1 John 2 Commentary

 

   1: My little children these things write I to you that you sin not And if ever any sin we have an advocate with the Father [1] Jesus Christ the righteous 2: And he is the appeasement for our sins and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world 3: And hereby we do know that we know him ^Jesus if we keep his ^Jesus’ commandments [2] 4: They that say I know him and keep not his commandments are liars and the truth is not in them 5: But whoso keeps his word in them truly is the love of God perfected this is how we know that we are in him ^{In Christ} 6: They that say they abide in him ought themselves also so to walk even as he walked [3] 7: Brothers and sisters I write no new commandment to you but an old commandment which you had from the beginning The old commandment is the word which you have heard from the beginning 8: Again a new commandment I write to you which thing is true in him and in you because the darkness is past and the true light ^Jesus now shines 9: They that say they are in the light ^{in Christ} and hate their brothers [and sisters] are in darkness even until now 10: They that love their brothers [and sisters] abide in the light and there is none occasion of stumbling in them 11: But they that hate their brothers [and sisters] are in darkness and walk in darkness and know not where they go because that darkness has blinded their eyes 12: I write to you little boys and girls because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake 13: I write to you fathers because you have known him that is from the beginning ^{John 1:1} I write to you youths because you have overcome the wicked one I write to you little children because you have known the Father 14: I have written to you fathers because you have known him that is from the beginning I have written to you youths because you are strong and the word of God abides in you and you have overcome the wicked one 15: Love not the [world]-system neither the things that are in the system If ever any love the system the love of the Father is not in them 16: For all that is in the [world]-system the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life ^{Genesis 2} is not of the Father but is of the [world]-system 17: And the world-system passes away and the lust thereof but they that do the will of God abide forever 18: Little children it is the last time ^{last days} and as you have heard that antichrist shall come even now are there many antichrists this is how we know that it is the last time ^{Last days} 19: They went out from us but they were not of us for if they had been of us they would no doubt have continued with us but they went out that they might be made manifest ^exposed that they were not all of us 20: But you have an unction from the Holy One and you know all things 21: I have not written to you because you know not the truth but because you know it and that no lie is of the truth 22: Who is a liar but they that deny that Jesus is the Christ They are antichrist that deny the Father and the Son [4] 23: Whoever denies the Son the same has not the Father (but) they that acknowledge the Son have the Father also 24: Let that therefore abide in you which you have heard from the beginning If that which you have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, you also shall continue in the Son and in the Father 25: And this is the promise that he has promised us even eternal life 26: These things have I written to you concerning them that seduce you [5] 27: But the anointing which you have received of him (Jesus) abides in you and you need not that any teach you but as the same anointing teaches you of all things and is truth and is no lie and even as it has taught you, you shall abide in him 28: And now little children abide in him that when he shall appear we may have confidence and not be ashamed before him at his coming [6] 29: If you know that he is righteous you know that every one that does righteousness is born of him

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[1] ^{Matthew 1:18-20} 18: Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph before they came together she was found with child by the Holy Ghost…the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is by the Holy Ghost.
^{see also Luke 1:35} 

Mary got pregnant by the Holy Spirit. That makes the Holy Spirit Jesus’ father. Yahweh is the Father. The Holy Spirit is the Father. Jesus is the Everlasting Father. Jesus is YHWH. Jesus is God.

[2] ^{1 John 2:3} It is Jesus’ commandments John is telling us to keep. What are Jesus’ commandments (see notes on Matthew 5:17-19)?

[3] 1 John 2:6 John is not commanding believers to be observant. Jesus was observant because he was a man born under the Law ^{Galatians 4:4}.  

Jesus said he came to satisfy the requirements (pay the debt), and he did by his death on the cross ^{John 19:30}.

What about what Jesus said in [3] Matthew 5:19? Before the cross, Jesus had not yet satisfied all the requirements of the Law ^{John 19:30}. Context: In Matthew 5:17-19 (and in Luke 16:17), he was speaking from the position of still being under the Law. The requirements/sin debt had not yet been paid. To say that after the requirements were satisfied [the debt was paid] at the Cross ^{John 19:30}, all are still required to observe the Mosaic Law is misleading and takes the words of Jesus out of context.

[4] ^{1 John 2:22} How can anyone say Christians and Muslims worship the same God when Allah has no son?

[5] ^{1 John 2:26} What are they being seduced with? In most of the New Testament, we read of believers being seduced with returning to the requirements of the Law.

[6] ^{1 John 2:28} Why would a believer be ashamed before Christ at his coming unless they had fallen away? This must be a reference to his 2^nd Coming.

 Author and speaker, Jocelyn Andersen, is an eclectic Christian writer. She is a Bible teacher who writes about many subjects including equality of the sexes. She is best known for her advocacy in domestic violence awareness. Her book, Woman Submit! Christians & Domestic Violence, has been a staple in the library of resources on that subject.  

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2 Peter Chapter 1 commentary

 

    1: SimOn Petros a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of our God and our Savior [1] ^{Isaiah 43:10-11} Jesus Christ 2: Grace to you and peace be multiplied through the knowledge of God and Jesus the Lord of us [2] 3: According as his divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of the one [3] calling us to glory and excellence [4] 4: Whereby are given to us exceeding great and precious promises that by these we might be partakers of the divine nature having escaped the corruption that is in the world through evil desires 5: And besides this giving all diligence add to your faith excellence/valor [5] and to excellence [acquired] knowledge [6] 6: And to knowledge self-control [7] and to self-control endurance and to endurance devoutness [8]  7: And to devoutness brotherly kindness and to brotherly affection, love ^agape 8: For [if] these to you [are] possessing and increasing [we shall] neither [be] unactive nor yet unfruitful into the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ 9: But they that lack these things are blind and cannot see afar off and have forgotten that they were purged from their old sins 10: Wherefore the rather brothers and sisters give diligence to make your calling and election sure for if you do [9] these things you shall never fall 11: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ 12: Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things though you know them and be established in the present truth 13: Yes I think it appropriate as long as I am in this body to stir you up by putting you in remembrance 14: Knowing that shortly I must put off this my body even as our Lord Jesus Christ has showed me ^{John 21:18-19} 15: Moreover I will endeavor that you may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance 16: For we have not followed cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ but were eyewitnesses of his majesty 17: For he received from God the Father honor and glory when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased 18: And this voice which came from heaven we heard when we were with him in the holy mount 19: We have also a more sure word of prophecy whereunto you [will] do well that you take heed as unto a lamp that shines in a squalid/dingy place until the day dawns and the light-bringer should be rising in your hearts 20: Knowing this first that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation 21: For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of mortals but holy ones of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit

 

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[1] ^{2 Peter 1:1} Peter called Jesus his God and Savior ^{John 20:28}. What Jew has two Gods ^{Isaiah 44:6} or two saviors ^{Isaiah 43:11}? Jesus is YHWH.

[2] ^{2 Peter 1:2} Peter, the Jew, wrote this. He was not speaking of an earthly kuriou [lord], but of a Heavenly, for what Jew has two ADONAY’s in Heaven?

In Ephesians 4:4-6, Paul (the Jew) wrote: There is one body and one SPIRIT even as you are called in one hope of your calling One LORD one faith one baptism One GOD and GENERATOR of all Who is above all and CAUSE [of] all and in you all.

Now read this in a way a Jew might perceive it: One RUWACH. One ADONAY. One YHWH. One ELOHIM and GENERATOR [CREATOR ^{Jesus, John 1:1-3}]. The ABOVE all. And CAUSE ^DIA [OF] all. In ALL of you.

Is it not RUWACH (the Holy Spirit) who is in every believer?

References to GOD in the Greek Texts, unless otherwise indicated, refer to the GODHEAD, and not to just one member of the GODHEAD.  There is no first, second, or third person of the GODHEAD. To refer to it as such, denotes a hierarchical created order that finds no basis in scripture. The three-fold being that is ONE—ELOHIM—is the CREATOR ^{Genesis 1:1}

Is it possible for finite mortals to reason out the nature of an infinite GOD? The scripture never commands us to do so…only to believe. And Jesus said, “If you do not believe that I AM, you will die in your sins.”

YHWH = GODHEAD

ELOHIM = GODHEAD

ADONAY = GODHEAD

THE FATHER IS YHWH ()

THE SON IS YHWH (1 Timothy 3:16 ^RT)

THE SPIRIT IS YHWH (Acts 5:3-4)

ELOHIM = CREATOR (Genesis 1:1)

YESHUA = CREATOR (John 1:3)

YESHUA = FATHER (Isaiah 9:6)

Who is the FATHER of YESHUA?

RUWACH participated in the conception of MESSIAH. The power THE HIGHEST ^{the GODHEAD} overshadowed Miriam when the WORD entered the kosmos (world-system), becoming the Son ^{Psalm 2/Hebrews 1 “This day have I begotten thee”}, when he entered Miriam’s womb (Luke 1:35).

The entire GODHEAD participated in the miracle of GOD becoming a mortal. This in no way diminished the GODHEAD. Neither was the mortal SON OF GOD diminished in his person and position and intrinsic being as GOD, for ALL the fullness of the GODHEAD resides in Jesus in physical form ^{Colossians 2:9}.

[3] ^{2 Peter 1:3} Where is the first place we look to gain knowledge of God? …Our Bibles.

It is a mistake for believers to depend on teachers and Bible studies created by others for all their Bible knowledge. Yes, enjoy them and benefit from them. There is good reason our loving Creator gives the ministry gift of teachers. But this should be in addition to regular personal Bible reading and personal, independent, study—not instead of. The only way we can know if someone is teaching Truth, is if we have an extensive and first-hand knowledge for ourselves of what the Bible says. The only way to get that is by reading it through, over and over again.

Just read it.

Do not limit ourselves to only one Bible teacher or to those who teach from an identical point of view. One scholar wisely said that if there is no discussion of various viewpoints, then there is no such thing as a Bible teaching ministry.

In the multitude of counselors there is safety.   

Even with daily Bible reading and personal study, no one person will ever understand, in its fullness, everything the Bible says, but we can certainly know what it doesn’t say, and that is one point on which [with the help of the Holy Spirit] God’s people are kept safe from error. God gives called and anointed teachers…but never to replace personal reading and study. The moment we allow someone else’s teaching to replace our own personal reading and Bible study, we have already veered off into error.

Are you a spiritual hitchhiker? Via their teaching, do you ride the coattails of someone else’s relationship with the Savior by exclusively listening to the studies of others or exclusively reading the devotions of others while never or rarely feeding yourself from his eternal Word?

Absolutely enjoy the teachings of fellow Christians. Benefit from insights he gives other believers. But to grow in your own walk with God, we must read his love-letter—the Bible—for ourselves. We must get to know him for ourselves, and that can only happen if we read his Word on a daily basis. And why wouldn’t we…when God claims to honor Word above his name?

Read your Bible every day, always picking up today where you left off yesterday. 

[4] ^{2 Peter 1:3} Aside from 2 Peter 1:3-4, The Greek word translated as virtue (G703), is used only twice in the New Testament, Philippians 4:8 and 2 Peter 2:9. Excellence is a more accurate translation

[5] ^{2 Peter 1:4} The word generally translated as virtue in this verse is arete (G703), more accurately translated as excellence. Some scholars translate the word as valor.

[6] ^{2 Peter 1:5} The word knowledge in this verse is gnosis (G1108), meaning acquired knowledge, science, intelligence, and understanding. First and foremost, this means acquiring knowledge of God. The Bible says the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Everything else we learn must be put to use in the service of our loving Creator, and we do this through serving others. Whatever we do, wherever we go, our focus must be on loving God with all our heart, soul, and strength. Secondly, loving others as ourselves. David “served his generation,” and so should we. 

[7] 2 Peter 1:6 The Greek word sometimes translated as temperance in this verse is egkrateia (G1466), meaning self-control: one who masters desires and appetites.

[8] 2 Peter 1:6 The Greek word translated as knowledge in this verse is gnosis (G1108), meaning acquired knowledge, science, intelligence, and understanding. 

First and foremost, this means acquiring knowledge of God. The Bible says the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. In life, everything else we learn must be tempered by and put to use in the service of our Creator. This will be reflected in our service to others, through serving our generation. Whatever we do, wherever we go, our focus must be on loving [and serving] God with all our heart, soul, and strength. When we do that, we will love [and serve] others as ourselves. 

How might that look? It will look different for each of us, as we are called. The Bible says, David “served" his generation. Before that happened, we know that he acquired gnosis, knowledge. Some of David's writings were holy writ. But before that, he knew what had already been written. He knew the scriptures well. 

Want knowledge? Start at the beginning of knowledge. Read your Bibles every day, always picking up today where you left off yesterday.

[9] ^{2 Peter 1:10} The things we must do is to intentionally and diligently add to our faith the things listed in verses :4-5.

2 Peter Chapter 3 commentary

 

 1: This second letter beloved I now write to you in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance 2: That you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets ^{Old Testament} and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Savior 3: Knowing this first that there shall come in the last days scoffers walking after their own lusts 4: And saying Where is the promise of his coming for since the fathers fell asleep all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation 5: For this they willingly are ignorant of that by the Word of God the heavens were of old and the earth standing out of the water and in the water 6: Whereby the [world]-system that then was being overflowed with water perished 7: But the heavens and the earth which are now by the same word are kept in store reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly humans 8: But beloved be not ignorant of this one thing that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day ^{Genesis 1:26-31} 9: Not is being tardy (the master of the) promise as some count slackness but is longsuffering to us-ward not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance 10: But the Day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night during which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also, and the works that are in it shall be burned up 11: Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved what manner of persons ought you to be in all holy behavior and devoutness 12: Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the Day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved and the elements shall melt with fervent heat 13: Nevertheless we according to his promise look for new heavens and a new earth wherein dwells righteousness 14: Wherefore beloved seeing that you look for such things be diligent that you may be found of him in peace without spot and blameless 15: And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation even as our beloved brother Paul [1] also according to the wisdom given to him [2] has written to you 16: As also in all his letters speaking in them of these things in which are some things difficult to be understood [3] which they that are unlearned and unstable [4] are twisting as they do also the other scriptures [5] to their own destruction 17: You therefore beloved seeing you know these things before beware lest you also being led away with the error of the wicked fall from your own steadfastness 18: But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ To him be glory both now and forever Amen

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[1] ^{2 Peter 3:15} Peter considered Paul a beloved brother

[2] ^{2 Peter 3:15} Peter believed Paul received wisdom from God

[3] ^{2 Peter 3:16} Peter acknowledged that Paul wrote some things that were difficult to understand

[4] ^{2 Peter 3:16} Peter said the ones who “twisted” Paul’s writings were unlearned and unstable. Peter wrote that those unlearned and unstable ones are twisting as they do other scriptures as well…eventually to their own destruction.

[5] ^{2 Peter 3:16} Peter made reference to “other” scriptures in comparison to letters. In this way, Peter called Paul’s letters “scripture,” Holy Writings.

1 Peter 2 Commentary

  

   1: Wherefore laying aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisies and envies and all evil speakings [1] 2: As newborn babes desire the sincere milk of the Word that you may grow thereby [2] 3: If so be you have tasted that the Lord is gracious 4: To whom coming [as unto] a living stone rejected indeed of mortals but chosen by God, [and] precious 5: You also as living stones are built up a spiritual house a holy priesthood [3] to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ 6: Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone ^capstone elect precious and they that believe on him shall not be confounded. 7: Unto you therefore who believe he is precious But to them which be disobedient the stone which the builders rejected the same is made the head of the corner ^{chief angle/capstone} 8: And a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence even to them which stumble at the word being disobedient whereunto also they were appointed 9: But you are a chosen generation a royal priesthood a holy nation a peculiar people that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light 10: Which in time past were not a people but are now the people of God which had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy 11: Dearly beloved I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul 12: Having your behavior honest among the nations that whereas they speak against you as evildoers they may by your good works which they shall behold glorify God in the day of visitation 13: Submit then to every human ordinance for the Lord's sake whether it be to the king as supreme 14: Or unto governors as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of them that do well 15: For so is the will of God that with well doing you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish mortals 16: As free and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness but as the servants of God 17: Honor all Love the brethren Fear God Honor the king 18: Slaves be subject to your masters with all fear not only to the good and gentle but also to the crooked ones 19: For this is thankworthy if any for conscience toward God endure grief suffering wrongfully 20: For what glory is it if when you be beaten for your faults you shall take it patiently But if when you do well and suffer for it you take it patiently this is acceptable with God

21: For even [to] this were you called because Christ also suffered for us leaving us an example that you should follow his steps 22: Who did no sin neither was guile found in his mouth 23: Who when he was reviled reviled not again when he suffered he threatened not but committed himself to him that judges righteously 24: Who his own self bore our sins in his own body on the tree that we being dead to sins should live unto righteousness by whose stripes you were healed 25: For you were as sheep going astray but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls

 

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[1] 1 Peter 1:1 Lists things that separate The Living God and those who truly follow him from all other gods and world systems.    

[2] ^{1 Peter 2:2} Putting away the things listed in verse one, is only a beginning. To truly grow in the Lord, we must sincerely desire the milk of the Word of God, the Bible. It is our daily food. Read it. Learn it. Live it. Companion verses to 1 Peter 1:1-2 are found in Ephesians four, which lists what some call the “put-offs and put-on’s.” All of these things are foundational to growing in our walk with God.

[3] 1 Peter 2:5 calls the Church of the Living God a Spiritual House and a Royal Priesthood. Every believer is part of the Priesthood of Believers. God does not separate his children into two camps, the leader camp and the follower camp. Jesus inducts every believer into the Priesthood of Believers ^{Revelation 1:6}. These two verses, if they stood alone [which they do not] disprove entirely the false patriarchal teachings of complementarianism. God has called his women as well as his men to live autonomous lives and to speak, preach, and lead authoritatively as HE wills.

1 Peter 3 Commentary

       1: Likewise the women yield to your own men that if any obey not the Word they also may without the Word be won by the behavior of the wives [1] 2: While with fear they view your pure lifestyle [2] ^phobo 3: Whose adorning let it not be the outward adorning of braiding the hair and of wearing of gold or of putting on of [expensive/flamboyant] clothing 4: But let it be the hidden person of the heart in that which is not corruptible even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit which is in the sight of God of great price [3] 5: For after this manner in the old time the holy women also who trusted in God adorned themselves yielding to their own men 6: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham calling him master [4] of whom you have become offspring’s ones doing good and not fearing anything 7: Likewise you husbands ones making a home together with them in an understanding way giving honor to the wife as to the [physically]weaker vessel [5] and as being heirs together of the grace of life that your prayers be not hindered [6] 8: Finally all of you be [of] one mind having compassion one for another Love as brothers and sisters Be full of compassion Be courteous 9: Not rendering evil for evil or railing for railing but contrariwise blessing Knowing that into this you are called that you should inherit a blessing 10: For they that will love life and see good days let them refrain their tongues from evil and their lips that they speak no guile 11: Let them avoid evil and do good Let them seek peace and pursue it 12: For the eyes of the Lord are over the just ones and his ears are open to their prayers but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil 13: And who are they that will harm you if you be followers of that which is good 14: But and if you suffer for righteousness' sake happy are you and be not afraid of their terror neither be troubled 15: But make holy the Lord God in your hearts and be ready always to give an answer to everyone that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear 16: Having a good conscience that whereas they speak evil of you as of evildoers they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good behavior in Christ 17: For it is better if the will of God be so that you suffer for well doing than for evil doing [7] 18: For Christ also hath once suffered for sins the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit 19: By which also he went and preached to the spirits in prison 20: Which sometime were disobedient when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah while the ark was a preparing wherein few that is eight souls were saved by water 21: The representation even baptism which does also now save us not the putting off of the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good conscience toward God by the resurrection of Jesus Christ 22: Who is gone into heaven and is on the right hand of God ^YHWH angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him

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[1] In 1 Peter 3:1, is the writer telling wives that they are basically slaves and should emulate the subjective behavior of slaves as instructed in 1 Peter 2:18?

This writer does not believe so. Hebrew and Greek scholar, Bruce Fleming, does not believe so either. Fleming teaches that 1 Peter 3:1 is not connected at all with 1 Peter 2:18-25 but rather an entirely new subject. He speaks about this in season four of his Eden Podcast, and he makes some very good points: The Eden Podcast with Bruce C. E. Fleming: BEST OF Season Four! 1 Cor 11, 14 & 1 Peter 3 on Apple Podcasts

 Fleming’s interpretation is possible. But regardless, this writer believes there is no doubt [that in the mind of the biblical writer] 1 Peter 3:1 is a continuation of the subject introduced in the last eight verses of 1 Peter 2 [:18-25] about slaves enduring unjust harshness and violence from masters. Without chapter and verse breaks [which is how the Bible was originally written], the passage is clearly one unbroken conversation about one topic, that of slaves being subject to masters and the writer leads seamlessly into the subject of women subjecting themselves to men: QUOTE “Slaves [be] subject to [your] masters with all fear not only to the good and gentle but also to the froward For this [is] thankworthy if one for conscience toward God endure grief suffering wrongfully For what glory [is it] if when you be beaten for your faults you shall take it patiently But if when you do well and suffer [for it] you take it patiently this [is] acceptable with God For even to this were you called ^{we are all called to this} because Christ also suffered for us leaving us an example that you should follow his steps Who did no sin neither was guile found in his mouth Who when he was reviled, reviled not again When He suffered he threatened not but committed [himself] to Him that judges righteously Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree that we being dead to sins should live to righteousness by whose stripes you were healed For you were as sheep going astray but are now returned to the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls Likewise women …[be] in subjection to your own men that if any obey not the Word they also may without the Word be won by the behavior of the women.” END QUOTE

 Peter certainly made a seamless connection when writing about the subjection of slaves to masters and the subjection of women to their men. This is confirmed in 1 Peter 3:5-6 where he wrote that Sara called Abraham master. Nowhere do we read in scripture where Sarah called Abraham master, so this statement must be taken from the Jewish extra-scriptural writings. These writings are commentary and not inspired scripture, but Peter was obviously familiar with them.

 19^th Century Greek and Hebrew scholar, Katherine Bushnell did not believe women are scripturally commanded to subject themselves to male dominance on any level. But she also believed that 1 Peter 3:1 was connected with 1 Peter 2:18 and she had this to say about it she began with the Hebrew and then show how the Greek [in 1 Peter] connected with it: QUOTE “The Old Testament sense in which "to be in subjection" is sometimes used, is highly suggestive and instructive. Psalm 62:1 reads in the English, "truly my soul waiteth upon God; from Him cometh my salvation.” At verse 5 of the same Psalm, we read: "My soul, wait thou only upon God.” In Psalm 37:7 we find the words: "Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” The words "wait" in the first passages, and the word "rest" in the last are all three represented in the Greek version by the single word hupotasso, "be in subjection," while the literal sense of the Hebrew original word is "be silent unto.” Compare this with 1 Peter 3:1,2, where wives are exhorted to win unbelieving husbands by "subjection.” Surely Peter is not here exhorting wives to blindly obey unbelievers, for if heathen, they would at once remand them back to the worship of the gods; if Jews, back to Judaism. Rather, they are to win them away from these by their "manner of life,” “without The Word,"--actions speaking louder than words. "Coupled with fear,"—such fear of God as would cause these women, so gentle, quiet, and patient in daily life, to be as adamant in their truth to God; and the husbands so overawed by their quiet maintenance of principle, whereas they are so ready to yield to their husbands when principle is not involved, that the husbands dare not try to compel their wives to violate conscience, and thus are themselves gradually led into the Christian faith. Where “subjection” is spoken of as a woman’s duty, without further immediate specification, it has been too readily assumed that this means subjection to a husband. But many women even from Apostolic days, and certainly an increasing large proportion of women in latter days, have no husbands. In both 1 Corinthians 14:34, “let them be in subjection”; and in 1 Timothy 2:11, “learn in all subjection,” this O. T. idea of waiting on God, or the thought of a spirit of humility towards God, may be all that is intended.” END QUOTE

 ANOTHER VIEW

The biblical writer’s direction to slaves and women were not biblical condonements of institutionalized slavery or systemically-mandated female subjection to males, but this writer believes the instruction found 1 peter 2:18 and 1 Peter 3:1 stem from concern for the safety of both.

 It was taught then that all Christians [slaves, women, and men] were spiritually free in Christ, and all Christians [then and now] are equal ^{Galatians 3:28,1 Peter 5:5}, but depending on geographic location and local and national laws, all were, and are, not entitled to the same legal autonomy. While earth-bound, Roman slaves and women were still confined by oppressive laws and cultural expectations. That is still the case in many parts of the world today. 1 Peter 2 & 3 was both instruction and encouragement that a godly lifestyle in freely subjecting oneself to an unfortunate legally-mandated lot would not only *keep slaves safer but also was not un-noticed by God and would not go unrewarded. Women were higher on the social and legal scales than slaves, but their autonomy was still greatly restricted, and they were maliciously written about by philosophers, playwrights, and poets of the day. Though enjoying more legal protections, by the first century, domestic violence was still a very real part of Roman and Jewish life and first century Christian women were certainly at risk.

 *Throughout Roman history, slaves could be killed at will by masters with no repercussion. By the time of Christ, manus marriage, which entitled Roman husbands to arbitrarily kill wives was replaced by sine manu marriage, whereby married women remained under the protection of their pater-families or of a male guardian appointed by their pater-families. This made the murder wives [with little to no legal or social repercussion] much more difficult. But domestic violence and abuse was another subject altogether. The Romans from Augustus on, liked to appear fair and gentle in public by passing some very good laws favoring women, but one Greek/Roman historian lamented that literary writings on the subject of domestic abuse and domestic violence [in the late republic] is frustratingly quiet. In other words, domestic abuse was winked at and swept under the rug.

 Domestic violence and abuse are a given in any society that considers women as inferior or lesser than men. Virtually all the Church Fathers, considered women inferior and dangerous if given autonomy. They repeat this often in their writings. These same Church Fathers continue to be studied extensively today, as they should but with their anti-women rhetoric refuted in Christian seminaries, but it is not. It is simply ignored.

 Gender-bias in Bible translation is rampant and creates a perceived scripture-bias against women where none exists. Holy Spirit inspired biblical writers do not exhibit such bias, but this is difficult to see when modern translators insist on holding to historical and traditional attitudes that are harmful to women. Even today, with progressive laws, three women a day [in the United States] die from domestic violence. A Methodist survey done in the 1970’s, found that one in six Christian women experienced violence at the hands of husbands or boyfriends. Domestic violence among professing Christians is just as rampant as among unbelievers. Why would anyone assume that First Century women were not at even greater risk when misogyny was the systemically-legal order of the day and the norm for their culture? 

Cultures exist today, where Christians are both legally enslaved and women are literally slaves of their husbands. Many of these women must hide their faith in Christ. They would not in any case be able to speak of Christ or share his Word with their husbands, who are literally and legally their masters. Many have zero legal recourse against abuse or potentially deadly domestic violence. They must, of necessity endure the harshness and danger, with seemingly no hope of escape. Just as 1 Peter 2:18 is not a message to Christian slaves that institutionalized slavery is God’s will, 1 Peter 3:2 is not a message to Christian women that God created them as inferiors to men or that it is his will for them tolerate violence and abuse. It was a message intended to protect [as much as possible] and encourage slaves and at-risk women of every era.

 [2] ^{1 Peter 3:2} It is interesting that the Bible is full of admonitions to “fear not,” yet wives are told to fear husbands twice in the New Testament. In Ephesians 5:33, the word translated as reverence, literally translates as fear.  

 [3] ^{1 Peter 3:4} Meekness, which should never be mistaken for weakness, is for all Christians, not just women. Moses, the most powerful man among the Hebrews, was called the meekest man on earth ^{Matthew 5:5}.

 [4] ^{1 Peter 3:6} It is thought that Sarah and Abraham lived in or around the time of the “progressive” king, Hammurabi. Among other things, Hammurabi’s law permitted men to divorce wives who did not bear children. Men in every culture of the time were legally masters over their women.

 [5] ^{1 Peter 3:7} Might does not make right

 [6] ^{1 Peter 3:7} Though this verse speaks specifically to husbands, the prayers of anyone male or female, married or unmarried, will be hindered when we throw our strength around, oppressing those who are weaker than us.

 Of note is the fact that most Christians have heard 1 Peter 3:1 quoted or preached on many times during their lives, with 1 Peter 3:7 occasionally thrown in as an after-thought. There is no doubt the priority of traditional-role-religion and its more virulent offspring, complementarianism, has been to keep the influence and autonomy of Christian women to a minimum.

[7] ^{1 Peter 3:17} This passage [beginning with verse 1] has been taken out of context and used for millennia in forcing or guilting Christian women to remain in abusive relationships. Read my commentary on 1 Peter 3:1: Jocelyn Andersen: 1 Peter 3:1 Does not mandate female subordination or male headship.