Thursday 08 May 2014

Background

The prowling devil searching for someone to swallow is afrightening image.

The word in Greek for 'devil' is 'diabolos'; it is the root ofthe English word 'diabolical'. Diabolical describes behaviour thatis harmful and unjust. The Christians who first read this letterwere vulnerable to the diabolical actions of people in theircommunities. The author suggests that these actions were reallycaused by disobedient and disruptive spiritual forces, which areeasily personified as 'the devil'. The letter encourages theseChristian converts from paganism to express love for their enemies,as well as for other Christians. The expression of self-giving loveand the practice of 'doing good' are pleasing to God. As one learnsin this last chapter, the loving of one's enemy is also a means ofresisting evil or 'the devil'.

Less important than who or what is meant by the term 'devil' isthe means by which Christians resist being wounded in spirit by thewrongheaded actions of others. Previous chapters encourage theChristian converts in Asia Minor to fulfil their social duties andlove their enemies in the face of insults. Self-giving love and thepractice of 'doing good' are pleasing to God. Now the letterinstructs that loving one's enemy is also a means of resistingevil. The concern here is about the internal battle of these earlyChristians to resist retaliating against those who hurt them. Ifthey allowed arrogance, anxiety, and anger to consume them, thentheir relationship with God would suffer. Nonresistance and thedemonstration of self-sacrificing love toward their enemies wouldensure victory in the spiritual struggle with evil.

Those who struggle often feel isolated. 1 Peter places thestruggles of the Christians in Asia in the context of thefellowship of Christians throughout the known world. Although thelife of discipleship was difficult to maintain in the face ofinjury, they received the comfort that they were not alone. Theyhad a share in the struggles of all those who followed thecrucified Christ.

To Ponder

• How are images of the devil useful in discussions of wrongactions?

• What examples might you give of active and lovingnonresistance?

• How do people of faith support efforts to resistoppression?