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to decay, they do not die. Peter delights to accumulate synonymous words ; ver. 7, 8, 19, v. 10. — rerqpiipgvtjv, kept) from the beginning. Comp. ver. 10. The same word occurs, John xvii. 12. Comp, also John ii. 10. — sv ovpavoTg, in heaven) In the power of God. — sis :j[iasy unto or for you) who are alive at this time.
5. ’Ev bwafiu 0s oO, by the power of God) He Himself does it, and
will do it entirely : ch. v. 10. Comp. 2 Pet. i. 3.1 No one can propose to himself, in what way he may wish to arrive at the goal. It is the power of God which gives us safety against our enemies ; it is the long-suffering of the Lord which gives us safety against ourselves : 2 Pet. iii. 15. The apostles themselves are a proof of this. — ppovpovpj'svovs, who are guarded) The inheritance is kept in safety ; the heirs are guarded. Neither shall it he wanting to them, nor they to it. A remarkable confirmation [sample of how the word of God strengthens and guards believers] occurs, 2 Pet. iii. 17. — did wiarsus, by faith) It is by faith that salvation is both received and kept. — srolyriv dnroxaXvpbr\vuiy ready to be revealed) The revelation takes place at the last day : the preparations for it began to be made when Christ came. — dtfoxuXvpQrivaij to be revealed) A frequent word in this Epistle : ver. 7, 12, 13, iv. 13, v. 1. — sv •/.ccip'jj in the last time) Peter considers the whole of the
time, from the beginning of the New Testament to the coming of Christ in glory, as one time, and that short, in comparison with the times of the Old Testament. Comp, note on Acts i. 1 1 . Therefore in depends upon ready.2
6. ’Ev u>) in which circumstance. — dyaXXidadsy ye rejoice) The present, ver. 8. Augustine, gaudete , imperative : rejoice ye.3 Comp. James i. 2. — oXiyov, for a little time) This is spoken with reference to the whole Church, ch. v. 10. Comp. iv. 7. — si dsov sari , if it be needful) If (since) has here the force of an affirmation : so in ver. 17.
7 A o%'nuovy the trial) That is, your faith , which is thus tried; for it is compared with gold. — < 7ro\vri,u6rspov , much more precious) The epithet belongs to the subject. — rov d^oXXv/asvov, which perisheth) Gold perishes with the world, ver. 18 ; nor will it then profit any
1 1 Thess. v. 24 ; Matt. xix. 26. If deprived of this protection, how could we continue stedfast in the presence of the adversary ? 1 Pet. v. 8. — Y. g.
2 Not as Engl. Yers. upon “revealed.” The preparations for its being “revealed” take place in this present, i.e. the last time. — E.
8 Vulg. “ exultatis.” Other MSS. of Vulg. u exultabitis.” So Orig. 1,3006 has a.ycch'hid.asaQs. But ABC, Rec. Text, dyexXKi ocaOt. — E.
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