The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Peter — Section 238

thnt sacred ovening before the Crucifixion" (Howson's 'Honn Petrinit1 '). All of them, after the example of Christ, were to gird themselves to serve one another-the elders the younger (people), and the younger (people) the el<lers. The principle laid down in eh. iv. 10 was that 1111 girts-experience, youthfol energy, arnom; them-were to be placed at the service of the comljlunity. The consideration by which humility is enforced hero contains the principles according to which God withbol<ls and grants his blessing. There is II certain disposition which is necessarily disowned, its opposite being that which is owned. The proud, i.e. those who are satisfied with themselves and who exalt themselves above others on account of advantages, God set3 himself in array against them. The humble, i.e. those who have a sense of their needs anrl who do not think of comparing themselves with others, God giveth grace to them. He sends the rich empty away, while satisfying the poor with good things. 2. Humility before God. "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time." Even in the persecutors Peter saw the mighty hand of God. Jn what they suffered at their hands there was a call to acknowledge their importance in the hands of might. There was also a call to acknowledge their sius. If they thus abased themselves individually and unitedly before God, he would exalt them in due time. He would certainly exalt them above their persecutors, and, without reference to their persecutors, on the day of judgment. He would then bring forth their righteousness as the light, and their judgment as the noonday. But the language may also be taken as holding out a promise that, whenever the ends of the Divine administra- tion permitted, they would be exalted here above their persecutors. The hand that afflicted would also remove the affliction. 3 . .Accompaniment of humility before God. "Casting all your anxiety upon him, because he careth for you." This does not stand by itself, but is participially connected with the foregoing. Whilst there is to be an abasing, there must be, if there is to be a lifting up, if there is to be a balanced condition i_n the spiritual life, also a casting upon God. What they were to cast was, not their care, but their anxious care. What was to become of them in the persecu- tion? Jn the event of their being martyred, how would their families be provided for? how would their children be defended against worldly influences, which were \Vorse than persecution? Let them be encouraged to cast all their anxious care upon God; for he most effectually cared for them. lie was acquainted with all their anxious care in its length and breadth, in its height and depth, and be would not forget them or theirs in the present or in the future. When Peter penned this precept he bad grown above his own restless energy into the calm of words which he had once heard from sacred lips. "For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought [have no anxious care] for the morrow." IV. 'l'nE ADVERSARY OF SOULS. 1. 1-Vatchfulness. "Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." By the omission of connecting words, a nervous force is given to the language. In 1 'rhess. v. 6 it is said, "Let us watch and be sober." 'l'he same verbs are used here, but the order is reversed. The stress is here upon be watchful, which is placed next the danger pointed to. Be sober, i.e. be free from the stupefying of meats and drinks, from all worldly excitement; from the disturbing influence of anxious care. Unless they were sober, they could not be walcliful, i.e. have all their senses and powers wakened up, so as to be prepared like a scutinel against the approach of the enemy. 'rhe two words are like the ringing of an alarm-bell. Be in a fit and wakeful state; the enemy may any moment be here. '!'here is raised an impression of the formid- ableness of the enemy named here. In respect of good qnalities-strength, majesty- Christ is compared to a lion. He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah. Jn respect of b;J.d qualities-fierceness, wonderful activity for rapncions ends-the devil is here compared to a lion. "As a roaring lion he walkcth about, seeking whom he may devour." 'l'hIB language has special application to times of persecution. When the fire of persecution is among the Churches, then there is, as it were, roaring, unwonted stirring-up of energy, in the expectation that, through unsteadfastness, one here and another there may fall into his power. 2. Steadfastness. " Whom witlistnnd steadfast in your faith, knowing that the same sufferings are accomplished in your brethren who are in tho worl<l." It is sometimes our duty to flee from the devil. We are to flee from the scene where we  THE FIRST EPISTLE GENERAL 01◄' PETER. [en. v. 1-14.