Peter provides the recipients of his writing with a list of 5 qualities that he requires from members of Christian communities. Two of these qualities characterize mentality, two refer to compassion, and at the center of the list is love.
The first quality that Christians must exhibit is unity of mind, which, although it does not imply complete uniformity, is based on shared values. Additionally, he urges Christians to be understanding of one another, capable and willing to establish such a close connection with others that they feel what happens to others as their own experience. Peter desires brotherly love to be another quality that accompanies believers.
Furthermore, the apostle calls Christians to show compassion. In ancient understanding, this did not express pity offered by one person to another in a less favorable situation, but rather was a characteristic present in relationships between brothers. Peter wants the members of the community to love each other fully and without anyone expressing superiority over others. Thus, the last attribute in this enumeration is humility, a quality that was especially necessary in relation to hostile pagan individuals.
The first quality that Christians must exhibit is unity of mind, which, although it does not imply complete uniformity, is based on shared values. Additionally, he urges Christians to be understanding of one another, capable and willing to establish such a close connection with others that they feel what happens to others as their own experience. Peter desires brotherly love to be another quality that accompanies believers.
Furthermore, the apostle calls Christians to show compassion. In ancient understanding, this did not express pity offered by one person to another in a less favorable situation, but rather was a characteristic present in relationships between brothers. Peter wants the members of the community to love each other fully and without anyone expressing superiority over others. Thus, the last attribute in this enumeration is humility, a quality that was especially necessary in relation to hostile pagan individuals.
Peter conveyed these words to create in the minds of the recipients the idea of a parallel society to the existing one, but not revolutionary! The church represented a place of refuge, an alternative to a society that manifested hostility and mockery towards Christians.
Additionally, observing that humility was seen as a weakness and not a virtue in the eyes of Greco-Roman society, we understand that the church is a society that upholds its values even when they are countercultural and challenge the perspective of the broader society.
Additionally, observing that humility was seen as a weakness and not a virtue in the eyes of Greco-Roman society, we understand that the church is a society that upholds its values even when they are countercultural and challenge the perspective of the broader society.
In the context where Christians were subjected to scorn and mockery by pagans, Peter forbids believers from responding with retribution, even though the natural expectation of those around them was for them to defend their honor.
Instead of perpetuating evil through revenge or responding "in kind," Peter calls on Christians to respond to mockery and evil with a blessing, as this is part of their identity before God. This is the example given by the Savior on the cross.
Instead of perpetuating evil through revenge or responding "in kind," Peter calls on Christians to respond to mockery and evil with a blessing, as this is part of their identity before God. This is the example given by the Savior on the cross.
However, it should be noted that Peter does not urge us to refuse the protection offered by the law, as he previously stated that human law is ordained by God to limit wrongdoing. He is addressing Christians who did not enjoy such privilege and were trying to survive in a hostile environment.
The apostle reinforces his exhortations with an Old Testament quote from Psalm 34. In these verses, we find both comfort in God's action of watching over the faithful and a renewed call to avoid provocative behavior and language.
Christians are urged to adopt a sensitive conduct, attentive to those around them, even if others do not return the favor.
Christians are urged to adopt a sensitive conduct, attentive to those around them, even if others do not return the favor.
Peter wants, however, the defining aspect of Christian conduct to be not the provocations of pagans, but Christ and His character.