Peter Exhorts the Persecuted Believers Volume 31

 Suffering for Jesus Part 1

1 Peter 3:8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: KJV Note: MKJV=Modern King James Version

The Apostle Peter now turns his attention to addressing the very cause of why these Jewish converts (brethren and sisteren) to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ were scattered about in the world having to leave their homes in Jerusalem because of the intense and even murderous persecution from other Jews who were still spiritually dead. First, the Apostle wants to remind them of how they should treat one another during these times, as he writes, "Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:" (1 Peter 3:8) (KJV). The need for all true believers (not make believers) to be 'of one mind' (and this little English phrase used only one time in the New Testament is translated by the Greek word homophrōn meaning to be like minded, that is, harmonious: - of one mind and also the English phrase 'having compassion one of another' is translated by the Greek word sumpathēs used this one time only in the New Testament meaning having a fellow feeling ('sympathetic'), that is, (by implication) mutually commiserative: - having compassion one of another and also the English phrase 'love as brethren' is translated by the Greek word philadelphos used also this one time only in the New Testament meaning fond of brethren, that is, fraternal: - love as brethren) is critical during times of persecution by those who are without any faith in Christ or without true faith in Christ, just as Paul the Apostle wrote to the brethren and sisteren in Thessaloniki with these words seeking their love 😍, comfort and support during his times of affliction, adversity, and animus from unbelieving Jews and Gentiles, "Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil." (2 Thessalonians 3:1-3) (MKJV). The desire of the devil 👿 as he works through the human instruments under his control is to bring so much turmoil, tumult, and trouble in the path of we true believers in order that he may use these things to hinder us (1 Thessalonians 2:18) from our assignment by our Father in Heaven and cause delay, disturbance, and even destruction of the things our Lord Jesus Christ has commended us to do for His glory and for the edification of the Body His the Church ⛪, for the enemy knows that there is nothing that he can do to separate us from our Father in Heaven as Paul the Apostle reminded all of us with these words, "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39) (MKJV), so the devil works through physical and spiritual means to obstruct the work of God through those who are his (the devil's)sons and daughters. This is why you see such popularity with the false prophets/profits and false teachers because the 'god of this world' (2 Corinthians 4:4) has no need to cause them to be handicapped in spreading their false gospel and false message which cannot save any sinful soul.

Here is what the Expositors' Bible Commentary had to say of 1 Peter 3:8, "The Apostle now ceases from his special admonitions, and enforces generally such qualities and conduct as must mark all who fear the Lord. 'Finally,' he says-and the word may indicate the close of his counsels; but the virtues which he inculcates are of so important a character that he may very well intend them as the apex and crown of all his previous advice - 'be ye all likeminded, compassionate, loving as brethren, tenderhearted, humble-minded.' St. Peter has here grouped together a number of epithets of which all but one are only used in the New Testament by himself, and they are of that graphic character which is so conspicuous in all the Apostle’s language. 'Like-minded.' If the word be not there, the spirit is largely exemplified in the early history of the Church. How often we hear the phrase, 'with one accord,' in the opening chapters of the Acts. Thus the disciples continued in prayer; (Acts 1:14) thus they went daily to the temple; (Acts 2:46) thus they lifted up their voices to God, (Acts 4:24) for all they that believed were of one heart and one soul. (Acts 4:32) Such lives exhibit harmony of thought, the same aim and purpose. The men may not, will not, always use the same means or follow the same methods, but they will all be seeking one result. Such unity is worth more than uniformity. 'Compassionate.' This feeling St. Paul describes (Romans 12:15) as rejoicing with them that do rejoice and weeping with them that weep. For the times of this life are not always sorrowful, though the best of them are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed. (Romans 8:18) 'Loving as brethren.' The sense of the brotherhood of Christians is strongly marked in all the New Testament Scriptures. It is the name by which our Lord claims fellowship with men, being not ashamed to call them brethren. It is the designation of the Christian body from the first, (Matthew 23:8) is constantly found in the Acts and the Epistles, (Acts 6:3-9, Acts 11:29) and has been used of the Church in every age, marking how as one family we dwell in Him. Next comes the word which is not St. Peter’s alone: 'Tenderhearted.' St. Paul has it, (Ephesians 4:32) but it is no Greek notion. It was a Jewish idea that deep feeling was closely connected with some of the organs of the body; and in the Old Testament, as in the story of Joseph (Genesis 43:30) and elsewhere, (1Kings 3:26) we come upon such phrases as 'His bowels did yearn upon his brother.' This Hebrew notion the LXX has conveyed into Greek by the word which St. Peter here uses, and which those translators had used and consecrated long before. For them so exalted was the thought contained in it that they employ it in the prayer of Manasses (1Peter 3:7) to express the tenderness of God towards the penitent, the yearning love of the Father, who sees the prodigal afar off, and has compassion. 'Humble-minded.' This word and those akin to it are almost a New Testament creation. The heathen had no admiration for the temper it expresses, and where they do use the word it is in a bad sense as signifying 'cowardly' and 'mean-spirited.' Before Christ none had taught, 'He that is greatest among you shall be your servant.' (Matthew 23:11).

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…