B. The Consequences of Our Future Inheritance (1:13–2:10)
living such as: Do Christians need a priesthood to intercede with God for them (2:5–9)? What should be the Christian's attitude to secular government and civil disobedience (2:13–17)? What should a Christian employee's attitude be toward a hostile employer (2:18)? How should a Christian lady conduct herself (3:3–4)? How can a believing wife win her unsaved husband to Christ (3:1–2)?
Interpretive Challenges
First Peter 3:18–22 stands as one of the most difficult NT texts to translate and then interpret. For example, does "spirit" in 3:18 refer to the Holy Spirit, or to Christ's Spirit? Did Christ preach through Noah before the flood, or did he preach himself after the crucifixion (3:19)? Was the audience to this preaching composed of the humans in Noah's day, or demons in the abyss (3:19)? Does 3:20–21 teach baptismal regeneration (salvation), or salvation by faith alone in Christ? Answers to these questions will be found in the notes.
Outline
I. Salutation (1:1, 2) II. Remember Our Great Salvation (1:3–2:10)
A. The Certainty of Our Future Inheritance (1:3–12)
1. Preserved by the power of God (1:3–5) 2. Proven by the trials of persecution (1:6–9) 3. Predicted by the prophets of God (1:10–12) B. The Consequences of Our Future Inheritance (1:13–2:10)
1. Perseverance of hope (1:13–16) 2. Persistence of wonder (1:17–21) 3. Power of love (1:22–2:3) 4. Praises of Christ (2:4–10) III. Remember Our Example Before Men (2:11–4:6)
A. Honorable Living Before Unbelievers (2:11–3:7)
1. Submission to the government (2:11–17) 2. Submission to masters (2:18–25) 3. Submission in the family (3:1–7) B. Honorable Living Before Believers (3:8–12) C. Honorable Living in the Midst of Suffering (3:13–4:6)