1 Peter 1

1 Peter 1:13-21

In which the apostle describes the persons to whom he writes, and salutes them, ver. 1, 2. Blesseth God for their regeneration to a lively hope of eternal salvation, ver. 3—5. In the hopes of which salvation he shows they had great cause of rejoicing, though for a little while they were in hominess and affliction for the trial of their faith, which would produce joy unfavorable and full of glory, ver. 6—9. This is that salvation which the ancient prophets foretold, and the angels desire to look into, ver. 10—12. He exhorteth them to sorter and holiness, which he preseth from the consideration of the blood of Jesus, the invadeable price of man’s redemption, ver. 13—20. And to brotherly love, from the consideration of their regeneration, and the excellency of their spiritual state, ver. 21—25.

1. PETER an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2. Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience, and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace be multiplied.

2. 1, 2. This epistle opens with,

3. The writer’s name and title: Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by his immediate appointment, and sent especially to the circumcision.

4. The persons to whom it is addressed: To the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, dispersed by various providences through these provinces, and now called to the faith of Christ; elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, who from eternity designed you for salvation, as the objects whom his sovereign grace was pleased to choose; through sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience, this

blessed author of all grace effectually calling and converting your souls to the love and practice of true holiness, and leading you to the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ, for pardon and peace with God, which only by the sacrifice of the Redeemer could be obtained. Note, (1.) God hath an elect, whom before the worlds were, he determined to bring unto glory. (2.) These in the fulness of time are called to faith in a Redeemer, and, as miserable sinners, apply to the blood of sprinkling for the pardon of their iniquities. (3.) The Spirit of God sanctifies all those whom the Father chooses, and prepares them for the inheritance which is prepared for them.

3. The salutation: Grace unto you, and peace be multiplied; may the pardoning, sealing, sanctifying, comforting, preserving grace of our God be with you; and peace, the blessed effect thereof, be diffused in the church, your families, and in your own souls. Note, We need nothing more to make us happy, than grace and peace; and if we possess all the world beside, and lack these, we are poor and miserable.

4. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4. To an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season (if need be) ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations. 7. That the trial of your faith being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8. Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom though now ye see him not, yet believing,

believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. 9. Receiving the end of your faith, etes the salvation of your souls.

9. 3—9. The apostle begins,

10. With thanksgiving for the inestimable blessings which through the gospel they enjoyed. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which, according to his abundant mercy, without the least respect to our defects, of his foregoing grace hath begotten us again unto a lovely hope, when we had nothing in prospect before us but misery and despair, by the reparation of Jesus Christ from the dead, who was delivered for our offences, and raised again for our justification, that we, beholding in him the justice of God satisfied, might be emboldened to approach a reconciled God, and not only by his grace be quickened to towards of life here, but be entitled also to an inheritance inturnable, undefeated, and that fades not away, reserved in heaven for you, prepared by eternal love, and sure to every one of his redeemed, who are kept, not by your own Strength or Sufficiency, but by the power of God, engaged to protect you from all your enemies, and to preserve you, through faith of his operation in your hearts, unto salvation completed in glory, and which is ready to be revealed in the last time, when Jesus shall appear, and take his faithful followers to their eternal mansions of blessedness above. Note, (1.) We can never enough be thankful, when we remember the abundant mercy of our God and Father in Jesus Christ to our sinful souls. (2.) Every blessing flows from boundless and unmerited grace. (3.) The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the grand foundation of our hope; and it is a lively hope, animating the soul to patience, purity, and perfection, and never falsely till it is swallowed up in fruition. (4.) Heaven, with all its glorious, is our inheritance; our title is secured, nay possession is taken by the Forerunner for us entered. (5.) Whatever enemies, hearts, dangers, temptations, belet us in our way to heaven, we shall be more than conquerors, if God be our keeper, and if he implores true faith in our hearts, which never falsely. (6.) The time is short ere all the promises shall receive their accomplishment, and our salvation be perfected for ever.

11. Having mentioned the Salvation which was in prospect, he throws loose that afforded comfort and support under all their trials. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, looking forward and upward to your glorious hope, though none for a person (if used by) ye are to become through manifold temptations, which though you cannot but feel as men, you can rejoice under them as Christians; and they are sent, that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold which perisheth, though it be tried in the fire, may be found unto praise and honour and glory, at the appearing of Jesus Christ, when its purity, genuineness, and excellence, shall be acknowledged, brightened, and strengthened, by all the conflicts it hath sustained in the Savior’s services, whom, having not seen, ye love with fervent and supreme affection, faith realising his amishments to your souls; as whom, though none be for him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, the lively foretalle of the eternal bible, receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls, began already, and to be completed shortly in glory. Note, (1.) A Christian hath cause of rejoicing in God and the hope for before him at all times, and even in the midst of grief and trouble this consideration the world cannot take away. (2.) Though our lot as Christians in this world is manifold temptations, and our nature cannot but grunt under the burden, yet we must remember there is a need to for every pang we feel, and that will reconcile us to them. (3.) The bitterest afflictions to flesh and blood are often the most profitable medicines to our souls; and when we come to glory we shall see, that these were indeed blessings in disguise. (4.) The trial of our faith tends to its confirmation and establishment; and like gold, when tortured in the furnace, we come forth from our troubles the brighter, and leave the drops of corruption behind. (5.) Fidelity will be crowned when Jesus shall appear, and all our trials then will end in immortal honour and eternal glory. (6.) Jesus is precious to the believing soul; and the realizing views of him, which faith presents, bring down the foretalles of heavenly blessedness.

12. Of which salvation the prophets have enquired, and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 11. Searching what or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 12. ‘Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things which are now reported unto you, by them that have preached the gospel unto you, with the holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

b. 10—12. The salvation of the gospel, on which their faith lived, was that which the blessed prophets had foretell, and after which they earnestly enquired. Of which salvation the prop-

phets have enquired, and searched diligently into the meaning of their own prophecies which by inspiration they delivered, digging deep into the golden mine, that themselves might share the treasure; who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you through the incarnate Saviour: searching, with eagerness, what or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ, which was in them, did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ for the sins of his people, and the glory that should follow, when, having offered his one ananement, he should ascend to the throne of Majesty on high. They wished to know the exact time, and what would be the state of the world, when that great event should come to pass. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister; the events predicted were not to be fulfilled in their days, but ours; and they foretold the things which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you, with the holy Ghost sent down from heaven, who by his miraculous operations, and by the communication of his gifts and graces, bears his sacred testimony to the truth of our report: which things the angels desire to look into, bending forward as the cherubims over the mercy-seat, with wonder and delight contemplating the glories of gospel grace, admiring and adoring. Note, (1.) The mysteries of gospel grace were not only the highest which engaged the holy prophets researches, but they afford matter for angelic contemplation, wonder, and praise. (2.) The word of God must be searched, and diligently examined: there are treatisers had in it which will abundantly repay our pains. (3.) The Holy Ghost sent down from heaven still continues to make the gospel effectual to our salvation, and on his mighty operation all the success of our preaching depends.

13. Wherefore a gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end, for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14. As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lulls, in your ignorance: 15. But as he which hath called you in holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation: 16. Because it is written, Be ye holy, for I am holy. 17. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons lodged according to every man’s work, pals the time of your sojourning here in fear: 18. Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptable things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19. But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 20. Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in their last times for you; 21. Who by him do believe in God that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory, that your faith and hope might be in God.

From the foregoing confederations the apostle.

1. Enforces the practice of true positions in sundry particularists. Wherefore, (1.) Gird up the loins of your mind, be disengaged from every thing in the world which would retard you in your heavenly course, and be strong in the Lord and the power of his might to fight the good fight of faith. (2.) He is also, temperately doing every creature-comfort, and with holy vigilance preparing for the Mather’s return. And, (3.) Hope unto the end, never dismayed nor discouraged by the temptations to which you may be exposed, but patently persevering, and confidently waiting for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ, when the work of grace shall be completed, and an eternity of glory succeed; the hope of which, as an anchor of the soul, will enable us to ride out every storm. (4.) Behave as obedient children to your heavenly father, shallst in observing his commands, and submitting to his disposal and correction; not fashioning yourselves according to the former lulls, in your ignorance, not conformed to the corrupt manners, maxims, and pursuits of a world which lieth in wickedness, among whom we all had our conversation in time past, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and knowing not the dreadful pain which hung over our heads. To these ways let us never return; but as he which hath called you in holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation, proposing to yourselves nothing short of his complete and perfect image, and in every state, condition, and circumstance, defining that your hearts, lips, and lives, may exactly correspond with his holy will: enough it is written in that word which is our eternal rule of duty, Be ye holy, for I am holy. (5.) Maintain a holy jealousy over yourselves. And if, as becometh your profession, ye call in rendered prayer on the Father for that grace which alone can enable you for all that he commands, unto, without regard of persons, judged according to every man’s work; and thereby proves whether they are obedient children or not; and the time of your searching here in fear, in final fear of attending God, and holy jealousy over your own hearts, knowing that your present state is your pilgrimage, and that, if you are faithful, you shall shortly reach

the

the happy rest, where all your fous will end, and your falsity be complained for ever.

2. To encourage and engage them to the practice which he recommends, he beggars the most powerful motives. For example, as you know that you were not endowed with corruptible things, as flour and gold, from your own cornerstone, from the foolish traditions and corrupt manners and were received by tradition from your father; to redeem you from which, all the perishing treasures of this world would be a prize too dependent to be mentioned: but an infinitely greater hath been paid for you; you are redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without himself and without just, who offered himself as your resident to God, pure from all dishonest, a lamb fit to bleed on God’s altar, and of such transcendent dignity in his person as to add infinite value to his sacrifice. If he verily was far-reaching before the foundation of the world, by an eternal decree, to be the one great proposition; but was manifested in that fact from for you, becoming incarnate, and making the brightest displays of the glory of his grace, make by him de-borne in God as your reshuicled and covenant God, that raised him from the dead in testimony of his acceptance of the sacrifice which he had offered for our publication, and gave him glory, exalting him to the insolidated throne; that your faith and hope might be in God, assured, through the divine Messiah, of perfect favour and acceptance with him, and expecting, according to his promise, all the blessings of grace here and of glory hereafter.

3. Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit, unto unfeigned love of the brethren; for that ye have one another with a pure heart fervently: 23. Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God which liveth and abneth for ever. 24. For all flesh is as grafs, and all the glory of man as the flower of grafs. The grafs withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 25. But the word of the Lord endured for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

1 Peter 1:22-25

The apostle proceeds.

1. To inculcate the exercise of fervent charity. Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit, and have so graciously begun to advance in all holiness of heart and temper, being led by him especially unto unfeigned love of the brethren; for therefore that, under his blessed influence and according to the gospel word, ye live one another with a pure heart fervently, with still increasing and more enlarged affection: being born again, and made partakers of a divine nature, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God which liveth and abneth for ever, unchangeably the same, and communicating a dignity and honour to which the highest human pedigree cannot pretend. Note, (1.) The gospel truth, through the Spirit embraced and obeyed, is the eventual means of purifying the land. (2.) Unfeigned love of the brethren is among the fureth evidences of the Spirit’s work upon the heart. (3.) They who have made the highest advancement in the divine life have need be exhorted to incense more and more. (4.) If we have received the engrafted word into our souls, we have a divine principle which shall live and abide for ever, till it is perfected in glory.

2. He sets forth the vanity of man. All flesh is grafs, weak and perishing; and all the glory of man, his pomp, wealth, affluence, wisdom, and endowments of every kind, are as the flower of grafs, that soon fades and decays. The grafs withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away; one stroke of sickness, or accident, or the ravages of age, make all human graciously down, and death causes it to the grave: but the word of the Lord endured for ever, and they who are begotten by it have in their hearts eternal life begun. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you, whose effects are so everlastingly blessed. Note, A deep sense of the vanity of man, and of his perfect flint of corruption, will serve greatly to draw off our minds from the trifles of time, to look to the abiding glories of eternity which in the gospel are revealed unto us.