First Peter - Lorin

2.18 Because
also
once for all
for sins
48 Christ...suffered,
49 just suffered
for the unjust,
in order that he might lead you to God,
having died on the one hand in the flesh
but
having been made alive by the Spirit;
3.19 having gone
while he also preached to the spirits in prison,
2.20 | disobeying
| formerly
|----|
while the patience of God was waiting
in the days of Noah
|------------------------------------|
in the building of the ark
in which a few were saved
| through water
that is eight lives
/------------------------------------|
2.21 which also now baptism as a type saves you
not the putting away of filthy flesh |
but |
the answer of a clear conscience to|God
/---------------------|
through the resurrection
of Jesus Christ,
/------------------------------------------------------|
2:22 who is at the right hand of God
after having gone
into Heaven
with angels and authorities and powers being subject to Him.
The organization of ideas in this passage is relatively easy to understand from the above block diagram.
The text is introduced by a rhetorical question (# 41; v. 13). The rest of the passage answers this question
in two fundamental ways. First, both a beatitude blessing (#42; v. 14) and three admonitions (#s 43-45; vv.
15-16) are set forth. Next, two sets of supporting reasons for the blessing and admonitions are presented (#s
46-49; vv. 17-22). The first set (#s 46-47; v. 17) is the primary reason (γὰρ). The second set (#s 48-49; vv.
18-22) is secondary (ὅτι), although the example of Christ is the central focus.
II. Message
The structural organization of the passage as explained above forms the basis of our exegesis around
the two ideas: a question and its answer.
a. Who can oppose those doing good? v. 13
13 Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good?
13 Καὶ τίς ὁ κακώσων ὑμᾶς ἐὰν τοῦ ἀγαθοῦ ζηλωταὶ γένησθε;
Notes:
This beginning rhetorical question serves both to signal a shift in topic and an introduction to the
subsequent passage that functions as an answer to the question. In a manner typical for First Peter, some of
the key words in the question reach back to the quote from Psalm 34 in verses ten through twelve: κακώσων
Bible Study: Page 180