The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Peter — Section 147

BOrrow in its trials. A holy sympathy should pervade all the members of the one body. (3) "Love as brethren." This is the central cluty of Christians towards one another; all other duties are so many forms of love. " He that loveth another bath fulfilled the Law." St. Peter has already exhorted us to an unfeigned love of the brethren (eh. i. 22); he reminded us then that Christians are brethren, not only as creatures of the same God, but also in virtue of that new birth which has made them children of the heavenly Father in a deeper and holier sense. There must be no variance among the children of God; they mnst "love as brethren," "endeavourina to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." (4) "Be pitiful." Love cannot" lie dormant in the heart; it shows itself in tenderness and pity. There is much sorrow in the world, for more sorrow than joy; hence there is much room for the exercise of tenderness. Christian tenderness is not a weak thing; it is strong and manly; the strongest are often the most tender. The very word here rendered "pitiful," or "tender-hearted," means, in classical Greek,• courage01.:s." The change of meaning is instructive, and marks a characteristic difference between Christian and heathen ethics. (5) "Be courteous." True religion softens the roughest natures, and produces a sweetness and spiritual refinement far more beautiful and attractive than that super- ficial polish which comes only of education and habit. The best Christian is ever the truest gentleman.. But in this place the true reading is, be "humble-minded." Courtesy, indeed, lnd humility have a near connection; he thinks most of the feelings of others who thinks least of himself. True Christians must be lowly; their Lord set them the example; only humble-minded men can follow the steps of the lowly Saviour. 2. Towards enemies. Christians must remember the Master's teaching, With the heathen revenge was regarded as manly, as a duty to one's self; to submit calmly to injury was reckoned as slavish, unworthy of a free-born man. The Lord reversed this. "'l'hou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy," was the old rule; "But I say unto you," the Lord said with that authority which astonished the listening multitude, "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you." St. Peter echoes the teaching which had so much struck him; he remembered, it may be, his own passion- ate vehemence, the blow which he had struck in the Lord's defence, and the Lord's gentle rebuke. He knew how hard it was for human nature to learn that holy lesson, how instinctively railing rises to our lips when men rail at us. Christians have not learned that lesson in eighteen centuries and more; each man has to learn it for himself. St. Peter repeats and enforces it: "Ye are called to inherit a blessing," he says; "ye hope one day to hear those words of welcome, ' Come, ye blessed of my Father.' Then learn yourselves to bless others; render not evil for evil, but remember your daily prayer, 'Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us.' " II. THIS DUTY ENFORCED BY THE SCRIPTURES, 1. The precept. If we would make our life a thing to be loved, a life worth Ii ving; if we would see each day as it passes blessed with ,ieace and calm satisfaction ;-then, the psalmist says, we must (1) be careful to ~uvern the tongue, The tongue is "a world of iniquity." A very large proportion of the sins of our daily life arise from an unbridled tongue. There are the grosser sins of the tongue, profane and impious words, filthy and impure language, folsehood and guile; and besides these, there are other forms of sin, not so coarse and revolting, but far more common-sins against the law of Christian charity; slander and evil-speaking; and all that light, careless, unprofitable talk which fills up so much of our time. The Christian must refrain his lips from these things; his mouth must speak wisdom. (2) We must do good. The Lord went about doing good. His servants must follow his holy example. They must turn aside from every form of evil; they must follow peace with all men. The Lord is the Prince of Peace. "Peace on earth" was the celestial anthem that celebrated his birth. His followers must love peace; they must seek it. amid the discord of opposing wills, though it seem hidden from them: they must pursue it, though it may seem to flee before them through the strifes and envies of men. Among murmurings, among jealousies, among angry words and party animosities, the Christian must carefully seek for peace, and eagerly pursue it. 2. The ,anction. We are in the sight of God; his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children ,r men, If we can only realize that. great truth-the eye of the Lord is upon us-we  142 THE FIRST EPISTLE GENEl{AL 01<' PETER. [ctt. m. l-22.