1 Peter 3:12

For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. FOR ... Ground of the promised life of blessedness to the meek (). EARS ... UNTO THEIR PRAYERS - (1 John 5:14.) FACE ... AGAINST. The Lord's eyes imply favourable regard (); His face upon (not "against") them that do evil, implies that He narrowly observes, so as not to let them really hurt His people (cf. )....

12_For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, _or, _on the righteous_. It ought to be a consolation to us, sufficient to mitigate all evils, that we are looked upon by the Lord, so that he will bring us help in due time. The meaning then is, that the prosperity which he has mentioned depends on the protection of God; for were not the Lord to care for his people, they would be like sheep exposed to wolves. And that we for little reason raise a clamor, that we suddenly kindle unto wrath, that we burn with the passion of revenge, all this, doubtless, happens, because we do not consider that God cares for us, and because we do not acquiesce in his aid. Thus in vain we shall be taught patience, except our minds are first imbued with this truth, that God exercises such care over us, that he will in due time succor us. When, on the contrary, we are fully persuaded that God defends the cau...

8-13 Though Christians cannot always be exactly of the same mind, yet they should have compassion one of another, and love as brethren. If any man desires to live comfortably on earth, or to possess eternal life in heaven, he must bridle his tongue from wicked, abusive, or deceitful words. He must forsake and keep far from evil actions, do all the good he can, and seek peace with all men. For God, all-wise and every where present, watches over the righteous, and takes care of them. None could or should harm those who copied the example of Christ, who is perfect goodness, and did good to others as his followers....

Verse 12. _THE EYES OF THE LORD_ ARE _OVER THE RIGHTEOUS_] That is, He is continually under God's notice and his care; God continually watches _for_ him and watches _over_ him, and he is _under_ his constant protection. _AND HIS EARS_ ARE OPEN _UNTO THEIR PRAYERS_] The original is very emphatic: _The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his_ _ears to their prayers_. The righteous man ever attracts the Divine notice, and wherever he is, there is the ear of God; for, as every righteous man is a _man of prayer_, wherever he prays, there is the ear of God, into which the prayer, as soon as formed, enters. _BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD_] Far from his eye being upon _them_, or his ear open to their requests, (for _prayer_ they have none,) his _face_, his _approbation_, his _providence_ and _blessing_, are turned aw

FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE OVER THE RIGHTEOUS - That is, he is their Protector. His eyes are indeed on all people, but the language here is that which describes continual guardianship and care. AND HIS EARS ARE OPEN UNTO THEIR PRAYERS - He hears their prayers. As he is a hearer of prayer, they are at liberty to go to him at all times, and to pour out their desires before him. This passage is taken from Psalms 34:15, and it is designed to show the reason why a life of piety will contribute to length of days. BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THEM THAT DO EVIL - Margin, upon. The sense of the passage, however, is against. The Lord sets his face against them: an expression denoting disapprobation, and a determination to punish them. His face is not mild and benignant toward

EXPOSITIONS 1 PETER 3:1 LIKEWISE, YE WIVES. St. Peter has spoken of the duties of servants: why does he omit those of masters? There must have been Christian masters in Asia Minor, as is plain from Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 4:1. But we notice that St. Paul, though he has a few words for masters, addresses slaves at much greater length. Probably Christian masters were comparatively few, while large numbers of slaves had embraced the religion which could do so much to comfort and elevate the oppressed. Again, the immediate purpose of the apostle is to inculcate submission to authority; therefore, having enforced upon Christian servants the example of their Lord, he proce

FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE OVER THE RIGHTEOUS,.... Who are so not merely in the sight of men, but of God; nor in their own account, and by their own works, but in the esteem of God, through the imputation of the righteousness of his Son unto them: and because he loves this righteousness, and is well pleased with it, seeing by it his law is magnified and made honourable, therefore his countenance beholds with pleasure and delight those righteous ones who are clothed with it; his eyes of omniscience, love, care, and protection, are always upon them, watching over them, delighting in them, running to and fro in the earth on behalf of them; he sees every injury done them, and in his own time and way will do them justice; which is a reason why they should not take vengeance themselves, but leave it with him, whose it is: AND HIS EARS ARE OPEN TO THEIR PRAYERS; or "prayer"; in the Hebrew te...

1 Peter 3:1. _Likewise, ye wives be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; while they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear._ Could any men be won to Christ without the Word? Yes, it was even so in the apostle's day. When they refused to attend the little Christian meetings that were being held, and so could not hear what was there said, yet, at home, they saw the change that the gospel of Christ had wrought in their wives, and they said, «She is quite different from what she used to be. Certainly, she is a far better wife than any heathen woman is; there must be something in the religion which can make such a change as that.» In this way, without the Word, many of them were won to Christ by the godly conversation of their wives....

RIGHTEOUS (_ See Scofield) - (Romans 10:10). _...

IV. THE COMFORT IN THE MIDST OF TRIALS AND SUFFERING CHAPTER 3:10-4:19 _ 1. The comfort in suffering (1 Peter 3:10)_ 2. Few saved as illustrated by Noah's preaching (1 Peter 3:18) 3. The new life in its transforming power (1 Peter 4:1) 4. Suffering and glory (1 Peter 4:12) 1 Peter 3:10 The words which stand in the beginning of this section are quoted from Psalms 34:12. It is interesting to note that the Spirit of