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on which point see ch. ii. 12, note, but every one also ought to be prepared to make confession. — a/rovvn, to him that asketli) Among the Gentiles some were openly wdcked, ver. 16 ; others were in doubt. To these latter believers are ordered to give a kind answer. — eXcr /dog, of the hope ) which they confess, who say that they are strangers in the world, and avoid its lusts, ch. ii. 11. Comp. Heb. xi. 13, and following verses. The hope of Christians has often excited others to inquiry. — //,sra, icith) Twells, P. I. p. 125, joins this with every man that asketh ; but it depends upon prepared to give an answer. There is need of meekness with regard to our- selves ; of fear , with respect to others ; of a good conscience towards God. — \ po(3ov , fear ) In common language, respect. They who have a good conscience, when accused, are more easily provoked, and less easily preserve meekness arid fear , than the guilty. Therefore they are here admonished, to unite with a good conscience , meekness and fear , and thus to gain a complete victory. Meekness avails espe- cially, when we have to do with inferiors ; fear , when we have to do with superiors.
16. ”E having) This is added to the word prepared without a copula. — ivnj psd^ovr sg v/j,uv — avaarpotpriv, who falsely accuse your — conversation) An abbreviated form of speech : that is, who falsely accuse you on account of your good conversation.
17. KpsTrrov, better) happier, in innumerable ways. — e/, if) And this will is recognised from those things which befall us. — to 6sXyi,u a, the will) which is kind. — rov ®eov, of God) For our inclination does not wish it. Comp, the words of Christ to Peter , John xxi. 18.
18. "Or/, because) That is better , by means of which we are rendered more like to Christ, in death and in life : for His passion brought the best issue (result) to Himself, and the best fruit to us. — xpmrbs, Christ) The Holy One of the holy. These are neatly turned expressions : Christ for sins , the just for the unjust. — aVag, once only) never again to suffer hereafter. It is better for us also to suffer once with Christ, than for ever without Christ. — mpi apapnuv, for sins) just as though He Himself had committed them. — evade, suf- fered) and that too in such a way, that His enemies slew Him on ac- count of His confession. But His preaching was not thereby hin- dered; for He discharged that office, both before the day of His death, and on the day of His death, and immediately after His death. — dixaioc, the Just) [Who has accomplished good for us in a most pre-eminent way, ver. 17. — V. g.] Why should we not suffer on account of
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