Peace be with you all, &c.— St. Peter, in the introduction to this epistle, had addressed himself to the strangers in Pontus, Galatia, &c. and wished such of them as were Christians, or elect, grace and peace. He now in like manner concludes, and wishes peace unto such of them as were Christians, and continued faithful. As to the other strangers, particularly those who were not professing Christians, he did not directly write to them; for they would have paid but little, if any regard, to his letters or salutations.
Inferences drawn from 1 Peter 5:10.—The apostle closes his divine doctrine and exhortations with prayer, which he addresses to the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus. It is supplication with thanksgiving, prayer with praise. The matter or thing requested is expressed in divers brief words, Make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you; which, though they be much of the same sense, yet are not superfluously multiplied; for they carry the great importance of the thing, and the earnest desire in asking it. The first, Perfect, implies more clearly than the rest, their enjoyment of that perfect love which casteth out all fear that hath torment. Stablish, has more express reference to both the inward lightness and inconstancy which is natural to us, the counterblasts of persecutions and temptations, and to outward oppositions; and imports the curing of the one, and support against the other. Strengthen, adverts to the growth of their graces, especially gaining of further measures of those graces wherein they are lowest. And settle, though it seems the same, and in substance is the same with the other word stablish, yet it adds somewhat to it very considerable; for it signifies to found or fix upon a sure foundation, and so indeed may have an aspect to Him who is the foundation and strength of believers, on whom they build by faith, even Jesus Christ, in whom alone we can have all, both complete victory over sin, and increase of grace, establishment of spirit, and power to persevere against all difficulties and assaults: He is that corner foundation-stone laid in Zion, that they who build upon him may not be ashamed. Isaiah 28:16. 1 Peter 2:6.
All our endeavours and diligence in this will be vain, unless we look for our perfecting and establishing from that right hand, without which we can do nothing: thither the apostle moves his desires for his brethren, and so teaches them the same address for themselves, The God of all grace make you perfect.
The well-instructed Christian looks to Jesus, Hebrews 12:2 looks off from all opposition and difficulties; looks above them to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of the faith of every soul which perseveringly cleaves to him. Though thou art weak, he is strong: it is he that strengthens thee, and renews thy strength,—makes it fresh, and greater than ever before. The word יחליפו, which we render renew, signifies change; they shall have for their own, his strength; a childlike believer, and his strong Saviour, are too hard for all that rises against them. It is here fit, as in statues, to measure the man with the basis on which he stands; and there is no taking the right measure of a Christian but that way. He is the God of all grace. By reason of our many wants and great weakness, we had need to have a very full hand, and a very strong hand to go to, for supplies and support. And such we have indeed: our Father is the God of all grace, a Spring which cannot be drawn dry, no, nor so much as any whit diminished. By his Spirit within them, the faithful children of God are most powerfully sanctified; without which, indeed, no other thing could be of advantage to them in this. That divine fire kindled within them, is daily refining and sublimating them; that Spirit of Christ is conquering sin, and, by the mighty flame of his love, consuming the earth and dross that is in them; making their affections more spiritual and disengaged from all created delights: life from their Lord still flowing and causing them to grow, strengthening their faith, quickening their love, teaching the soul the ways of killing the strongest corruptions, and fortifying every grace; yea, in wonderful ways advancing the good of his children even by the harshest means, as afflictions and temptations.
And as he is the God of sanctifying grace in the beginning and growth of it, so also the God of supporting grace, that supervenient influence, without which the graces we possess would fail us in the time of greatest need. This is the immediate assisting power that bears up the soul under the hardest services, and backs it in the sharpest conflicts, communicating fresh auxiliary strength, when we and all the graces we have within, dwelling in us, is surcharged. Then he steps in, and opposes his strength to a prevailing and confident enemy, who is at the point of insulting and triumph. When temptations have almost made a breach, and are on the point of entering with full force and violence, he lets in so much present help on a sudden, as makes them give back and disappear. When the enemy comes in as a flood, the Spirit of the Lord lifts up a standard against him (Isaiah 59:19.); and no siege against the true believer, can be so close as to keep out this aid; for it comes from above. It is the will of God, that we have constant recourse to him for all that we want. He is so rich, and withal so liberal, that he delights that we seek and draw much from him; and it is by believing and praying that we do draw from him: were these plied, we should soon grow richer. But remember, all this grace, which we would receive from the God of all grace, must be from God in Christ. There it flows for us; thither we are directed. It was the Father's good pleasure, that in him should all fulness dwell (Colossians 1:19), and that for us, that we might know whither to go, and where to apply for it.
The state to which a Christian is called, is not a poor and sad estate, as the world judges; it is no less than glory, eternal glory, his eternal glory—Glory, true real glory. All that is here so named, is no more than a name, a shadow of glory; it cannot endure the balance, but is found too light; as was said of a great monarch, Daniel 5. Men are naturally desirous of glory, and gape after it; but they are naturally ignorant of the nature and place of it; they seek it where it is not, and, as Solomon says of riches, set their hearts on that which is not, Proverbs 23:5 has no subsistence nor reality. But the glory above is true real glory, and bears weight; and so bears aright the name of glory, which in the Hebrew [כבוד] signifies weight; and the apostle's expression seems to allude to that sense; speaking of this same glory to come, he calls it "a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory," 2 Corinthians 4:17. It weighs down all labour and sufferings in the way, so far, that they are not once worth the speaking of in respect of it. It is the hyperbole, καθ υπερβολην εις υπερβολην; other glory is over-spoken; but this glory, over glorious to be duly spoken, it exceeds and rises above all that can be spoken of it.
And it is eternal. Oh! that adds much! Men would have some more reason so to affect and pursue the glory of the present world, such as it is, if it were lasting, if it stayed with them when they have caught it, and they stayed with it to enjoy it. But how soon do they part! they pass away, and the glory passes away, both as smoke, as a vapour. Our life, and all the pomp and magnificence of those that have the greatest outward glory, and make the fairer shew, it is but a shew, a pageant, παραγει, which goes through the street, and is seen no more. But this has length of days with it, eternal glory. Oh! a thought of that swallows up all the grandeur of the world, and the noise of reckoning years and ages. Had one man continued from the creation to the end of the world, in the top of earthly dignity and glory, admired by all; yet, at the end, everlasting oblivion being the close, what nothing were it to eternal glory! But, alas! we cannot be brought to believe, and deeply take the impression of eternity; and that is our undoing.
REFLECTIONS.—1st, The apostle,
1. Exhorts the elders to a diligent discharge of their sacred trust. The elders which are among you I exhort, who also am an elder, put in trust with the same gospel, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, bearing testimony to what I have seen, and ready to suffer with him and for him, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed when the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls shall appear to reward his faithful ministers. In the view and expectation of which, feed the flock of God which is among you with fidelity, diligence, and zeal, preaching the sound doctrine, and maintaining the wholesome discipline of the gospel, considering the inestimable price which has been paid for the salvation of all who will yield to be saved by grace; taking the oversight thereof; watching over them with wisdom, and holy solicitude to promote their spiritual and eternal good; not by constraint, as compelled to do it against your inclinations, but willingly, delighting in your blessed 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 influenced purely by zeal for the Redeemer, and love towards immortal souls; 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 ensamples 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 fadeth not away, the blessed reward of your fidelity. Note; (1.) The office of an elder or presbyter is a high and honourable employment, and calls for suitable zeal and faithfulness to discharge it aright. (2.) None should ever enter the ministry by constraint, 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 lost souls. (3.) They who would profit others by their preaching, must second it by their examples, else how can we think others will believe us, if it appear by our ill-conduct that we do not believe ourselves? (4.) The reward of faithful ministers shall be eminently glorious; they shall shine as stars 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; be guided by their advice, and attend to their admonitions; yea, all of you be subject one to another, paying that deference and respect which is due to every one according to his station, age, rank, or office; and be clothed with humility, as a shining garb which gives beauty to the whole conversation, and adds a lustre to every other grace: for God resisteth the proud; that is the character which of all others God abhors, and he giveth grace to the humble, who are peculiarly his delight, and enriched by him abundantly, and in proportion prepared for his presence in glory. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, enduring meekly whatever afflictions he is pleased to send upon you, and submissive 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: casting all your care upon him, whatever difficulties and trials you may be involved in; for he careth for you, and will in this case preserve your bodies and souls, give you a happy issue 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 unequal content with Omnipotence, they must needs 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 send us relief in due season, if we faint not. (5.) None ever cast their care upon God, and were confounded.
2nd, The apostle, in the view of the subtle enemy whom 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 use 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, fierce and cruel, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour; restless and indefatigable in his attempts to murder immortal souls, 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 snares.
2. The only way in which we can overcome, is here set before us. Whom resist, stedfast 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 supported by the same Divine power. Note; (1.) The examples of others should be our encouragement. (2.) They who in faith resist 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 that believe, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, has invited us 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, make you by this means, under the influences of his Spirit, perfect in holiness, stablish you in the truth, strengthen your hearts with his grace, and settle you on the true foundation by the full assurance of faith and hope. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever; be his name adored for all his past mercies and protection, and may we be enabled still to trust upon his care and love. Amen!
3rdly, 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 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, in 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 take care to stand fast in the same grace which they have experienced.
2. He presents the salutations of the church at Babylon, whence he seems to have written this epistle. The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, called and invited to, and partakers of, the same glorious privileges and blessings as yourselves, through Jesus Christ, saluteth you in all Christian wishes of peace and prosperity; and so doth Marcus my son.
3. He exhorts them to fervent love 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, and eternal, which is the happy portion of those that are perseveringly united to him their Living Head. May that portion, reader, be thine, and mine. Amen!
*.* The Reader is referred to the different Authors mentioned often already.