1 Peter 3:13-22

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Fair Oaks United Methodist Church,
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• Reading the Text:
  • NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
  • Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV.
  • The Bible Gateway: NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
  • The Blue Letter Bible -  KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries.
  • The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary, exposition and sermons.
• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • Comparative texts about Baptism: Water & Spirit from DSS, Josephus, Babylonian Talmud. At (Rutgers University Dept of Religion) Mahlon H. Smith's Into His Own: Perspective on the World of Jesus companion to the historical study of Christian texts.
  • Comparative World Scriptures from United Communities of Spirit:
    • Universal Salvation
    • Self-Sacrifice
    • Honesty and Expediency
  • Vision III.3, Shepherd of Hermas. (c.145)
  • I.XVIII.3, IV.XXVII.2, Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180) 
  • III.12, Paedagogus, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
  • VI.6, Stromata, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
  • Chapter LV, On The Soul, Tertullian (c. 210)
  • Chapter XLVIII, On the Resurrection of the Flesh,  Tertullian (c. 211)
  • Chapter IV, On Monogamy, Tertullian (c. 215)
  • Chapter IX, Chapter XXII, On Modesty, Tertullian (c. 217)
  • II.V.3, First Principles (De Principiis), Origen. (c.225)
  • VI.18, Commentary on the Gospel of John, Philocalia [anthology of Origen prepared by St. Basil and St. Gregory Nazianzen], Origen. (c.230)
  • III.XXXIII, VII.XII, Against Celsus, Origen. (c.246)
  • Epistle LXXV -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 255)
  • Epistle LXXIII -- Epistle LXXIV -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 256)
  • From the Geneva Notes.
    • "...when the wicked are provoked, they are more wayward: therefore they must instead be won by good deeds. If they cannot be gained by that means also, yet nonetheless we shall be blessed if we suffer for righteousness sake."
  • From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
    • "Though Christians cannot always be exactly of the same mind, yet they should have compassion one of another, and love as brethren."
  • From Wesley's Notes.
    • "The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous - For good. Anger appears in the whole face; love, chiefly in the eyes."
  • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
    • "...courteous--genuine Christian politeness; not the tinsel of the world's politeness; stamped with unfeigned love on one side, and humility on the other. But the oldest manuscripts read, "humble-minded." It is slightly different from "humble," in that it marks a conscious effort to be truly humble."
  • From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
    • "If God wills that we should suffer, for the Father sometimes chasteneth children, it is better to suffer for righteousness, than for evil."
• Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:

  • Commentary, 1 Peter 3:18-22 (Lent 1B), Karl Jacobson, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2009.

    • "...we are baptized in Christ's name, delivered from the power of sin through his suffering, and so saved. Deserve's got nothing to do with it."

  • "First Thoughts on Year B Epistle Passages in the Lectionary: Lent 1," William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.

    • "The point of this rather dense passage seems to be that the hearers need not fear suffering nor fear the powers that be."
  • 1 Peter 3:18-22, Lent 1B, Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • "Raised to Life," "Glory through Suffering," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed textual notes.
  • "The Gates of Hell Shall Not Prevail," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Heaven and Hell," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2002.
  • "Good Conscience and Faithful Witness Under Trial: 1 Peter 2:11 - 3:22," An Easter Catechesis: The Lessons of 1 Peter, David L. Tiede, Word & World Texts in Context, Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary, 1984.

  • Commentary, 1 Peter 3:13-22 (Easter 6), A.K.M. Adam, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2008.

    • "The harrowing of hell (3:19) has attracted the attention of poetic and illustrative imaginations throughout history—understandably so, since it seems to answer two provocative questions with an underdeveloped premise."

  • "First Thoughts on Year A Epistle Passages in the Lectionary," Easter 6, William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.

    • "On reflection it is the paradoxical claim that the vulnerability and compassion of the Christ, far from being a symbol of meaningless and defeat, is in fact a revelation of the heart of God."
  • 1 Peter 3:13-22, Easter 6A, Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
• Articles & Background:
  • "Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry," Faith and Order Paper No. 111. World Council of Churches, 1982. Theological and practical commentary.
  • "1 Peter 3:18-20," Michael Cranford.
    • "Those holding this view often connect this “descent into hell” with the time Jesus’ body lay in the tomb, prior to His resurrection. This interpretation is, essentially, a theological myth that has been part of church tradition for many centuries, and reflects a poor approach to interpreting the Bible. I will step through each of the passages to provide a better (more contextually sensitive) interpretation."
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  • Bandstra, Andrew J., "'Making Proclamation to the Spirits in Prison': Another Look at 1 Peter 3:19," Calvin Theological Journal, 2003.
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  • Brooks, Oscar S., "1 Peter 3:21 - The Clue to the Literary Structure of the Epistle," Novum Testamentum, 1974.
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  • Kuykendall, Charles and C. John Collins, "1 Peter 3:15a: A Critical Review of English Versions," Presbyterion, 2003.
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  • Manteufel, Thomas E., "Homiletical Helps on LSB Series A - Epistles," (1 Peter 3:13-22 begins on page 92), Concordia Journal, 2008.
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  • Schertz, "Radical Trust in the Just Judge: The Easter Texts of 1 Peter," Word & World, 2004. (section on this text begins on page 438)
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  • Tiede, David L., "The Easter Catechesis: The Lessons of 1 Peter," Word & World, 1984.
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• Reviews:
• Sermons:

  • "With Gentleness and Reverence," Sharon Watkins, 30 Good Minutes, Chicago Sunday Evening Club, 2007.

  • "And the Greatest of These is Hope," Sr. Joan Delaplane, Aquinas Institute of Theology, St. Louis, Missouri. 30 Good Minutes, Chicago Sunday Evening Club, 2002.

  • "Ridiculed," Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington.

  • "What's the Reason?" John Jewell, 2002.

  • "Faith for Troubled Times," John Jewell, 2000.

• With Children:
• Drama:
• Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
  • Images for this week's readings, Pitts Theology Library Digital Image Archive.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Contemporary/Praise Song suggestions, Together to Celebrate, David MacGregor.
  • Hymns with Scripture Allusions: 1 Peter 3:22. The Cyber Hymnal.
  • At Digital Hymnal (midi files, guitar chords, karaoke files, projection text):
    • Praise Him! Praise Him!
• Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
  • Baptism
  • Noah/Flood/Rainbow
• Movies Listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
  • Redemption
  • Baptism
  • Noah/Flood
• Study Links and Resources for the Book of 1 Peter