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More I Peter commentaries
I Peter 1:1-8
Our Guaranteed Reservation in Heaven
I Peter 1:9-12
Experience Heaven’s Glory in the Midst of Suffering
I Peter 1:13-16
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I Peter 1:17-21
It is the Blood That Sets Us Free
I Peter 1:22-25
True Love is Easily Seen
I Peter 2:1-3
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I Peter 2:4-8
Stones in God’s Temple
I Peter 2:9-10
Who Christ Says we are as Christians
I Peter 2:11-12
As a Believer we do not Belong to This World
I Peter 2:13-17
Submission to Government
I Peter 2:18-20
Submission to Masters
I Peter 2:21-23
We Are to Emulate Christ’s Example
I Peter 2:24-25
Peter Takes Us to the Cross
I Peter 3:1-6
How Christian Wives can Win Unsaved Husbands
I Peter 3:7-7
Admonition for Christian Husbands
I Peter 3:8-9
Sharing in the Joy of Others
I Peter 3:10-12
How to Have a Really Good Day
I Peter 3:13-17
Always be Ready to Witness
I Peter 3:18-22
Be Faithful and Leave the Results to God
I Peter 4:1-6
Following Christ May Bring Persecution
I Peter 4:7-11
Hospitality Includes Ministering to One another
I Peter 4:12-14
Every Christian can Expect Persecution
I Peter 4:15-19
Suffering for God’s Glory
I Peter 5:1-7
Leaders Are Not to Lord Over God’s Heritage
I Peter 5:8-14
The Holy Kiss Was a Mark of Innocent Affection
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Hospitality Includes Ministering to One another
I Peter 4:7–11
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
A certain minister preached one day on Heaven. The next morning he was met by one of his wealthy members, who said: “Pastor, you preached a good sermon about Heaven. You told me all about Heaven, but you did not tell me where Heaven is.” “Ah,” said the pastor, … More
In view of the possibility of the Lord’s return Peter admonishes the believers to be “sober” (v. 7). It seems that he was telling them not to get out of balance in their emphasis of prophecy. If we think right and pray right our living should be right.
Sobriety and informed prayer are important but Peter says that “above all things” Christians should have “fervent” love for one another and be united in heart (v. 8). The word “fervent” means that we will have to work at it just as an athlete works on his skills. Peter makes reference to Proverbs 10:12 where it says, “Hatred stirreth up strife: but love covereth all sins.”
True love accepts a person just as he is, faults and all. This does not imply that the local church should not deal with gross sin in their congregation but simply that the Christian should not hold past sins against a brother who has confessed them and turned his back on them. Another evidence of true love is manifested in hospitality toward one another and the use of our spiritual gifts in ministering to one another. Hospitality is both and commended throughout scripture. Welcome people into your home and don’t grumble about it (v. 9). Each person is blessed with one of God’s gifts (vv. 10-11).
Application
What gifts do I have to serve the Christian community? How am I putting these gifts into practice? Am I sharing our home in generous hospitality, as Scripture commands?
I Peter 4:7-11 (English Standard Version)
The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies--in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
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