1 Peter 5
DOYLY— seeking whom he may devour.] This strongly expresses the insatiable rage of the enemy of mankind to hinder their salvation, and the danger we are in from his devices. This account of his malice is given with great propriety by St. Peter, to whom our Lord said, “Simon, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat; but I have prayed for thee:” he likewise had good reason to recommend watchfulness, since he had fallen so miserably himself, notwithstanding this warning from his Master. Drs. Macknight and Doddridge.
— elected together with you,] That is, which is jointly with you some of the chosen people of God. Dr. Wells. See the note on chap. i. 2.
— Marcus my son,] One of my first converts, or children in the faith. Dr. Hammond. Or, Who as a son with his father hath served me in the Gospel. See Phil. ii. 22. Dr. Whitby.
The following Chapters and Verses from the First Epistle General of Peter are appointed for a Proper Lesson, or as Epistles on Sundays and Holydays:
CHAP. II… Good Friday,…Evening. — II…ver. 11—17, 3d Sunday after Easter,…Epistle. Restoration of the Royal Family,…ditto. Queen’s Accession,…ditto. — II… — 13—22, King Charles the Martyr,…ditto. — II… — 19—25, 2nd Sunday after Easter,…ditto. — III… — 8—15, 5th Sunday after Trinity,…ditto. — III… — 17—22, Easter Even,…ditto. — IV… — 7—11, Sunday after Ascension-day,…ditto. — V… — 5—11, 3d Sunday after Trinity,…ditto.
1 Peter 5:5
- Likewise, ye younger.] Or, inferiours. Since the “elders” in the first verse evidently denote the teachers and governours of the church, it is to be supposed that the same word in this verse bears the same sense; and that the word here rendered “younger” denotes inferiours of any kind, or all such as were under the care of the “elders.” Drs. Wells and Macknight.
— Yea, all of you be subject one to another, &c.] And in fine, be all, of every degree whatever, ready to do all kind and good offices to each other; making that great virtue of humility your chief and most valuable ornament: remembering those words of Solomon, Prov. iii. 34, “Surely He scorneth the scorners, but He giveth grace unto the lowly.” Pyle.
The original word, here rendered “be clothed,” is very beautiful and expressive. It signifies to clothe properly with an outer ornamental garment tied loosely upon the wearer with knots. And it implies, that the humility of Christians, which is one of the most ornamental graces of their profession, should constantly appear in all their conversation, so as to strike the eye of every beholder; and that this amiable grace should be so closely connected with their persons, that no occurrence, temptation, or calamity should be able to strip them of it. Parkhurst.
1 Peter 5:6
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you] It being agreeable to the methods of the Divine justice and providence, in some very remarkable and exemplary manner to distinguish and reward the patience and constancy of those, who are content, not only to endure the sharpest, but to acquiesce in the longest, of adversities: to refer themselves entirely to God’s wisdom for their support under them, and to His leisure for their deliverance out of them.
1 Peter 5:7
- Casting all your care upon him.] The Apostle means no doubt that anxious and disquieting solicitude, which distracts the mind, perplexes all our thoughts, breaks and confounds all our measures, and so, not only does more harm than good, but betrays a want of consideration and religion. Such a perplexity indeed must needs be very blamable; because it plainly argues, that the providence of God over all His creatures, and His tender concern for the faithful in particular, make none, or much too feeble, impression upon our souls. At the same time it should be observed, that it is no part of the Apostle’s intent to set aside all such regular and prudent care for our own preservation, as may consist with a Christian dependence upon the Divine wisdom and goodness; as is manifest from his proceeding to enjoin sobriety and watchfulness, faith, and the contemplation of the like sufferings in our brethren, as fit and necessary duties and remedies for a state of persecution or any other kind of distress. Dean Stanhope.
1 Peter 5:8
- Be sober.] Be temperate. Dr. Macknight. The advice comprises, not only a temperate use of the creatures appointed for our sustenance and refreshment; but the government of our passions and desires in general, with respect to any objects or events whatsoever, which in the present life are wont to provoke them to violence and excess. Dean Stanhope.
— because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, &c.] The Scriptures in several places excite us to vigilance and activity by admonishing us, that our own desires are not the only enemies, with which we have to contend, but that there are others, not the less to be dreaded because we cannot see them; namely, evil spirits, who, having been cast out of heaven, are permitted for a while to disturb the earth; to stir up against us either our own passions within, or the passions of other men without us. Such is our state; and the danger of it calls upon us diligently to learn and prac-
hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
1 Peter 5:9
- — knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished &c.] And it will add something to your resolution to consider, that your Christian brethren, in other parts of the world, are now labouring under the same persecutions. Pyle.
1 Peter 5:10
- But the God of all grace, &c.] After the seasonable admonitions in the foregoing verses, the Apostle concludes with a prayer; which does so implore the good effects, as at the same time to suggest that they are the certain comforts and consequences, of afflictions rightly undergone: that these are every way consistent with the gracious design of making good men eternally happy: that they are but of short continuance: that they add lust to such men’s virtue, inflame their zeal, fix their resolution, qualify them for great undertakings, render them at last impregnable; and by conforming them to the likeness of a suffering, resemble them in the end to the triumphs of a victorious, Redeemer. But till this be, which, if we do not obstruct our own happiness, will not fail to be, let us remember that we are
Anno DOMINI about 60. with salutations and a benediction. Anno DOMINI about 60.
1 Peter 5:12
- — Silvanus,] Whether this was the Silvanus or Silas, mentioned several times in the Acts as the companion of St. Paul, and by St. Paul himself, 2 Cor. i. 19; 1 Thess. i. 1; 2 Thess. i. 1; is not certainly known. The phrase, “as I suppose,” does not seem to imply any doubt. Compare Rom. iii. 28, and viii. 18, where the word in the original is the same as it is here. Dr. Doddridge.
1 Peter 5:13
- The church that is at Babylon,] Some commentators by Babylon understand Babylon, properly so called, in Assyria or in Egypt. But the most early