Do not repay evil with evil
Day 668, Wednesday, June 10
1 Peter 3:8 – 4:11
Peter continues in the theme of patiently bearing adversity. “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to do this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
He tells us along with his readers to always be prepared to answer anyone who asks why we have hope in Christ. “But do so with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”
Today’s reading contains a mysterious verse that has led to controversy for centuries. Verse 3:19 reads, “After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits.”
One interpretation of this is reflected in one version of the Apostles’ Creed which includes the words “He descended into hell.” Our hymnal includes that line as a footnote, allowing for but not requiring its use.
The overall passage suggests that the gospel was somehow proclaimed to those who had died in sin before the resurrection, but whether this involved a descent into the underworld remains a matter of speculation.
-Rev. Mark Fleming
Wednesday meditation
Psalms 139:1-12
You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.
Prayer focus
Give us the grace to respond to evil and insult with love and compassion.