1 Peter 4

1 Peter 4:1-7

The work of a Christian is twofold, doing the will of God, and suffering his pleasures. This chapter directs us to look. The duties we are here exhorted to employ ourselves in are the mortification of sin, living in God, liberty, prayer, mercy, highability, and the vast improvement of our talents, which the apostle prefers upon Christians from the consideration of the time they have left in their line, and the approaching end of all things, viz. (1.) 2. To liberalize for sufferings are, that we should not be surprised at them, but refuse in them, only taking care not to suffer as evil doers. He intimates, that their trials were near at hand, that their trials were in danger as well as their bodies, and the last way to preserve them was to commit them to God in such danger.

I. Draimach then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin: 2. That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh, to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 3. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lachivandines, lusts, carcels of wine, revelings, banqueting, and abominable idolatries: 4. Wherein they think it strange, that you run not with them to the same carcels of sin, speaking evil of you: 5. Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. 6. For, for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the Spirit.

The apostle here,

1. Draws an inference from what he had advanced. Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind, with pretences and holy resistance; for he that hath suffered in the flesh, crucifying the body of sin through union with a dying favour, and willingly taking up any cross which the Divine Providence may lay upon him, and ceased from sin, from his former corrupt principles and precludes, and is professionally by his baptism nourished to every corrupt affection, as a dead man ceases from the actions of life: that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh, to the will of men, but the little space which yet contains he is carried to return, and fain would spend it according to the will of God. Note, (1.) Nothing to effectually mention sin as a believing view of the cross of Christ. (2.) The will of God, not our vile affections, must be our guide. If we live after the flesh, we shall die eternally, whilst the paths of grace and holiness alone can lead us to immortal life and glory.

2. The apostle argues on the reasonableness of living unto God, from the consideration of the abuse they had made of the time that was past. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when (with shame and grief and anguish we remember it) we walked in lachivandines, lusts, carcels of wine, revelings and sin, banqueting and bidentious carcels, and abominable idolatries, joining with the Gentiles in these horrid deeds; wherein they think it strange that you run not with them still in the same carcels of sin to believe, speaking evil of you and your religion, as if it made you morose, unfactable, and poor despicable objects: who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead, at the great day of his appearing and glory. Note, (1.) The remembrance of our former evil ways should often dwell upon our minds for our deep humiliation before God. (2.) They who have toiled the bitterness of sin, can be tempted by no consideration to return to those destructive ways which they have forsaken. (3.) The conduct of a Christian appears very strange to an ungodly world, and they wonder

wonder what there is in religion which, for the sake of it, can induce men to forego all that they call enjoyment. (4.) They who speak evil of our good conversation in Christ, must shortly give a solemn account of their hard speeches before an awful tribunal.

5. The former saints of God were thus censured of the world, and loved by grace. For this canly was the gospel preached able to them that are now dead in Christ, and departed in his faith and fear, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, and undergo reproach, persecution, and some of them even death itself for those tenets which the carnal world derides and abhors, but might, notwithstanding all their sufferings in the body, free according to God in the Spirit, under the mighty influence of his grace, in a holy conformity to his will, and expediting, through the power of the Holy Ghost, to be raised up at the last day to live with God eternally.

6. But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 8. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 9. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. 10. As every man hath received the gift, ever so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ; to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

7. 7—11. We have here an awful position: But the end of all things is at hand. The Jewish flare was soon to be destroyed, where dwelt the most inveterate persecutors of the Christian name; and to every individual is this truth most applicable, to whom death and eternity are approaching, and judgment is at the door; from which awful considerations the apostle enforces the following elaborations:

8. Be ye therefore sober, temperate in all things, not inordinately pursuing, nor immoderately using any thing in this world, knowing how short the time is. And,

9. Watch unto prayer; be on your guard against the numberless corporations which beset you, and especially be looking up by ceaseless prayer for strength to refill and overcome them. Now, Prayer is our great preservative; we shall never fail, whilst we continue waiting upon God.

10. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves, cordially and tenderly affected towards each other: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins, engaging you kindly to overlook the offences of your brethren, to call the veil of oblivion over their many infirmities, and to conceal them from the cenderness world.

11. Use hospitality one towards another without grudging, freely and chearfully receiving those who, for righteousness take, are driven from place to place, or are travelling to spread the glad tidings of salvation, and trusting on the Divine Providence for their maintenance.

12. If every man hath received the gift, whatever talents he is blessed with, whether of wealth, abilities, or grace, even as minister the same not to another, laying out yourselves for your mutual education and comfort, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God, from whom you have received all that you possess, and to whom you are accountable for the sole improvement of it. If any man speak, therefore, as called to the office of a preacher, let him speak as the oracles of God, with strict adherence to the sacred doctrines therein revealed, presuming to add nothing thereunto, nor to diminish ought therefrom: if any man minister in the office of a deacon, or out of his worldly assistance to the necessities, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth, with all fidelity, cheerfulness and diligence, that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, and his name exalted in the advancement of his church and his kingdom in the world, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever, to the incarnate Saviour, and to the Father through him. Amen! Note, (1.) Whatever we possess, we are but stewards, and must give an account to the great Master for the talents committed to our trust. (2.) God’s glory should be the great end of all our conversation, and in our lips and lives we should endeavour to show forth his praise.

13. Beloved, shink it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you. 13. But rejoice, in as much as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God refteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 15. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evil-doer, or a Vot. II.

buly-body in other men’s matters. 16. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 17. For the time it come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it is first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18. And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 19. Wherefore, let them that suffer according to the will of God, commit the keeping of their souls to him in well-doing as unto a faithful Creator.

9. 12—19. The apostle here,

10. Encourages them to bear up boldly under their expected trials. Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you as good in the furnace, as if some strange thing happened unto you, and your sufferings were uncommon, and such as God’s children might not have expected. But, however severe your trials may be, rejoice in them, foreign and as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, and herein conformed to your glorious head; that when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy, and reign with him, as you have suffered to him. And, in the lesser trials of reviling and slander, if ye are reproached for the name of Christ, founded with some oppressuous name, and made the objects of derision and contempt, happy are ye; let it be your delight to be thus vile, and gladly bear this honourable badge of infamy; for the Spirit of glory and of God refteth upon you, to comfort you under these reproaches, and to give you an earnest of that eternal glory to which these trials are the way: as their part he is evil spoken of, and his blessed operations reviled and blasphemed; but on your part he is glorified, and his name exalted by your faith and patience, and by the praise given him for the supports and comforts which you experience from him. Note, (1.) We must count on affliction through; however grievous for the time; it is only permitted to be, because God sees we have much doofs, and need that furnace to purge us from it. (2.) Our sufferings for Christ are our real honour, and should be our highest joy. (3.) In a day of recompense we shall never regret what we have endured for Christ and his cards. (4.) We need not wonder at any reproaches cast on ourselves, when even the blessed Spirit of God himself sustains the like blasphemias, and his operations are branded as delusion and enthusiasm.

11. He admonifies them to give their enemies no such handle against them as they desired to have. But be none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evil-doer, justly chargeable with any criminal conduct whatever, or as a holy body in other men’s matters, prying into the concerns of his neighbours which do not belong to him, and neglecting his own. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, and if, however innocent, through enmity to him on account of his religion, any of these atrocious crimes are charged upon him, let him not be ashamed of such malignant abuse, but let him glorify God on this behalf, that he is counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Christ, and enabled to deplete these calumnies.

12. He supports what he had advanced by the most weighty considerations. For the time it came that judgment must begin at the house of God, not only in the destruction of the Jewish temple, but in very severe violations upon his spiritual church and people, who need the correction of his will: made of first begin at us, and we undergo the severe discipline of the cross; what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? How fearful will he the vengeance executed upon the finally-impuniment and unbelieving! And if the righteous scarcely be saved, plucked as brands from the burning, and hardly scarping, like lure from the flames of Sodom, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear, who wilfully and obstinately reject all the warnings of God’s providence, and the word of his grace, determined to abide in their iniquities, whatever the consequence may be. How terrible, sure, and inevitable must be the general perdition! Wherefore, let them that suffer according to the will of God, patiently and submissively, commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing as unto a faithful Creator, content to refer themselves to him, resigned to his will, and ready to do or suffer according to his pleasure, satisfied in his faithfulness to all his promises, and sure to reap their fulfilment in a blessed eternity. Note, (1.) God corrects his own children that they might not be condemned with the world. (2.) If the Lord chastises his own people for the evil he sees in them, shall the rebellious sinner go unpunished? No, verily; there is vengeance hanging over his devoted head. (3.) The gate of heaven is afraid; they who strive to enter, scarcely are able; how surely then must they be excluded, who never so much as set their faces heavenwards! (4.) Come what will, we know that our sufferings are sent of God, and that his faithfulness, power, and love, are engaged to bring us safely through them; and this is sufficient to make us easy, yea, happy under them.

tion to the younger, to be obedient and humble, and to cast their care upon God, in the three next weeks. From thence to the end he exerts all its fairings, watchfulness against temptations, and steadfastness in the faith, praising earnestly for them; and is concludes his profile with a solemn drawings, mutual salutations, and his apopialist benediction.

1. THE elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed. 2. I lord the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof not by contrarian, but willingly: not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind. 3. Neither as being forth over God’s heritage, but being enfamples to the flock. 4. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fudeth not away. 5. Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder: yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God refilth the proud, and giveth grace unto the humble. 6. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7. Calling all your care upon him, for he careth for you.

The apofllk here,

1. Exhorts the preflyers to a diligent discharge of their sacred truth. The elder’s which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, put in truth with the same gospel, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, bearing testimony to what I have seen, and ready to fulfill with him and for him, and a partaker of the glory which shall be revealed, when the great Shepherd and Bishop of fouls shall appear to reward his faithful mindless. In the view and expectation of which, find the fact of God which is among you with fidelity, diligence, and zeal, preaching the found doctrine, and maintaining the whole-time discipline of the gospel, considering at what a price this ranfomed flock was purchased; taking the oversight thereof not by confusion, but willingly, watching over them with wisdom, and holy solicitude to promote their spiritual and eternal good; not by contrast, as compelled to do it against your inclination, but willingly, delighting in your blested office and employment, not for filthy lucre, as the motive to undertake the charge, but of a ready mind, free from every mercenary view, and infuriated purely by zeal for the Redeemer and love towards immortal fouls; neither as being lords over God’s heritage, and ruling with arrogance and haughtiness, as if you had dominion over men’s consciences, but being enfamples to the flock, in all humility, meekness, and holy conversation. And then know, for your encouragement, that when the chief Shepherd shall appear, who hath appointed you to serve under him, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fudeth not away, the blested reward of your fidelity. Note, (1.) The office of a preflyer is an high and honourable employment, and calls for suitable zeal and faithfulness to discharge it aright. (2.) None should ever enter the ministry by contrarian, at the solicitation of friends, or as bred to it for a maintenance, but as prompted by a desire to glorify God, and to be instrumental in the salvation of left fouls. (3.) They who would profit others by their preaching, must found it by their examples, else how can we think that others will believe us, if it appears by our ill conduct that we do not believe ourselves? (4.) The reward of faithful mindless shall be eminently glorious; they shall thine as the liars in the firmament for ever and ever.

2. He addresses himself to the younger, and all private members of the church. Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder; he guided by their advice, and attentive to their admonitions: yea, all of you be subject one to another, paying that deference and respects that is due to every one according to his station, age, rank, or office; and he clothed with humility, as a shining garb, which gives beauty to the whole conversation, and adds a lustre to every other grace: for he refoileth the proud, that is the character of all others which God abhors, and he grueh grace to the humble, who are peculiarly his delight, and enriched by him abundantly, and prepared for his presence in glory. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, enduring merely whatever afflictions he is pleased to find upon you, and fudeth not to those whom he hath set over you; that he may exalt you in due time, lifting you above all your tribulations, and bringing you to a throne at his right hand: calling all your care upon him, whatever difficulties and trials you may be involved in, for he careth for you, will preserve your bodies and faith, give you a happy time out of all your afflictions, and cause them to work together for your eternal felicity. Note, (1.) It is the wisdom of young men to pay deference and obedience to the advice and admonitions of their more aged and experienced friends. (2.) God is the enemy of the proud, as of Satan their chief; and in the unusual council with Omnipotence, they must would be undone. (3.) Humility is our greatest ornament, and in God’s sight of

great price, and those who possess it he delighteth to honour. (4.) God’s time must be expected; he will find us relief in due teason, if we faint not. (5.) None ever call their care upon God, and were confounded.

8. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. 9. Whom refill fledfall in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 10. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, Babbish, strengthen, settle you. 11. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 4:8-11

The apofllk, in the view of the subtle enemy which they had to contend against,

1. Admonishes them to be on their guard. Be sober, be vigilant; weaned from all inordinate attachment to present things, and watchful in the life of every divine ordinance against the wiles of the great deceiver; because your adversary the devil, ever waiting for your halting, as a roaring lion, fence and scorn, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour; refills and indefatigable in his attempts to murder immortal fouls, and maliciously endeavouring to terrify those, whom he is not permitted to destroy. Note, We have a deadly foe to conflict with, powerful, wily, watchful, experienced in deceit; we need be ever on our guard against his feasts.

2. The only way in which we can overcome is here set before us. Whom refill fledfall in the faith, lifting up this impenetrable shield against all the fiery darts of the wicked one, and encouraged by the examples and the victories of our suffering fellow Christians, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world; they war against the same enemy, and are happened under all their trials, and through faith made more than conquerors. Note, (1.) The examples of others should be our encouragement. (2.) They who in faith refill the devil, will find the weakness of all his efforts, and that before this terrible shield he will be compelled to fly.

3. He offers up his fervent prayers on their behalf. But the God of all grace, the fountain and giver of it to all his people, never deserting them in any of their trials, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Jesus Christ, to partake of unutterable blessedness in his presence for ever, through the redemption obtained by his dear Son, after that ye have suffered a while here below, make you perfect in holiness and happiness, and in your way to this state of complete felicity, fudeth you in the truth, strengthen your hearts with his grace, and settle you on that foundation from which you never can be moved. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever; he has name adored for all his path mercies and protection, and may we be enabled full to trust upon his care and love. Amen!

4. By Silvanus a faithful brother unto you (as I suppose) I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying, that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand. 13. The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you, and je datis Marcus my son. 14. Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

1 Peter 4:12-14

He concludes,

1. With giving an account of his design in this epistle, and the person who was the bearer of it. By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you (as I suppose, and conclude from the most substantial grounds) I have written briefly this short epistle, exhorting, and testifying, that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand, to the doctrine and practice of which you have hitherto persevered, and I trust will continue even unto the end. Note, They who have begun well, must stand fast in the same grace which they have experienced.

2. He presents the salutations of the church at Babylon, from whence he seems to have written this epistle. The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, through Jesus Christ unto life and glory, saluteth you in all Christian wishes of peace and prosperity; and je datis Marcus my son: who was either really such, or spiritually; some happen he means the evangelist Mark, who was sister’s son to Barnabas.

3. He exhorts them to fervent charity among themselves. Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity, in token of your mutual, unfeigned affection.

4. He pronounces his parting benediction upon them. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus, and every blessing, spiritual, temporal, or eternal, which is the happy portion of those that are united to him their living head. May that portion, reader, be thine and mine. Amen.