LAB157 Would I Be Able to Endure Persecution?
1 Peter 4:14
LAB157 God Gives Us A Taste of Future Glory Now
#persecution
#glory
#presentglory
Published April 5th, 2017
Introduction
Phrase
Learning from Ps Piper
Introduction
Refer to webpage: www.desiringgod.org/labs/would-i-be-able-to-endure-persecution Note: I've decided to examine and understand how Pastor Piper looks at the book. This time I've also added my own responses to his process.
notes
Phrase
NT
1 Peter 4:14
esv
If you are insulted
Conditional clause
for the name of Christ,
basis for the condition
you are blessed,
Result of condition
because the Spirit of glory and of God
Ground for the blessing
rests upon you.
phrasing
Learning from Ps Piper
editing
1 Peter 4:14
mine
Ps Piper's Process
My Learning
1. Start with question: How does God come to us personally to help us in our persecution so we are not left to ourselves to endure?
I find Ps Piper's questions always so helpful. I would like to ask good questions.
2. Decide on an approach. Here to see connection to preceding verse 1 Peter 4:13, and to see connections to other parts of the Word.
I find being able to discern how to approach a text helpful too. Here to see that the verse before is critical to knowing the meaning of this verse.
3. Pray to God for Him to show us how He is with us so we don't despair in trouble.
This praying reminds me it is always God who is the ultimate cause of any right understanding.
4. Break up the verse into its parts.
5. Examine each part. First part has the term "insulted". The closest reference to this is 1 Peter 4:3-4 where believers are maligned. Ps Piper notes that what led to the insult was when believers were not behaving in the same fallen way as the world.
6. Second part shows that the name of Christ has led believers to change their behaviour such that unbelievers don't like that and hurl insults because they feel judged. Believers' response is to realise this is not their problem and they are to respond in love, good deeds, in hope that unbelievers will give glory to God someday.
I appreciate the detailed care where the insult is arising from not participating in sinful behaviours. That unbelievers will feel judged. What is my responsibility and what is not.
7. Third part, the word "blessed" when insulted is an echo of Matthew 5:11-12. Both passages use the same word for 'revile' or 'insult'. There is a big difference: In Matthew, Jesus tells of a future reward and hope, which is something Peter addresses in v. 13. However in v 14, Peter focusses on the present hope.
Being able to find parallels requires me to be as familiar with the Bible as possible. Reading through the Word is important.
8. The present hope is found in the fourth and last part of this verse, and that is God is with believers. Significant is the term "Spirit of Glory" which rests upon believers in the present now, and that similar glory in v. 13 which will be revealed when Christ returns. So this part of v. 14 shows how this reward of glory is also in the present.
How good and caring of God to know we need present assurances and comfort. For Him to give a way for us to experience future glory now, that's amazing!
9. Ask the question what does it mean to experience the future glory now? Check other parts of the letter. One helpful reference is 1 Peter 1:8 to rejoice with ...'glorified joy.'
I love this question, what does it mean? Oftentimes we use terms and phrases when really, we don't know what it means. This question helps to push things further to achieve understanding.
10. Ask what does glorified joy mean? a) Connecting with 1 Peter 4:14, one possible answer is when the Spirit of Glory rests upon believers, we are able to experience the joy of that glory presently. b) Drawing on Ephesians 1:17-18. Paul prays for eyes to be enlightened so that the riches of the glory of His inheritance can be known presently.
11. Ask the question what is this experience that can cause us to endure persecution? This experience of glory now is God helping us by blessing us with the Spirit of Glory. This Spirit will rest on us, something extraordinary done by God.
12) Summarise this present experience which is a) seeing glory as real and valuable, supremely, over anything that may be taken away. b) tasting glory as supremely satisfying to not have regrets. c) feeling great assurance that we will rejoice in Christ forever.
To break down the summary to specific points. This is so helpful to bring all the various parts together.
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Disclaimer: The opinions and conclusions expressed on this page are those of the author and may or may not accord with the positions of Biblearc or Bethlehem College & Seminary.