Christ Who Suffered, Descended into Hades, Rose and Ascended 3:18-22

By this "prison," as the Greek word used here indicates, we must understand Hell, or "Sheol," the place where, according to the belief of the Jews, all the souls of people who died before the coming of the Messiah descended. This is a place in the underworld, that is, "under the earth" or "inside the earth" – i.e. in a "place" gloomy and cramped. It is not hell in the Christian sense of the word, as a place of eternal torment for sinners, but nevertheless, as its name indicates, a place that is embarrassing for the soul of the dead, unpleasant, undesirable. Such was this place before the coming of Christ for all people who died in the Old Testament, although, apparently, there were still different degrees, depending on the impiety or righteousness of the dead. Into this "prison" the Lord descended to preach about the salvation of mankind accomplished by Him. This was the calling of all those who had died before Christ and whose souls were in Sheol to enter the Kingdom of Christ, and those who repented and believed were undoubtedly freed from the place of their imprisonment and led into the paradise opened by the Resurrection of Christ, the place of the blessedness of the righteous. "Once disobedient" means that the preaching of Christ the Savior was also addressed to the most stubborn sinners, as an example of whom the Apostle sets up Noah's contemporaries, who perished from the flood.From 4:6 we can conclude that of these were also those who were saved by the preaching of Christ in hell: "For for this reason it was preached also to the dead, that they, having been judged according to man in the flesh (that is, perishing in the waters of the flood), they henceforth lived (in the Heavenly world) according to God in spirit."By this the Apostle also emphasizes that the preaching of Christ was addressed to all people without exception, not excluding the pagans and moreover the most sinful of them (19-20) [2]. From the thought of the flood and of those saved in the ark in verse 20, the Apostle passes on to the sacrament of baptism, the prototype of which was the universal flood.In verse 21, the Apostle defines the essence of baptism. It is not a "washing away of bodily impurity," like, for example, the numerous ritual Jewish washings, which, while cleansing only the body, did not in the least touch the impurities of the soul: it is "a promise to God of a good conscience." These words do not mean, of course, that a good conscience is only promised in the future. It is in baptism itself that the soul of the believer is purified, because it is further said that "baptism saves through the resurrection of Christ" (21). The Apostle points out here only the need for the baptized to decide to begin a new life according to his conscience. So Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him master. You are her children, if you do good and are not troubled by any fear. ^ To whom He also came down and preached to the spirits in prison, once disobedient to the long-suffering of God that awaited them, in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which few, that is, eight souls, were saved from the water. ^

Chapter Four

Admonitions to Christians 4:1-11

The entire fourth chapter is devoted to moral instruction. These instructions are based on the thought of the sufferings of Christ." As Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same thought; for he who suffers in the flesh ceases to sin" (v. 1). This whole chapter is permeated with the thought of patiently enduring persecution for the faith and of the need to overcome the evil attitude of the enemies of the faith by a virtuous life." He who suffers in the flesh ceases to sin" – bodily sufferings, whether they are from voluntary feats and labors or whether they are from involuntary suffering, for example, from illness or external oppression – weaken the passions. At the same time, the same idea is expressed here as in the 6th chapter of the Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Romans: that he who is crucified with Christ and as if died with Him dies to sin and comes to life to God. The Apostle urges Christians not to be embarrassed by the fact that the pagans are reviling them for the radical change in their lives, reminding them that they will be judged by God for their debauchery (2-6) [1]." The end of everything is near" in the sense that Christians must always be ready for the coming of Christ. From this the Apostle deduces the necessity for Christians of a virtuous life and gives a number of instructions, placing love at the head of everything, because "love covers a multitude of sins" (v. 8), as the holy Apostle James teaches about this.

On Innocent Suffering 4:12-19

Chapter 4 ends with an exhortation to the martyrs: "Of the fiery temptation... do not shy away" (12). Christians should fearlessly confess their faith, not fearing backbiting and suffering, but glorify God for their fate (13-19) [2]. In a similar way, the Apostle Paul encouraged Christians who were persecuted for their faith: "Do not be afraid of adversaries in any way: this is for them an omen of destruction, but for you salvation. And this is of God, because it has been given to you for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him" (Phil. 1:29). that the rest of the time in the flesh may no longer live according to human lusts, but according to the will of God. For it is enough that in the past time of your life you have walked according to the will of the heathen, giving yourselves up to uncleanness, lusts (sodomy, bestiality, thoughts), drunkenness, excess in food and drink, and foolish idolatry; wherefore they are amazed that you do not share with them in the same debauchery, and they curse you. They will give an answer to Him who is soon to judge the living and the dead. For for this reason the gospel was preached also to the dead, that they, having been judged according to man in the flesh, should live according to God in the spirit. ^ but as ye participate in the sufferings of Christ, rejoice, that ye may also rejoice and triumph in the appearing of His glory. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, then you are blessed, for the Spirit of Glory, the Spirit of God, rests upon you. By them He is blasphemed, but by you He is glorified. If only one of you may not suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evildoer, or as an encroacher on another's property; and if you are a Christian, then do not be ashamed, but glorify God for such a fate. For it is time for judgment to begin with the house of God; but if it begins with us first, what is the end of those who disobey the Gospel of God? And if the righteous are scarcely saved, where will the wicked and sinful appear? Therefore, let those who suffer according to the will of God give up their souls to Him, as to the faithful Creator, doing good. ^

Chapter Five

Admonitions to Shepherds and Flocks 5:1-9

The fifth chapter contains instructions to pastors and flocks, the Apostolic blessing and concluding greetings.The Apostle exhorts pastors to shepherd the flock of God, supervising it not under compulsion, but willingly, not for vile gain, but out of zeal, and not ruling over the inheritance of God, but setting an example for the flock. supervising him not under compulsion, but willingly and pleasing to God" — i.e. the pastor must be filled with love for his great work, must feel a call to it from above, so that he may not be a hireling, but a true shepherd, loving his spiritual sheep (5:2) [1]; Not for vile gain, but out of zeal" – this is the second feature of good pastorship, which is called unselfishness. This does not mean that a pastor should not benefit from his flock (see 1 Cor. 9:7 [2], 13-14 [3]), but only that he should not pastor for profit and personal gain, should not extort money for his labors. And not ruling over the inheritance of God, but setting an example for the flock" — a pastor cannot but have spiritual power over his flock, but this power should not have the character of despotism and arbitrariness, which arises from self-love and pride. A true shepherd must be a good example to his flock, so that he will easily, without coercion, acquire the necessary authority and spiritual power over them (5:3) [4]. For such good pastoral work, the Apostle promises an "unfading crown" from the Chief Shepherd, Christ (5:4). "Likewise the younger ones," that is, the ordinary believers, "obey the shepherds." "All of you, being subject to one another, clothe yourselves with humility, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Submitting to one another" means that each in his position must submit to his superiors, and thus show humility, which alone attracts the grace of God to a person (5:5-7) [5].The Apostle calls for sobriety and spiritual vigilance, pointing out that the enemy of human salvation, the devil, "walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" – i.e. like a ferocious lion, the devil, eternally breathing hatred, seeks to destroy all the careless and frivolous. It must be resisted first of all by "firm faith," for faith unites with Christ, Whom the devil fears (5:8-9).

Apostolic Blessing and Greetings 5:10-14

St. Peter concludes his first epistle with good wishes from God to be firm, unshaken in the faith, conveying greetings from the church in Babylon and from "his son Mark," and giving "peace in Christ Jesus" (5:10-14). It was this Mark who wrote his Gospel from the words of the Apostle Peter. shepherd the flock of God that is among you, watching over it not under compulsion, but willingly and pleasing to God, not for abominable gain, but out of zeal. ^ What warrior ever serves at his own expense? Who, having planted a vineyard, does not eat its fruit? Who, tending the flock, does not eat the milk of the flock? ^ Do you not know that the priests eat from the sanctuary? that those who serve the altar take a portion of the altar? In the same way, the Lord commanded those who preach the Gospel to live by the gospel. ^ and not having dominion over the inheritance of God, but setting an example for the flock; ^ Likewise, the younger ones, obey the shepherds; nevertheless, in submission to one another, clothe yourselves with humility, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you. ^

The Second Conciliar Epistle of the Apostle Peter

Admonitions to Shepherds and Flocks 5:1-9