Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, Ver. 1. _All malice and all guile_] Out with this leaven utterly, 1 Corinthians 5:7. Howsoever we otherwise fail, let us not in these be found faulty at all. These are not the spots of God's child... [ Continue Reading ]
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: Ver. 2. _Desire the sincere_] αδολον, as in children all speak and work at once, hands, feet, mouth. See David's desire,Psalms 42:1; Psalms 119:20; Psalms 119:40; Psalms 119:131. The Greek word επιποθησατε signifieth v... [ Continue Reading ]
If so be ye have tasted that the Lord _is_ gracious. Ver. 3. _If so be ye have tasted_] As babes taste the milk they take down, Isaiah 66:11. We are bidden to suck and be satisfied with the breasts of consolation, to press and oppress the promises, till we have expressed, and even wrung the sweetne... [ Continue Reading ]
To whom coming, _as unto_ a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, _and_ precious, Ver. 4. _As unto a living stone_] Living and all quickening, as Acts 7:38. Lively, that is, lifegiving oracles. He that hath the Son hath life, 1 John 5:12 . _ Disallowed indeed of men_] For the... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Ver. 5. _Ye also as lively stones_] God's house is built of growing stones, of green timber, Son 1:16-17 _ To offer up spiritual sacrifices_] Such as... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Ver. 6. _Wherefore it is contained_] The Jews were so well versed in Scripture, that in quoting of texts there was need to say no more... [ Continue Reading ]
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, Ver. 7. _He is precious_] Gr. τιμη, he is a price, or an honour. If you had not found all worth in him, you would never have sold... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 8. _And a rock of offence_] Like that rock Judges 6:21, out of which comes fire to consume the reprobate. _ Which stumble at the word_] An ill sign... [ Continue Reading ]
But ye _are_ a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Ver. 9. _But ye are a chosen generation_] A picked people, the dearly beloved of God's soul; such as h... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 10. _Which in time past were not_] If Plato thought it such a mercy to him that he was a man and not a woman, a Grecian and not a barbarian, a scholar to Socrates... [ Continue Reading ]
Dearly beloved, I beseech _you_ as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Ver. 11. _As pilgrims and strangers_] Excellently doth Justin Martyr describe the Christians of his time: they inhabit their own countries, saith he, but as strangers; they partake of... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 12. _Having your conversation honest_] Leading convincing lives, the best arguments against an at... [ Continue Reading ]
Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Ver. 13. _Submit to every ordinance_] That is, although the ordinance or government in the manner of its constitution be from man, yet because of the necessity of its institution it is from God;... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 14. _Or unto governors_] In the kingdom of Christ, this is wonderful, saith Zanchy, that he wills and commands all princes and potentates to be subject to his kingdom,... [ Continue Reading ]
For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: Ver. 15. _Ye may put to silence_] Gr. φιμουν, muzzle, or halter up, button up their mouths, as we say. _See Trapp on "_ Mat 22:34 _"_ It is an old fetch of the devil to persuade the world that faithf... [ Continue Reading ]
As free, and not using _your_ liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Ver. 16. _As free_] _See Trapp on "_ Gal 5:13 _"_ As free, and not using, &c.] Free in respect of our consciences, exempted from human powers, and yet, as servants of God, bouud in conscience to obey hi... [ Continue Reading ]
Honour all _men_. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. Ver. 17. _Honour all men_] As made in the image of God, as capable of heaven, and as having some special talent to trade with. _ Honour the king_] i.e. the Roman emperor, who disclaimed the name of a king to avoid the hatred of the... [ Continue Reading ]
Servants, _be_ subject to _your_ masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. Ver. 18. _To the froward_] Cross, crooked, trample, foolish. _Tortuosis, curvis._ The Greek word σκολιος comes of a Hebrew word סכל that signifies a fool.... [ Continue Reading ]
For this _is_ thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. Ver. 19. _This is thankworthy_] τουτο γαρ χαρις εστι. God accounts himself hereby gratified, as it were, and even beholden to such sufferers, this being the lowest subjection and the highest honour men... [ Continue Reading ]
For what glory _is it_, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer _for it_, ye take it patiently, this _is_ acceptable with God. Ver. 20. _For what glory is it_] In peace offerings there might be oil mixed, not so in sin offerings. In o... [ Continue Reading ]
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Ver. 21. _Leaving us an example_] Gr. υπογραμμον, a copy or pattern. Christ's actions were either moral, or mediatory. In both we must imitate him. In the former, by doing... [ Continue Reading ]
Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Ver. 22. _Who did no sin_] St Paul saith, "He knew no sin," 2 Corinthians 5:21, to wit, with a practical knowledge (we know no more than we practise); with an intellectual he did, for else he could not have reproved it. _ Neither was guile foun... [ Continue Reading ]
Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed _himself_ to him that judgeth righteously: Ver. 23. _But committed himself_] Or, the whole matter. We also shall do ourselves no disservice, by making God our chancellor, when no law else will relieve us... [ Continue Reading ]
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 ye were healed. __ Yet. 24. Who his own self] Without any to help or uphold him, Isaiah 63:5; he had not so much as the benefit of the sunlight, when in that thr... [ Continue Reading ]
For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. Ver. 25. _As sheep_] Than the which no creature is more apt to stray, less apt and able to return. The ox knoweth his owner, &c.... [ Continue Reading ]