NT Text: 1 Peter 3:14-15
OT Source(s):
Source: Beale & Carson (eds.), Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament (2007); Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Reference Type: Allusion
Connection Method(s): Analogy
Significance: Peter applies Isaiah's call to fear God alone directly to suffering Christians, but with a crucial Christological twist: where Isaiah says "sanctify the Lord of hosts," Peter writes "sanctify Christ as Lord." This identifies Jesus with Yahweh, affirming Christ's deity. The Isaiah context warned against fearing Assyrian threats and trusting human alliances rather than God. Peter's hermeneutical move transfers this to believers facing Roman persecution: fear of hostile authorities must yield to reverential fear of Christ. The command to "set apart Christ as Lord" makes proper worship the antidote to human fear, showing that Christology shapes ethics and courage in persecution flows from right theology.