The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Peter — Section 206

"Dead" is general; but we are not to think of all the dead. The word is properly limited by the connected language. 'fho time is to be observed-the gospel was preached to the dead. And we are only to think of the dead with whom the language can be associat,ed, that they had been judged according to men in the flesh. 'l'he refer- ence seems to be simply to the antediluvians. They bad been overtaken, not by death in the ordinary way; but, in the interests of humanity, it had been considered neces- sary that they should be swept from the face of the earth. This judgment according to man we.snot one with the final judgment on them. 'l'o them, after they had been judged thus on earth, in Hades the gospel was preachP.d. 'l'he aim seems to be so stated as to throw the judging before the preaching. The expression of the aim as life in the spirit is very startling. This is far from being plain to us; and we have not the links that would enable us to connect it with judgment. We can only apply to Peter's own writings the words he applies to Paul's, "In which are some things hard to be understood."-R. F. Vers. 7-11.-Duty in view of the nearness of the end. I. NEARNESS OF THE END. "But the end of all things is at hand." It is presupposed that all things are to come to an end, i.e. the Divine purpose in all things is to be brought forward to its com- pletion. What gives this solemn significance to us, is that there is to be, in view of probation, a final relating of us to ihe purpose. How shall we stand related to the completion of all things? Stress is laid here on the time of the end. It is not revealed when definitely it is to be-whether it is to be to-day or a thousand years hence. In judging of the language employed, it is to be borne in mind that with the Lord" a thousand years are as one day." Allowance is to be made for the great vivid- ness of the language. The early Christians, taking some words of revelation too literally, thought the end of all things was to be in their day. We go to the opposite extreme, and put it far off. It is intended that the Church, in all times, shonld have a vivid realization of the end; II. DUTY IN VIEW OF THE NEARNESS OF THE END. 1. Personal duty. (1) Calmness. "Be ye therefore of sound mind, and be sober." 'l'he two verbs are to the same purport. The first points rather to governing considerations ; the second points rather to the effect of governing considerations. Because the end is near, we are not to be imaginative, extravagant, unbalanced. We are to be free even from the intoxication of the coming glory ; not driven to idleness, but bringing ordinary prudence to bear on our da.ily duties; not taking our pleasure, but rather being the more exacting on ourselves. (2) Calmness unto prayer. "Unto prayer." A calm mind is needed for prayer; prayer, again, reacts on the mind in making it calm. By prayer we quietly refer the determination of the future and of the and to God. 'l'he force of the plural seems to be tbat we are to connect prayer with every event aij it transpires ; thus shall we be prepared for the last event. 2. Relative duty. (1) Ministering love in its intensity. "Above nll things being fervent in your love among yourselves; for love covereth a multitude of sins." It is presupposed that we arc to have love among ourselves; the essential thing is that this love is to have its proper intensity or warmth. Soon the end is to be upon us; why should there be any coldness or disagreements'! The apostle does not enjoin without presenting sufficient reason. Ho goes back, as is bis manner, on Old Testament language. "Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins" (Prov. x. 12). It is the latter clause that is made use of here, with the substitution of "a multitude of sins" for "all sins." It is not difficult to catch the meaning. Where there is rancour or coldness there are coustant occasions of variance; where there is goou feeling there is a passing by faults in the spirit of forgiveness. For the removal of faults counected with brotherly intercourse, the Church must depend on the fervency of love. (2) Ministering love in its manifestations. Hospitality. "Using hospitality one to another wilhout murmuring." lt is taken fur granted that we are hospitu.ble. There was greater opportunity when Christians had sometimes to leave their homes, to lose their employment, on account of their religion. Stress is laid here on the quality of this form of ministration. Let it be without murmuring, i.e. at the trouble and expense cau~o,I by the hospitality. 'l'here is a hint here, wh~ch is not unneeded. ~ur reli"ion requires that we should give out of our means for its support and extension. When we thus give out of our means, in loyalty to our convictions, let us not spoil the  202 THE FIRST EPISTLE GENERAL OF PETER. i:v11, rv. 1-10,