_HE TEACHETH THE DUTY OF WIVES AND HUSBANDS TO EACH OTHER; EXHORTING ALL MEN TO UNITY AND LOVE, AND TO SUFFER PERSECUTION PATIENTLY: HE DECLARETH ALSO THE BENEFITS OF CHRIST TOWARD THE OLD WORLD._ _Anno Domini 65._ THAT the brethren might know how to behave in the various relations of life, the ap... [ Continue Reading ]
LIKEWISE YE WIVES, &C.— The _tabernacle of the sun_ is set high in the heavens; but it is, that it may have influence below upon the earth: and the _word of God,_ which is spoken of there immediately after, as being many ways like it, holds resemblance in this particular; it is a sublime heavenly li... [ Continue Reading ]
WHILE THEY BEHOLD YOUR CHASTE CONVERSATION— Dr. Heylin's translation here, though not literal, seems well to express the sense of the sacred writer: _While they behold your purity of manners, and the respect you have for them._... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOSE ADORNING, LET IT NOT BE, &C.— That nothing may be wanting to the qualifying of a Christian wife, she is taught how to dress herself; supposing a general desire, but especially in that sex, of ornament and comeliness; the sex, which began first our engagement to the necessity of clothing, havin... [ Continue Reading ]
AND ARE NOT AFRAID WITH ANY AMAZEMENT.— That is, according to some, "Are not by any means discouraged from so doing." Dr. Heylin renders it, _And do not despond in any terror._ I here understand, says he, the _labour,_ emphatically so called, and peculiar to the sex; a season, which requires great r... [ Continue Reading ]
YE HUSBANDS, DWELL WITH THEM ACCORDING TO KNOWLEDGE,— _Ye men that are married, behave prudently,_ in such a manner as becomes those, who have been instructed in that great system of wisdom and duty,—the gospel of Christ. Some render the next clause, _Allotting an honourable subsistence to the wise.... [ Continue Reading ]
KNOWING THAT YE ARE THEREUNTO CALLED,— "As knowing that ye are called into the Christian church, that you might return good for evil, and in consequence of that, inherit a blessing." Heylin renders the clause, _For ye know that your vocation obliges you to this, that you yourselves may enjoy the ben... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HE THAT WILL LOVE LIFE,— _He that would enjoy life._ See Psalms 34:12. The apostle here urges in favour of the virtue which he recommends, that by this the comforts of life will be secured; 1 Peter 3:10 the favour of God engaged 1 Peter 3:12 and the malice of men in a great degree disarmed, 1 Pe... [ Continue Reading ]
IS AGAINST THEM— _Upon_ or _over them;_ as it is said in the first clause; Επι, _upon,_ or _over the righteous._... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHO IS HE THAT WILL HARM YOU, &C.— This is in the nature of a proverb, or general truth, which is not without many exceptions; for there have been many such times and places, wherein those who _would live godly in Christ Jesus,_ could not escape _persecution:_ 2 Timothy 3:12. And therefore many... [ Continue Reading ]
_1 PETER 3:14_.— The apostle, in the last verse, had strongly insinuated that no man would harm the followers of that which is good; but, as the Christians were still persecuted, or in danger of it, St. Peter here adds, that if, after all their care to behave inoffensively, they suffer even for thei... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT SANCTIFY THE LORD GOD— Grotius thinks that to _sanctify God_ means here, _to give thanks to,_ or _glorify him;_ that is, in a time of persecution; or as some of the martyrs gave thanks to God when they heard the sentence of condemnation. See Acts 5:41. But in general it may be said, that _sancti... [ Continue Reading ]
A GOOD CONSCIENCE;— This may be called the _breast-plate_ of righteousness. Ephesians 6:14. _—Hic murus aheneus esto, Nil conseire sibi.———_ Be this thy brazen bulwark of defence, Still to preserve thy conscious innocence. FRANCIS'S HORACE. See Proverbs 28:1. He that would apologize for the Christ... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IT IS BETTER, IF THE WILL OF GOD BE SO,— It is a great crime in him who inflicts misery, that he does it to the innocent, and not to such as deserve it. It is not better for him, that those whom he treats with severity suffer for their goodness; but it is better for the _persons who suffer,_ tha... [ Continue Reading ]
BEING PUT TO DEATH IN THE FLESH, &C.— By the _flesh,_ in which our Lord was put to death, must be understood _his body,_ which was nailed to the cross till he expired; and by _the Spirit,_ the holy and ever-blessed Spirit of God. See the _Inferences._... [ Continue Reading ]
BY WHICH ALSO HE WENT, &C.— _By which Spirit also he, going, preached to the spirits in prison._ That is, our Lord, by the Spirit, inspired Noah, and thereby constituted him a preacher of righteousness unto those who were disobedient in that age. See Genesis 6:3; Genesis 6:22. The inspiration of the... [ Continue Reading ]
WERE SAVED BY WATER.— Some would translate the words Δι υδατος, _in,_ or _amidst the water;_ others, with our translation, _by water:_ that is, the water, which destroyed the rest of mankind, lifted up the ark, whereby Noah and his family were saved. Doddridge, after Raphelius, would render it, _wer... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LIKE FIGURE WHEREUNTO, &C.— _And that which is the antetype, even baptism, doth also now save us_ (_not the putting off the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience_) _to God, by,_ &c. Sir Norton Knatchbull would join the words δι υδατος, 1 Peter 3:20 to the beginning of this vers... [ Continue Reading ]