Peter's Comparative Language

One of the interesting features of Peter’s language in his first epistle is a “not this but that” kind of construct.  He taught us not only how to live but how not to live, comparing the actions a Christian should take with the actions people in the world take.  He used similar language to that of the Sermon on the Mount where Christ compared how they used to live under the Law of Moses with how they should live as a Christian.  Here’s a partial list of these comparisons that Peter made:

 

·         “As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation” (1 Peter 1:14-15).  So as children of Christ we are to renounce the lusts of the flesh and instead seek to be holy as He is holy. 

·         “Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold… but with the precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:18).  It’s not the things of the world that will save us, but the atonement of Jesus Christ.

·         “The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever” (1 Peter 1:24-25).  The things of this world are fleeting, but God’s word (and Word) will endure forever.

·         “Laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies and envies, and all evil speaking… desire the sincere milk of the word” (1 Peter 2:1-2).  Instead of the negative language of the world, we should seek to be fed by the words of God.

·         “Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense” (1 Peter 2:7-8).  If we have faith Christ will be precious to us, but for those who are disobedient (thus showing no faith) Christ becomes a stone of stumbling to them. 

·         “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit” (2 Peter 3:4).  It’s not the outward appearance that we should focus on but the mastery of our own spirit. 

·         “Be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing” (2 Peter 3:8-9).  We are to not react to the world with evil and anger but to do as the Savior taught: “Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you” (Luke 6:27-28).   

·         “He no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God” (1 Peter 4:2).  One of the challenges we have as disciples of Christ is to learn to do God’s will and keep His commandments instead of following the lusts of the flesh. 

·         “But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.  Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf” (1 Peter 4:15-16).  Instead of suffering like the world in guilt from our sins, we should “suffer as a Christian,” which seems to mean that we must suffer like Christ did who submitted His will to the Father.   

Near the end of 1 Peter he wrote, “God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5).  Ultimately all of these comparative statements by Peter have to do with turning to the Lord in humility instead of hardening our hearts in pride after the manner of the world.  Peter’s “sublime” language (as Joseph Smith put it) is a powerful witness of our need to forsake the world and turn to God as true followers of His Son.