1st. Peter - Some Difficult Passages

1 Pet. 3:17-22 - Expositor's Bible Commentary on this passage - opening comment - "This section contains some of the most difficult exegetical problems in the New Testament."

On one hand, the Biblical text is NOT always easy.
However, it is written for Practical Value!, not just speculation.  2 Tim. 3:16-17
First Peter is a pastoral epistle - written to distant churches to help them live the Christian life.

So.. 1 Pet. 4:1 - _____________  therefore  _____________.
                          (previous Vses.)                Practical application

(look at text) - 1 Pet. 3:17 = statement of fact
"for example..." - 1 Pet. 3:18 a

The Point:  Jesus suffering was unjust - not right.
BUT ... it was also effective  (efficacious)

The parallel - IF you follow God you MAY have to suffer unjustly!  (may cost you .. have to give up, take up.)

BUT  (1) your obedience may result in great achievements (accomplishments for the Kingdom) - you don't know what it will accomplish.
AND (2) you'll be more than compensated - Rom. 8:18, 2 Cor. 4:17 (temporary troubles)

1 Pet. 3:18 b, 1 Pet. 3:19
Questions:  who are these spirits?
                  where is this prison?
                  what did Christ preach?
                  when did He preach it?

The spirits = probably fallen angels - 2 Pet. 2:4, Jude 6   (Gen. 6:1-4)

The prison = in the spiritual realm

The message = probably His Victory (their defeat) - 1 Cor. 15:55

The time = probably at ascension

Another difficult passage!!  1 Pet. 3:20-21

What's clear is... (1)  the water "symbolizes" baptism
                          (2) baptism doesn't "remove the dirt"

Again ... the point of the passage is to illustrate...
      Christ died....
      Unjustly....
      According to God's will....
      to accomplish....
      eternal things!!!!

Point:
Parallel?? - You may be called......  to suffer unjustly .... (according to God's will) ..... to accomplish.... eternal things!!!!

1 Pet. 4:1 - Therefore
(1)  Imitate His attitude - Compare Phil. 2:5)
 Question:  What if can't muster up that attitude?  mind, heart, feeling?
ANSWER = then imitate His actions!!!  "do right"!

(2)  Arm yourself with this attitude  
Equip, outfit, fortify, protect, prepare for defense!!
Because ... the Christian life = BATTLE!!!  with sin, Satan, society, 'self - because we want what we want, not what God wants.

1 Pet. 4:1-2

Point:  he who has wrestled with this dilemma .. (of "will I serve God ... regardless of cost?")
...... and decided for God ... (as did Christ - example in Gethsemane!)
..... is "DONE WITH SIN."  ?????

meaning .. no long has to confront, control, combat sin??  - NO!!!!

meaning ... "I've come to a point of decision... and I've chosen Christ as Lord ... (not Sin as Lord)
Regardless of the cost!"

So.... Who's your Lord?  Who sits on the throne?  Sin?  Satan?  Society?  'self?  OR Christ?