Likewise, (1) ye wives, [be] in subjection to your own husbands; (2) that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; (1) In the third place he sets forth the wives' duties to their husbands, commanding them to be obedient. (2) He speaks namely... [ Continue Reading ]
(3) Whose adorning let it not be that outward [adorning] of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; (3) He condemns the unrestrained indulgences and excesses of women, and sets forth their true apparel, such as is precious before God, that is, the inward and incorrup... [ Continue Reading ]
But [let it be] the (a) hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, [even the ornament] of a meek and quiet spirit, which is (b) in the sight of God of great price. (a) Who has his abiding place fastened in the heart: so that the hidden man is set against the outward adorning of the... [ Continue Reading ]
(4) For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: (4) An argument taken from the example of women, and especially of Sarah, who was the mother of all believers.... [ Continue Reading ]
Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are (5) not afraid with any amazement. (5) Because women are by nature fearful, he gives them to understand that he requires of them that subjection, which is not wrung out from them either by force or... [ Continue Reading ]
(6) Likewise, ye husbands, (c) dwell with [them] according to (d) knowledge, (7) giving (e) honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker (f) vessel, (8) and as being heirs together of the (g) grace of life; (9) that your prayers be not hindered. (6) He also teaches husbands their duties, that is, that... [ Continue Reading ]
(10) Finally, [be ye] all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, [be] pitiful, [be] courteous: (10) He turns to common exhortations, and commends harmony and whatever things pertain to the maintenance of peace and mutual love.... [ Continue Reading ]
(11) Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; (12) knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. (11) We must not only not recompense injury for injury, but we must also recompense them with benefits. (12) An argument taken by compa... [ Continue Reading ]
(13) For he that will love life, and (h) see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: (13) A secret objection: But this our patience shall be nothing else but an inciting and hardening of the wicked in their wickedness, to make them set upon us more bo... [ Continue Reading ]
For the eyes of the Lord [are] over the righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their prayers: but the (i) face of the Lord [is] against them that do evil. (i) This word "face" after the manner of the Hebrews, is taken for "anger".... [ Continue Reading ]
(14) And who [is] he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? (14) The second argument: when the wicked are provoked, they are more wayward: therefore they must instead be won by good deeds. If they cannot be gained by that means also, yet nonetheless we shall be blessed if we... [ Continue Reading ]
But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy [are ye]: (15) and be not afraid of their (k) terror, neither be troubled; (15) A most certain counsel in afflictions, be they never so terrible, to be of a steady mind and to stand fast. But how shall we attain to it? If we sanctify God in our mi... [ Continue Reading ]
But (l) sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: (16) and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: (l) Give him all prayers and glory, and hang only on him. (16) He will have us, when we are afflicted for righteousn... [ Continue Reading ]
(17) For [it is] better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. (17) A reason which stands upon two general rules of Christianity, which nonetheless all men do not allow. The one is, if we must suffer afflictions, it is better to suffer wrongfully than rightfu... [ Continue Reading ]
(18) For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, (19) the just for the unjust, (20) that he might bring us to God, (21) being put to death in the (m) flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: (18) A proof of either of the rules, by the example of Christ himself our chief pattern, who was afflicted not f... [ Continue Reading ]
(22) By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; (22) A secret objection: Christ indeed might do this, but what is that to us? Indeed (faith the apostle) for Christ has showed his power in all ages both in the preservation of the godly, were they never so few and miserable, and i... [ Continue Reading ]
Which sometime were disobedient, when (n) once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight (o) souls were saved by water. (n) This word "once" shows that there was a furthermost day appointed, and if that were once past, there shou... [ Continue Reading ]
(23) The like figure whereunto [even] baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward (p) God), (24) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: (23) A proportional applying of the former example to the time which followed the comin... [ Continue Reading ]