صور الصفحة
PDF
النشر الإلكتروني

days of Noah, while the ark was preparing, wherein few 21 (that is, eight) persons were saved by water*. And what answereth to this, even baptism, now saveth us also, (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resur22 rection of Jesus Christ; who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; messengers and authorities and powers having been made subject unto himt.

CH. IV. Since therefore Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind; (for he 2 that hath suffered in the flesh, hath ceased from sin ;) that ye may not live the rest of your time in the flesh, according to the desires of men, but according 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 lasciviousness, in evil desires, in excess of wine, in revel4 lings, in banquetings, and in wicked ‡ idolatries: and they think it strange || that ye run not with them herein to the same excess of dissoluteness, speaking evil of you : 5 but they will give account to him that is prepared to 6 judge the living and the dead. For the gospel hath been therefore preached to those also that were dead in sins, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

7

Now the end of all things is near: be ye therefore sober, 8 and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent love among yourselves: for love covereth a multi9 tude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without 10 murmurings. According as every man hath received the free gift of the spirit, so minister it one to another, as 11 good stewards of the manifold favour of God. If any

* i. e. the water supporting the ark. Through the water. N.

+ Christ in his exalted state was empowered to send out messengers and ministers, with authority to preach the gospel, and to furnish them with the gifts and powers of the holy spirit to ensure success. See also Simpson's Essays, p. 364. Angels, N.

Gr. lawless, N. m.

Or, are surprised, N. m.

man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God supplieth that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ; to whom belongeth praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

12 Beloved, think it not strange that a fiery persecution* among you cometh to pass for your trial, as though some 13 strange thing befel you: but be glad, inasmuch as ye

share the sufferings of Christ; that, when his glory shall be manifested, 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 power, and of God, resteth upon you. [On their part he is evil-spoken of, 15 but on your part he is glorified t.] For let none of you

suffer as a murtherer, or as a thief, or as an evil-doer, or 16 as a busy meddler in other men's affairs. But if any man suffer as a christian, let him not be ashamed; but let 17 him glorify God on this account. For the time is come

that judgement must begin from the household of God: and if it begin from us, what will the end be of those who 18 believe not the gospel of God? And if the righteous be

scarcely preserved, where will the ungodly and the sin19 ner appear? Wherefore let those also, who suffer ac

cording to the will of God, commit the keeping of their souls to him in well-doing, as to a faithful creator. CH. V. The elders that are among you I exhort, that am a fellow-elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and an heir also of the glory which will be manifested; 2 feed the flock of God which is among you, being overseers of it, not by constraint, but willingly; nor for 3 base gain, but with a ready mind; nor as domineering || over those allotted to you, but as being examples to the

N. m.

Or, be not surprised at the fiery persecution among you, which cometh, etc. ver. 4.

"the authenticity of this whole clause is doubtful." Newcome. t taking the care [or charge] of it. S. 74. N. m.

having dominion, N.

[ocr errors]

4 flock. And, when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive an unfading crown of glory.

5

6

Likewise, ye younger, be subject to the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility*: for "God resisteth the proud; but bestoweth favour on the humble."

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of 7 God, that he may exalt you in due time: having cast all your anxiety upon Him, inasmuch as He careth for you. 8 Be sober, be watchful: [because] your adversary the false accuser† walketh about as a roaring lion, seeking 9 whom he may devour: whom resist, steadfast in the faith; knowing that the same sufferings are undergone by your brethren who are in the world.

10

Now the God of all favour, who hath called us to his everlasting glory by Christ Jesus, prepare, support, strengthen, stablish you, after ye have suffered a short time. 11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

12

By Silvanus, a faithful brother to you, as I suppose ‡, I have written in few words; exhorting you, and testifying that this is the true gracious gospel of God in which 13 ye stand. The church which is at Babylon, elect together 14 with you, saluteth you: and so doth Mark, my son. Sa

lute ye one another with a kiss of love. Peace be with you all that are in Christ [Jesus.] Amen.

humility of mind; N. See Wakefield.

+ devil, N. but see Newcome's note. your slanderous adversary, Wakefield.
Or, as I judge.

THE

SECOND EPISTLE GENERAL

OF

PETER*.

CHAP. L

SIMON Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those that have obtained like precious faith with us, through the justification of our God †, and of our Saviour 2 Jesus Christ: favour and peace be multiplied to you,

through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord; 3 according as his divine power hath given us all things

relating to life and godliness, through the knowledge of 4 him that hath called us by his glory and virtue : by which very great and precious promises are given unto us, that by these ye might be partakers of a divine nature, having escaped the corruption which is in the world 5 through evil desire. And, to this end, use all your diligence, and add to your faith fortitude, and to fortitude 6 knowledge, and to knowledge temperance, and to tem

This epistle is placed by Eusebius amongst those books of the New Testament, the genuineness of which was disputed in the primitive ages. Of these Dr. Lardner says, "they should be allowed to be publicly read in Christian assemblies for the edification of the people, but not be alleged as affording alone sufficient proof of any doctrine.” Lardner's Hist. of the Apostles, vol. i. ch. ii. Some have thought the first and third chapters genuine, but from the difference of style have doubted of the second, +"through the method of justifying as provided by our God, etc," Newcome. 4 Or, glorious virtue. Or, glorious power.

7 perance patience, and to patience godliness, and to godliness brotherly-kindness, and to brotherly-kindness love. 8 For when these things are in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall not be barren and unfruitful in the 9 knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that hath not these things is blind, closing his eyes, and hath forgotten his former purification from his sins*.

10

Wherefore, brethren, more earnestly endeavour to make your calling and election sure: for, if ye do these 11 things, ye will never fall: for thus an entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ will be richly ministered unto you.

12

Wherefore I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things; though ye know them, and be 13 established in the present truth. Yet I think it right, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up, by re14 minding you; knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernable, even as our Lord Jesus Christ declared to 15 me. So I will endeavour† that ye may always be able, after my decease, to make mention of these things.

16

For we did not follow cunningly devised fables, when we made known to you the power and appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ, but were eye-witnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when such a voice came to him from the excellent glory, "This is my beloved son, in whom I am well-pleased." 18 And this voice we heard, which came from heaven, when we were with him on the holy mountain.

1.9

We have also the word of prophecy more confirmed; to which ye do well that ye attend, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star rise 20 in your hearts: knowing this first, that no prophecy of 21 scripture giveth its own interpretation ‡. For prophecy

* Or, purification from his former sins.

Or, So I will always endeavour, etc. N. m.

Or, solution. See Wakefield. It is not obvious of itself, but is explained by its accomplishment. Is of private utterance. N,

« السابقةمتابعة »