1 Peter 5:10 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

But the God of all grace— That is, "The most merciful and gracious God." It is remarkable, that St. Paul has usually given God a title, according to the subject whereof he is treating. If he was treating of peace, then he was the God of peace; if of love, he was the God of love; if of grace, he was the God of grace. St. Peter has with like propriety styled him, the God of all grace, or favour; and the two favours which he particularly mentions are, the calling of these Gentiles to be Christians, and thereby raising them to the hope of eternal glory; and the delivering them from their present persecution: which deliverance they might expect would be shortly. They were to suffer for a little while, Hebrews 10:37. Wis 3:5. This life is short, compared with eternity; but they were to be delivered from their sufferings before death; for their enemies were to be destroyed speedily. Αυτος, he, or the same, is sometimes redundant; but here it seems to have a peculiar force and emphasis: "May he himself,—that same God of all favour, who hath called you to be Christians, fit, support, &c." The words here used, seem to be all taken from building; Καταρτισαι, fit you to each other; as stones are hewn, cut, or polished, to make them fit one another: 1 Corinthians 1:10. Στηριξαι, to support, and σθενωσαι, to strengthen, as magnificent buildings are, with well-adjusted pillars: Romans 16:25. Θεμελιωσαι, to lay the foundation, upon which the whole structure depends for its support and stability. In such apt words did St. Peter pray that these Christians might be established in their holy faith, and persevere to the end, that they might be saved!