_Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered_ Even the ignominious and painful death of the cross, with all those previous and concomitant evils, which rendered his death peculiarly bitter; _for us_ And that from a pure and disinterested principle of love; _arm yourselves likewise with the same mind_ Wit... [ Continue Reading ]
_For the time past of our life may suffice us_ Αρκετος ημιν, _is sufficient for us; to have wrought the will of the Gentiles_ The expression is soft, but conveys a very strong meaning, namely, that in no period of our lives ought we to have wrought the will of the Gentiles; and that whatever time we... [ Continue Reading ]
_For for this cause_ Or to this end; _was the gospel preached_ Ever since it was intimated to Adam, in the promise made to him after the fall, _that the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent's head; to them that are dead_ Who have died in their several generations, and especially to our forefa... [ Continue Reading ]
_The end of all things is at hand_ Of our mortal lives, and of all the joys and sorrows, goods and evils connected therewith, and so of all your wrongs and sufferings. Many commentators indeed understand St. Peter as speaking only of the end of the Jewish commonwealth, city, temple, and worship. Thu... [ Continue Reading ]
_Above all things_ See that you remember the distinguishing badge of your religion and _have_, maintain, _fervent charity_, love, _among yourselves_ One toward another: _for love shall cover a multitude of sins_ It will cause us to excuse them in others, and will entitle us, through divine mercy to... [ Continue Reading ]
_As every man hath received the gift_ Or, _a gift_, spiritual or temporal, ordinary or extraordinary, (although the latter seems primarily intended,) _so minister the same one to another_ Employ that gift for the common good; _as good stewards of the manifold grace of God_ Of the talents wherewith h... [ Continue Reading ]
_Think it not strange_, &c. Wonder not at _the fiery trial_ The dreadful series of furious and bitter persecutions. The original expression, εν υμιν πυρωσει, is literally, _the burning which is among you;_ denoting the grievous persecution which the Christians in Pontus, &c., were suffering for thei... [ Continue Reading ]
_If ye be reproached for Christ_ Reproaches and cruel mockings were always one part of their sufferings, and to an ingenuous mind, reproach is often worse than the spoiling of goods, or even than bodily pain; _happy are you_ The apostle alludes to Christ's words, Matthew 5:11, _Blessed are ye when m... [ Continue Reading ]
_For the time is come_ Foretold by Christ, Matthew 24:9; John 16:2; _that judgment must begin at the house of God_ In the Christian Church; God's own family, which he first visits, both in justice and mercy. The judgment here spoken of is thought by many commentators to signify the particular distre... [ Continue Reading ]
_And if the righteous scarcely be saved_ Escape with the utmost difficulty. So the word μολις, rendered _scarcely_, signifies. That is, If it be not without much difficulty that the Christians are secured and preserved in those overflowing, devouring judgments which are coming on the Jewish nation;... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wherefore let them that suffer_ This temporary chastisement; _according to the will of God_ Namely, for a good cause, and in a right spirit; _commit the keeping of their souls to him_ Intrust themselves to God's care, either to preserve their lives, if he see good, or to save their souls if they su... [ Continue Reading ]