Spurgeon's Notes on 1 PETER
Chapter 1 Verses 1-12
1 Peter 1:1-2. Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
How sweetly the apostle is obeying his Master’s command, "When you are converted, strengthen your brethren." This is the same Peter who once began to sink beneath the waves, yet now he is helping others to stand. This is the very Peter who denied his master, but he begins his Epistle by owning himself to be "an apostle of Jesus Christ." What wonders the Lord Jesus had wrought for Peter by his grace! It is no marvel, therefore, that he should say to others, "Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied."
1 Peter 1:3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy has begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,—
And, truly, this is a blessing, beyond all comparison or imagination, that we have been begotten again by the Divine Father unto a "living" hope, for that is a better rendering than "lively." Our first birth brought us into sin and sorrow, but our second birth brings us into purity and joy. We were born to die; now are we born never to die, "begotten again" unto a life that shall remain in us for evermore, a life which shall even penetrate these mortal bodies, and make them immortal, "by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."
1 Peter 1:4-5. To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in Heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Joy, my brethren, in the glorious inheritance which is prepared for you, unstained, uncorrupted, perfectly pure, and therefore to last forever, because the elements which produce decay are not in it. It is without sin, and therefore it shall be without end. What a mercy it is to be "kept by the power of God"! See, Heaven is kept for us, and we are kept for Heaven; Heaven is prepared for us, and we are prepared for Heaven. There is a double action of God’s grace thus working in us, and working for us, unto bliss eternal.
1 Peter 1:6. Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, you are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
Or, "trials." Some people cannot comprehend how a man can greatly rejoice, and yet be in heaviness at the same time; but there are many things, in a Christian’s experience, that cannot be understood except by those who experience them; and even they God many a mystery which can only be expressed by a paradox. There are some who think that God’s people should never be heavy in spirit; but the apostle says, "Now for a season, if need be, you are in heaviness." He does not say, "If need be, you are in manifold trials;" but, "If need be, you are in heaviness through manifold trials," for the "needs be" is as much for the depressed spirit as for the trials themselves.
1 Peter 1:7-8. That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, you love; in whom, though now you see him not, yet believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
And does not the joy agree well with the object of it? Paul said, "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift;" and Peter, speaking of the same Savior, says, "In whom, though now you see him not, yet believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory."
1 Peter 1:9-11. Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
Do you wonder if, sometimes, you find in the Bible a truth which you cannot quite comprehend? You ought not to marvel, for even the prophets, who prophesied of the grace which has come to us, did not always fully understand their own messages. I am sure that their inspiration was verbal, because the inspired men frequently did not themselves know the meaning of what they were moved to write.
1 Peter 1:12. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Spirit sent down from Heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
See the kind of preaching that we should all desire to hear, and that all God’s ministers should aim at: "them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Spirit sent down from Heaven." Nothing but a gospel full of the energy of the Holy Spirit, and set on fire by him, can effect the eternal purposes of God; but this is the kind of preaching that will live, and that will also make men live. God send it to every church and congregation throughout the world! Amen.
Verses 1-161 Peter 1:1-2. Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
The first Christians were not so afraid of the doctrine of election as some are now-a-days. Peter was not ashamed to address the saints as the elect of God, for so, indeed, they are, if they be saints at all. It is he who chose them, not because they were sanctified, but that they might be sanctified —chose them to eternal life through sanctification. Oh! happy are they who by grace have made their calling and election sure, and now ascribe all the glory of their salvation to the sovereign choice of God. "Grace unto you, and peace be multiplied."
1 Peter 1:3-5. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy has begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in Heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed at the last time.
How full of grace every sentence is. He blesses God because God has so freely blessed us; and he abounds in thanksgiving because he sees that abundant mercy, by which believers have been begotten again — born again — made, therefore, children after a new sort, and so made heirs of an inheritance very different from that upon which we enter by nature "an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fades not away." Brethren and sisters, if you have, indeed, been born by divine grace, to what estates are you born — to what high dignities and saved privileges! Rejoice and bless the Lord. But, perhaps, the dark fear crossed your mind that, perhaps, after all, you may perish and miss the inheritance. Now, notice the double consolation of a double keeping. The inheritance is kept. It is reserved in Heaven for you, and you are kept, too. It is kept for you, and you are kept for it, "For you, who are kept by the power of God, through faith, unto salvation."
1 Peter 1:6. Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, you are in heaviness through manifold temptations.
This is your life. This is like a rainbow made up of the drops of earth’s sorrow in the beams of heaven’s love a happy combination, after all.
1 Peter 1:7. That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
Gilt looks very much like gold but it will not stand the fire. It curls and disappears. Oh! to be solid gold through and through. If so, you need not mind the trials of today, since they will only prepare you for the glories eternal at the appearing of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:8-10. Whom having not seen, you love; in whom, though now you see him not, yet believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
Prophets knew about you. They did not taste of the grace you know, but through the vista of the future they foresaw it, and they almost envied you in this gospel dispensation that you should live in so clear a light, and should be fed upon such rare mercies. Oh! what prophets and kings longed for, do not let us despise, and we shall despise these mercies if we do not make the most of them by entering into the fullness of the joy which they are meant to bring to us. These prophets searched diligently.
1 Peter 1:11-12. Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Spirit sent down from Heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
See you not your privilege, then? You have what prophets had not. You enjoy what angels desire to see. They cannot enjoy what you do. Rightly does our hymn put it: — "Never did angels taste above Redeeming grace and dying love." And you have, this very day.
1 Peter 1:13. Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind,
Be ready to depart to your inheritance. Do not let your garments flow carelessly and loosely, as though you had no journey before you, but "gird up the loins of your mind."
1 Peter 1:13. Be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
That is a very blessed subject. There is a grace that was brought to you when Christ first came. There is another grace and a higher grace that is to be brought to you when Christ shall come the second time. Until that second coming of Christ, the church on earth and in Heaven cannot be perfected. The bodies of the saints wait in the grave until he comes to give them resurrection.
"O long expected day, begin!
Dawn on these realms of woe and sin."For we wait for your appearing, O Christ.
1 Peter 1:14-16. As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which has called you is holy, so be you holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be you holy; for I am holy.
See your model. See the copy to which you are to write. You are far short of it. Try again. May the power of Jesus rest upon you, and may he who has wrought us to the self-same thing to which we have attained continue to work in us until we are like our Lord himself!
This exposition consisted of readings from 1 Peter 1:1-16 and Matthew 10:37-40.
Verses 1-251 Peter 1:1. Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, —
It must have been very pleasant to his heart to write those words, — not "Peter, who denied his Master," not Peter, "full of imperfections and infirmities, the impetuous and changeable one of the twelve;" but "Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ," as truly sent of God as any of the other apostles, and with as much of the Spirit of his Master resting upon him: "Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ," —
1 Peter 1:1-2. To the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father,-
You might go for fifty years to some places of worship, and never hear the word "elect" even mentioned. Modern ministers seem to be ashamed of the grand old doctrine of election; but it was not so with the apostles and the early Christians, they were accustomed to speak of one another as the elect of God. The doctrine of election was most precious to their hearts, and therefore Peter writes: "elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father," —
1 Peter 1:2. Through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
We not only need grace, but we need much grace, and also peace, and we need a greatly increased measure of both those blessings. Do not be satisfied, dear brethren and sisters in Christ, with the grace that you already have. Be thankful for it, but ask for the divine multiplication of it; regard the grace which you have already received as being like the boy’s loaves and fishes, and expect that Christ will continue to multiply it for you and for thousands of others round about you: "Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied."
1 Peter 1:3-5. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy has begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in Heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
What a vast mass of meaning is packed away in these words! Men’s books, even when they are good, are like gold-leaf; a little precious metal is very thinly hammered out so as to cover a wide surface, but almost every word in the Bible seems to contain a whole mine of heavenly wealth.
Note, beloved, what Peter says concerning your new birth; you are begotten by the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. At your first birth, you were born in sin; but now you have been born again, through grace, by the almighty power of God. Notice, also, unto what you are born, — unto a hope that is full of life, a lively hope, a hope of immortality a hope whose root is in the grave of Christ, the empty grave from which he has risen, and which is the assurance that because he has risen, you also shall rise. See, further, to what you have been born: "to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fades not away." See, also, how that inheritance is entailed upon you, for it is "reserved in Heaven for you;" and see, too, how you are kept for it, for you "are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
1 Peter 1:6. Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, you are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
What! can there be rejoicing and heaviness in the same heart at the same time? Oh, yes! our experience has taught us that we can be at the same moment, in heaviness of heart and yet rejoicing in the Lord.
1 Peter 1:7-9. That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: whom having not seen, you love; in whom, though now you see him not, yet believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
You have that already if you have believed in Jesus, you have received; a present, immediate salvation. There are some who do not understand or realize this, they miss the whole joy of our holy religion. They are always hoping to be saved by-and-by; but those who are in Christ Jesus by a living personal faith receive here and now the end of their faith, even the salvation of their souls.
1 Peter 1:10-12. Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Spirit sent down from Heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
Observe, dear brethren, that the prophets did not speak without due consideration, but they "inquired and searched diligently" into the meaning of that salvation of which they "testified beforehand." Holy Scripture must not be read by us carelessly. We ought to peer, and pry, and search into it to get at its hidden meaning, and the prophecies as well as the rest of the Word are to be searched into by us upon whom the ends of the earth have come. Observe, also, that this divine revelation is of great interest to the holy angels before the throne of God; they stand gazing down as if they were trying to understand the wondrous mystery of redemption, and the great and glorious gospel of the grace of God.
1 Peter 1:13-16. Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which has called you is holy, so be you holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be you holy; for I am holy.
Be not only moral, upright, truthful, and so forth; but "be you holy." That is a very high attainment: "Be you holy;" and observe the reason for obedience to the command: "for I am holy." Children should be like their fathers, there are many children who bear, in their very faces, evidence, of their sonship; you know who their fathers were by the image that the children bear. Oh, that it were always so with all the children of God: "Be you holy; for I am holy."
1 Peter 1:17. And if you call on the father, who without respect of persons Jude according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: —
You are only here for a while, you are sojourners, foreigners, pilgrims passing through a country where you have no abiding place; be therefore careful and even fearful lest you should become like the people among whom you dwell, have a holy dread of the contaminations of sin: "Pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:" —
1 Peter 1:18-21. Forasmuch as you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who truly was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
Jesus Christ, from the dead, and this is our joy today. This is one of the facts, which are proved beyond all question, that Jesus Christ, who died upon the cross, and was buried in Joseph’s tomb, did actually rise again. This is the corner-stone of the Christian faith; one of the great facts upon which we found our confidence as to salvation by Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:22-23. Seeing you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto sincere love of the brethren, see that you love one another with a pure heart fervently: being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and abides for ever.
God’s Word never dies, God’s Word never changes. There are some who think we ought to get a new gospel every few years or even every few weeks, but that was not Peter’s notion. He wrote, and he was divinely inspired to write, concerning "the Word of God, which lives and abides forever."
1 Peter 1:24-25. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower thereof falls away: But the word of the Lord endures forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
Verses 13-25
1 Peter 1:13. Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
This is Peter’s practical application of the greet truths of which he had been writing. "Look ahead, and expect great things. Live in the future. Project your thoughts beyond the centuries that are passing away into the ages which will never die."
1 Peter 1:14-15. As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which has called you is holy, so be you holy in all manner of conversation;
Remember that you can never be really whole until you are holy, for holiness is spiritual sanity; it is the curing of the mind and heart from the disease which sin brought upon them.
1 Peter 1:16. Because it is written, Be you holy; for I am holy.
Children of God, be like your Father; prove that you are his true children by manifesting his character. Let his lineaments be seen in your countenance: "Be you holy; for I am holy." The Revised Version is, "You shall be holy; for I am holy."
1 Peter 1:17. And if you call on the Father, who without respect of persons Jude according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
Be not presumptuous. Ever remember that, as there is a God who is to judge every man, you are to be judged; and oh, that you might, through his grace, be in such a condition of heart that you shall stand the last test, and be found to be full weight when you are put into the balances of the sanctuary which God shall hold with steadfast hand!
1 Peter 1:18-19. Forasmuch as you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
You have seen the character of your Father who is in Heaven; this should urge and help you to be like him, holy. Now you see the character of your Redeemer, "a lamb without blemish and without spot." Let this influence you to be holy, too.
1 Peter 1:20-21. Who truly was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
It is no use to place them anywhere else. All other vessels are too frail to bear such a heavy burden; but, if your faith and hope are in God, then you have a security which none can destroy.
1 Peter 1:22-25. Seeing you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto sincere love of the brethren, see that you love one another with a pure heart fervently: being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and abides for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower thereof falls away: but the word of the Lord endures forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
Blessed be God for an everlasting gospel, founded on the everlasting covenant, which brings with it everlasting life to all those who believe in Christ Jesus the Lord.
Verses 17-251 Peter 1:17. And if you call on the Father, who without respect of persons Jude according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
Not in unbelieving fear, but in that holy carefulness which watches against sin of every kind lest in any way you should spoil your holy work for God.
1 Peter 1:18-19. Forasmuch as you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
As your redemption cost so much, prize it highly, and do not go back to the sin from which you have been so dearly redeemed. Fear lest you should do so. Remember that heredity has a great power over you; the traditions of your fathers will imperceptibly draw you back unless you watch against them. But you have been so gloriously redeemed with the very blood of Christ’s heart that you must not draw back.
1 Peter 1:20-21. Who truly was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
Whenever you think of the glory of your risen Lord, remember what your redemption cost him, and quit all dead works, lay aside the grave-clothes of care and anxiety, and live in newness of life as those who have been redeemed by the risen Savior.
1 Peter 1:22-23. Seeing you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto sincere love of the brethren, see that you love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, -
See how this love of the brethren is linked on to regeneration. The first time we are born, we are born in sin, and that tends to hate, but when we are born again, born unto God, our life tends to love. "Being born again,"-
1 Peter 1:23. Not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and abides forever.
Peter reminds us, in the 18th verse, that we were not redeemed with corruptible things, but with incorruptible; and he here reminds us that we are "born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible." Everything about a Christian means his deliverance from corruption, and the bringing of him into a state of immortality and incorruption.
1 Peter 1:24-25. For all flesh is as grass; and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower thereof falls away: But the word of the Lord endures forever.
Everything earthly is corruptible; that which is merely natural has its season of decay, but the children of God have the Word of the Lord abiding in them, and that never dies; it has no autumn or winter.
1 Peter 1:25. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
This exposition consisted of readings from 1 Peter 1:17-25; and 1 Peter 2:1-12.
Chapter 2 Verses 1-12
1 Peter 2:1. Wherefore laying aside all malice,
This is one of the old corruptible things, so put it away from you
1 Peter 2:1. And all deceit,
All crafty tricks, all falsehood, exaggeration, double meanings to your words, and the like,-
1.And hypocrisies, and envies,
All hatred of those who are either better or better off than you are,-
1 Peter 2:1. And all evil speaking,
Thus the tongue expresses what the heart feels. Laying all these evil things aside, you will prove that you have been born again, born of the incorruptible seed which lives and abides forever.
1 Peter 2:2. As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby:
You are in the family of God, but you are only babes in it yet; you have to grow to the stature of men in Christ Jesus, so "desire the sincere (unadulterated) milk of the word, that you may grow thereby." There is no other way of growing.
1 Peter 2:3-4. If so be you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a living stone,-
So that "the Lord" here meant is the Lord Jesus Christ. He is truly "a living stone,"-
1 Peter 2:4. Disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,-
When men disallow Christ, it is a matter of small account to us, as for what they have to say, it is less than nothing and vanity. Like the wild bluster of the winds, let it bluster until it has blown itself out. Christ is "disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,"-
1 Peter 2:5. You also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priest-hood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
See what Jesus Christ has made of you who believe in him; by the incorruptible blood and the incorruptible seed, he has brought you into a heavenly priesthood, and you are today to stand at the spiritual altar, and "to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." Will you not pray, will you not praise, will you not love? These are sacrifices with which God is well pleased.
1 Peter 2:6-7. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believes on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious.
Is he not? Then, enjoy his preciousness all of you who truly believe in him. Precious Christ, precious to all his people, precious to me!
1 Peter 2:7-8. But unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
When Peter wrote these verses, he must have thought of his own name. He was called a stone or a rock; and once he was to his Master "a rock of offence" when he stumbled at Christ’s word, and began even to rebuke his Lord, but he was forgiven and saved, so now he gives a warning to others lest they should still more grievously sin by making Christ himself to be to them "a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence."
1 Peter 2:9. But you are a chosen generation,-
Hear this, you believers, drink in this precious truth. See God’s election, making you to be a people born of the Holy Spirit: "a chosen generation,"-
1 Peter 2:9. A royal priesthood,-
This is a wonderful combination, kings and priests at the same time; all honors meet on you through divine grace: "a royal priesthood,"-
1 Peter 2:9. A holy nation, a peculiar people;-
You have national privileges. God reckons you not as a mob or a herd of men, but as a nation, and a nation with this peculiar hall-mark upon you, that you are "a holy nation." This is the true token of your nationality that you are "holiness unto the Lord," "a peculiar people" belonging to God alone, marked off from the rest of mankind as peculiarly his. You are not, and you are not to be as other men are, you are "a peculiar people." Your road is not the broad one where the many go, it is the narrow one which the few find, your happiness is not worldly pleasure, but pleasures at the right hand of God which are for evermore, You are "a peculiar people";-
1 Peter 2:9. That you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:-
You are to be advertisers of the praises or virtues of Christ, not only to know them, and to be glad to know them, but to make them known to others. Beloved, how far are you doing this? I put the question personally to each one of you, for you were chosen by God on purpose that you "should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light":-
1 Peter 2:10. Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God:-
In time long past, who ever heard of the Britons, or of the Anglo-Saxons? We were not a people, but we "are now the people of God":-
1 Peter 2:10. Which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
We may well leap for joy, we who once had not obtained mercy. We sinned against the Lord, but he was long-suffering, and now we have obtained mercy.
1 Peter 2:11. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims,-
For you belong not to the corruptible world, you are of an incorruptible race: "I beseech you as strangers and pilgrim,"-
1 Peter 2:11-12. Abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul: having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers,-
Which they are sure to do. The better you are, the more will they censure you. This is the only homage that evil can pay to good, to fall foul of it, and misrepresent it: " that whereas they speak against you as evildoers,"-
1 Peter 2:12. They may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. through the efficacy of his great atoning sacrifice. God grant it, for Jesus’ sake! Amen.
This exposition consisted of readings from 1 Peter 1:17-25; and 1 Peter 2:1-12.
Verses 1-251 Peter 2:1-2. Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all deceit, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby: Have we not constantly declared that our faith, if true, is always practical?
Here, again, we have the precepts of God’s Word. Here we are told that there is much for us to lay aside, as if it were natural to us in every case, and must, therefore, be carefully laid aside. "Malice" — we are all inclined to return evil for evil: the Christian must not do so. "All deceit" —everything like craft and cunning — this is unfitting in a Christian. "Hypocrisy" — seeming to be what we are not; all sorts of mere seeming we must lay aside. "And envy" — how easy it is for us to envy one man his wealth, or another his health, or another his talents; but "all envy" the Christian must have done with. "And evil speaking" — it is painful to reflect how much of evil speaking there is among persons who we still hope are good people. They are very fond of repeating stories to the disadvantage of their fellow-Christians. Now, whether you are the author of it or not, do not be the retailer of it, for we are told here to lay aside all evil speaking. But then the religion of Jesus Christ does not consist in negatives: it is not merely what we are to lay aside; there is something to be taken up. We are told that as we are born again we are to consider ourselves as new-born babes, and are to desire the unadulterated milk of God’s Word, that we may grow thereby. It is not enough to be alive: we should desire to grow. To be saved is a great blessing; we ought not, however, to be contented with being barely saved: we should seek after the graces of the Spirit and the excellent work of God within us.
1 Peter 2:3. If so be you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
Have you tasted this? Oh! search yourselves and see, and, if you have, then prove it by the laying aside of the evil, and the thirsting after the good.
1 Peter 2:4-5. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, And precious. You also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
The priesthood, among believers, does not belong to here and there one, but to the whole company of believers. As many as love the Savior are priests and kings unto God, and they should regard their whole life as the exercise of this priesthood. When we assert that no place is holy above another, we do not thereby desecrate any place, but rather consecrate all places. We believe every day to be holy, every hour to be holy, every place and occupation to be holy to holy men, and we should so live as evermore to exercise this consecrated priesthood.
1 Peter 2:6-8. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believes on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner. And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
of which we can only say, with Augustine, "Oh! the depth," and leave that mystery to be explained to us hereafter.
1 Peter 2:9-10. But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
How good it is to look back to the hole of the pit whence we were dug!
What if today the sovereign grace of God has made us royal priests, yet let us remember that in past times we were not a people, "But are now the people of God." "Which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy." Yes, I think no exercise will be more profitable by way of expressing our gratitude than the remembering what we used to be before the hand of God was laid upon us in love; for if all of us did not run to an excess of riot in our outward lives, yet some of us did; and others who were kept from gross outward sins had, nevertheless, a very sink of corruption within our nature. We felt that when the Spirit of God convinced us of sin we could truly say: —
"Depths of mercy, could there be,
Mercy yet reserved for me?"And having obtained mercy, we will never cease to bless the name of God.
1 Peter 2:11-14. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain frown fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
Christians should be good citizens. Though in one respect they are not citizens of this world, yet as they find themselves in it they should seek the good of those among whom they dwell, and be patterns of order.
1 Peter 2:15-17. For so is the will of God, that with well doing you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
Even if they are beggars, they are men: honor them. There is God’s image, though marred and defiled, in every man; and because he is a man, honor him — pity him. Look down upon him never with contempt, but always feel that there is an immortal spark, even within that mass of filth. If the man be cast into all manner of beggary and wickedness, "Honor all men Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the King." The same verse that says, "Honor the King," however, says, "Honor all men," and while we, therefore, have due respect to rank, yet a man is a man, and we "Honor all men."
1 Peter 2:18-20. Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the forward. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when you be buffeted for your faults, you shall take it patiently? but if, when you do well, and suffer for it, you take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
I have known some that could not do that, however. If they were only spoken to very gently, they were in a tiff directly. "But if, when you do well, you bear it patiently, this is acceptable with God." Here is something more than human nature can bear. Now grace comes in to help. "This is acceptable with God."
1 Peter 2:21. For even hereunto were you called:
Called, you see, to be buffeted when you don’t, deserve it.
1 Peter 2:21-23. Because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that Jude righteously:
Herein is he a pattern of patience to all his people.
1 Peter 2:24-25. Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed, For you were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
Verses 18-25
Peter is very practical in his Epistles. In the early days of the faith, Christians occupied a far more difficult and dangerous position than they do today. They were few in number, and greatly despised. All manner of crimes were falsely alleged against them; they were accused of things too vile for me to mention. The apostle, in writing to these Christians, begs them so to behave that they should commend the gospel of Christ. Very many of them were servants or slaves; so the apostle says to these lowly followers of Christ, "Here are your duties": —
1 Peter 2:18-20. Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when you be buffeted for your faults, you shall take it patiently? but if, when you do well, and suffer for it, you take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
A sense of injustice stings a man; he does not like to lose his rights, or to be buffeted when he has done no ill; but the Spirit of Christ teaches us to "endure grief, suffering wrongfully," — to bear still, and still to bear. We are to be like the anvil; let others strike us if they will, but we shall wear out the hammers if we only know how to stand still and bear all that is put upon us.
1 Peter 2:21-23. For even hereunto were you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that Jude righteously:
There was no reason why he should be made to suffer, for he had done no wrong. He was buffeted for no fault of his own, yet how patiently he endured it all! He did not even open his mouth to murmur or complain; but he handed the whole matter over to the Supreme Court of Appeal: "to him that Jude righteously." It will be wise for us also to feel that we can afford to wait, knowing that our Avenger lives, and that, in his own good time, he will rectify all wrongs, and justify his people against all their accusers. It is sweet, for the dear love of Jesus, to put up with a thousand things which, otherwise, we should resent. "But," says one, "if you tread on a worm, it will turn." Perhaps it will, but a Christian is not a worm; he is a being of a nobler order than that, and he does not go for his example to reptiles; he looks up to Christ, and follows his steps.
1 Peter 2:24-25. Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes you were healed. For you were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
Wherefore, since you have been brought back by the rich grace of God, continue to bear and forbear, that you may be the means of bringing others back. That is Peter’s counsel to servants, or slaves, as most of them were.
This exposition consisted of readings from 1 Peter 2:18-25; and 1 Peter 3:1-17.
Chapter 3 Verses 1-17
1 Peter 3:1-2. Likewise, you wives be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; while they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
Could any men be won to Christ without the Word? Yes, it was even so in the apostle’s day. When they refused to attend the little Christian meetings that were being held, and so could not hear what was there said, yet, at home, they saw the change that the gospel of Christ had wrought in their wives, and they said, "She is quite different from what she used to be. Certainly, she is a far better wife than any heathen woman is; there must be something in the religion which can make such a change as that." In this way, without the Word, many of them were won to Christ by the godly conversation of their wives.
1 Peter 3:3-4. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
There is no ornament like that. No taste can ever conceive anything so lovely as a holy character. No expensive materials, and no ingenious fashioning of them, can ever produce such true beauty as "a meek and quiet spirit." You must have known some godly matrons, venerable Christian women, whose gentle piety has blessed the whole household of which they formed a part. They attained supreme authority over all simply by yielding; they gained a queenly position in the house by gentleness and quietness. Nobody dared to offend them; — not because they would have been in a passion, but because they were themselves so inoffensive, so kind, so gentle.
1 Peter 3:5-7. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: even as Sara, obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters you are, as long as you do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. Likewise, you husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
It has been one of the most beautiful results of the spread of the Christian religion that it has uplifted womanhood; so that now, instead of women being, as they were, and still are where the gospel is not received, the slaves of their husbands, Christianity has taught that honor should be given to the wife. If there are any husbands who do not so, they err from the gospel way.
1 Peter 3:8. Finally, be you all of one mind, —
Be unanimous; do not hold church-meetings to talk about nothing, and so quarrel for the want of something to do. Be united with the resolve that you will glorify God, and that there shall be no dissension, no division among you: "Be you all of one mind," —
1 Peter 3:8. Having compassion one of another, —
Have true fellow-feeling towards each other.
1 Peter 3:8. Love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
The Christian should be the highest type of gentleman, in every respect the most gentle man, kind, self-forgetful, seeking the comfort and well-being of others to the utmost of his power.
1 Peter 3:9. Not rendering evil for evil, —
That, is beastlike; it is certainly not the rule for a Christian. Good for evil is Godlike; and you, who are the children of God, should seek to act as he does: "not rendering evil for evil," — .
1 Peter 3:9. Or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that you are thereunto called, that you should inherit a blessing.
Every man should give away according to what he has. He who gives curses probably gives them because he has so much cursing in him. You can always tell what a man is like by noticing what comes from him. If he curses, it is because curses abound in him. But you are to give blessing to others because you have inherited so much blessing from Christ; your whole tone, temper, spirit, language, action should be the means of blessing to others.
1 Peter 3:10. For he who will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no deceit:
Not only no lies, but no deceit, no deceit, no shuffling. Say to a man’s face all that you say behind his back. You will soon be in trouble if you have two tales to tell, one in his presence, and the other in his absence; but if you are free from "policy" — from "knowing how to play your cards," as the world says, then shall it be seen that you have one of the attributes of a true Christian. If you refrain your lips, that they speak no deceit, people will know where to find you, and they will want to find you, for such men are always in demand.
1 Peter 3:11-12, Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
He "sets his face against them," as we say that we set our face against certain company which we do not approve. But "the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous," — that is, those who seek to do good to others, for Christ’s sake, are under the special protection of God; and they have the high privilege of being permitted to pray with the certainty that "his ears are open unto their prayers."
1 Peter 3:13-15. And who is he who will harm you, if you be followers of that which is good? But and if you suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are you: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; but sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Have your doctrinal views, and all your knowledge of Christ, packed away in a handy form, so that, when people want to know what you believe, you can tell them. If they wish to know why you believe that you are saved, have your answer all ready in a few plain, simple sentences; and in the gentlest and most modest spirit make your confession of faith to the praise and glory of God. Who knows but what such good seed will bring forth an abundant harvest?
1 Peter 3:16-17. Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that you suffer, for well doing, than for evil doing.
Who can doubt the truth of that clear declaration?
This exposition consisted of readings from 1 Peter 2:18-25; and 1 Peter 3:1-17.
Chapter 4 Verses 1-13
1 Peter 4:1. Forasmuch then as Christ has suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin: —
Brethren, we have a Savior who suffered for us. As the Head was, such must the members expect to be. Let us, then, be resolutely determined that, suffer as we may, we will never turn aside from our Lord; for, inasmuch as we suffered in him, yes, and died in him, we ought to reckon that we are henceforth dead to sin, and that we have ceased from it, and can no longer be drawn into it. "He who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin:"—
1 Peter 4:2. That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
The doctrine of substitution is the strongest possible argument for holiness. You lived in sin once, but Christ died for your sin, so you must reckon that, in him, you died to sin, seeing that he died in your stead. And the argument is that, henceforth, your life is to be a life in him, a life of holiness, to the praise and glory of God.
1 Peter 4:3. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, —
Suffice? O brethren, let it do much more than that! Let it make us cry, "Would God that we had never wrought the will of the Gentiles at all!" Some young people foolishly say that they must have a little space in which they can "see life." Ah, those of you who have been converted in after years regret that ever you saw what men call "life", which is but the alias for corruption and death! "For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles," —
1 Peter 4:3-4. When we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excesses of wine, ravelings banquetings, and abominable idolatries. Wherein they think it strange that you run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
What a strange world this world is! It speaks evil of men because they will not do evil. Yet it has ever been so; the men, "of whom the world was not worthy," have been the very people of whom worldliness have said, "Away with such fellows from the earth! It is not fit that they should live." The world’s verdict concerning Christians is of little value.
1 Peter 4:5-6. Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. For this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men is the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
This is a very difficult passage to expound, but I suppose the meaning is that the gospel was preached to those departed saints who had been called to die for Christ’s sake, and that it was preached to them for this very reason, that, while they were judged by wicked men, and were by them condemned to die, they still live a far more glorious life than they lived here, because they were thus enabled, by their martyr death, to consummate their consecration to God.
1 Peter 4:7-8. But the end of all things is at hand; be you therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
It covers them sometimes by not seeing them; for, where there is much love, we are blind to many faults which, otherwise, we might see; we do not exercise the sharpness of criticism which malice would be sure to exercise. Besides that, when love applies herself to prayer, and when, in addition to prayer, she kindly gives admonition to a beloved friend, it often happens that true Christian love does really prevent a multitude of sins.
The apostle does not mean that, by loving another person, I shall cover my own sin; nor does he mean that the exercise of charity, in the common acceptance of that word, can cover my sin. But if I have much love to others, I may be the instrument, in the hand of God, for covering many of their sins in one or other of the senses I have mentioned.
1 Peter 4:9-10. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man has received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Whatever "the gift" is, whether it be money, or talent, or grace, "even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." God gives much to you that you may give it to others; it is only meant to run through you as through a pipe. You are a steward and if a steward should receive his lord’s goods, and keep them for himself he would be an unfaithful steward. Child of God, see to it that you faithfully discharge your responsibility as one of the "good stewards of the manifold grace of God."
1 Peter 4:11-13. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God gives: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you. But rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy.
If you do not share in Christ’s humiliation, how can you expect to share in his exaltation? But if worldlings begin to rebuke and reproach you, take it for granted that they can discern something of Christ in you. Dogs do not usually bark at those who live in the same village with them; it is only at strangers that they bark. And when ribald tongues are lifted up against you, you have reason to hope that you are a stranger and a foreigner to the citizens of this world, for they love their own, as our Savior reminded his disciples, "If you were of the world, the world would love his own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you"
This exposition consisted of readings from Psalms 88:10-18; and 1 Peter 4:1-13.
Verses 1-191 Peter 4:1. Forasmuch then as Christ has suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind:
Accepting this great truth, that it is well that the flesh should die that the spirit may triumph, even as it was with Christ.
1 Peter 4:1. For he who bath suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin;
If he has indeed died with Christ, and the power of Christ’s sufferings has made him dead to sin, he has ceased from it.
1 Peter 4:2-4. That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the ,will of God for the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, ravelings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: wherein they think it strange that you run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
For the very thing in which they ought to speak well of you, men will speak evil of you. If you will not drink as they do, if you will not follow after sinful pleasures as they do, if you will not sing their songs, or use their language, then immediately they will hate you, and call you a hypocrite. It is a pity that, if we are not willing to go into sin as they do, they should for that reason speak ill of us; yet this is what we must expect.
1 Peter 4:5. Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.
There will be a day, when those who are alive at the coming of Christ will be judged; and those who were dead long before that time will not escape the judgment, for they shall be raised from their graves to appear before the judgment seat of Christ.
1 Peter 4:6. for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
Men who heard the gospel, and believed it, are now dead; they have undergone the sentence of death like other men; but, still, they are living "according to God in the spirit."
1 Peter 4:7. But the end of all things is at hand:
We are never told the exact date of the times or seasons which are yet to come; it is the evident aim of the Holy Spirit to keep us on the tip-toe of expectation. We are always to be as men whose Lord may come at any minute of the day or night: "the end of all things is at hand: " —
1 Peter 4:7. Be you therefore sober,
Do not get intoxicated with anything, neither with pride, nor with covetousness, nor with the cares of this world. Maintain your equilibrium; stand steadfast and firm: "Be you therefore sober," —
1 Peter 4:7-8. And watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves:
For, when Christ comes, he will know you as his disciples if you love one another; but if there be an absence of Christian affection when he comes, he will say at once that you have missed the main mark of discipleship.
1 Peter 4:8. for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
Not your own sins, but the sins of your friends, so that you will not see them. Where love is thin, there faults are always thick. Wherever there is true love in the heart, we make many apologies and allowances for the weaknesses and infirmities of our friends. Often, we cannot see the faults in them; and when we know they are there, we go backward, like the godly sons of Noah, and cover the nakedness upon which we will not think of looking, "for charity shall cover the multitude of sins."
1 Peter 4:9. Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
Whenever saints of God traveled in those days, there were few public inns available for their accommodation, so they stayed with brethren in Christ as they went on their way.
1 Peter 4:10. As every man has received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
God’s grace takes many shapes, it is manifold; and he gives to one brother one form of grace, and to another quite a different form; and, to a third, yet another form of his blessing. now, as nations increase their wealth by mutual commerce, so do Christian men increase their grace by a sweet fellowship in the good things with which God has entrusted them.
1 Peter 4:11. If any man speak —
Let him speak thoroughly well; but, in order that he may do so, what shall be his model?
1 Peter 4:11. Let him speak as the oracles of God/
As truthfully, carefully, solemnly, as the Book itself speaks: "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God."
1 Peter 4:11. If any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God gives.
"If any man minister," or serve, — if he is called to serve the church in any capacity, — " let him do it as of the ability which God gives."
1 Peter 4:11. that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Note how Peter has the same spirit in him as that which burned in the breast of Paul, for he stops in the middle of a letter, lays down his pen, and lifts up his heart to God in an adoring strain of thanksgiving: "to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen."
1 Peter 4:12. Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
In Peter’s day, the Christians were called, not only to what might he metaphorically termed, "the fiery trial," but they had literally to suffer thus for Christ’s sake. Nero had multitudes of Christians brought to his gardens, and tied to stakes, that he might light up his midnight revelries by the burning of these godly men and women smeared with pitch. they had to bear even that fiery trial for the name of Christ. Many periods of martyrdom have passed since then, in which the saints of God have willingly died rather than deny their Lord. We have fallen upon comparatively silken times; a jest, a slander, a calumnious observation, — these are the only weapons with which our enemies can smite most of us.
1 Peter 4:13-14. But rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy. If you be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are you; did not your Savior say, "Blessed are you, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. Rejoice you in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in Heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets."
So, be glad about it.
1 Peter 4:14. For the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
Whenever they speak against you that which is not true, they think that they shall slander the name of God by slandering you; but they do no such thing. As far as they are concerned, God is evil spoken of; but, then, that is all you could have expected from such people. "But on your part" — and that is the thing you have to look to, — "on your part he is glorified."
1 Peter 4:15. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.
A curious mixture that, — is it not? A murderer is classed with "a busybody in other men’s matters." But, really, people of this latter sort are very obnoxious. there are some who seem as if they cannot mind their own business; I have heard that it is for two reasons; first, because they have not any business to mind, and, secondly, they have no mind at all with which to mind their business. But these very people think they can mind other people’s business; and the more is the pity. See how strongly Peter condemns them, and asks that none of those to whom he writes may have to suffer because of such wrongdoing.
1 Peter 4:16-17. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf for the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God :-
Trial and testing must begin there; we must not expect to have our religion taken for granted, and ourselves to be saved simply upon our own warranty. We must be tried: "the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed? "the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God:" —
1 Peter 4:17. And if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
If the wheat is winnowed, what is to become of the chaff? If God casts even the gold into the fire, what is to become of the dross? If that which is really valuable yet has to be tested, what is to be done with the mire and the clay? Oh, that all who have no part or lot with Christ would consider this solemn truth:
1 Peter 4:18. And if the righteous scarcely be saved, —
If they be saved with difficulty, —
1 Peter 4:18. Where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
If even men who live godly lives are often hard put to it to know whether they shall be saved or not, — if they raise the question again and again with a terrible seriousness, "where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?"
1 Peter 4:19. Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
The whole run of the chapter is that we are to prefer any suffering of the flesh to the sin of the spirit; and we are to be prepared to endure whatever trial or pain may come upon us for Christ’s sake, and to hear it joyfully, rather than to seek the pleasures of sin, and to be plunged under the waves of the wrath of God. May he give us the grace thus to glorify him, for Christ’s sake! Amen.
Chapter 5 Verses 1-9
1 Peter 5:1. The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
Here again, as in the first chapter, Peter links the sufferings of Christ with his glory.
1 Peter 5:2-9. Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, you shall receive a crown of glory that fades not away. Likewise, you younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yes, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility; for God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
This exposition consisted of readings from 1 Peter 1, and 1 Peter 5:1-9.