Peter is writing to believers who are living in the midst of a storm and coping with the uncomfortable sensation of being unsteadied by the winds swirling about them. Opposition, scorn, persecution for the faith—true suffering as believers—these are realities confronting them and threatening to intensify against them. As he concludes his letter, Peter now gives to these believers and to us some concrete and practical advice concerning the way in which we should hold our ground and keep our footing in such unsteady and unsteadying times.

Peter tackles the reality of suffering head-on in this vitally important passage, and he teaches us what to do to be ready for suffering—and then to endure suffering as a believer. Those going through suffering need to hear and receive his message—and those living in times of relative ease need to hear it too, that we may be prepared for that which will surely come.

Leadership matters. Good leadership raises and dignifies any group of people—bad leadership does the opposite. This principle, which is true in general, is especially true in the church. The need for good and godly leadership for the church is only accentuated when times of pressure and difficulty arise. The key principles that Peter outlines here for leadership with godliness and integrity are so desperately needed in the church today.

Peter tackles the reality of suffering head-on in this vitally important passage, and he teaches us what to do to be ready for suffering—and then to endure suffering as a believer. Those going through suffering need to hear and receive his message—and those living in times of relative ease need to hear it too, that we may be prepared for that which will surely come.

Peter tackles the reality of suffering head-on in this vitally important passage, and he teaches us what to do to be ready for suffering—and then to endure suffering as a believer. Those going through suffering need to hear and receive his message—and those living in times of relative ease need to hear it too, that we may be prepared for that which will surely come.

Peter has been preparing us for enduring opposition from a scornful world, and he wants believers in Christ to learn how to live godly and honourable lives in the midst of opposition. He wants us to flourish as disciples of Christ, pursuing godliness and fruitfulness in Christ, even as the world closes in about us and the days darken. To help us and equip us in this, he sets before us powerful reasons and motivators to live godly lives.

Peter has been preparing us for enduring opposition from a scornful world, and he wants believers in Christ to learn how to live godly and honourable lives in the midst of opposition. He wants us to flourish as disciples of Christ, pursuing godliness and fruitfulness in Christ, even as the world closes in about us and the days darken. To help us and equip us in this, he sets before us powerful reasons and motivators to live godly lives.

Christians live in the context of constant pressure from the world around. That was true in the first century AD—and it is true today. Knowing the possibility of opposition and persecution, Peter urges us to be committed to doing good and ready to explain our hope in Christ to anyone who asks. And if suffering should come our way even so, we must be ready to follow in the footsteps of our Saviour.

Christians live in the context of constant pressure from the world around. That was true in the first century AD—and it is true today. Knowing the possibility of opposition and persecution, Peter urges us to be committed to doing good and ready to explain our hope in Christ to anyone who asks. And if suffering should come our way even so, we must be ready to follow in the footsteps of our Saviour.

The biblical pattern for marriage is so out of step with the world’s pattern. Wives and husbands are called to honour one another in complementary and distinctive ways—seeking the spiritual good of the other. We can see how the world’s approach breaks down, and how we need to look to the Maker’s design and pursue marriages that honour, not only one another, but the Lord.