ANALYSIS. This chapter is taken up wholly by exhortations to the brethren. In consideration of the fact that Christ had suffered, he urges them to arm themselves with the like mind and spirit that they might thereby bear their afflictions with more patience; that by so arming themselves they would n... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 1. FORASMUCH, THEN, AS CHRIST HAS SUFFERED. It being a fact that Christ suffered for us in the flesh, it is a strong reason why you should make every effort TO secure your own salvation. You are engaged in a warfare. Your enemies are the world, the flesh and the devil. These must be resisted.... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 2. THAT HE NO LONGER SHOULD. Having taken a stand for Christ, we thereby announce that sin has no longer any claims upon us. We cease to sin. This is our claim and our duty. We live no longer in the lusts of the flesh. We owe to them no allegiance whatever. It is now an enemy to us, and as su... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 3. FOR THE TIME _PAST_ OF OUR LIFE. The life we lived before conversion in all the excesses indulged in by the Gentiles is here alluded to. These excesses were in accord with our wills and desires at the time we engaged with the Gentiles therein. For us that has been sufficient. Being enlight... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 4. WHEREIN THEY THINK IT STRANGE. The Gentiles think it strange that we do not continue to commit these excesses with them as we did before our conversion to Christ, and for this reason these Gentiles speak evil of us.... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 5. WHO SHALL GIVE AN ACCOUNT. These unconverted ones who speak evil of us will be required to give an account, not only for the excesses in which they indulge, but also for the wrongs they do to us and for all their evil speaking against us. TO HIM WHO IS READY TO JUDGE. The account the Gen... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 6. FOR THIS CAUSE WAS THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM. The gospel was preached to them that were dead in Peter's day, because all men are to be judged, and thus no partiality shown. There is no respecter of persons with God. All will be judged. Hence the gospel must be preached to all. Here we a... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 7. BUT THE END OF ALL THINGS IS AT HAND. The things that troubled and oppressed, the end thereof approached. It may be that the apostle, remembering that many of their troubles arose from Jewish opposition to the faith of Christ, had in view the destruction of Jerusalem. This would relieve th... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 8. ABOVE ALL THINGS HAVE FERVENT CHARITY. Have above all things, as the most important of all, burning, continual love for the brethren. This makes you better and stronger. You will then see no little foibles among one another, for this kind of love covers or shuts out of view, not one foible... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 9. USE HOSPITALITY ONE TO ANOTHER WITHOUT GRUDGING. Hospitality is good. Use it towards one another, and while so using it do not murmur. Do not use it unhesitatingly. Regard not the expense or trouble your hospitality costs you.... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 10. AS EVERY MAN HATH RECEIVED THE GIFT. A gift is something that has been received from another. In this case it is God who is the dispenser of the gift. The gift here mentioned may be either of a temporal or spiritual nature. The exhortation is applicable to either. Such gifts are held by t... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 11. IF ANY MAN SPEAK, LET HIM SPEAK AS THE ORACLES OF GOD. Where one speaks in matters pertaining to Christian doctrine or duty, he must do so with the utmost fidelity to God's word. This he is urged to do by the apostle with the greatest emphasis. IF ANY MAN MINISTER, LET HIM DO IT AS OF TH... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 12. BELOVED, THINK IT NOT STRANGE. These Christians were being persecuted even to the extent of being burned. at the stake for their faith. They might well wonder if their Christianity led them only into right-doing that they should suffer. Yet the apostle says: Wonder not; this trial of fait... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 13. BUT REJOICE, INASMUCH AS YE ARE PARTAKERS. So far from wondering at your affliction for the truth, I counsel you to rejoice. Your Savior suffered unjustly; you herby partake of the same. By and by that same Savior will come, and his glory will be revealed to you. Your reward then follows,... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 14. IF YE BE REPROACHED FOR THE NAME OF CHRIST. If you suffer continually for being a Christian, that is, bearing the name of Christ, happy are ye. Words spoken in reproach or bitter ridicule. "Blessed are ye when men shall revile you" (Matthew 5:11). How be blessed or happy? Simply call up t... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 15. BUT LET NONE OF YOU SUFFER AS A MURDERER. Taking the life of your fellowman, taking away his goods without the right to do so, or doing any forbidden thing, or meddling in any way with the affairs of your neighbors, are all wrong, and should you suffer punishment therefore, you suffer jus... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 16. YET IF ANY MAN SUFFER AS A CHRISTIAN. Here the difference is apparent. One who suffers for the cause of Christ should not be ashamed of his suffering, however trying or ignominious it may be. He suffers unjustly. Hence he is told to give glory to God, because he is esteemed worthy to suff... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 17. FOR THE TIME IS COME THAT JUDGMENT. The sense of this verse becomes easier by discarding the supplied words "is come." The judgment begins at the Church of God; that is, the righteous are judged first. The Lord himself explains this matter, and leaves us no room for doubt. He tells us all... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 18. AND IF THE RIGHTEOUS SCARCELY BE SAVED. I can not think the apostle here intimates any difficulty in the salvation of the righteous, for in his second Epistle he states plainly that the entrance into the everlasting kingdom shall be abundantly ministered. I think the thought is that, whil... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 19. WHEREFORE, LET THEM THAT SUFFER ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD. The conclusion is enforced with emphasis. Those that suffer for the cause of Christ, suffer for the truth, suffer for living as God requires, continue faithfully so to serve God, committing their souls and the keeping thereof t... [ Continue Reading ]