The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Peter — Section 70

removed from us, for in Rom. viii. 9 it is said of us that we have the Spirit of Christ. 'L'he Spirit of Christ was in them to fit them for their prophetic function. The language is remarkable as pointing to the pre-existence of Christ, and also to the Spirit in the prophets as proceeding, not directly from the Father, but from the Son, and the Son that was to be incarnate, The language is also to be noted as explaining the private desire of the prophets. If they had been u~tering their own thoughts, they would have understood them; but as they were uttermg the thoughts of the Spirit of Christ, they bad, as well as other men, to set themselves to understand them. The matter of revelation was closely related to the Revealer. It was a testifying beforehand to the sufferings of Christ (destined for Christ), and the glories that should follow them. 'l'here was a time when Peter did not see what be here sets down. His mind was full of the triumphs of the Messiah, bnt not or the triumphs as fountlcd on suffer· gs. "Be it far froru thee, Lord; this shall not be unto thee." Since that time he had read prophecy in another light. "0 fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken I Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? .And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the Scriptures, the things concerning himself." The sufferings of Christ reached their climax in bis death; the glories of Christ began with his resurrection, and cannot be said to have yet reached their climax. The plural indicates that, as there was a plenitude of suffering, so there will also be a plenitude of glory. Our salvation cannot be appre- hended aright apart from both Christ's sufferings and glories. Both enter into it to give it character. We are saved not only in virtue of Christ's death, but also in virtue of Christ's triumph. (3) Favoured position of men in Christian times. .As ministered to ~y prophets. "To whom it was revealed, that not unto themselve,, but unto you, did they minister these things." It was revealed to prophets that the things which they announced beforehand would not be fulfilled in their day. They had application not to themselves, but to others. This was not altogether repressing so far as they were concerned. It set their mind at rest for their own day; and for the future they could still closely examine their own words, and try to form sorue conception of what gospel realities were to be. Picturing the gospel day as well as they could, they would look forward to it with longing desire. It was hcnwuriny so far as Christian believers were concerned. Prophets, in what they said of the gospel day, bad been ministering unto them. .As ministered to by apostles. " Which now have been announced unto you through them that preached the gospel unto you by the Holy Ghost sent forth from heaven." The same things which had been announced beforehand had then been announced ·as fulfilled. The announcers were the apostles. They also are a great order having to do with salvation-" the glorious company of the apostles." 'l'heir function was to preach the gospel, i.e. the message of sal va- tion, but connected with the facts of Christ having come into the world, having suffered, and thereafter passing into heaven. They were fitted for their work not other- wise than were the prophets. It is not said that the Spirit of Christ was in them; but the Holy Spirit by whose influence they were moved in their preaching is represented as sent forth from heaven, i.e. as following on Christ's going into heaven. .As thus endowed, they could preach the gospel with proper unction, and unerringly. We ha,e not the presence of the apostles; but we have many of those statements of truth which, under the guidance ,of the Spirit, they omitted. 2. .Angels. "Which things angels desire to look into." This is a third great order connected with salvation. The things announced by apostles which before had been predicted, i.e. gospel facts which give meaning to salvation, angels desire to look into. "God manifest in the flesh" was "seen of angels." While the mystery was being evolved they were held in rapt wonder. What is here said has reference to an after-period. .After Christ has undergone " the suffering of death," anrl passed into glory, they are still occupied with inquiring into the meaning of the facts. 'l'he language is remarknble. Angels desire to bend aside, i.e. from matters properly belonging to them, to examine into, t'.e., matters \,elouging properly to men. Whatever happens under the government of God cannot but be interesting to them. 'l'hey are profoundly interested in the facts l)ertaining to human salvation as throwing a new and powerful light on the character of God, and opening up to them therewith a new and hi a her life. For although they cannot undergo the saving change, yet they can take the gre~t facts of the gospel into them for their spiritual nourishment ar.d growth.-R F.  64. THE FIRST EPISTLE GENERAL OF PETEH. [en. 1.1-25.