EXPLORE THE TEXT
Believers can be assured that God will hold all people accountable on the day of judgment.
4 They are surprised that you don’t join them
in the same flood of wild living-
and they slander you.
5 They will give an account to the one who stands ready
to judge the living and the dead.
6 For this reason the gospel was also preached to those who are now dead,
so that, although they might be judged in the flesh according to human standards,
they might live in the spirit according to God’s standards.
As noted, Peter suggested the primary form of persecution in Asia Minor was social ostracization.
Gentiles’ surprise soon transformed into anger and offense.
The Christians were the targets of harsh words and accusations.
But Peter used a word related to “blasphemy” here,
suggesting that God was a target of their insults, as well.
what did it mean for the Gentiles to be surprised?
Why might they have responded that way.
God’s role is the ultimate Judge over both believers and unbelievers,
whether living or dead.
Gentiles found it surprising (xenizontai)
that Christians did not partake in their raucous lifestyle.
The Greek wording can refer to showing hospitality to an unexpected guest
However, in this context,
the secondary rendering of bewilderment and astonishment fits better.
The Gentiles were struck by the novelty of the Christians’ moral stand.
the values of God’s kingdom varied so greatly from that cultural standard
that Christians could scarcely fit into the everyday activities of life around them.
This “otherness” resulted in the kinds of social persecution discussed in prior chapters.
While such forms of persecution might lead to something more severe (such as torture or execution), 1 Peter implies that social persecution was strongest and most common.
Peter had already described unrestrained parties and carousing on the part of unbelievers.
The Greek word (asotias) suggests wastefulness and dissipation.
Paul used the same term to describe drunkenness (Eph. 5:18)
and the kind of behavior Christian leaders should avoid (Titus 1:6).
Peter’s instruction throughout his letter is grounded in his understanding of eschatology, the study of last things.
he reminded his readers yet again that God will have the last word with such pagans.
In the short term, it might seem that sinners are escaping judgment and thriving in their rebellion against God.
As he did previously, Peter provided practical instruction on daily living that brings glory to God and moves the Christians toward spiritual maturity.
This time, he framed his teaching inside an end-time perspective.