SATURDAY. 12-11-2022

November 15, 2022

FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER CONTINUES

THEME: 1Pet. 5:12. “…this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand”

CHAP. 4:1–19. “Like the Risen Christ, Believers henceforth have no more to do with Sin. As the End is near, cultivate Self-restraint, Watchful Prayerfulness, Charity, Hospitality, Scriptural Speech, Ministering to one another of your several Gifts to the Glory of God—Rejoicing Patience under Suffering” Fausset A. R. continues

  1. 4:9. Rom. 12:13; 16:23, 1Tim. 3:2, Tit. 1:8, He. 13:2, 16, without. 2Cor. 9:7, Phi. 2:14, Phile. 14, Jas. 5:9. “Not the spurious hospitality which passes current in the world; but entertaining those needing it; especially those exiled for the faith, as representatives of Christ; and all hospitality to whomsoever exercised, from Christian love. without grudging—‘murmuring’ (Rom. 12:8); open-hearted sincerity, cordiality. Not secretly speaking against the person whom we entertain or upbraiding him with the favour we have conferred.” Fausset A. R.
    1. 4:10. “The Spirit’s gifts [charisma, ‘a gift of grace’—i.e., gratuitous] are the common property of the Christian community, each being but a steward for edifying the whole; not receiving the gift merely for himself, minister the same—not discontentedly envying or disparaging the gift of another. one to another. All form one body; in seeking the good of other members they are promoting the good of themselves, stewards—(Matt. 25:15, &c.; Luke 19:13–26.)” Fausset A. R.
    1. 4:11. Jer. 23:22, Ep. 4:29, Col. 4:6, Jas 3:1–6, as the the ability, 1Ch. 29:11–16, Rom. 12:6–8, 1Cor. 3:10; 12:4. That God…may be glorified ch. 2:5, 1Cor. 6:20; 10:31,  Ep. 3:20, 21; 5:20. through, Jesus Christ ch. 2:5. Phi. 1:11; 2:11. to whom. ch. 5:11. Rom. 16:27. Ep. 3:21, 1Tim. 1:17; 6:16. Jude 25, Rev. 1:5, 6. “If any man speak—viz., as a prophet, or divinely-taught teacher in the church assembly. ‘Let him speak as (becomes one speaking) oracles of God.’ His divinely inspired words are not his own, but God’s; as a steward (v. 10) having them committed to him, he ought so to speak to them. Jesus was the pattern (Matt. 7:29; John 12:49; 14:10: cf. 2 Cor. 2:17). That God in all things may be glorified—the end of all a Christian’s acts, through Jesus Christ—the Mediator through whom all blessings come down to us, and all our praises ascend to God. Through Christ alone can God be glorified in us, our sayings, and doings. to whom—Christ. be—‘is.’ for ever and ever—‘unto the ages of the ages” Fausset A. R.
    1. 4:12-14. the fiery  trial See on ch. 1:7. Dan. 11:35, as in ch. 5:9,  1Cor. 10:13, 1Th. 3:2–4, 2Ti. 3:12.
    1. “Though they be sharp and fiery, yet they are designed only to try, not to ruin them, to try their sincerity, strength, patience, and trust in God. On the contrary, they ought rather to rejoice under their sufferings, because theirs may properly be called Christ’s sufferings. They are of the same kind, and for the same cause, that Christ suffered; they make us conformable to him; he suffers in them, and feels in our infirmities; and, if we be partakers of his sufferings, we shall also be make partakers of his glory, and shall meet him with exceeding joy at his great appearing to judge his enemies, and crown his faithful servants, 2 Th. 1:7.”
    1. Happy are you, the reason of which is, “Because you have the spirit of God with you, to fortify and comfort you; and the Spirit of God is also the Spirit of glory, that will carry you through all, bring you off gloriously, and prepare and seal you up for eternal glory. This glorious Spirit resteth upon you, resideth with you, dwelleth in you, supporteth you, and is pleased with you; and is not this an unspeakable privilege?” M. Henry
      1. 4:15 busy body, an inspector of another; meddling with other people’s concerns. 1Th. 4:11, 2Th. 3:11, 1Tim. 5:13.
      1. 4:16 Suffer as a Chriatian. ver. 19; ch. 3:17, 18, Ac. 11:26; 26:28, let him not be ashamed, Is. 50:7; 54:4, Phi. 1:20, 2Ti. 1:12, He. 12:2, 3. But glorify God, Is. 24:15. Ac. 5:41, Rom. 5:2–5, Phi. 1:29, Jas. 1:2–4. “That if any man suffer for the cause of Christianity, and with a patient Christian spirit, he ought not to account it a shame, but an honour to him; and ought to glorify God who hath thus dignified him, v. 16. Learn, (1.) The best of men need to be warned against the worst of sins. (2.) There is very little comfort in sufferings when we bring them upon ourselves by our own sin and folly. It is not the suffering, but the cause, that makes the martyr. (3.) We have reason to thank God for the honour if he calls us out to suffer for his truth and gospel, for our adherence to any of the doctrines or duties of Christianity.” M. Henry
      1. 4:17 judgment must begin at the house of God, Is. 10:12, Je. 25:29, Matt. 3:9, 10, Lu. 12:47, 48, and if. Lu. 23:31, What shall the end be…that obey not the gospel  
      1. 4:18 if the righteous scarcely be saved. Eze. 18:24. Zec. 13:9,` Ac. 14:22; 27:24, 31, 42–44. 1Cor. 10:12, He. 4:1; 10:38, 39. Where shall the ungodly... Ps. 1:4, 5, Rom. 1:18; 5:6. 2Pe. 2:5, 6; 3:7. Jude 15. “All must pass under God’s judgment: God’s own household first, their chastisement being here, for which they glorify Him as a proof of their membership in His family, and a pledge of their escape from the end of those whom the last judgment shall find disobedient to the Gospel. The time judgment must begin at the house of God—the Church of living believers. Peter has in mind Ezek. 9:6: cf. Jer. 25:29; Amos 3:2. Judgment is already begun—the Gospel, as a “two-edged sword,” having the double effect of saving some and condemning others—and shall be consummated at the last. The righteous” man has trial, but the issue is certain, and the entrance into the kingdom abundant at last. The “scarcely” marks the severity of the ordeal, and the unlikelihood (in a human point of view) of the righteous sustaining it; but the righteousness of Christ, and God’s everlasting covenant, make it sure.” Fausset A. R.
      1. 4:19 Conclusion from vv. 17, 18. Since the godly know that their sufferings are by God’s will, for their good (v. 17), to chasten them that they may not perish with the world, they ought to trust God cheerfully amidst sufferings, persevering in well doing, not only in ordinary circumstances, but also in suffering, let believers commit, ourselves to God, not in indolent quietism. but accompanied with active well doings. faithful—to His covenant promises. Creator—who is therefore our Almighty Preserver. He, not we, must keep our souls. Sin destroyed the spiritual relation between us and the Creator… Faith restores it: the believer, living to the will of God (ch. 4:2), rests implicitly on his Creator’s faithfulness.