Problem: Peter writes, “Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord” (1 Pet. 3:6). Some interpreters argue that this refers to Sarah obeying Abraham, when he chose to lie and have her sleep with the Egyptian Pharaoh (Gen. 12:13) and later to Abimelech (Gen. 20:5, 13). Some interpreters argue that we should submit to authority—even if it means sinning against God (i.e. committing adultery). Is this the case?
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1 Peter 3:3 – Does this mean that women should not wear makeup and jewelry?
Problem: Peter writes, “Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses” (1 Pet. 3:3). Some of the early church fathers (e.g. Tertullian and Cyprian)[1] and modern day Seventh-Day Adventists have used this passage to argue that women should never wear jewelry or makeup (c.f. 1 Tim. 2:9-10; Isa. 3:16-24). Is this the case?
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1 Peter 2:16 – Are we saved by grace or works?
Problem:
Many people in false religions teach that salvation and forgiveness of sins are obtained by faith and good works. Many appeal to Scripture to support this idea. But, when these verses are examined in context, they do not teach that works of any kind save us. In fact, the Bible clearly teaches that were saved without the works of the law. This is because nobody can keep the Law perfectly. God requires holiness (1 Pet. 1:16), nothing less.
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1 Peter 3:1 – Was Peter a sexist pig?
Problem: Peter writes, “In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands” (1 Pet. 3:1). Elsewhere, Paul writes, “The man is the head of a woman” (1 Cor. 11:3), and he states, “Wives, be subject to your own husbands” (Eph. 5:22). Is this a sexist attitude toward women? Critics argue that this is ancient patriarchy at its worst.
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1 Peter 2:13 – Shall we obey God’s Law or human law?
Problem:
Shall we obey God’s Law or human law? The Bible tells us to do both, but is that a contradiction? Acts 5:29 and Romans 13:1; I Peter 2:13
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1 Peter 2:12 – Should or should we not let our good works be seen?
Problem:
As with any piece of literature, to best understand its statements you must read them in context. The Bible is no different. Matthew 5:16 is in the context of the beatitudes (Matt. 5:1 – 7:29) where Jesus is teaching proper, good, and moral behavior. Disciples of Jesus are to light; that is, doers of good. 1 Peter 2:12 is where Peter is admonishing the Christians to live godly and holy lives before the unbelievers. We Christians live in the world among unbelievers and they are going to see how we live. Peter is telling us to act properly with unbelievers so that false accusations will not stand against us because we have lived with integrity among them.
1 Peter 2:9 – Is our mission “singing and praise” or “evangelism?”
Problem: The NIV translates this passage in the following way: “You may declare the praises [Greek aretē] of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” Some Christians claim that this is warrant for a large, corporate worship service (i.e. “praising” God). One commentator writes, “This heraldic praise is their reason for existing.”[1] Is this the case?
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1 Peter 2:8 – Does this passage teach that some people are “appointed” to hell?
Problem: Peter writes, “They stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed” (1 Pet. 2:8). Does this passage teach that God creates people with the express purpose of sending them to hell?
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1 Peter 2:7 – Did Peter properly cite Psalm 118:22 (c.f. Mt. 21:42)?
Problem: Peter writes that Psalm 118:22 predicts the rejection of Christ. Is Peter properly citing this passage, or is he tearing it from its original context?
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1 Peter 2:6 – Why does Peter add “on him” to Isaiah 28:16?
Problem: Critics argue that Peter is twisting this OT passage to make it appear to be prophetic of Christ. In the Masoretic Text (MT), the Hebrew lacks the expression “in him.” Therefore, when Peter writes, “And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed” (1 Pet. 2:6), he is adding onto the original Hebrew text. Is this the case?
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1 Peter 1:17 – Are we supposed to fear God or not? (cf. 1 Jn. 4:19)
Problem: Peter writes, “Conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth” (1 Pet. 1:17). Yet other passages urge us not to fear God: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love” (1 Jn. 4:18). Which is true?
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1 Peter 1:2 – Are some “chosen” for heaven and others “chosen” for hell?
Problem: Peter writes that all Christians are “are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father” (1 Pet. 1:1-2). Does this mean that Christians are “chosen” for heaven and non-Christians are “chosen” for hell?
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1 Peter 1:2 – Are we sanctified by God’s truth or by God’s Spirit?
Problem: Peter speaks in this text about “sanctification of the Spirit,” but Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them by Your truth” (John 17:17). Which way are we set apart to God—by His Spirit or by His truth?
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James 5:19-20 – Will we go to hell if we stray from the truth?
Problem: James writes, “My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins” (Jas. 5:19-20). If we stray from our relationship with Christ, does this mean that we will go to hell?
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James 5:17 – Was the drought three years or three-and-a-half years?
Problem: Both here and in Luke 4:25 it speaks of a three and one-half year drought in the days of Elijah. But in 1 Kings 17:1 (and 18:1) it refers to the drought being three years.
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