Observe here, 1. The persons exhorted, THE ELDERS THAT ARE AMONGST YOU, the guides and governors of the church: elders by age and office, who were both to rule well, and also to labour in the word and doctrine; and for doing both faithfully, were to be ACCOUNTED WORTHY OF DOUBLE HONOUR. Observe, 2.... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The title given to the church, it is the FLOCK of God; denominations are given in scripture to persons and things, proper to the state of things and persons: thus here the church is called. FLOCK, and sometimes. LITTLE FLOCK, in opposition to the herds and huge droves of the men of... [ Continue Reading ]
As if our apostle nad said, "It is possible you may miss of your reward here from the hands of men; but when Christ, the great and good Shepherd, shall appear, when the owner, ruler, and lover of his church shall come to judgment, you shall have from him your full reward,. never-fading, ever-flouris... [ Continue Reading ]
Having laid down the duties of pastors in the former verse, he points out the duties of the people in this, whom he calls the YOUNGER, either because they were generally younger in years than their spiritual guides, or because they ought to show that reverence and obedience to them which is suitable... [ Continue Reading ]
By the HAND OF GOD, understand his judgments, his almighty power, which it is our duty to submit unto, and to be humble under, in the day of our affliction; and this profound submission and deep humility is the way to glory and exaltation. He can exalt us, and will do it here, if it be good for us:... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The nature of the duty enjoined, to cast our care upon God; it is not. providential and prudential care, but an anxious and vexatious care, that the scripture forbids; and the duty here required is this, that after we have used all prudent care and diligence in subserviency to the p... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. double duty exhorted to, sobriety and vigilancy: BE SOBER, BE VIGILANT, be sober and temperate in all things: sober in your enjoyments; sober in your employments; sober in your recreations. Be neither drunk with wine, nor worldly cares; the latter is the worst of the two. A night's... [ Continue Reading ]
As if the apostle had said, "Resist Satan's temptations, occasioned by your sufferings, remembering that it is not your case alone, but others also suffer with you, even all that will live godly in Christ Jesus." Learn hence, That Christians should not desire, and cannot reasonably expect,. better... [ Continue Reading ]
Our apostle concludes and closes his epistle with an affectionate prayer for these afflicted Christians and suffering saints, beseeching Almighty God, who is the author of all grace, and who hath called them by his gospel, to the participation of that grace, which will entitle them to eternal glory,... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, That our apostle, to encourage these suffering Christians to. resolved perseverance in the Christian religion, assures them that it was undoubtedly from God, the unquestionable truth of God, and therefore neither seducers on the one hand, nor persecutors on the other, should be able to... [ Continue Reading ]
At the foot of this epistle he sends them salutations from the Christians at Babylon, who were chosen out of the world, to partake in the faith and fellowship of the gospel. Some, by Babylon, figuratively understand Rome, but others understand it of Babylon in Assyria, where many Jews did tarry, and... [ Continue Reading ]