The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Peter — Section 170

Vere. 8-22.-Injunctions to all. I. UNION AMONG THEMSELVES. "Finally, be ye, all like-minded, compassionate, loving as brethren, tender-hearted, humble-minded." •• Finally " does not point to the close of the Epistle, but to the close of a particular series of injunctionR. He has been addressing various classes represented in the Churches· he might have included others, but he will simply address all. He has it principally i~ his ~ind to ad.dress them on ~heir attitude toward a hostile world; he is preparing the way lil exhortmg them to umon among themselves. Let them all be like-minded, i.e. have the same exalted opinion of Christ and the same views as to the methods of advanc- ing his cause. Let them also be affected along with it (as the literal translation is), i.e. have the same feelings-the same sympathy with trc2th and antipathy to error, thv- same feeling of gladness when the cause is triumphing, and the same feeling of dep1es- sion when it receives a temporary check, yet of hope of its ultimate triumph. Let them also love the brethren, i.e. be drawn to them who have the same views and the same feelings. Let them also be tender-hearted, i.e. considerate of their brethren in distress. Kindness such as was exhibited by the Gentile Christians to the poor saints in Judrea has great influence in promoting unity. Let them be humble-minded, i.e. willing to sink, not the truth, but self; for there is nothing more destructive of unity than self-assertion. It is with a feeling of regret that we have to part with the pre- cept, "Be courteous," as being a distinct recognition of what are called by-works, or accessory virtues. "They are valid only as email coin, and yet conduce to strengthen man's virtuous sentiments, were it even merely by awakening the endeavour to bring this outward form as near as possible to a reality, in rendering us accessible, conversible, polite, hospitable, and engaging in our daily intercourse; which things do promote the cause of virtue by making it beloved" (Kant). II. BEARING TOWARD A HOSTILE WORLD. 1. To bless because called to obtain a; blessing. (1) To bless. "Not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling, but con- trariwise blessing." There is a law of non-retaliation under which we are placed as laid down by tbe Master. The magistrate is warranted in proceeding on the principle of an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth (administering punishment and administer- . ing it in proportion to the offence); and we may be wo.rranted, as Paul was, in taking e.dvanta.ge of the law to shield us from wrong (where more good is not to be gained by waiving our rights). It does not belong to us to say authoritatively what justice demands; and certainly in any action we take or word we utter we are not simply t11, gratify vengeful feeling. When men emit their malice on us in evil or railing, we are not to reciprocate their feeling in rendering evil for evil or railing for railing; but, as standing on higher ground, and owning another Master (Luke vi. 27-29), we are to bless them, i.e. both in act and in word to study their good. (2) Because called to obtain l'J blessing. "For hereunto were ye called, that ye should inherit a blessing." We may well study the good of those who injure us, when we think of the large bless- ing which on our conversion we were called to inherit. God did not then take justice out of us, deal with us according to our deserts, but acted in the most liberal, kingly manner; o.nd should not we deal nobly with others? 2. Citation from the thirty- fourth psalm. (1) How the blessing is viewed. "For, He that would love life, and see good days." This confirmatory citation (introduced without a formula) extends over three verses. 'l'he Septuagint rendering here is, "What man is he that desireth life, that loveth to see good days?" It is implied that it requires an effort to love life, i.e. to have it wisely loved. It requires an effort to see good days, i.e. days in which the blessing of God is enjoyed. The psalmist bad probably in his mind lengtA as one element; so "many" is introduced into the Old Testament translation. But it is to be remembered that days, however long or outwardly prosperous, are not goorl days without the Divine blessing. (2) Conduct by wltich the blessing is conditioned. (a) Righteo'USness in speech. "Let him refrain his tongue from evil and his lips that they speak no guile." When tempted to use bitter or calumnious words, or to use honeyed words for evil ends, let him put a stop to it-holding back bis tongue from evil and his lips from speaking guile. For evil feelings indulged in speech, or deceit in speech found out, may rob him of much of the pleasure of life, if not of life itself. (b) Righteousness in act. "And let him turn away fro_m ~vii, a~d do good ; le~ him seek pee.ce and pursue it." When tempted to follow reisch1ef which ho has devised, or to decla:e a state of war, let him turn away his feet from the mischief aud contriv<l well-  1G6 THE l<'IHST EPISTLE GENERAL JI<' PETER. [en. m. 1-22,