18:10,11.

1 Peter 3:19

Women received their dead raised to life again. Examples are the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:17-24) and the Shunammite (2 Kings 4:18-37). And others were tortured. This was especially true in the terrible persecutions recorded in the Book of Maccabees. That they might obtain a better resurrection. They preferred to suffer in hope of the resurrection to eternal life.

1 Peter 3:20

Others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings. This was true of many persecutions recorded in Jewish history.

1 Peter 3:21

They were stoned. See, for example, the deaths of Naboth (1 Kings 21:10-15) and Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada the priest (2 Chronicles 24:21). They were sawn asunder. The Talmud says that this was Isaiah’s fate.

1 Peter 3:22

Of whom the world was not worthy. When it rejects the good it shows its unworthiness. They wandered in deserts, etc. To hide from persecutors.