ANALYSIS. All should know, who claim to be Christians, just how to conduct themselves in the walks of life, and in this chapter knowledge is therein imparted. Peter commenced by telling wives how they ought to conduct themselves in that relation. He even goes so far with his instruction as to includ... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 2. WHILE THEY BEHOLD YOUR CHASTE CONVERSATION. That is, your conduct, the pure life you are living as a Christian woman. Possibly your course before your conversion appears before the husband's mind in contrast to the course now adopted. This is a mighty power, an argument irrefutable and irr... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 3. WHOSE ADORNING. Even the dress of a Christian wife claims apostolic notice. Nothing seems to have escaped the attention of this servant of Christ. OUTWARD ADORNING OF PLAITING THE HAIR. Here an injunction to Christian wives is given. The plainting of the hair, wearing of gold and putting... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 4. BUT LET IT BE THE HIDDEN MAN OF THE HEART. Here we have it. Time and patience and labor here should be bestowed. The hidden man of the heart, the real man, the spirit, the affections of the heart this is the important part. This inner man, adorn that. In the sight of God this is of great w... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 5. FOR AFTER THIS MANNER IN THE OLD TIME. The manner just described; that is, not with outward adorning, but in the cultivation of the graces of the Spirit. The holy women, the women who trusted in God, thus conducted themselves. The meekness and quietness of spirit so acceptable in the sight... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 6. EVEN SARAH OBEYED ABRAHAM. Sarah went so far in her submission to her husband as to apply to him the designation of "Lord." The Christian wives among the addressed, who were of Jewish birth, were supposed to be familiar with the history of their progenitors, and Peter says to them in this... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 7. LIKEWISE, YE HUSBANDS. Peter now turns to Christian husbands, and their duties receive attention. Christian husband are not to separate from their wives because they are not converted to Christ. Very true it may be that the relation of husband and wife is the more strongly cemented where bo... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 8. FINALLY, BE YE ALL OF ONE MIND. Summing up the duties enjoined upon you as Christian men and women, whether married or not, I say generally: 1. Be of one mind. Let harmony prevail. 2. Have compassion one of another. Have sympathy for those that suffer or are in any manner afflicted. 3. Lov... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 9. NOT RENDERING EVIL FOR EVIL. Christians may be wronged by acts or words. Acts or deeds are the evil I mention. Words are the railing here mentioned. Christians must not retaliate in kind. Upon the contrary, they must return blessing. The Christian has received nothing but spiritual blessin... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 10. FOR HE THAT WILL LOVE LIFE, AND SEE GOOD DAYS. I hardly think that we have the correct idea as embraced in the thought of loving life. To my mind the word "enjoy" would be better. I am induced to so think from the clause following, "And see better days." Now, I can not see how keeping the... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 11. LET HIM ESCHEW EVIL, AND DO GOOD. Turn away from every evil, either deed or word, no matter what the kind of character of the act or word may be, or its cause or provocation, and in place of such evil do good. LET HIM SEEK PEACE, AND ENSUE IT. Peace may, as it were, seem to be fleeing.... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 12. FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE OVER THE RIGHTEOUS. The idea here advanced is, that God cares for his children without ceasing. His regard for them is great. His ears are open unto their prayers. God hears as well as sees. He sees their sufferings and their needs, and hears their cries for h... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 13. AND WHO IS HE THAT WILL HARM YOU? There can be little fear of harm from any one, if you do good to those who do you evil. You, being a follower of good, it must in reason be observed, and, if so, no result of evil should befall you. But, whether or not, you are right, and God is with you,... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 14. BUT IF YOU SUFFER FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS' SAKE. Notwithstanding all your efforts, afflictions may come upon you because of your faith. In that event esteem yourselves happy, for great is your reward. Therefore, be not afraid; have no fear on account of the threatenings of your persecutors, nei... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 15. BUT SANCTIFY THE LORD GOD IN YOUR HEARTS. You sanctify God when you fear him more than men. You show by your obedience to him that you love him, and rely upon and trust him, and thus you sanctify him in your hearts. You sanctify him when you honor and reverence him. The Vulgate has "Lord... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 16. HAVING A GOOD CONSCIENCE. By doing what a good conscience approves, we have a good conscience. This good conscience God approves. To keep or hold fast such a conscience is accomplished by never denying the faith and by being always careful to do what God requires at our hands. While in th... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 17. FOR IT IS BETTER, IF THE WILL OF GOD BE SO. If we suffer for doing right, it is better than if we suffer for doing wrong. In the last case we suffer justly. In the other it may result in our good, for God may will to chasten his children. It may not be acceptable to some, and the reason m... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 18. For CHRIST ALSO HATH ONCE SUFFERED FOR SINS. Our great example (Christ) suffered. Once, however, and no more. It is, therefore, no proof that our cause is bad because we suffer. He suffered on the cross for sins not his own. He was just, and he suffered for the unjust. The object of his s... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 19. BY WHICH ALSO HE WENT AND PREACHED UNTO THE SPIRITS IN PRISON. By which? By the Spirit. The grammatical construction of the sentence requires this answer. The sense of the passage also demands it. He went. WHO WENT? Christ, of course. HOW DID HE GO? By the Spirit; same Spirit by whic... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 20. WHICH SOMETIME WERE DISOBEDIENT. The antediluvians refused to heed and obey the preaching of Noah. They disregarded his warnings. All this time God bore with them. His long-suffering was extended to them all the time Noah was engaged in building the ark. WHEREIN FEW, THAT IS, EIGHT SOULS... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 21. THE LIKE FIGURE WHEREUNTO EVEN BAPTISM. The saving of Noah and family by water, Peter says, is a figure of baptism, which he affirms doth also now save us. God saved Noah by water because he believed and obeyed God, and destroyed all others then living, because they believed not, and of c... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 22. WHO IS GONE INTO HEAVEN. Jesus Christ has gone into heaven. He is there seated at God's right hand. He is now the Governor of the universe. Angels and all human rulers and governments are now subject to his sway.... [ Continue Reading ]