To the sojourners — Upon earth, the Christians, chiefly those of Jewish extraction. Scattered — Long ago driven out of their own land. Those scattered by the persecution mentioned Acts 8:1, were scattered only through Judea and Samaria, though afterwards some of them travelled to Phenice, Cyprus, an... [ Continue Reading ]
According to the foreknowledge of God — Speaking after the manner of men. Strictly speaking, there is no foreknowledge, no more than afterknowledge, with God: but all things are known to him as present from eternity to eternity. This is therefore no other than an instance of the divine condescension... [ Continue Reading ]
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ — His Father, with respect to his divine nature; his God, with respect to his human. Who hath regenerated us to a living hope — An hope which implies true spiritual life, which revives the heart, and makes the soul lively and vigorous. By the re... [ Continue Reading ]
To an inheritance — For if we are sons, then heirs. Incorruptible — Not like earthly treasures. Undefiled — Pure and holy, incapable of being itself defiled, or of being enjoyed by any polluted soul. And that fadeth not away — That never decays in its value, sweetness, or beauty, like all the enjoym... [ Continue Reading ]
Who are kept — The inheritance is reserved; the heirs are kept for it. By the power of God — Which worketh all in all, which guards us against all our enemies. Through faith — Through which alone salvation is both received and retained. Ready to be revealed — That revelation is made in the last day.... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherein — That is, in being so kept. Ye even now greatly rejoice, though now for a little while — Such is our whole life, compared to eternity. If need be — For it is not always needful. If God sees it to be the best means for your spiritual profit. Ye are in heaviness — Or sorrow; but not in darkne... [ Continue Reading ]
That the trial of your faith — That is, your faith which is tried. Which is much more precious than gold — For gold, though it bear the fire, yet will perish with the world. May be found — Though it doth not yet appear. Unto praise — From God himself. And honour — From men and angels. And glory — As... [ Continue Reading ]
Having not seen — In the flesh.... [ Continue Reading ]
Receiving — Now already. Salvation — From all sin into all holiness, which is the qualification for, the forerunner and pledge of, eternal salvation.... [ Continue Reading ]
Of which salvation — So far beyond all that was experienced under the Jewish dispensation. The very prophets who prophesied long ago of the grace of God toward you — Of his abundant, overflowing grace to be bestowed on believers under the Christian dispensation. Inquired — Were earnestly inquisitive... [ Continue Reading ]
Searching what time — What particular period. And what manner of time — By what marks to be distinguished. The glories that were to follow — His sufferings; namely, the glory of his resurrection, ascension, exaltation, and the effusion of his Spirit; the glory of the last judgment, and of his eterna... [ Continue Reading ]
To whom — So searching. It was revealed, that not for themselves, but for us they ministered — They did not so much by those predictions serve themselves, or that generation, as they did us, who now enjoy what they saw afar off. With the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven — Confirmed by the inward, po... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherefore — Having such encouragement. Gird up the loins of your mind — As persons in the eastern countries were wont, in travelling or running, to gird up their long garments, so gather ye up all your thoughts and affections, and keep your mind always disencumbered and prepared to run the race whic... [ Continue Reading ]
Your desires — Which ye had while ye were ignorant of God.... [ Continue Reading ]
Leviticus 11:44.... [ Continue Reading ]
Who judgeth according to every man's work — According to the tenor of his life and conversation. Pass the time of your sojourning — Your short abode on earth. In humble, loving fear — The proper companion and guard of hope.... [ Continue Reading ]
Your vain conversation — Your foolish, sinful way of life.... [ Continue Reading ]
Without blemish — In himself. Without spot — From the world.... [ Continue Reading ]
Who through him believe — For all our faith and hope proceed from the power of his resurrection. In God that raised Jesus, and gave him glory — At his ascension. Without Christ we should only dread God; whereas through him we believe, hope, and love.... [ Continue Reading ]
Having purified your souls by obeying the truth through the Spirit, who bestows upon you freely, both obedience and purity of heart, and unfeigned love of the brethren, go on to still higher degrees of love. Love one another fervently — With the most strong and tender affection; and yet with a pure... [ Continue Reading ]
Which liveth — Is full of divine virtue. And abideth the same for ever.... [ Continue Reading ]
All flesh — Every human creature is transient and withering as grass. And all the glory of it — His wisdom, strength, wealth, righteousness. As the flower — The most short — lived part of it. The grass — That is, man. The flower — That is, his glory. Is fallen off — As it were, while we are speaking... [ Continue Reading ]