_Peter, &c., to the strangers_ Or _sojourners_, as παρεπιδημοις more properly signifies; that is, to the Jewish or Gentile Christians _sojourning_ on earth: see on 1 Chronicles 29:15; Psalms 39:12; Hebrews 11:13. _Scattered_ Διασπορας, _of the dispersion_, or _dispersed_, partly, probably, by the pe... [ Continue Reading ]
_Elect_ Called out of the world, and from a state of ignorance and sin, guilt and depravity, weakness and wretchedness, by the word, the Spirit, and providence of God; and in consequence of obeying the call, by turning to God in true repentance, living faith, and new obedience, _chosen _ Or accepted... [ Continue Reading ]
_Blessed be the God and Father_, or, _God even the Father, of our Lord Jesus Christ_ His only-begotten and beloved Son; _who, according to his abundant mercy_ His compassion for us in our state of ignorance and guilt, depravity and weakness; his undeserved love and goodness, the source of all our bl... [ Continue Reading ]
_Who are kept_ Who, though now surrounded with many apparent dangers, are not left defenceless, but are _guarded_, kept as in a garrison, as the word φρουρουμενους signifies; _by the power of God_ Which worketh all in all; or secured from all real harm, under the observation of his all-seeing eye, a... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wherein_ In which _living hope_ of such a glorious inheritance, and in being so _kept_ to the enjoyment of it, _ye_, even now, _greatly rejoice_ Αγαλλιασθε, _ye are exceeding glad_, or _leap for joy, though for a season_, ολιγον αρτε, _now_ A little while: such is our whole life compared to eternit... [ Continue Reading ]
_Whom having not seen_ Ειδοτες, _known_, that is, personally in the flesh; _ye love_ Namely, on account of his amiable character, and for the great things he hath done and suffered for you, and the great benefits he hath bestowed on you. It is very possible, as Doddridge observes, that among these d... [ Continue Reading ]
_Of which salvation_ That is, concerning the nature and extent of it, and the way and means of attaining it, namely, by believing and obeying the gospel, to be preached among all nations: (see the margin:) _the prophets have inquired_ Εξεζητησαν, _sought with accuracy_, or were earnestly inquisitive... [ Continue Reading ]
_Unto whom_ So searching; _it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us_ Not so much for their own benefit as for ours, to whose time the accomplishment of their prophecies was reserved; _they did minister the things which are now reported unto you_ Performed the office of foretelling the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wherefore_ Since your lot is fallen into these glorious times, wherein you enjoy such high privileges above what the people of God formerly enjoyed; since the blessings which are set before you are so invaluable, and are so freely offered you, and you have such great encouragement to believe you ma... [ Continue Reading ]
_And if ye call on the Father_ With an expectation of being heard; or, as you desire or expect audience and acceptance at God's hands; _who, without respect of persons_ Which can have no place with God; see note on Romans 2:11; _judgeth according to every man's work_ According to the tenor of his li... [ Continue Reading ]
_Forasmuch as ye know_, &c. That is, be holy in your whole behaviour, because ye know what an immense price your redemption cost; _that you were not redeemed with corruptible things_ Such as all visible and temporal things are; even _silver and gold_ Highly as they are prized, and eagerly as they ar... [ Continue Reading ]
_Seeing you have purified your souls_ By applying to this fountain which God has opened for sin and for uncleanness, and by believing and _obeying the truth_, which God hath appointed to be the grand means of sanctification, delivering such as obey it from the power, and purifying them from the defi... [ Continue Reading ]
_For all flesh_ Every human creature, _is_ transient and withering _as grass_ The word χορτος, here rendered grass, denotes not only what we generally call _grass_, but all kinds of herbs; and among the rest, those which have stalks and flowers. _And all the glory of man_ His learning, wisdom, wealt... [ Continue Reading ]