The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Peter — Section 40

I. We ho.ve to consider THE PERFECT OD.JECT OF CHRISTIAN' HOPF,. There arc three striking idoas s11ggested by the remarkable language here. 1. We hcwe a very unu.mal designation/or that object, namely," grace." Usually the future blessinas are called "glory," and in common religious language," grace" and "glory" arc con tr~sted as belonging to earth and heaven. Here clearly "grace" means the whole 3um of th~ blessings to be bestowed in another life, and is equivalent to the" salvation ready to be revealed" spoken of in an earlier verse. The unusual expression teaches us that the- glories of our ultimate exaltation in all their splendour are purely gratuitons and the product of the undeserved love and liberality of our God. The whole Christian career from first to last owes all it enjoys, possesses, or hopes to "grace." The substantial identity of the Christian character here and there is also implied. Glory is but grace· perfected; grace is incipient glory. The gift is one here and there, only the measure varies. What is a spark now, almost smothered sometimes under green wood, flames• out ruddy and triumphant then. 2. 'l'hat ultimate grace is on its way to us. It is> "being brought," or, as Leighton puts it," a-bringing." The same word is used to describe' the onward-moving rush of the mighty wind of Pentecost. It is as if some strong; angel-choir had already begun their flight with this great gift in their hands, and were basting with all the power of their majestic pinions to this small island in the deep.· The light from fixed stars may take centuries to reach us, but is speeding through space all the while. So that" great far-off Divine event" is coming steadily nearer, as if some star, at first a point in the distance, should take motion towards us and at last pour all its splendour on our eyes. A solemn but invigorating thought, fitted to brighten hope and kindle desire that" now is our salvation nearer than when we believed." 3. This approaching grace is wrapped up in the revelation of Jesus (Jhrist. We may render" at," as the Revised Version does, and yet give full force to the preposi- tion in the original. The grace is included in the revelation of Jesus Christ, as a jewel in a case. The manifestation of Christ in his glory shall he the participation in that glory of all who love him. It overflows, as it were, into us, partly because the sight of him in his glory shall work transformation into his likeness, as a light falling ou a. mirror makes a brightness; but chiefly because he and we shall be so truly one in deep mystic union that all this is ours, and the glory which streams from him shall brighten us. All which he shows to a wondering world we shall share. This is the perfect object of Christian hope. How different from paltry, perishable earthly hopes! Why let this great faculty trail along the ground, when it might climb to heaven by the trelliswork of God's promises? Why limit it to days and years, when it might expand to lay hold on eternity? Let hearts aud hopes mount to fix on Christ, and they shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end. II. 'l'HE PERFECT HOPE WHICH GRASPS THE PERFECT onJECT. Thero is no doubt that "hope perfectly" is the inj,mction here. It is more needful to exhort to perfection in degree than to permanence in duration, which will follow naturally. Hope may exist in all degrees from a tremulous" perhaps" up to "I am sure." Usually it is less than certainty. "Hopes and fears that kindle hope" are "an unextinguishable hope. A look of doubt slumbers in her fair eyes. How can that be firm which is built on a quagmire?" But it is possible for a Christian to have this perfect hope. God's fixed and faithful Word gives us certainty of future. Nor need our own sin or.weakness dash our confidence, for his promises are made to the sinful and weak. We have rock ou which to build. Why should our hope cast its anchor on some floating island which may drift and melt away, when it may be fastened within the veil? It is a duty to hope perfectly, because only such hope corresponds to facts. Not to hope is unbelief. Some good people say "I hope" in such tremulous melancholy tones that it souni!s liker "I fear." Joyous confidence beeomes those who have God to lean on. "I am persuaded," "we know," are the words with which Paul and John heralded their hopes; and we should be bold to use the same. It is blessedness to hopo perfectly. So we escape thti alternations which, like the hot and the shivering fits of ague, rack others, and the bitterness of disappointment when some gleaming vision collapses, and, instead of the rainbow-hued bubble, we are left with a drop of dirty water. He who lives by earthly hopes is in danger of dyipcr by earthly disappointments. A fulfilled hope is often a. disappointed one. We ma/have a pillar of fire to guide us in all the darkness, which will glow brighter as we draw near the end. It is strength to hope perfectly. Hope is ofteu J, PETER, D  84 THE FIRST EPISTLE GENERA.L OF PETER. [oH, 1. 1-26.