The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Peter — Section 47

Vers. 10-12.-Salvatt"on a matter of universal interest. Christ is given in order to awaken faith, and faith is exercised with a view to the possession of salvation. This being so, it must be impossible to over-estimate the importance of a blessing to secure which is the purpose of this great and Divine economy. In these verses the interest in sah-ntion is represented as extending through the past oges of time and through the "·hole universe of God. _J. SALYATIO_N_ WAS MATTF.R OF PROPHETIC STUDY.. The prophets were not so occupied '-lth the repet1t10n and enforcement of the Law which had been given by Moses as to be uninterested in a future dispensation. The grace that was to come engaged their thoughts. The Spirit of Christ led them to anticipate the sufferings and the glory of !be Messiah. 'l'?e ,:cry time of the comin~ dispensation and age, was of the deepest mtcrest to tht'se ms[Jired men, who looked forward to the further manifestation of the purposes of God. Il. SALVATION WAS MATTER OF APOSTOLIC REPORT, What the prophets had looked forward to, the apostks looked back upon. Peter and his collea<rues had a gospel- good tidings to proclaim. To benevolent minds no employment ~ould be mure con- genial than to convey, upon Divine authority, declarations of God's favour promises of Dh·ine mercy, to the sinful and pitiable sons of men. ' ID. SALVATION IS MATTER OF ANGELIC INQumv. The present is not the only passage in which it is intimated that the unfalleu iutelligences who, not ;...aving sinned, need for themselves no salvation, are nevertheless students of the Divine plan for the recovery ()f sinful men. It is through the Church that principalities and powers learn additional lessons concerning the wisdom and the love of God. IV. SALVATION IS FOR THE APPROPRIATION AND REJOICING OF INDIVIDUAL BELIEVERS. The grace, says the apostle, comes unto you; unto us these things were ministered. It js instructive to know how prophets, apostles, and angels have been affected by the gospel of God's grace. Yet that gospel is for the hearers of the Word-for men of every rank and every character. And surely it deserves and demands that those who may most benefit by it should give it their most reverent and grateful attention. If the gifted and the holy find a sacred joy in pondering the provisions of God's love and mercy, how urgently does it become the sinful and the helpless to give heed to tidings which offer to them a gracious pardon, a spiritual cleansing, and a deathless life 1-J. R. T. Ver. 11.-Sufferings and glory. Peter did, indeed, in the course of his Master's ministry, see something of Christ's proper and Divine glory. He was with him on the Mount of Transfiguration, and bore testimony to what he there saw and beard of the majesty of the Son of man. But Peter had disapproved of Christ's humiliation and sufferings. When Jesus foretold the ignominy and woe that were awaitiug him, he exclaimed, "That be far from thee! " And when the hour of suffering came, Peter drew his sword to defend his Master. Yet, immediately after the Lord's ascension, Peter, enlightened by the Spirit, proceeded to preach that Christ's sufferings were a fulfilment of Old Testament predictions, and a condition of the participation by man- kind in i;piritnal blessings. And in this Epistle he taught that the sufferings of Christ ar,d the glory alike were necessary parts of the Divine plan of redemption. L THE SC'FFEIUNGS OF CHRIST. It was involved in Christ's taking our nature that he should suffer; as Son of man he accepted the human lot, But there were pains and griefs peculiar to himself; he was the "Man of sorrows." 1. His mental sufferings, 'I'hese were many and sore, and only partially comprehensible by us. They arose from the contact of the Holy One with sin and siuners; the misunderstanding of his character and mission even by his own beloved and trained disciples; his rejection by his country- men, who should have been foremost in welcoming him. They arose from the unique burden which lie bore for us, the unique sacrifice which with tears and blood he presented as our High Priest. 2. His bodily sufferings. Jesus shared throughout his humiliation the sinless infirmities of those whose lot he accepted with the view of securing their salvation. But the reference in this and similar paRsages is unquestionably to those pathetic and awful experiences which our Saviour deigned to undergo during the last hours of his life; when his form was bruised and pierced, when his blood was shed for UB. 3. The moral aspects of Christ's sufferings. He endured them, in expression and !)TOOf of his obedience to the Father: in the maintenance of bis hostile attitude towards ea. 1, 1-26.J THE FlHST EPISTLE GENERAL OF PETER. 41