So we ended chapter 2 with Peter telling us that we were called for the purpose of following Christ’s example – not reacting to situations but entrusting their outcome to the Father, knowing He is the only righteous judge of what’s really going on.  As we moved into chapter three, we studied about what real beauty looks like (1 Peter 3:3-4).  

I’m seeing that Peter is teaching us how to respond to different situations (suffering, insults, threats) and to different people (wives–keep being submissive, husbands–live with your wives in an understanding way).  In our passage for today (1 Peter 3:8-9), Peter broadens his focus back out to include EVERYONE – “To sum up, ALL OF YOU be…”  Let’s dig in and see how we are to act and respond toward people.  

“To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, 
brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; 
9 not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, 
but giving a blessing instead; for you were called 
for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.”
~~1 PETER 3:8-9~~

BE HARMONIOUS <homophrōn> means to be of one mind, to be concordant (in agreement or having the same characteristics), to be like-minded (having similar opinions and interests, or having the same disposition or purpose; or having the same mind or habit of thought).  

PAUSE TO PONDER the words disposition and purpose.  That represents both the inward (disposition) and the outward (purpose).  As I think this through, the only way that human beings can truly be of like disposition or purpose is for them to be following the same Leader.  It’s only as each individual believer focuses on bringing glory to God by loving Him and loving others that they will be able to “be harmonious”.  Think of “harmonious” in relation to music.  I can be playing a different note than someone else, but as long as we are in the same key and playing the same song, we are harmonious.  But if someone in the band is playing out of key or is playing a different song, that would definitely NOT be music to our ears.  

BE SYMPATHETIC <sympathēs> means having a fellow-feeling.  It’s when I can almost feel your suffering in my heart, as if it were my own suffering.  The dictionary defines sympathetic as feeling and showing concern about someone who is in a bad situation; having an affinity, association, or relationship between persons or things wherein whatever affects one similarly affects the other.  Note that sympathy includes “feeling and showing” – it’s both inward and outward.  

BE BROTHERLY <philadelphos> means loving one like a brother.  It’s also defined as “fraternal”, which can apply to loving one’s fellow countrymen, loving your fraternal brother, or the love a Christian has for other Christians.  

PAUSE TO PONDER the word “fraternal”.  The dictionary defines it as friendly or brotherly; of or relating to brothers; made up of members who share an interest or purpose.  This makes me think of a college fraternity.  People choose to become a part of a fraternity and most times those relationships last a lifetime!   The fraternity is what binds them together.  The fraternity is what identifies them.  They do things together.  They support and stand up for one another.   When we are born into the family of God, we become a spiritual family, or fraternity, where our relationship with Christ is what binds us together.  Our relationship with Christ is what identifies us.  We do things together and fellowship.  We support one another and stand up for each other.  And when we do, we are being “brotherly”.  

BE KINDHEARTED <eusplagchnos> means to be compassionate, tenderhearted.  When someone is compassionate, they feel and show concern for someone who is sick, hurt, poor, etc.  Someone who is kindhearted is conscious of others’ distress, together with finding a way to alleviate it.  Did you notice “feel and show” (inward and outward)?  And having a consciousness of another’s distress is inward, and finding a way to alleviate it is outward.  

BE HUMBLE IN SPIRIT <tapeinophrōn> means having a modest opinion of oneself.  It’s being friendly of mind, which shows by you being kind and courteous. Let’s look at a few of those descriptive words.  

• Friendly is acting like a friend by being kind and helpful.  If I am friendly, it shows in my actions and behavior.  I show support and approval.  I show interest in what interests my friend.  I am cheerful and comforting.  I choose to be helpful in supporting the purpose of another.  Friendly is an “action” word.  
• Kind is having and showing a gentle nature with a desire to help others.  If I am kind, I want and like to do things to bring happiness to others.  I am patient, controlling myself even when provoked or irritated.   
• Courteous is having respect for and consideration of others.  If I am courteous, I am very polite in a way that shows I hold others in high esteem.
• Modest is not being too proud or confident about yourself or your abilities.  If I am modest, I don’t feel or show excessive pride in myself and my achievements.  If I am modest, there is zero feeling and showing excessive pride.

PAUSE TO PONDER.  Why do you think Peter said be humble “in spirit” and not just “be humble”?  Do you think it’s because everything we do outwardly is rooted inwardly?  What is coming to mind is “What a man thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7).  If we have the right perspective of “self”, then being friendly, kind, courteous, and modest will be natural by-products of that perspective.  

As I move into the next phrase, “not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead”, my mind goes back to what we studied in 1 Peter 2:23.  We were taught to remember that we were called to follow Jesus’ example – “and while being abusively insulted, He did not insult in return; while suffering, He did not threaten”.  Jesus was misjudged, insulted, tortured, and in the end hung on a cross to die.  He didn’t return evil for the evil He suffered, but instead entrusted the whole situation to God, whose plan was to provide a way of reconciliation between God and man.  That’s the blessing that was given, despite the evil and insults.  That is what we are called to do.  We must take our cue from Jesus and seek to bless those who may hurt or insult us.  We are to mirror Jesus.  The Spirit just reminded me of how Jesus, in the midst of the suffering, prayed ,”Father, forgive them.  They don’t know what they’re doing.”  Now THAT’S what I call “not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead.  Just wow…

Jesus suffered.  He died.  He was buried.  But then He rose from the dead!!  And He is now seated at the right hand of the Father!!  We are called to follow the example of Jesus.  God wants to bless us for our obedience, just like He did for Jesus’ obedience to the plan and purpose for His coming to earth.   It might be hard to live out what we learned today from this passage, but if we choose to be obedient, we can know that blessing is to follow.  Praise God!!