Three things we must distinctly notice ; I. The great object which he desired in their behalf —
This was, that they might find acceptance with God in the day of judgment —
[Of that day he is speaking in the preceding context : and he declares, that a sweet " rest" in the bosom of their God will be the portion of all who have approved themselves faithful to him under all their trials. This is the '' calling" of which he speaks, and which he so designates, because it is the object to which believers are called : " They are called unto God's eternal glory by Christ Jesus a."
Of this calling he prays that they may " be counted worthy." What is the import of this expression, may be seen in the foregoing context, where it evidently refers, not to any merit in man, whereby he shall be justified before God, but to that meetness for heaven which shall serve to illustrate and display the equity of the Judge in his final decisions. The day of judgment is appointed not altogether for the purpose of awarding to men their proper doom ; (for that, in reference to the soul at least, is adjudged to every one at the instant of his death :) it is rather appointed for the displaying before the whole assembled universe the righteousness of God in his dealings with the children of men ; on which account it is called " the day of the revelation of the righteous judgment of Godb :" and the description given of that day in the preceding context particularly presents it to us in that view. We say then, that " the being accounted worthy" of that calling refers to the meetness of the soul for the participation of it ; and the petition thus expressed, must be understood to this effect: ' I pray, that in the last day you may be found to have pos- sessed such a character, to have maintained such a conduct in this world, as shall " be an evident token of the righteous judg- ment of God" when he shall assign to you the everlasting possession of " his kingdom" and glory0.'
We have dwelt the more carefully on this, that we might cut off all occasion for mistake respecting the Apostle's mean- ing in the text, throughout every part of which he most determinately marks the whole of our salvation as altogether of grace.]
Taking the petition then in this sense, we ask, Is it not such a petition as we are all concerned to offer both for ourselves and others ?
[Who can reflect on the solemnities of that day, who can think of the discoveries which will then be brought to light,
a 1 Pet. v. 10. b r>omi ij, 5> c ver. 5,