These words may be considered, 1. As an inference drawn from what the apostle had asserted in the foregoing chapter, namely, That Christ Jesus suffered for our sins, THE JUST FOR THE UNJUST; 1 Peter 3:18. Now, says the apostle, forasmuch as Christ has thus suffered for us, first as our surety and r... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. That this epistle was written and directed, not only to the Jewish natives, but to the Gentile proselytes and converts; this is evident from the apostle's putting them in mind that there was. time, namely, before their conversion, WHEN THEY WROUGHT THE WILL OF THE GENTILES. Observe... [ Continue Reading ]
BY THE DEAD here, some understand the Gentile world, dead in trespasses and sins, to whom the gospel was preached when they were thus spiritually dead and buried in sensuality, that they might judge and condemn, oppose and strive against, mortify and subdue, those sensual desires and carnal appetite... [ Continue Reading ]
These words are brought by our apostle as. fresh argument to persuade the Christian Jews to the practice of sincere holiness: THE END OF ALL THINGS, that is, of the Jewish state and polity, their city, their temple, and worship, IS AT HAND, the fatal destruction of Jerusalem is now very near, theref... [ Continue Reading ]
The next grace and virtue exhorted to, is that of charity, or mutual love amongst themselves: and observe with what special care and particular regard it is recommended to us, ABOVE ALL THINGS; and note also the intense degree of it, it must not barely, be charity, but FERVENT CHARITY; ABOVE ALL THI... [ Continue Reading ]
As. principal act and eminent exercise of charity, the apostle advises to USE HOSPITALITY to their poor brethern, WITHOUT GRUDGING or murmuring at the charge: hospitality is. necessary,. commendable, and. commanded, duty; St. Paul requires, THAT WE BE GIVEN TO HOSPITALITY. Romans 12:13 Observe farth... [ Continue Reading ]
His next exhortation is, That they endeavour rightly to employ, and wisely to improve, their spiritual gifts, (as well as their temporal, mentioned in the foregoing verse,) which they had received for the good and benefit of others in their respective places in the church, looking upon themselves no... [ Continue Reading ]
IF ANY MAN SPEAK, that is, 1. As. public minister or teacher, let him speak as he is instructed from the oracles of God. Or, 2. If he speaks as. private Christian, let his discourses be grave and serious, for mutual edification, especially when he speaks of divine things: speech is. noble and advan... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The metaphor which the apostle uses to set forth the Christian's afflictions and persecutions by; he calls them FIERY TRIALS: burnings, because very painful and afflictive, very grievous and burdensome to sense, and also because men are tried by them as metals are by fire. Observe,... [ Continue Reading ]
Another argument is here offered by our apostle for glorifying in sufferings and reproached for Christ, taken from the happiness of those that are so reproached, IF YE BE REPROACHED FOR THE NAME OF CHRIST, HAPPY ARE YE. Note here, That the reproaches which the saints suffer for the sake of Christ,... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. What it is that the apostle calls upon them to avoid and shun; it is sin, not suffering: evil doing in general, murder and theft in particular, sins that were then very much practised among the Jews: LET NONE OF YOU SUFFER AS. MURDERER, OR AS. THIEF, OR AS AN EVIL-DOER; by suffering... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The apostle does not say, if judgment begin at the temple of idols, but, IF IT BEGIN AT THE HOUSE OF GOD: God will not spare his house, nor his own household: he will not spare his children or servants when they sin; he is no cockering father, to indulge his children to their ruin.... [ Continue Reading ]
As if he had said, " When the day of visitation comes, which is verily at hand, and God shall begin to punish the Jews, his own people, called his HOUSE in the foregoing verse; if then the righteous among them escape the common calamity with great difficulty, and are scarcely preserved, how shall th... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. cautionary direction given, that in all our sufferings we take care that we SUFFER ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD: that is, for what is according to God's will, either to be believed or practised by us, for asserting and maintaining the purity of the Christian doctrine and worship; an... [ Continue Reading ]