CHAP V. _He exhorteth the elders to feed their flocks: the younger to obey; and all, to be sober, watchful, and constant in the faith; and to resist the cruel adversary, the devil._ _Anno Domini 65._ BECAUSE the knowledge, experience, and conduct of the people, depend in a great measure upon the... [ Continue Reading ]
THE ELDERS—I EXHORT,— St. Peter's mode of address here, saying, _I exhort,_ or _entreat, who am also a fellow-elder,_ (παραχαλω, ο συμπρεσβυτερος,) is quite different from the high tone of _the Pope,_ who, under pretence of being St. Peter's successor and _head_ of the church, _commands_ with sovere... [ Continue Reading ]
FEED THE FLOCK OF GOD, &C.— Every bishop and pastor was to feed his own flock; that is, the particular church of which he had the care; there he was to lead the Christian people by his example, doctrines, and admonitions. This precept is similar to that which our Lord gave to St. Peter himself, John... [ Continue Reading ]
OVER GOD'S HERITAGE,— There is nothing for _God's_ in the original; the word κληροι, seems here to denote those _distinct congregations_ of Christians, which _fell to the lot,_ as it were, of different pastors; alluding to the division of Canaan by lots. Comp. Deuteronomy 4:20; Deuteronomy 9:29. The... [ Continue Reading ]
A CROWN OF GLORY THAT FADETH NOT AWAY.— See ch. 1 Peter 1:4. The ancients used to wear beautiful crowns, or _crowns of glory,_ in times of festivity and joy; and the Greeks used to bestow crowns, made of the leaves of parsley or olive, laurel or bay, upon such as conquered in their games. The glory... [ Continue Reading ]
YE YOUNGER,— The word Νεωτεροι is used by our Saviour for _inferiors,_ or those who were to be subject; Luke 22:25. It seems here to mean the body of the people. See 1 Corinthians 16:15. Hebrews 13:17. The word εγκομβωσασθε, rendered _be clothed,_ signifies properly, _"To clothe with an outer orname... [ Continue Reading ]
UNDER THE MIGHTY HAND OF GOD,— "Under all the dispensations of divine providence, even though wicked men should be made the instruments of effecting its purposes." Perhaps by this expression, the apostle might intend to remind them, that the hand of a righteous Providence was concerned in those even... [ Continue Reading ]
CASTING ALL YOUR CARE, &C.— _Your anxious care or solicitude._ See on Matthew 6:25.... [ Continue Reading ]
BE SOBER, BE VIGILANT, &C.— They were not so to cast all their care upon God, as to be off their guard, or to indulge in any vice; they were to _watch,_ like soldiers encamped near an enemy, lest they should be suddenly surprized. Sobriety at such a time conduces much to watchfulness and safety; whe... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOM RESIST, STEDFAST IN THE FAITH,— See Ephesians 4:27; Ephesians 6:10; Ephesians 6:24 and James 4:7. The word επιτελεισθαι, rendered _accomplished,_ signifies _perfected,_ or brought to an end. It seems here to mean particularly, that the persecutions of the unbelieving Jews, stirred up by the dev... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THE GOD OF ALL GRACE— That is, "The most merciful and gracious God." It is remarkable, that St. _Paul_ has usually given God a title, according to the subject whereof he is treating. If he was treating of _peace,_ then he was the _God of peace;_ if of love, he was the _God of love;_ if of grace,... [ Continue Reading ]
BY SILVANUS, A FAITHFUL BROTHER,—(_AS I SUPPOSE,_) &C.— This rendering has seemed to many like a questioning the fidelity of Silvanus. The Syriac has thus rendered the words; _These few things_ (_as I suppose, or reckon them_) _I have written unto you by Silvanus, a faithful brother._ The word λογιζ... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CHURCH—AT BABYLON,— See the Preface to this epistle. Bishop Cumberland and Mr. Cradock argue from hence, that probably St. Peter wrote from the neighbourhood of Babylon, and found many Jews remaining there ever since the Babylonish captivity, among whom he had preached the gospel with considerab... [ Continue Reading ]
PEACE BE WITH YOU ALL, &C.— St. Peter, in the introduction to this epistle, had addressed himself to _the strangers in Pontus, Galatia,_ &c. and wished such of them as were _Christians,_ or _elect,_ grace and peace. He now in like manner concludes, and wishes peace unto such of them as were Christia... [ Continue Reading ]