Disobedient to the Word
Category: Failure of obedience
Could endure: Obey the gospel and be built into God’s house.
“Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth…” (1 Peter 1:22)
Cross-Refs: John 8:31; Hebrews 5:9.
Chose wrongly: Rejected the message.
“They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.” (1 Peter 2:8)
Cross-Refs: Isaiah 65:2; Romans 10:21.
Endured (negatively): Stumbled over Christ.
“A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” (1 Peter 2:8)
Cross-Refs: Isaiah 8:14; Matthew 21:42.
Why (wrong motive): Pride, unbelief.
“The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” (1 Peter 2:7)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 118:22; Acts 4:11.
Result: Excluded from God’s people.
“They stumble because they disobey the message.” (1 Peter 2:8)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 21:44; John 3:36.
Living in Worldly Lusts
Category: Failure of holiness
Could endure: Be holy in all conduct.
“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.” (1 Peter 1:15)
Cross-Refs: Leviticus 19:2; 1 Thessalonians 4:7.
Chose wrongly: Returned to former lusts and desires.
“As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.” (1 Peter 1:14)
Cross-Refs: Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:22.
Endured (negatively): Wasted life in sin.
“For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do.” (1 Peter 4:3)
Cross-Refs: Titus 3:3; Colossians 3:7.
Why (wrong motive): Desire for pleasure and human approval.
“…living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.” (1 Peter 4:3)
Cross-Refs: Galatians 5:19–21; 2 Timothy 4:10.
Result: Judgment before God.
“They will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.” (1 Peter 4:5)
Cross-Refs: Romans 14:12; Revelation 20:12.
Slanderers of Believers
Category: Failure of love
Could endure: Honour believers and glorify God.
“Live such good lives among the pagans that… they may see your good deeds and glorify God.” (1 Peter 2:12)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 5:16; Philippians 2:15.
Chose wrongly: Maligned and insulted Christians.
“They are surprised that you do not join them… and they heap abuse on you.” (1 Peter 4:4)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 5:11; John 15:20.
Endured (negatively): Heaped condemnation on themselves.
“For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel?” (1 Peter 4:17)
Cross-Refs: Romans 2:8–9; 2 Thessalonians 1:6–8.
Why (wrong motive): Hatred of holiness, rejection of truth.
“They are surprised that you do not join them.” (1 Peter 4:4)
Cross-Refs: John 3:19–20; Acts 13:45.
Result: Condemned in judgment.
“What will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:17)
Cross-Refs: Hebrews 10:27; Revelation 21:8.