What are his commandments?

Webers.Home · Jan 3, 2025

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434» 1Pet 3:8a . . Finally, all of you be of one mind,

Peter’s not talking about the nerve center of a Borg-hive collective. The
Greek word translated "one mind" basically means harmonious; and this is
the only place in the entire New Testament where that word appears.

Webster’s defines "harmonious" as: 1) musically concordant, 2) having the
parts agreeably related; viz: congruous, and 3) marked by accord in
sentiment or action.

Peter's instructions emphasize the third element-- "marked by accord in
sentiment or action". Head-strong Christians, domineering Christians, and
those for whom every disagreement is either an affront or an act of war to
win at any cost-- those for whom the words diplomacy and tact have no
meaning --of course have trouble complying with 1Pet 3:8a; that is: if they
even consider it worthy of their notice.

Anyway; Peter's instructions relate to a timeless complaint that goes
something like this: Why can't we all just get along? (cf. Ps 133)
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blueluna5 · Jan 3, 2025

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God.

Yet when do we worship God? "Sun" day. Why don't we worship on the Sabbath anymore? We say Jesus rose on the 3rd day, but this theory makes no sense. Jesus never said to change this commandment.

Webers.Home · Jan 4, 2025

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435» 1Pet 3:8b-9 . . Have compassion one of another, love as brethren, be
pitiful, be courteous; not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing, but
contrariwise: benevolence.

"compassion" is from a Greek word that basically means having a fellow
feeling; viz: empathy, i.e. mutual commiseration.

One of the meanings of commiserate is condole: like when we share
someone's grief at the passing of a loved one, or their job has been
outsourced to cheap labor in a foreign country, or they've lost their entire
retirement fund to an unscrupulous corporation like ENRON, or their life
savings to a crooked Ponzi schemer like Bernie Madoff, or when there's news
from their doctor they have to begin chemo-therapy for a recently detected
advanced cancer, or when the car of a single mom with limited income
needs expensive repairs.

People in those predicaments are in no mood for philosophical platitudes.

The Greek word translated "railing" basically means slander or vituperation;
which Webster's defines as 1) to abuse or censure severely or abusively;
viz: berate, and 2) to use harsh condemnatory language.

Toxic rejoinders fall into that category; which are defined as a usually rude
or angry reply to something written or said; viz: insensitive retorts
deliberately meant to hurt people's feelings; viz: tit for tat, i.e. food fights.
That kind of behavior doesn't go unnoticed.

● Matt 12:36-37 . . I say to you, that every careless word that men shall
speak, they shall render account for it in the day of judgment. For by your
words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned.
_

Webers.Home · Jan 5, 2025

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436» 1Pet 3:10-11 . . Let him who means to love life and see good days
refrain his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking guile. And let him turn
away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.

Webster's defines "guile" as duplicity which is defined as: contradictory
doubleness of thought, speech, or action; especially in the belying of one's
true intentions by deceptive words or action; in other words, speaking with a
forked tongue and/or saying one thing while meaning another.

Quite a bit is said in the Bible about the words people speak, whereas little
to nothing is said about the words they write. That could be because so
many people back in the day were illiterate. But surely one's written words
have just as much voice as one's spoken words; else we couldn't justify
calling the Bible the word of God.

Good and evil are here juxtaposed as benevolence vs malevolence, i.e. good
will vs ill will.

To "seek peace and pursue it" is blessing-worthy.

● Matt 5:9 . . Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the
children of God.

If it's true that only peaceable kinds of people qualify to wear the label
"children of God" then the opposite is just as true: difficult Christians are
unworthy of the distinction.
_

Webers.Home · Jan 6, 2025

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437» 1Pet 3:14a . . If you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you
are blessed.

The Greek word translated "blessed" means fortunate.

The righteousness spoken of here is likely relative to a moral code in
agreement with Christian standards-- which are more or less set in concrete
--whereas the world's moral codes are typically flexible, i.e. aligned with
cultural/political standards.

* Circumstances are unpleasant for Christians living in countries dominated
by Islam and Communism. Though I pity them, the Bible says I should count
those particular Christians fortunate. Apparently they will be compensated in
ways unavailable to us who live in the free world.
_

Webers.Home · Jan 8, 2025

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438» 1Pet 3:14b . . And do not fear their intimidation, nor be shaken,

Peer pressure, mob rule, cultural influences, group-think, ostracism,
changing customs, censoring, and political powers are always at work
seeking to manipulate Christians and tone down their moral values.

This is especially true in communist countries like North Korea and China.
Their governments do not tolerate attempts to correct their unholy
management practices consisting of cunning, duplicity, bad faith, dishonesty,
cruelty, theft, abuse, thought control, unjust legal practices, gulags, murder,
beatings, kidnapping, political prisons, media control, and dissent
suppression.

In addition: Christianity seeks to unify families whereas communism seeks
to splinter them, even to the point of family members spying on each other
and reporting each other to the authorities. Christians value God as an ally,
whereas communism regards God as an enemy of the State who despises
their way of doing things and wants them taken down.
_

Webers.Home · Jan 9, 2025

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439» 1Pet 3:15a . . Dedicate your hearts to The Lord God

A word not commonly heard in Christian circles is loyalty; variously defined
by Webster's as allegiance, faithfulness, and fidelity.

This goes much further than just merely believing in God; it includes
following His instructions.

"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" (Luke 6:46)

The Greek word for Lord in that passage is a title applied to just about
anybody considered a superior and/or an authority figure. People often
called Jesus "master" and sometimes "rabbi" which refers to teachers,
especially spiritual counselors.

We might paraphrase Luke 6:46 to say: If you are convinced that the words
I preach are true and reliable, then why are you not complying with them?
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Webers.Home · Jan 10, 2025

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440» 1Pet 3:15b . . Be ready always to give an answer to every man that
asks you a reason of the hope that is in you.

The only requirement there is to always be ready; we are not required to
always give an answer. In point of fact Christ limits our responses to sincere
folks rather than any John Que and/or Jane Doe pumpkin that happens
along.

"Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you
do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to
pieces." (Matt 7:6)

Anyway: the Greek word for "hope" in that passage basically pertains to
Expectation, viz: it isn't wishful thinking, nor crossing your fingers; no, this
kind of hope is a confident looking forward to taking possession of
something that's already in the bag, viz: it's an anticipating hope, i.e. it
doesn't pray for the best, while in the back of its mind dreading the worst.

When people are uncertain what the future has in store for them-- if there is
even the slightest anxiety or unease --then of course they can't possibly
comply with Peter's instructions for the simple reason that the hope that is in
them, if any, is the wrong kind of hope.

● Rom 12:12 . . Rejoicing in hope.

People have absolutely no cause for rejoicing when they're unsure of their
afterlife destination, no, but they do have plenty of cause to fear the
unknown.

* Know-so hope is a calling.

● Eph 4:4 . .You were called to one hope when you were called

FAQ: What is this so-called one hope?

REPLY: One of its components is a new body. (Acts 2:26-27, Acts 23:6, Rom
8:23-25, and 1John 3:2)

Having a new body to look forward to is comforting, and helps me cope with
my current one's deterioration. Death is bad enough, but the aging process
to my thinking is worse. Thank heavens we only have to get old just the one
time and never again.
_

Webers.Home · Jan 11, 2025

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441» 1Pet 4:1-2 . .Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm
yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the
flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no
longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.

The Greek word for "flesh" basically pertains to the meaty parts of either
man or beast; i.e. the body. The meaty parts of course consist of not only
muscle and fat; but also the brain, the blood, and nervous system along with
the body's chemistry, e.g. its hormones and such; and according to 1John
2:16, our bodies are listed among the three of mankind's worst enemies.

The "lusts of men" is speaking of lusts that are common to everyone. (cf.
1Cor 10:13)

The Greek word for "lusts" basically pertains to longing, defined by
Webster's as a strong desire, i.e. a craving.

Cravings aren't necessarily bad. Problems arise when we let our cravings
rule us to the point of acting contrary to good scruples and/or our better
judgment especially when it comes to making God frown upon our conduct
as unbecoming, i.e. inappropriate for His son's followers.

NOTE: It offends some Christians to even so much as suggest that Christ
might've had human longings just like everybody else. They truly believe he
should have been above all that-- he wasn't. Much of Jesus' suffering in the
flesh came from suppressing his body's natural cravings. (Heb 5:7-8)

The Word in heaven above knew by omniscience that it's not easy to live the
life of an h.sapiens down here on the ground; but now he knows for himself
as a human being by personal experience just how tough it is because the
Word didn't come to Earth in the likeness of divine flesh, rather, in the
likeness of Jewish flesh. (cf. Rom 8:3, Heb 2:16 18, Heb 4:15)
_

SpeakWhatYouSee · Jan 12, 2025

FollowingtheWay said:

1)“You shall have no other gods before[a] me.

4 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

2) “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

3) “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

4)“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

5) “You shall not murder.

6)“You shall not commit adultery.

7) “You shall not steal.

8) “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

9) “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

FollowingtheWay said:

I was always taught that the ten commandments given by God to Moses were the main commandments to observe.

1. You shall have no other gods before God.
2. You shall not make or worship graven images.
3. You shall not take God’s name in vain.
4. Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.
5. Honor your father and mother.
6. You shall not murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not bear false witness (lie).
10. You shall not covet.

They are simple enough to follow when you look at them and forms the essential foundation to keep communities from devolving into distructive anarchy.

The introduction of so many moral and ceremonial laws that made things so so tedious to follow..

Webers.Home · Jan 12, 2025

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442» 1Pet 4:7 . . The culmination of all things is approaching; therefore be
serious, and watchful in your prayers.

I think we can safely apply some of the parable of the ten virgins to this
passage. (Matt 25:1-13)

The big mistake made by the five foolish virgins was abandoning their watch
to go in pursuit of something far less important than the arrival of the
bridegroom.

Seeing as how nobody knows either the date or the hour of Christ's arrival
spoken of in 1Thess 4:13-17, then everyone would be well-advised to avoid
getting too absorbed in worldly pursuits lest the Lord suddenly appear
unexpected right over their heads yelling "All aboard!" and they be
unprepared to go with him; consequently getting themselves left behind.
_

Webers.Home · Jan 13, 2025

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443» 1Pet 4:8 . . Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another,
because love hides a large number of sins.

A person easily provoked is not a loving person.

One Saturday morning I and another man at church were moving some
furniture from one place to another inside the main building where,
completely unknown to us, a wedding rehearsal was being conducted.

The woman in charge of organizing the wedding came out into the hall and
began scolding us for talking and making noise. When I pointed out that
there were no posted signs in the hallway indicating a function in progress
on the other side of the door, she became sullen, and tightened her lips and
narrowed her eyes in anger.

Had that lady exemplified the love about which Peter wrote, she would have
handled her inconvenience with a little more tact and sensitivity, i.e.
diplomacy.

BTW: That same lady was also in the choir, and sang doxologies in front of
about 2,000 people every Sunday morning. She was good at musical
harmony, but obviously in sore need of some training in the civil kind.
_

Webers.Home · Jan 14, 2025

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444» 1Pet 4:10 . . As each one has received a special gift, employ it in
serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

The Greek word for "manifold" basically means motley, i.e. varied in
character. All that’s really saying is that the gifts of God are multifarious;
viz: having a number of different aspects or characteristics. (cf. Rom 12:5-8,
1Cor 12:1-11)

Unfortunately, people with natural aptitudes generally make up the majority
of those in church capacities for which is supposed to be required a spiritual
gift from God. They may look like they're "on fire" for The Lord, but really all
they are is ambitious.

Now, the important thing is: good stewards of the manifold grace of God use
their gift not for showing off, nor for a feather in one's cap; rather, for the
benefit of others.

Paul encourages gifts (1Cor 12:31) and I would add to that by warning to
exercise restraint because the Greek word translated "serving" refers to
attendants, waiters, and hosts. In other words, if you're not comfortable
with the thought of seeing to the needs of others, then you may not enjoy
the life of someone entrusted with a spiritual gift, i.e. they're not
achievements, rather, they're a serious responsibility with accountability to
go along with it. (1Cor 3:11-15)
_

Webers.Home · Jan 16, 2025

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445» 1Pet 4:11a . . If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the
very words of God.

I don't see standing in for God's voice as a privilege; to me it is a heavy
responsibility, and incumbent upon the speaker to experience a very high
degree of confidence that his comments and remarks are not only
acceptable, but also infallible and without error.
_

Webers.Home · Jan 17, 2025

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446» 1Pet 4:11b . . Whoever serves, let him do so as by the strength which
God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ,
to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Serving in the strength which God provides consists of not exceeding that
strength, i.e. stay within your sphere because by doing so, you will serve the
Lord's best interests rather than their own.
_

Webers.Home · Jan 18, 2025

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447» 1Pet 4:12-13 . . Beloved, don't be perplexed by the fiery trials you are
going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be
very glad-- because these trials will make you partners with Christ in his
suffering, and afterward you will have the wonderful joy of sharing his glory
when it is displayed to all the world.

The USA is currently undergoing a period of cultural, political, economic, and
religious disintegration in the hands of some very unholy people. I don't like
it, but I have to live thru it as best I can; always keeping in mind that for
Jesus' followers; these kinds of disagreeable circumstances are conditioning
us to better associate with Christ.

It's easy to think of his sufferings as only those that occurred on the cross
and the night of his arrest. But it's important to remember that Christ lived
on this earth for about 30 years prior to his public appearances; and during
those years did not lead a sheltered life; in point of fact, during those 30
years he underwent a sort of boot camp.

● Heb 5:7-9 . . During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers
and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from
death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he
was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made
perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.

There aren't many of Jesus' impassioned prayers in the Gospels. The place
to look for those is the Psalms where David did quite of a bit of ghost writing
for him. (cf. Luke 24:44-45)

The Bible says there is no trial taken you but such as is common to the
entire human race (1Cor 10:13). Jesus wasn't shielded from any of those.
The Word not only came as a man, but he also lived as a man.

● Heb 2:17-18 . . It was necessary for Jesus to be in every respect like us,
his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High
Priest before God. He then could offer a sacrifice that would take away the
sins of the people. Since he himself has gone through suffering and
temptation, he is qualified to help us when we are being tempted.

● Heb 4:15-16 . .This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for
he faced all of the same temptations we do, yet he did not sin. So let us
come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will obtain mercy,
and find grace to help us when we need it.

So then, when we meet with Christ around the table in God's home, I don't
expect to meet a stranger to my way of life; no, I fully expect to meet a man
who's been around the block a time or two. Not only will he be able to relate
to my stories, but I in return will be able to relate to his. Sharing in Christ's
glory would have the nature of an entourage if not for the fact that I will
have the satisfaction of knowing that Christ, in a manner of speaking, came
from the same neighborhood as I to get to where he is today.
_

Webers.Home · Jan 20, 2025

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448» 1Pet 4:15-16 . . Let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an
evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's affairs. Yet if anyone suffers as
a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.

NOTE: The Greek word for "Christian" basically means a follower of Christ.
That word appears in only three places in the entire New Testament. The
other two are Acts 11:26 and Acts 26:28. Peter’s is the only epistle where it
appears; and it’s nowhere in any of the four gospels.

A good example of glorifying God in the midst of one's troubles is Mr. Job.

● Job 1:20-22 . . At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head.
Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: Naked I came from my
mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave, and The Lord has
taken away; may the name of The Lord be praised. In all this, Job did not
sin by accusing God with wrongdoing.

● Job 2:9-10 . . His wife said to him: Are you still clinging to your integrity?
Curse God and die! Job replied: You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall
we accept good from God, and not trouble? In all this, Job did not sin in
what he said.

James speaks of the "patience" of Job (5:11) which is illustrated by the fact
that in all his trouble, Job remained loyal to God and never once lost his
confidence that God is blameless in all that He does, instead of accusing Him
of being a cruel sadist who enjoys toying with His creations and amusing
Himself by making them suffer.
_

Webers.Home · Jan 22, 2025

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449» 1Pet 4:19 . .Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God
commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

In the world of business, it’s sometimes necessary to take a concern to court
in order to force venders of goods and services to honor their commitments.
Well, the Bible’s God is not like that; no, the Bible's God is not a slimy
weasel: He's a person of real integrity.

Peter emphasized that human soul was created rather than produced by a
mysterious interaction of time, space, and matter. In other words: human
soul had both a beginning and a beginner; viz: human soul would not exist
at all had not a higher power willed it into existence.

FAQ: What is meant by souls?

REPLY: Soul began appearing in the Bible in the book of Genesis by the
Hebrew word nephesh (neh'-fesh) which isn't unique to human life. Its first
appearance is at Gen 1:20-21 in reference to aqua creatures and winged
creatures; again at Gen 1:24 as terra creatures; viz: cattle, creepy crawlies,
and wild beasts; and again in Gen 2:7 as the human creature; and yet again
at Gen 9:10 to classify every living thing aboard Noah's ark.

I have yet to discover a passage saying God is a soul, however I've found
several that say He has a soul. (Lev 26:11, Lev 26:30, Judg 10:16, Isa 42:1,
Jer 32:41, Zech 11:8)

Soul is somewhat ambiguous but basically refers to consciousness, self
awareness, and individuality. It's sometimes a reference to one's heart, e.g.
Gen 34:3, and to the core of one's being, e.g. Gen 27:4.

All in all, soul is just another way of referring to that part of human life that
we call "self" which is defined by Webster's as the union of elements (such
as body, emotions, thoughts, and sensations) that constitute the
individuality and identity of a person, i.e. the you that you are.

In its entirety, normal human life consists of body, soul, and spirit. (1Thess
5:23). Those three components are divisible, viz: the soul and the spirit are
capable of surviving the body's demise. (Matt 10:28, Luke 23:46, and Heb
4:12)
_

Webers.Home · Jan 25, 2025

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450» 1Pet 5:1-3 . .Therefore, I exhort the elders among you-- as your fellow
elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory
that is to be revealed --shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising
oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God;
and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those
allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.

The conjunction "therefore" refers to one of Peter's previous statements;
specifically this one:

"For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God" (1Pet 4:17)

That's an echo of 1Cor 3:4-23 and 1Cor 4:2-5 where Paul revealed that
people "serving Christ" are facing a possibly very unpleasant evaluation.

The New Testament doesn't record Peter presence at Christ's crucifixion, but
that obviously doesn't eo ipso preclude his attendance somewhere in the
audience that day, or observing everything from a safe distance. (cf. Matt
26:58, Matt 27:55)

First off; Peter assures church officers that his proximity to Christ says very
clearly, and without ambiguity, that he knows what he's talking about so
they really ought to listen to what he has to say about managing a church.

Church is no country for achievers, nor is it a career track, nor is it a country
for control freaks and power-hungry imperious despots, nor for people who
love to bask in limelight and crave admiration and the center of attention; no,
serving in a church is for shepherds.

If you're not sure what shepherding entails; then next time you're at a
county fair strike up a conversation with some of the 4H kids and they'll be
only too glad to tell you just what a thankless, man-killing, drudgery-ridden,
time consuming, smelly, expensive, inconvenient, filthy, and sometimes
dangerous line of work that animal husbandry really is.

So why do 4H kids do it? Primarily because of their affection for animals;
and if a luminary in church doesn't feel a genuine affection for those under
their supervision, then that luminary will utterly fail to exercise oversight
according to the will of God. Self-seeking luminaries are depicted as very
poor sources of water. (2Pet 2:17)

Professional church officers are basically hirelings; and according to God's
son, a hireling cannot be depended upon to protect the sheep when a wolf is
at the door.

"I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down his life for the
sheep. He who is an hireling, and not the owner of the sheep, beholds the
wolf coming, and abandons the sheep, and flees, and the wolf snatches
them, and scatters them. He flees because he is a hireling, and is not
concerned about the sheep." (John 10:11-13)

A paid church officer might be willing to sacrifice himself for the benefit of
The Lord's sheep; but will he sacrifice his wife who has cancer, and/or his
two daughters' future whom he has to put through college, and/or the
mortgage on his home and/or his medical insurance?

No, the best interests of The Lord's sheep will be very low on the hireling's
list of priorities because his primary interest is in keeping his job, protecting
his income, his health benefits, his life insurance, and his wife and children.
The hireling will circle the wagons when the wolf comes; yes, but not around
the sheep; no, around himself and what's his. So be very cautious in putting
too much confidence in church officers; you just might end up disillusioned
and very disappointed.
_

Webers.Home · Jan 27, 2025

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451» 1Pet 5:5a . .You younger, be subject to your elders

The submission spoken of here likely pertains to deference: roughly
defined as regarding others as one's betters rather than equals. This isn't
new; it reiterates Lev 19:32 where the Bible says:

"Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere
your God. I am The Lord."

* Why do we revere God? Because He's a religious figure? No, because God
is the senior and we the juniors. In point of fact, Dan 7:9 depicts Him as a
very old man whose hair has gone white with age. (cf. Rev 1:14)
_

What are his commandments?

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