1 Peter 1:22 to 1 Peter 2:10. The Christians, who were formerly pagans, are created a new race in Christ Jesus, and consecrated as a special priesthood of service to the whole world. Their life must be in accordance with this profession. They are to manifest to one another brotherly love, that noble... [ Continue Reading ]
1 Peter 2:11 F. Three reasons are here given for a life of purity and moderation: (1) that it is in agreement with pilgrim life (a figure frequent in OT and familiar to us from Bunyan's _Pilgrim's Progress),_ (2) that it may not give offence to the Gentiles, (3) that it may win the latter, by the fo... [ Continue Reading ]
1 Peter 2:12. DAY OF VISITATION: a phrase derived from OT (Isaiah 10:3), but its meaning is not quite clear in this passage. It may mean (1) the final judgment day, which fills so large a place in the mind of NT writers, (2) the day of trial before the magistrates, or (3) the day when the Gentiles t... [ Continue Reading ]
1 Peter 2:13. As Jesus had given them an example so were they to live in all dutiful obedience to human authority from the emperor to his representatives, since they constituted the bulwarks of the State. Their service was not mainly to the commonwealth of men, but to the City of God. Of this they w... [ Continue Reading ]
This is one of the noblest passages in the NT _on_ the real meaning of service. It raised the position of slave at one moment to the highest honour. A man could take all degradation out of it, for he might put into his slavery the whole spirit of Jesus. With exquisite reminiscences of prophetic lang... [ Continue Reading ]