The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Peter — Section 84

the genitivo, not tho da.tivc, Tair l,,µ.c,p.,./rrn; rcpro,luce3 the worcls of the sixth verse, a.nd the ordinnry trnns!n,tion is more suitable "All we like sheep ha.ve gone a.stra.y." He to the following context. 'fhe word is who h-1d been thrice charged to feerl the severnl times used in Herodotus in the eeme sheep and tlie lambs of Christ would think of "ha.ving died;" more literally," having also of the parnble of the lost sheep, e.nd of ceased to be." 'fhe tense (aorist) seems to the people of Israel who were "as sheep point to a definite time, as tbo time of bap- having no shepherct" (;\,fatt. ix. 36). But tism (comp. Rom. vi. 2, 11; Gal. ii. 19, 20). are now returned unto the Shepherd and Righteousness here is simply the opposite Bishop or your souls; literally, b,1.t ye re- of sin-obedience, eubmiesiou to the will of tnrned (the verb is aorist); that is, at the God. Bengel says, "J ustitia tota una. est; time of their conversion. The aorist passive, peccatum multiplex." By whose stripes ye i11,11rpd<1>7Jv, is so frequently used in a mirldla were bee.led, The apostle is quoting the sense that the translation, "ye were Cl!. Septuagint rendering of Isa. liii. 5. The verted," cannot be insisted on (c0mp. '1fark Greek µ.dill.c,v, means the mark or weal left v. 30; Matt. ix. 22; x. 13). Christ is tl1e on the flesh by e. scourge (comp. Ecclus. Shepherd of our souls. The quotation from xxviii. 17, n11.11-y¾/ µ.d,n,-yos ..-o .., µ.d,11.,...-a.,). Isaiah doubtless brought before St. Peter's 'fhe slaves, whom tlrn apostle is addressing, thoughts the sweet and holy allegory of the might perhaps not unfrequently be sub- good Shepherd, which l:e had beard from jected to the scourge ; he bids tb em re- the Saviour's lips (comp. also Isa. ::d. 11; member the more dreadful flagellation which Ezek. xxxiv. 23; xxxvii. 2-l: ; also Pe, the Lord endured. Thev were to lea.rn xxii.). The word "bishop" U..-f<T1<0..-os) is patience of him, and to remember to their used in a similar connection in Acts xx. 28, comfort the.t those stripes which he, the " Take heed . . . to all the flock over the holy Son of God, condescended to suffer are which the Holy Ghost bath made you over- to them that believe healing and salvation. seers ( ,..-,111<&11ovs) ; " comp. al so Ezek. xxxi v. Faith in the crucified Saviour lifts the 11, "I will both search my sheep, and seek Christian out of the sickness of sin into the them out," where the Greek word for "seek health of righteousness. them out" is er.ur1<,i/toµ.a.,. The Lord Jesus Ver. 25.-For ye were as sheep going Christ is the chief Shepherd (eh. v. 4). He astray; rather, with the beet manuscripts, is also the chief Bishop or Overseer of those /OT ye were going astray Wee sheep. The souls which !Je bas bought to be his own apostle is probably still thinking of the with his most precious blood. great propheo7 of Isaiah, and here almost