The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Peter — Section 202

end " be " the end of the world " or " the end of the age," that is approaching, so far as we and all with whom we daily have to do are concerned, "the end of all things ie at hand." In our persons, homes, institutions, in the world itself, are elements of decay, indications of tranRitoriness. Yesterday, honours, old age, are carried to the grave; to-morrow, youth and hope-one shadow on all households; one and another and another join the majority. "Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness?" II. TBE CONSEQUENT CALL TO TBE HIGHEST PERSONAL AND SOCIAL DUTY. 'fbe thought of the termination of our connection with all things produces different impres- sions on different minds. Epicureans both ancient and modern, as represented by Athens end England, have said, "Let us eat and drink ; for to-morrow we die l " "A short life, and a merry one," is the maxim some formulate from their impression of all things passing away. Wiser, deeper, Heaven-taught natures draw an altogether other lesson. Here it is: 1. Personal. "Be of sound mind and sober," etc.--1in echo (especially as the old version puts it) of what Peter had heard from bis Lord on the last evening of his life, and in discourses in which he portrays the great days of judgment. A memory which saddened him; for he had not watched " one hour " which he would give worlds to have back. The bitter. experience of bis fall had taught him his deepest need. " Sound mind;" not volatile and fickle, and perhaps impulsive and fanatic. "Sober." Another word than that which clears gluttony and drunkenness from the experiences of the Christian life; all temperance, all self-control, free from the intoxication of all inordinate excitement, whether the cause be alcohel Qr gold, appetite or ambition. " Unto prayer." This is the point to be touched, the focus through which life shall pass-the concert-pitch note of prayerfulness. Prayer is both a means and an end. Here it is an end. Such nearness to Heaven is the secret of confidence in and submission to God. 2. Social. "Above all things." This is all- comprehending and crowning social duty. Love alone-all alone. John, Paul, Peter, James. (1) The characfor of love. Fervent or ardent. The cordial grasp of the hand ; the tried and steady gaze of the eye; the eager step of the foot. Unservile, unre- mitting; to mix and mingle with men whose vices jar, tastes annoy, cannot watch, nor yet love. (2) The effect of love. " Covereth." Some thought the text "justifi- cation by love," covers a man's own sin-atones for it. No such teaching; though "forgive as we forgive" shows that the condition of enjoying forgiveness is a true test of forgiveness-covers the sins of others. (1) Overlooks; (2) puts best interpretation upon; (3) forgives; (4) prevails by not provoking, not differing ;-a better, truer spirit. As you have seen ivy covering twisted gnarled oak, defaced and scarred ruins, so let love be ever green, covering the multitude of sins that defame and deface and scar human nature on every side of you.-U. R. T. Vers. 9-11.-Christian love as a service. "Using hospitality one to another," etc. Here the apostle describes Christian love as a service. For as the w,,rd variously translated "minister" and "deacon" denotes a servant, so the word "mi11istereth" here really conveys the simple thought of service-a thought which veins the beautiful marble of these two verses. 'l'his service is- I. UNIVERSAL IN ITS OBLIGATION. "As each hnth received a gift." That inclndes all, for all are gifted by God with some endowment or other. The man who has received no gift from God would be one not only without possession or influence, but without life; he is as nothing, and he is nowhere to be found. We have seen all through the Epistle some of Peter's memories of his Lord's teaching. Is there not here a recol- lection of the parable of the talents? In its light every gifted man is "a steward" (ver. 10). II. MANIFOLD IN ITS METHOD. All serve, but all serve in different ways. Tht1 service of love is not a drenry monotone, but the richest music; it embraces the full diapason of duty. It is "tho manifold grace of God." Some of the notes are here. "Usiag hospitnlity." '!'his is specially applicable to those to whom the Epistle was first written, i.e. " strangers of the dispersion." It was, indeed, almost the earliest form of Christian charity. Peter finds it in Simon the tanner, Paul in Gaius, etc. It is incum- bent on men now in the midst of the yawning social distinctions, and of the ceaseless travel of to-day. Here is an echo of the teaching of the apostle's Lord, "I was n  198 THE FIRST EPISTLE GENERAL OF PE'l'ER. [on. 1v. 1-19,