IV. (1) FORASMUCH THEN... — Literally, a participial phrase: _Christ, then, having suffered in_ (or, _to_)_ the flesh_ — _i.e.,_ so far as the flesh is concerned. The reference is to the words “killed in (or, _to_) the flesh” in 1 Peter 3:18, to which the word “then” takes us back. It is difficult... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT HE NO LONGER. — The Greek admits at least equally of the translation, _That ye no longer,_ Thus, this second verse will attach itself, not to the clause “that he that hath suffered,” but to the clause “arm yourselves.” And unless this be understood, we become involved in the difficulty that whe... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE TIME PAST OF OUR LIFE. — There are two words in the English here which do not stand in the true text, and sadly impede the sense. They are “of our life,” and “us.” The first is added by some scribe to point the contrast with “the rest of his time.” The second — which should be “you,” if anyt... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREIN THEY THINK IT STRANGE. — The word “wherein” is used in exactly the same sense as in 1 Peter 2:12; that is to say, it does not directly point back to the list of sins just named, but the grammatical antecedent is to be supplied in the participial clause which follows, thus: “In a particular w... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO SHALL GIVE ACCOUNT. — Perhaps said with a reference to 1 Peter 3:15, where these very persons call the Christians to give “account” (the Greek word is the same). The side-purpose of the clause (as in the similar threat, 1 Peter 2:8) is to warn the readers against sharing their fate by sharing th... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR FOR THIS CAUSE WAS THE GOSPEL PREACHED ALSO TO THEM THAT ARE DEAD. — This version is misleading, and seems indeed to be one of those rare cases where the original has been expanded by the translators for doctrinal ends. The Greek is simply, _For for this end was the gospel preached to the dead a... [ Continue Reading ]
THE END OF ALL THINGS IS AT HAND. — Or, _hath come nigh;_ the same word (for instance) as in Matthew 4:17; Matthew 26:46. It is but a repetition in other words of 1 Peter 4:5, inserted again to give weight to all the exhortations which follow. Probably, if St. Peter had thought the world would stand... [ Continue Reading ]
(7-11) DUTY OF BENEVOLENCE WITHIN THE CHURCH IN VIEW OF THE ADVENT. — The end of the world is not far off; let it find you not only sober, but (above all else) exerting an intense charity within the Church, by hospitality and generosity, in these as much as in spiritual ministrations seeking not you... [ Continue Reading ]
AND ABOVE ALL THINGS HAVE FERVENT CHARITY AMONG YOURSELVES. — The original is far more vigorous: _But before all things keeping intense your charity towards yourselves._ St. Peter assumes that the charity is there, but insists on its not being suffered to flag in outward expression. (Comp. the same... [ Continue Reading ]
USE HOSPITALITY. — It is a great pity that again (as in 1 Peter 3:8, and elsewhere) the participial clauses are broken up in our version into separate injunctions. Here it is, properly, _being hospitable._ This is the first form of charity — receiving Christians who came from other towns (comp. 3 Jo... [ Continue Reading ]
AS EVERY MAN HATH RECEIVED THE GIFT. — There is no definite article in the-Greek, which might be rendered, _According as every man was gifted._ They are reminded, as in 1 Corinthians 4:7, that the gift was _received,_ and for the same purpose. At what period these gifts were received it is hard to s... [ Continue Reading ]
IF ANY MAN SPEAK. — St. Peter proceeds to speak of two particular forms taken by this “manifold grace of God;” (1) the power to speak; (2) the power to minister. The speaking is, of course, public preaching in the Church; and the man who does so is to do it “as oracles of God.” The article is not ad... [ Continue Reading ]
BELOVED. — See Note on 1 Peter 2:11. THINK IT NOT STRANGE. — The same word as in 1 Peter 4:4. It means, literally, to feel like people in a strange country, lost and bewildered. It is. further explained by the clause “as though some strange thing were (by bad luck) happening unto you.” These Hebrew... [ Continue Reading ]
(12-19) EXHORTATION TO COURAGE AND STEADFASTNESS IN PERSECUTION. — All ought to be prepared for persecution. It is a blessed and glorious thing to have to bear it. A criminal’s death and a Christian martyrdom are the exact opposites of each other. Vengeance is speedily coming.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT REJOICE. — The opposite of being bewildered at it, for “rejoicing” in it implies a _recognition_ of its character and purpose. The word rendered “inasmuch as” (which occurs also in 2 Corinthians 8:12) seems to mean, “in proportion as:” “the more nearly you are made to share Christ’s sufferings t... [ Continue Reading ]
IF YE BE REPROACHED. — The form of speech denotes that they _were_ so reproached. FOR THE NAME OF CHRIST. — Literally, “_in_ the name of Christ,” _i.e.,_ on the score of being Christians only. (Comp. 1 Peter 4:16.) Again, see how St. Peter presses the Messianic title: surely they will not abandon t... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT LET NONE OF YOU. — The Greek takes exactly the opposite turn: “_for_ let none of you suffer.” The connection is a little difficult, but it seems to be this: “I say advisedly that you are happy, and that the Spirit of glory reposes on you who die for the faith; for I am sure that you will not try... [ Continue Reading ]
YET IF ANY MAN SUFFER AS A CHRISTIAN. — St. Peter purposely uses the name which was a name of derision among the heathens. It is not, as yet, one by which the believers would usually describe _themselves._ It only occurs twice besides in the New Testament — in Acts 11:26, where we are told of the in... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE TIME IS COME. — The “for” (literally, _because_) seems to substantiate the whole of the former part of the section, from 1 Peter 4:12 onwards, but with special reference to the injunction to glorify God on the ground of bearing the name of Christians, upon which it follows in much the same w... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IF THE RIGHTEOUS SCARCELY BE SAVED. — This is a literal quotation, word for word, of Proverbs 11:31, according to the LXX. The quotation proves to us St. Peter’s perfect familiarity with both the Hebrew original and the Greek version. We have seen how he rejects the LXX. version when it does not... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE. — Because the beginning of the judgment — the judgment of the Christians — is so light in comparison with the fearful end when it lights on the disobedient and wicked. LET THEM THAT SUFFER ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD. — Our version omits an important little word: _Let them that suffer al... [ Continue Reading ]