The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Peter — Section 87

Saviour, for the dclivere.nce of hie people and the destruction of his foes. Both Paul and Peter found it necessary to restrain the impatience and to check the enthusiastic anticipations of their converts, and to impress upon them the marvellous forbearance of God. 'l'hey aimed at showing that it was benevolence which chiefly prompted the, manifestation of Divine long-sulforing. I. THE NA'rURE OF DIVINE LONG-SlJFFERING. we know something of human patience and forbearance, and we have all been again antl again indebted to these qualities for our opportunities of ha.ppiness and usefulness. But Divine long-suffering transcends all that has been displayed by men. 1. Long-suffering is different from mere goodness a.nd bounty, i.e. the disposition to bestow benefits upon the needy and dependent. 2. And from pity or compassion, which is a sentiment of commiseration towa.rds the wretched and helpless. 3. And at the same time it is, on the ot!wr baud, different from indifference to the evil conduct which is observed in men. 4. It is a kind of mercy. It involves a holy Superior and an offending subject. It is an emotion of the heart which prompts to the restraint of indignation; a principle of action which averts and withholds wrath and penalty, although these be abundantly deserved. God, in the exercise of long-suffering, bears with the sinners whom he might justly doom, gives further opportunity for repentance, and waits for its signs. II. 'l'HE OCCASION FOB DIVINE LONG-SUFFERING. 1. 'l'he sins of mankind have given occasion for the exercise of this grace upon the vastest scale. Scripture his- tory abounds with instan<ies of God's forbearance; e.g. in the time of Noan; when Israel rebelled in the wilderness; and when Israel afterwards so largely apostatized, etc. So has it been in the history of every nation, and in the history of the human race. 2. The sins of individual unbelievers and transgressors call for the forbearance of a gracious God. The young who live viciously and irreligiously, those in after- life who forget God and give themselves to the pursuit of worldly aims, continue to live and to enjoy privileges only through the forbearance of Heaven. 3. 'l'he unfaithfulness of _C}lristians is only tolerated by a long-suffering Lord. How other- wise could the frailties and infirmities which disfigure the religious life of multitudes be endured? If our God had not again and again borne with our imperfections, should we_ be _BtHl in the possession of opportunities and ad vantages so many and valuable? III. THE MANIFESTATIONS. OF DIVINE LONG-SUFFERING. 1. God refrains from judg- ment and condemnation. 2. God addresses faithful warnings, and summons to repent- ·ance-:-as the clouds gather before the thunderstorm breaks. Expostulations are repeated: "How shall I give thee up?" 3. Promises and invitations are renewed. 4. Probation is extended, in order that further opportunity may be given for repentance. The mandate goes forth concerning the barren tree, "Let it alone this year also! " IV. THE GRACIOUS INTENTION OF DIVINE LONG-SUFFERING. When the apostle writes, "is salvation," he means, "is intended to work salvation." God does not prolong our proving with a view to the increase of our guilt and chastisement, but for a purpose exactly opposed to this-in order, that is, thut hardness may be melted down, that rebellion may cease and be followed by loyalty, that neglect aml disregard of religion may give place to interest and to P.rsyer, that the sinner may repent, the wanderer return, the careless be revived, The g\ft of Christ to man is the most glorious evidence of Divine long-suffering. This is a dispensation of mercy. •ro forbearance we owe our privileges, and to forbearance we shall be indebted for our final and everlasting salvation. Great, indeed, is the guilt of those who despise and abuse the long-suffering of the Lord. Such there have ever been. "Because sentence against au evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of meu is fully set in them to do evil." But it is better that delay in judgment should be used as the opportuuity of repent- ance, ra.ther than that it should be abused as an excuse and an inducement for perseverance in sin.-J. Il. T. Ver. 18.-Growth. 'l'he Apostle Paul is recorded to have enjoined his converts to "continue in the grnce of God." And this is necessary to the Christie.n life, but it is not all that is necessnry. 'l'o abide is not to be stationary. The Apostle Peter here instructH us that it is required of Chri~tians that they not only continue in gracr, but grow in grace. II, PE'l'KR,  82 THE SECOND EPfSTLE GENERAL OF PETER. (on. m. 1-18.