Bible Commentary (1871–1879 Edition)
The Apostle Teaches tht Duly of 1 PETER III. Husbands and Wives to Each Olhei.
who uses his earthenware as if It were plate; not less great is he who uses his silver as if it were earthenware." [Seneca m Alford.] hidden—inner man, which the Christian Instinctively hides from public view, of the heart consisting in the heart regeuei'ated and adorned by the Spirit. This "inner man of the heart" is the subject of the verb "be," v.'A, Greek: " Of wliom let the inner man be," viz., the distinction or adornment. In that—consisting or standing in that as its element, not corruptible not transitory, nor tainted with corruption, as all earthly adornments, meek and quiet—mecA:, not creating disturbances
(Isaiah 53. 6.) For—Assigning their natural need of healing (v. 24). now—now that the atonement for all has been made, the foundation is iaid for individual conversion : so
"l/e are relumed," or "have become converted to," &c. Shepherd and bishop—The designation of tlie pastors and elders of the Church belongs in its fullest sense to the great Head of the Cliurch, "the good Shepherd." As the "bishop" oversees (as the Greek term means), so "the eyes eflhe Lffi-d are over the righteous " (cli. 3. 12). He gives us His spirit and feeds and guides us by His word. "Shepherd," Hebrew, Parnai, is often applied to kings, and enters into the composition of names, as Pharnabazas.
; quiet, bearing with tranquillity the disturbances caused by others. Meek in at Tections and feelings; quiet in words, countenance, and actions. [Bengel.] In the sight of God—who looks to inward, not merely outward things, of great price—the results of redemption should correspond to Its costlj' price (ch. 1. 19). 5. after this manner—with the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit
CHAPTER II[.
Ver. 1-22. Relative DtjTiEs of Husbands and Wives: Exhortations to Love and Forbearance : Right Conduct UNDER Persecutions for Righteousness' Sake, AFTER Christ's Example, whose Death Resulted in Quickening to us through His being Quickened AGAIN, OP which BAPTISM IS THE SACRAMENTAL SEAL.
(cf. the portrait of the godly wife, Proverbs 31. 10-31). trusted — Greek, "hoped." "Holy" is explained by "hoped in (so as to be united to, Greek) God." Hope in God is the spring of true holiness. [Bengel.] In subjection—their ornament consisted in their subordination. Vanity was forbidden (v. 3) as being contrary to female subjection. 6. Sara—an example of faith, calling him lord—(Genesis 18. 12.) ye are— Greek, " ye have become :" " children" of Abraham and Sara by faith, whereas ye were Gentile aliens from the covenant, afraid with any amazement Greek, "fluttering alarm," "consternation." Act well, and be not thrown into sudden panic, as wealt females are apt to be, by any opposition from with-
1. lilkewlse— Greefc, "In like manner," as "servants" in their sphere ; cf. the reason of the woman's subjection, 1 Corinthians 11. 8-10 ; 1 Timothy 2. 11-14. your own—enforcing the obligation : it is not strangers ye are required to be subject to. Every titrje that obedience is enjoined npon women to their husbands, the Greek idios, "one's own peculiarly," is used, whilst the wives of men are designated onlj' by heauton, "of themselves." Feeling the need of leaning on one stronger than herself, the wife (especially if joined to an unbeliever) might be tempted, though only spiritually, to enter Into that relation with another in which she ought to stand to her own spouse (1 Corinthians 14. 34, 35, "Let them ask their own [idious] husbands at home"); an attachment to the person of llie teacher might thus spring up, which, witliout being in the common sense spiritual adultery, would still weaken out. Bengel translates, " Not afraid of any fluttering terror coming from without" (i'. 13-16). So LXX. Proverbs
3. 25 uses the same Greek word, which Peter probably refers to. Anger assails men, fear, women. You need fear no man In doing what Is right : not thrown into fluttering agitation by any sudden outbreak of temper on the part of your unbelieving husbands, whilst you do well, 7. dwell— Greek, "dwelling:" connected with the verb, ch. 2. 17, "Honour all." Knowledge— Christian knowledge: appreciating the due relation of the sexes in the design of God, and acting with tenderness and forbearance accordingly: wisely: with rvise consideration, them
In its spiritual basis the married relation. [Steiger.] that, If— Grecfc, "that even if." Bveni/ yoa have a husband that obeys not the word (i. e., is an unbeliever), without the word independently of hearing the word preached, the usual way of faith coming. But Bengel,
without word," t. e., without direct Gospel discourse of the Wives, "they may (Jit., in oldest MSS., shall, which marks the almost objective certainly of the result) be won" indirectly. "Unspoken acting is more powerful than unperformed speaking." [CEcumenius.] "A soul converted is gained to itself, to the pastor, wife, or husband, who sought it, and to Jesus Christ; added to His treasury who thought not His own precious blood too dear to lay out for this gain." [Leighton.] "The discreet wife would choose first of all to persuade her husband to share with her in the things which lead to blessedness. . . giving honour to the wife—translate and punctuate the Greek rather, "Dwelling according to knowledge with the female (GreeA; adjective, qualifying 'vessel:' not as English Version, a noun) as with the weaker vessel (Note, 1 Thessalonians 4. 4. Both husband and wife are vessels in God's hand, and of God's making, to fulfil His gracious purposes. Both weak, the woman the weaker. The sense of his own weakness, and that she, like hlmr self, is God's vessel and fabric, ought to lead him to act with tender and wise consideration towards her who is the weaker fabric), giving {lit., assigning, appori Honing) honour as being also (besides being man and wife) heirs together," &c. ; or, as the Vatican MS. reads, "as to those who are also (besides being your wives) fellow-heirs." (The reason -why the man should give honour to the woman is, because God gives honour to both as fellow-heirs ; cf. the -same argument, v. 9.) He does not take Into account the case of an unbelieving wife, as she might yet believe, grace of life—God's gracious but if this be impossible, let her then alone diligently press after virtue. In all things obeying him so as to do nothing at any time against his will, except in such things as are essential to virtue and salvation." [Clemens Alexandrinus.] 8. behold—on narrowly looking into
It, lU., "having closely observed." chaste-pure, spotless, free from all Impurity, fear reverential, towards your husbands. Scrupulously pure, as opposed to the noisy, ambitious character of worldly women. 3. Lit., "To whom let there belong [m'z., as their peculiar ornament] not the outward adornment [usual In the sex which first, by the fall, brought in the need of covering. Note, ch. 5. 5J of, Ac, but," &c. plaiting—artificial braidgift of life (ch. 1. 4, 13). that your prayers be not. hindered—by dissensions, which prevent untied prayer, on which depends the blessing. 8. General summary of rela» five duty, after having detailed particular duties from ch.
2.18. of one mind—as to the faith, having, compassion one of another— GreeA;, " sympathizing" in the joy and sorrow of others, love as brethren— GrecA), "loving the brethren." pltlftil—towards the afflicted; canrteous genuine Christian po1U«ness; not the tinsel of the world's politeness; stamped with unfeigned love on one side, and humility on the other. But the oldest MSS. read, "humble-minded." It is sliglitly dlll'erent from "humble," In that It marks a conscious effort to be truly humble. 9. evil —Indeed, railing — in word, blessing — your revllers; ing. In order to attract admiration, wearing- "putting round," viz., the head, as a diadem—the arm, as a bracelet — the finger, as rings, apparel — showy and costly. " Have the blush of modesty on thy face Instead of paint, and moral worth and discretion instead of gold and emeralds." [Melissa.] 4. But—rather. The "outward adornment" of Jewelry, Ac, Is forbidden. In solar oa woman loves such things, not In so far us she uses them from a sense of propriety, and does not abuse them. Singularity mostly comes from pride, and throws needparticiple, not a noun after " rendering." knowing that —The oldest MSS. read merely, " because." are— Greek, 607 less hindrances to religion In the way of others. Under costly attire there may be a humble mind. " Great Is he 79