THE FIRST EPISTLE GENERAL OF
PETER

1 This apostle’s proper name was Simon or Simeon, John 21:2; 2 Peter 1:1, but the name Peter, or in Syriac, Cephas, John 1:43; 1 Cor. 1:12, he received from Christ, when He called him to the apostleship, as may be seen in Mark 3:16; Luke 6:14. See the reason of this in the annotation on Mat. 16:18.

2 Gr. of the dispersion. Some hereby understand those, who, because they professed faith in Christ, were expelled from the land of Judea by the unbelieving Jews, as may be seen in Acts 8:4; 11:19. But it does not seem that these banished Christians departed in so short time into countries situated so far from the land of Judea, but that much rather they remained in the countries located round about Judea. Therefore their opinion is more probable, who hereby understand the Jews who had long before been scattered into those countries of Asia by the deportation of the Assyrians, and by the persecution which previously happened under Antiochus, as the Greek word parepidemois implies; which were indeed strangers, but dwelled among those nations, as the Greek word diaspora, that is, scattering, is also taken, John 7:35, of whom also many, being come to Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, were converted by the preaching of Peter and other apostles, Acts 2:10, who afterward returned home, and spread abroad the faith, though not without great trouble from the other stubborn Jews. This opinion is confirmed also by the title which James gives to the same Jews in his epistle, when he calls them, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, to whom he writes his epistle. See James 1:1. Therefore for their confirmation, Peter than, as also James, wrote his epistle.

a James 1:1.

3 All these were provinces situated in Asia, in which many Jews had previously taken their habitation, as may partly be seen also, Acts 2:9, 10, and by the travels of Paul.

4 This was a part of Asia, called Asia Minor, of which Ephesus was the capital city. See Acts 2:9.

5 Hereby is not properly signified eternal election (which is understood by the following title), but the election in time out of the common heap of men, and especially of the Jews; which election in Scripture is otherwise also termed calling, or calling according to God’s purpose. See John 15:19; Rom. 8:28; 1 Cor. 1:26.

6 That is, according to the eternal decree or purpose. See verse 20; Rom. 8:29.

7 Or, in. For this election or calling consists in the sanctification of the Spirit, and takes place through the Holy Spirit, forasmuch as the operation of the Holy Spirit only separates us from the common heap of corrupt men.

8 Namely, of faith. For, by faith we obey the Gospel of Christ. See verse 22 and Rom. 1:5.

9 That is, reconciliation with God through the blood of Christ, which we receive by faith, and whereof the sprinkling of the blood of the sacrifices in the Old Testament was a type. See Heb. 9:18, etc., so then here are briefly related all the most important causes of our salvation.

b Heb. 12:24.

c Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:3; Gal. 1:3; Eph. 1:2.

10 This the apostle says because they had already received the principles of this grace and peace.

d 2 Peter 1:2; Jude verse 2.

11 Gr. Blessed, as in Eph. 1:3. Or, Praised.

e 2 Cor. 1:3; Eph. 1:3.

12 See hereof, 1 Cor. 15:24.

f Rom. 6:23; James 1:18.

13 That is, renewed us by His Spirit, or delivered us from the corruption of our first birth, and from the dominion of indwelling sin. See John 3:5, 6; Rom. 6:11, etc.

14 That is, an hope of eternal life, or an enlivening hope, an hope which is wakeful and firm in us, and overcomes all difficulties, under which faith, from which this hope arises, is also included.

g living*

15 The apostle here ascribes our regeneration to the resurrection of Christ, not to exclude His death, for thereby we are reconciled unto God, and by the power of the same death is our old man also mortified; but because this reconciliation is appropriated unto us by Christ’s resurrection, and the new man is raised up in us, even as Paul extensively declares in Rom. 6:4, and the following verses. See also the annotation on Rom. 4:25.

h 1 Cor. 15:20.

i Col. 1:5; 2 Tim. 1:12.

16 This the apostle says because many Jews looked for an earthly kingdom under the Messiah.

17 The Greek word implies a keeping by appointed guards. The power of God therefore is like unto a guard and fortress, whereby we are guarded roundabout against our spiritual enemies. See Psalm 34:6, 7; 91:1, 2; John 10:28, 29.

18 Or, in or through.

19 That is, given and imparted unto you publically. See 1 John 3:2.

20 That is, in the last day, when He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

21 Namely, God. Or, in which, namely, thing.

j Rom. 5:3; James 1:2.

22 Namely, if it be God’s will, to which we must willingly submit ourselves, as he speaks hereafter in 1 Peter 3:17, and if this be useful for our salvation, 1 Cor. 11:32.

k Heb. 10:37; 1 Peter 5:10.

23 That is, tribulations or persecutions, as James 1:2.

l Isa. 48:10; 1 Cor. 3:13; James 1:3; 1 Peter 4:12.

24 That is, of greater virtue and worth than the trial of gold by fire. See Job 23:10; James 1:3.

25 Namely, when you are tried thereby and have remained steadfast in the faith, notwithstanding all trials. Mat. 24:13.

26 Namely, in heaven before God, as Rom. 2:7. This is contrasted to the reproach and dishonor, which worldly men think they bring upon the faithful by persecution.

27 See before in verse 5.

m John 20:29.

28 Others read, having not known; namely, after the flesh, which is also made for a sign of the fruit of true faith, John 20:29; 1 John 4:20.

29 The faithful grieve also in afflictions, as is said in verse 6, because they are not insensible in chastisements, but rejoice themselves in the comfort of the Spirit, which they feel thereby, Rom. 5:3, 4, and in the consideration of the joyful delivery of the same. See Heb. 12:11.

30 That is, which is better felt by believers by the operation of the Holy Spirit, even in the midst of afflictions, than can be uttered by the mouth to others. See John 14:17; Philip. 4:4.

31 Gr. glorified joy; that is, which springs forth from good and glorious causes in this life, and shall be joined with the eternal glory which is to come. This characteristic is here contrasted to worldly joy, which is oftentimes mingled with dishonor, and commonly leads to shame, Philip. 3:19.

32 Or, the reward of your faith; thus called, because it shall be given us of grace at the end of our labor. See hereof in the similitude, Mat. 20:1, etc.

33 Although this salvation, which we obtain by Christ, belongs to the whole man, yet nevertheless it is called, of the souls, because in this life and after this life, this salvation begins in the soul, which, after the resurrection of the dead, shall be communicated afterwards to the body also, Philip. 3:20, 21.

34 Namely, procured for us by Christ to enjoy both here and hereafter. See Acts 3:24; 10:43, etc.

n Gen. 49:10; Dan. 2:44; Hag. 2:8; Zech. 6:12.

35 For, the prophets, being informed thereof by the Spirit of God, have always endeavored to know more and more thereof. See examples hereof, Isa. 63:1, etc.; Dan. 9:24, etc.; Luke 10:24.

36 As such the apostle calls the fulfillment of the promises, which came to pass in the Gospel, opposed to the bare types and predictions of this grace. See John 1:17.

o Dan. 9:24.

37 That is, not only the grace itself was searched after by them, but also the time when it would come upon the house of Israel. See Gen. 49:10; Isa. 11:1; Dan. 9:24.

38 That is, the Holy Spirit, by Whom the holy men of God were moved and have spoken, 2 Peter 1:21, Who is therefore called the Spirit of Christ, because He proceeds from Christ, and He sent Him from the Father, not only to the apostles, but also to the prophets. See John 12:41; 15:26, compared with Acts 28:25, wherefore He is also called the Spirit of the Son, Gal. 4:6.

p Psalm 22:6; Isa. 53:3.

39 Gr. the glories.

40 The apostle speaks here of the thing itself, namely, Christ’s coming in the flesh, His suffering and His glory, as is expressed in the previous verse, not of the fruits and operations of the same in us, which the faithful of the Old Testament received as well as we, as was shown several times before.

q Acts 2:4.

41 Namely, on the day of Pentecost, according to the prophesy of Joel, Joel 2:28; Acts 2:4, 16, 17.

42 Namely, whereof he spoke in this verse and in the foregoing.

r Eph. 3:19.

43 Namely, by reason of the admiration and the delight that they have in acknowledging God’s manifold wisdom which He uses in the work of our redemption, and in the distribution of His grace unto the congregation, as Paul declares in Eph. 3:10. Here the apostle seems to have respect to the type of the ark of the covenant, over which two cherubims, with stretched-out wings and bowed heads, continually looked towards the mercyseat or the propitiatory. See Exod. 25:20 and Heb. 9:5.

44 Seeing the apostle had said in verse 4 that this hope is preserved in heaven, he comes in this second part of the epistle to exhort them that therefore they should endeavor to attain thereunto by the way proposed, and to gird up and to put away from them all hindrances or impediments which might prevent them in their understanding, as the people of that time girded up their long garments with girdles to their loins, to go their way the more readily.

s Luke 12:35; Eph. 6:14.

t secure with a belt or band, encircle*

45 This the apostle adds, as Christ does also, Luke 21:34, because a man, who is overcharged with meat and drink, is also unfit to seek after spiritual things, as to go forward speedily on his way. See also, 1 Thes. 5:6.

46 That is, firmly and uprightly.

47 Gr. brought, that is, brought unto, or, is offered.

48 Namely, at the last day, as before in verse 7. Others understand it of the grace which is now revealed and offered unto us by the Gospel.

49 Namely, of God. Gr. as children of obedience.

50 That is, walk not as you did before when you made yourselves conformable to the lusts which were in your ignorance. See the like, Rom. 12:2; Eph. 2:3.

51 That is, Jewish and worldly blindness before your conversion to Christ.

u Luke 1:75.

v Lev. 11:14, 45; 19:2; 20:7.

52 Namely, as genuine children, James 2:7.

53 That is, God the Supreme Judge.

w Deut. 10:17; 2 Chron. 19:7; Job 34:19; Acts 10:34; Rom. 2:11; Gal. 2:6; Eph. 6:9; Col. 3:25.

54 Gr. accepting of the face, whereof see the 34th annotation at Acts 10 on verse 34.

55 The Greek word paroikia signifies an inhabiting for a time in a place which is not our country, as may be seen, Luke 24:18; Heb. 11:9. Our dwelling, which is here in the body upon earth, outside of heaven, which is properly our home country. See 2 Cor. 5:1, 6.

x 1 Cor. 6:20; 7:23.

y in NT currency, $5.00*

56 He speaks partly of the evil examples of many of their forefathers, as Ezek. 20:18; Acts 7:51, partly of many vain and Pharisaical traditions, according to which they conformed themselves more than according to God’s commandments, as may be seen commonly in the Gospel.

z Acts 20:28; Heb. 9:12; Rev. 1:5.

57 That is, as Who is an unblemished and unspotted Lamb; a sacramental phrase, through which what is spoken of the paschal lamb, this points to Christ, because the paschal lamb was a type of Christ, 1 Cor. 5:7, as also the other lambs, which were to be chosen without spot for daily propitiatory sacrifices. See Num. 28:3; John 1:29.

58 That is, foreknown, namely, for a Mediator and Reconciliation for our sins. See also of this word in verse 2; Rom. 8:29; 11:2.

aa Rom. 16:25; Eph. 1:9; 3:9; Col. 1:26; 2 Tim. 1:9; Titus 1:2.

59 Namely, in the flesh, 1 Tim. 3:16.

60 That is, for your salvation’s sake. See hereof, Heb. 11:40, and the annotations there.

61 Namely, Christ. For, we can have no confidence in God, but by faith in Christ, Who only is our Mediator and the Way to the Father, John 14:6.

ab Acts 2:33; Philip. 2:9.

62 That is, by faith, which was wrought in you by the hearing of the Gospel and by the Holy Spirit. See Acts 15:9.

ac Rom. 12:10; Eph. 4:3; Heb. 13:1; 1 Peter 2:17.

63 That is, upright, unfeigned.

64 Gr. extensively, that is, with an extended or enlarged love.

ad James 1:18.

65 Namely, as your first birth was. For, whatsoever is born of the flesh that is flesh, John 3:6.

66 As such the Word of the Gospel is called, because it is joined with the operation of the Holy Spirit which is without repentance, and that regeneration, which is thereby effected in us, is incorruptible. See Rom. 11:29; Philip. 1:6; 1 John 5:4, 18, etc.

ae 1 John 3:9.

67 Or, by the living and eternal abiding Word of God.

af Isa. 40:6; 1 Cor. 7:31; James 1:10; 4:14; 1 John 2:17.

68 That is, all men born of flesh; or, all natural men.

69 That is, fades or perishes as grass.

70 In Isa. 40:6, from which this place is quoted, it reads, all the goodliness thereof of man, that is, all the glory wherewith God of His grace still adorns the natural man, namely, in things concerning worldly wisdom and honor.

71 Namely, which indeed shows fair for a short while, but soon vanishes, as is presently declared.

72 Namely, of the Gospel, whereof Isaiah prophesies in that place.

73 Namely, in respect to its renewing, regenerating and saving power, as is noted above in verse 23. See also John 3:6; James 1:21.

74 Namely, of the Gospel. See 2 Cor. 3:6, etc.