| Scripture |
Expanded Comments |
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| 1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, |
Peter, an apostle – To appreciate the exhortations of the apostles, we need to become acquainted with their characters; to mark their zeal and faithfulness. R3149:1
To the strangers – Jews, Israelites, non-residents of Palestine, not "lost" Israelites; but the large class of Israelites of all tribes, who after the Babylonian captivity made their homes amongst the Gentiles. R2126:4
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| 2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. |
Elect – Chosen. E243
Justified, consecrated, spirit-begotten new creatures. HG513:4
Consecrated believers. R2376:5
A "Little Flock." (Luke 12:32) R2872:2
The Church class; drawn, called and begotten of the holy Spirit during this Gospel age. SM474:1; R1598:5; HG377:4
Applied to the spiritual seed; the Christ, Head and Body. R2854:1
Provided for by grace as a part of the divine program, and every one of them will be sacrificers. R4398:3,5
Not an arbitrary election, but conditioned upon three things; full consecration of the believer, implicit obedience to the divine teaching, and full reliance upon the precious blood of Christ. R1598:2
God elected first that Jesus should taste death for us; second, that the knowledge of this redemption should be declared; third that those who believed the proclamation should be called to the divine nature. R134:6, 270:5
This selection started at the time of our Lord Jesus' first advent down to the time of his second coming. Q788:2
Foreknowledge – This special class was foreknown from before the foundation of the world. (Eph. 1:4) R4398:5, 4492:4, 4213:3, 3281:1, 2376:5
God's predestination was that he would have a class of beings of the divine nature, and that each one of that class must have a fixed character, like that of his Son. R3282:2, 2940:6
"For whom he did foreknow he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son." (Rom. 8:29) E147; F179
No scripture implies divine foreknowledge of the individuals. F179
The selection of this class was always the divine purpose, not a change in God's program. R4398:2
Sanctification – Setting apart. E243; R3587:2, 270:5, 134:5
Consecration of the heart or mind. R831:4, 5877:5
Faith in the blood of Christ is the first step. Then through sanctification of the spirit, of the will, the setting apart of our hearts from earthly ambitions to heavenly ones. NS734:2
Of the Spirit – Of the mind, of the will. R3635:5, 475:6
By the influence of the truth. E243; A299
The Spirit, through the Word, brings about our complete sanctification. R5877:6; E243
Unto obedience – To God; to the full submission of our will to the will of the Father in heaven. R3587:2, 3635:5
Sprinkling – Not upon our houses but upon our hearts. R5641:3, 3960:3
Of the blood – It does not mean literal blood; shedding of blood represents loss of life--death. The blood is the life. R1230:3
It is his blood that cleanseth us from all sin. R1230:2
The blood of "Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant." (Heb. 12:24) R1336:2*
Justification through faith in the great sacrifice. R3587:2
In compensation for our blemishes, the merit or covering of his righteousness made available to us by his death and appropriated by our faith. R3635:5
We must get the benefit of the blood before we would be of the elect. PT381:2*
And thereby be justified from past sins and be recognized as God's covenanted people. R2328:6
Of Jesus Christ – "Thou hast redeemed us to God by thy blood." (Rev. 5:9) E446
The blood of Christ, the giving up of his life, paid our ransom price. R1336:1*
Grace unto you – Every line of Peter's epistle, even the words of greeting, are full of instruction. R1598:2
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| 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, |
Father – A life-giver. R2407:3, 5108:4, 297:1
Jesus is never spoken of as the Father of the Church, nor would it be an appropriate figure that Jesus should be represented as espoused to his own children. HG671:3
Of our Lord Jesus – The Jews wanted to stone Jesus, because he said he was a son of God, thinking he was making himself a God, or of the God family. R301:3, 474:1
Jesus is not the Father (life-giver) to the Church; but the channel through which this life comes to us. R353:3, 5623:5
Begotten – Greek, ana-gennao, begotten again. R837:1
At the moment the Savior's merit was imputed we were begotten of the Father by his holy Spirit "to an inheritance incorruptible." R5855:1
Begotten of God. R5742:2, 1227:2, 905:2; Q40:4; SM780:1
To receive the first impulse of life. R905:2
He is the Father of Jesus, and our Father; we are children of the same Father. CR472:1; R905:2
Of his Word and the spirit of it. E105, E143, E456; R1510:5
As brethren of Christ. E143, E144, E456; R3687:4
"Not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:13) R2129:1
Through the Word of truth. A196
It is not the Son who has begotten us, though it is through the Son that we receive this divine favor. R5507:5, 5623:5
He who foreknew Jesus foreknew us also by Jesus. R4453:4
You are a new creature and you have a new life. CR454:2
The disciples at first were simply justified men, but after Pentecost they were new creatures begotten of God. R343:3
Isaac was heir of Abraham and child of promise (by Sarah), so we like Isaac are children of God, children of the promise or Sarah covenant. R777:4
Us – The elect. R4368:1
Who constitute the members of Christ's Body. R377:5, 4368:1
Unto a lively hope – The ground of this hope is confirmed by the death of our Lord as the ransom price for our sins, and by his resurrection from the dead for our justification. R1278:2
Not only for those now justified, but it includes a hope of perfecting many now ignorant, sinful, unjustified. R1512:1, 377:5
Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. R297:5
Hope of life; a living hope. R1508:3, 297:5; HG143:5
The hopes of the apostles had withered at the time of the crucifixion but were revived at Jesus' resurrection. A80
Resurrection – The assurance of our final triumph through him. R1598:2, 297:1
For our justification. R1278:2
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| 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, |
To an inheritance – As heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ. R3938:4
By faithfully walking in the narrow way. R5877:4
Incorruptible – Greek, aphthartos, that which cannot corrupt, or decay. R204:1, 2339:3; E398
Immortal, the divine nature; the Bride will be like her Lord--have life on the divine plane of being. R297:5, 1077:5, 191:3*
We became embryo new creatures, and were to grow day by day until, in due time, we would be born as spirit beings, on the divine plane, if faithful unto death. R5855:1, 191:3*
Undefiled – Pure. R297:5
Fadeth not away – Unfading. (Diaglott) R297:5
The crown of life that fadeth not away. ( 1 Peter 5:4) R1077:4
Reserved in heaven – Preserved. (Diaglott) R297:5
Not for immediate possession at death, but reserved, to be revealed at the second advent. R1598:2
Members of the Body of Christ have beyond this life an inheritance incorruptible. R4072:1
For you – For the Lord's holy ones. SM334:1
To be members of the Royal Priesthood, heirs of God, joint-heirs with Jesus Christ their Lord. R2762:6
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| 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
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The power of God – His exceeding great and precious promises and providences upon which we lay hold through faith. R1007:3, 4929:4, 3282:1
We are not keeping ourselves. CR444:5
Unto salvation – This salvation reaches no one until the end of the Gospel age, except "believers" who grasp it by faith. R2051:1
Ready to be revealed – Prepared to be disclosed. R1149:5*
Greek, apokalupsis and apokalupto signify revealment, uncovering, unveiling (as of a thing previously present but hidden). R2979:2
In the last time – In the last season. Greek, kairos, fixed time. R1149:5*
In the end of this age, when the Little Flock shall be completed and glorified. R1007:3
At the second advent of the Lord. "Henceforth, there is laid up for me a crown, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me at that day." (2 Tim. 4:8) R1598:2, 1881:6
Now, in the last dispensation that the world will ever see. HG140:3[HG140:6]
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| 6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: |
Wherein – In which hope. F664
Greatly rejoice – The joys of faith. R1598:2
For a season – For a little while; it being necessary. R1149:5*
In heaviness – When we are in difficulty, we are to look up in confidence and trust to the Lord. R5403:2
Our physical, mental and moral weaknesses at times assert themselves so strongly that we cannot as new creatures exult in tribulation. SM618:1
Manifold temptations – Testings; provings; trials. R5499:6, 5912:3, 5403:2, 2005:3, 1149:5*
Since trials are needful for our perfecting in holiness, the Father will not hinder us from having temptations, even though he himself tempteth no man. (James 1:13) R2005:3
These are evidences of our acceptance with the Lord and that he is dealing wish us as sons, and that he is polishing us as jewels for the Kingdom. HG374:5
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| 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: |
That the trial – Proof. (Diaglott) R297:5, 1149:5*
Every trial, every persecution, every difficulty of life, permitted to come upon those who made the covenant of sacrifice with the Lord, is intended to prove them. R2258:3
The endurance of present afflictions are causes for thanksgiving, because their discipline is necessary to prepare us for the glorious inheritance of the saints. R1598:2, 569:4
The trial of the Church's faith, is a very important matter. R4004:4
The present Gospel age is the Church's judgment day. R569:4
The true child of God will find himself severely tried. R5114:3
Whenever we pass through a fiery trial and still retain our faith and confidence in God, then our characters are more pleasing to God, who subjects us to discipline for this very purpose. R5114:6
"The sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." (Rom. 8:18) R569:4
Our testing is not to see whether we are perfect according to the flesh. God knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. Psa. 103:14. R5115:1
None will be admitted to membership in the Body of Christ who has not been tested and proved by the Lord. R5115:1, 1944:3, 4004:4
Testings are marks of God's love for us. R5459:3, 5116:3
They are supervised by our Lord Jesus Christ himself. R5115:1
Our testing is not as respects the flesh. R4004:4
"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial that is to try you." ( 1 Peter 4:12) "He is like a refiner's fd tried." (Dan. 12:10) R1823:1
Of your faith – Not only of your intellectual recognition of divine truth, but also of your heart reliance upon God. R1822:6, 5114:3
It is your faith that is on trial now. In the calmer days you were quietly laying the foundation of a knowledge of the truth, now you are in the furnace to be proved: summon all your courage, fortify your patience; nerve yourself to endurance, hold fast to your hope. R1823:4, 5115:5; CR111:5
Our Father gives us numerous trials to test the strength of our faith; it is not left to chance. R5115:5, 1
Our Christian experience is for the purpose of faith development. R5115:5
If we have not the faith to stand the trials, then we are not of the kind whom God is at the present time looking for. R5116:2
The faith of the Church will be of a higher character than is that of angels or of the world restored. R5116:5
Being – Is. R5403:2
More precious – A developed and perfect faith. R5115:1
Much more carefully done. NS446:5
Gold that perisheth – The value of which will perish when, with the new order of things, it will be as easy to have gold as to have clay or iron. R4004:4; NS446:6
Gold is a rare metal and has a special value; therefore the Apostle compares it to the faith of the Little Flock. R5114:6; NS446:6
Tried with fire – Tests of fiery ordeals. R5114:6
You are in the furnace to be proved, severely tried. R1823:4, 1822:6
Tested thoroughly; the Lord develops us through suffering. R5115:1, 5116:3
God is subjecting our faith to a great heat in order to separate the dross so that our characters may grow more Christ-like. R5116:2, 5114:6
We can rejoice in the midst of severe trials that cause pain and tears. R5912:3
A faith which has stood the tests of fiery ordeal and has come off victorious is very precious in our Father's sight. R5114:6
Willing, not only to trust God when things are favorable, but to trust in his providences when we cannot see the outcome. R5115:2
Might be found unto – Or result in. R1007:4, 297:5
At the appearing – Greek, apokalupsis, uncovering, revealment. R2979:4
Revelation. (Diaglott) R297:5, 1149:5*
In the beginning of the Millennial age. R1106:1
The Church of the first-born will be admitted to full membership in the Church triumphant. R1893:4
Early in the morning of the Millennial day, the overcoming Church will be delivered. (Psa. 46:5 Margin) R2064:5*
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| 8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: |
Having not seen – We have never seen God or Christ with our physical eyes, yet we love them above all else. R5907:5
All along the journey, like Rebecca, the Church has been on the lookout for him. R1387:6
Yet – On whom. R1149:5*
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| 9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. |
Receiving – Greek, komizo, to bring; hence to receive with the added sense of bringing along with. R1149:5*
Even the salvation – We are not to see Christ until our salvation, when we shall be like him and see him as he is; and not until then will faith end, and we no longer need signs, not even the fig tree, because we watch by faith. R127:6*
Soundness. R1149:5*
Souls – Beings. R1149:5*
The Church is receiving the salvation of their souls. R2767:1
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| 10 Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: |
Of – Concerning. R1149:5*
Which salvation – Special salvation. R1007:4
Our high calling. R5536:1, 218:1
A prize held out in only one age; only once can it be earnestly contended for. R352:4*
Our justification enables us, not only to have earthly restitution rights reckoned to us, but also furnishes the opportunity of sacrificing those earthly rights and thereby participating in the sufferings of Christ. R4554:5
The prophets – They spoke and wrote mechanically and frequently wrote things they did not understand. R3650:5, 4961:6, 4197:5, 2053:5, 1418:6, 598:3
The prophets were inspired to write more specially for the benefit of those who live now, than for their own benefit. R517:2
David's thought in writing the Psalms may have been merely their use in song; but the Lord's object was to give prophecy to assist his people of a later period. (1 Pet. 1:10-12) R2345:4
The understanding was not then due. OV407:4
Inquired and searched – Diligently to know what and what manner of time (whether literal or symbolic) the spirit signified. R1418:6
Sought out and investigated. R1149:5*
All the prophets were students of their own and of each other's predictions and especially of their chronological predictions. R481:2
Of the grace – Favor; blessing; knowledge of God's plans. A26, A84; R1007:4, 643:5, 435:4, 218:2
The opportunity for sacrifice is a favor, because of the great reward and honor promised to Jesus, which we may share by sharing in his sacrifice. R643:6
Unto you – The Gospel Church. R218:2
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| 11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. |
Searching what – Things. R352:3*
For they were closed to understanding previously. R3130:3
What manner of time – Whether literal or symbolic. B89; C107; E178; R1418:6, 598:3
Or what seasons. R1149:5*
The Spirit – The holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus had not yet suffered and had not yet been glorified. (John 7:39) R3588:5
Which was – Speaking. R218:1
Did signify – Was pointing out. R1149:5*
When it testified – What most of the Jews overlooked at the time of the first advent. A79
Beforehand – As in the Tabernacle Shadows. T11
The prophets spoke of the sufferings as all future. R218:2, 691:2
God himself more than once in an audible voice bore witness to his Son in connection with his work. R691:2
To all who see how the Church has fellowship with the "Head," both in sufferings and glory, this statement is full of meaning. R218:2
Sufferings of Christ – Began with the baptism of Christ and still continues. From this standpoint the first advent of Christ has been a gradual one, covering a period of nearly nineteen centuries. R3192:6, 5341:3, 4710:5
"No cross, no crown." "If we suffer, we shall also reign with him." (2 Tim. 2:12) R2557:5, 3683:3, 1782:6, 157:2
Head and Body. R5341:3, 4964:6, 2557:5, 1016:4, 263:2; SM361:1
The sufferings have not yet been completed, and hence the glory has not come. SM75:1
Means activity in Christ's service. R1782:6
"Fill up that which is behind of the sufferings of Christ." (Col. 1:24) R3683:3, 157:2
"For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ." (2 Cor. 1:5) R2000:3
"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." (2 Cor. 4:17) "Ye are partakers of Chribe glad also with exceeding joy." (1 Pet. 4:13) R1782:6
"The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." (Rom. 8:18) R4780:6
"We suffer with him that we may be also glorified together." (Rom. 8:17) R2000:3, 1724:1, 263:2
Israel ignored the prophecies of sufferings and saw only the glory. R669:3
And the glory – Of power or office. A227
We must see something of "the glory that shall follow," in order to realize the necessity of the vicissitudes of the present trial time. R5147:6
That should follow – As soon as the sufferings of the Body are completed. R3192:6, 4780:6, 2000:3, 644:4, 157:2; SM361:1
The great work of filling the world ocean deep with the knowledge of the Lord, the restitution of all things. R2000:3, 1418:6
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| 12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. |
Unto whom – The prophets. R435:5
They had their measure of light, and because faithful to it, great will be their advantage in the resurrection. R946:1
They were used as God's mouthpieces simply, and laid up treasures of wisdom and knowledge which are made manifest during the Gospel age, by the holy Spirit, as meat in due season, for the Church. R598:3
It was revealed – God used them to express his mind; though generally they did not understand the import of the words they used. R370:5
By the angel, no revelations were made to them by the Spirit. R218:2
In the past the Spirit's operation was chiefly mechanical; to us it is explanatory and sympathetic. E178
Prophecy can only be fully understood when fulfilled, and a truth is not fully revealed until it is understood. R66:3*
The Lord no longer sends his messages after this manner. R3424:1
The Saviour and his apostles often speak of these writings as the Word of God; recognizing, and directly asserting, their divine authority and inspiration. R1622:3
Not unto themselves – As claimed by the Higher Critics. R1690:5
Nor to the unregenerate world. R3646:3
In many instances those who uttered the prophecies and those who heard them comprehended them not. R3455:2
They were the pen and tongue which the Lord used in preparing statements to be understood by his people of the Gospel age. NS663:4
They were used as God's mouthpieces simply. R598:3
They sought the significance of their own utterances. R2484:6
God did not commit all these sacred things to their understanding. R349:6*, 182:2
The glorious inheritance of the saints of the Gospel age was never made known in former ages, not even to the prophets nor to angels. R1598:4
"I heard but I understood not." (Dan. 12:8) "They say of me, doth he n B23; R3646:3, 1148:3, 349:6
Only those who recognize that there is a Spiritual Israel, antitypical, are able to appreciate many of the promises of the Old Testament. R4287:3
Holy men spoke things that were not their own thoughts, but which encouraged themselves and those all about them. R2521:2, 1491:1
But unto us – The Gospel Church. B22, B203; R3614:3, 2542:3, 2371:2, 946:1, 598:3
The Body of Christ. R1524:5
Revealed by degrees for the Christian Church, as the age advanced towards its termination. R946:1, 368:3
A period of time embracing the entire Gospel age. R517:3
All that was written aforetime by Moses and the prophets, was designed specially for us who are in Christ, for the instruction and comfort of the children of God. R3646:3
Spiritual Israel is blessed by the meaning of those types and shadows of the past and by an understanding of the mystery of the divine plan presented in those types and prophecies. NS361:5
"Upon whom the ends of the world (ages) are come." (1 Cor. 10:11) R3650:5
They did minister – The truth which God was sowing, through their instrumentality, was not then due, but was being sown for the righteous some centuries down the stream of time. R946:1 Reported -- Declared. R1149:5*
Light due in their day. R957:2
By them – The apostles. F232; R1524:5
The apostles preached not with man's wisdom but with the wisdom from above. Their human weaknesses were not permitted to mar their work or usefulness as apostles. F224; R1526:3
Have preached – Delivered. R1149:5*
The gospel – Good news. R218:2
Message. R1149:5*
After Jesus' ascension it was revealed through his apostles. R442:5
It was the very same gospel of life and immortality brought to light by the Lord himself. R1524:5; E232
Holy Spirit – Holy Spirit. R1524:5, 1419:3, 1149:5*
It caused the prophets of old to speak and write the divine Word without comprehending the meaning of their own utterances in full, and sometimes not even in part. R2070:3
Every time the Apostle Paul referred to his apostleship he announced himself one of those specially commissioned "by the holy Spirit sent down from heaven" to preach and to establish the Gospel. R1419:3
To be your guide in understanding the preaching. R218:2
Down from heaven – Not with man's wisdom but the wisdom from above. R1526:3
Which things – The clean and beautiful principles of divine truth given to the saints of this age. C123
Respecting the times and seasons, the sufferings of Messiah and the glory that would follow. Q605:2
This new gift (immortality) was never known of before this Gospel age. R252:3
The angels – The holy angels, having witnessed the failure of angelic efforts for man's recovery in the days before the flood. R1678:5
They are earnest students of the plan for human salvation. R1478:6
The angelic hosts are watching and learning lessons in respect to all this shepherding of the flock through the narrow way. R4280:2
As we toil upward on the narrow way, angels look on amazed at the grandeur of the plan which is able not only to rescue a fallen race from death but to display "the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." (Eph. 2:7) R143:4, 281:5
An "innumerable company of angels" still watch our progress and gladly become "ministering spirits" who will soon be rulers. R281:6
The angels are not infinite in knowledge. R41:4*
Gladly are they ready for any service. R1681:3
They are also learning the immensity of God's love, wisdom and power; the exceeding beauty of holiness in contrast with sin and the lesson of complete submission to the will of our Father. R254:1
Throughout the six thousand years during which God has permitted evil, the angels have been looking on. The introduction of evil was a great test to them at first. OV394:2; NS438:3
Desire to look into – Are deeply interested in because in the divine plan they see God's wisdom, justice, love and power shown as never before. E412
Who diligently searched and sought to discover the deep significance of the prophecies of these things. R1598:5
Into the plan which God has since been working out, and ever ready to do his bidding in our service. R1678:5; NS813:1
No work is more noble or ennobling than the reverent study of the revealed purposes of God. A13
To be devoid of desires to understand the prophecies indicates lack of interest in God's plans. B17
The angels were not permitted to. Meanwhile God gave laws, and caused types and shadows of his plan to be enacted. R470:3
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| 13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; |
Wherefore – Refers us to the glorious hope of our high calling, and of the necessarily severe measures required to fit us for our exalted inheritance. R3149:1
Gird up the loins – Cast aside the weights of unnecessary worldly cares, redouble your diligence, increase your zeal, renew your determination. R3149:3
Our chief object in the present life is to fight a good fight against self and against sin. R2725:6
We have determined upon a course of activity; rest and ease are put aside, we are engaging in an important work which requires all the strength we possess. R4667:6; Q448:5
In olden times, girdles were constantly worn for two purposes; 1) to keep the garments so that they would not be disordered in appearance, 2) for effect upon the loins during active labor. R4667:5; Q448:2
Do not become entangled in worldly matters. R5824:4, 2725:6
Of your mind – Our minds need to be strengthened; we need to be fortified against all disposition to lassitude. R4667:5; Q448:4
Be sober – Being vigilant. (Diaglott) R353:5*, 1149:5*
Do not allow yourself, under the spur of excitement, to exhaust all your spiritual vitality in a very short time, then to suffer a relapse into coldness or discouragement. Prepare for a long and determined effort. R3149:3
We are to endeavor to realize the import of the exceeding great and precious promises and to gather from them their invigorating inspiration. R3149:3
Avail ourselves of such helps of pastors and teachers and their literary productions, which prove harmonious with the Scriptures. R3149:3
The Apostle is not referring to the use of intoxicating liquors; there is a spiritual intoxication, the spirit of error; all the world are intoxicated with this spirit. R5632:6, 5633:2
We should be of serious mind, thoughtful, not given to frivolity or levity, but earnestly watching our thoughts, our words, our doings, that we may in all things bring honor to our King whose name we bear. R5633:1, 1938:1
Keep yourself in the love of God and in the service of God, the truth and the brethren. R5824:4
The Church is now being tested for life or death eternal. This thought should make us sober. SM179:1
And hope to the end – Do you hope perfectly. (Diaglott) R353:5*, 1149:5*
Let us not be discouraged or overcome in any way. R3149:5
For the grace – The salvation of our own resurrection. R4175:6; HG228:2
Favor. R3149:5
Our salvation completed. F161; R5920:4; CR131:5
The Christian will not expect his salvation except in connection with the second coming of our Lord Jesus and the establishment of his Kingdom. R3180:5
The salvation of the elect class will be the very first item connected with the Lord's second advent. NS425:4
To be brought unto you – At the time specified, not previously. F664; R2725:6
At the revelation – Greek, apokalupsis, uncovering, unveiling. R2979:3
We are not to hope for blessing this side of the manifestation of God's Kingdom. R2725:6; F664
At Christ's second coming; at the establishment of his Kingdom. CR22:4; NS499:6
Of Jesus Christ – When he comes to reign in power and great glory, is the Church's exaltation with him, to sit with him in his throne. R3149:5, 2073:5*
At his second advent. R2051:2, 3149:5, 2932:6
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| 14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: |
As obedient children – Who have not cast away their confidence. R3149:5
The Apostle is not addressing the world, but those who have become children of God. R5481:3
They have been made to sit down to meat, and the Master himself has come forth and served them. R3149:5
If we are obedient children, we shall get the proper tests, the proper chiseling and polishing, everything that will make us "meet for the inheritance of the saints in light." (Col. 1:12) R5482:1
Not fashioning yourselves – Not the fashioning of our will, but the transforming of our minds into the mind of the Lord. "Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind." (Rom. 12:2) R5482:2-4
Seeing things from God's standpoint, we change our ideas as to what we shall eat, and what we shall drink. R5482:3
That we may be properly exercised by all the trials which God has purposed for us. R5482:2
According to the divine instructions. R3150:1
Do not conform yourselves. (Diaglott) R353:5*
Former lusts – Desires and ambitions, which we had. R3149:6
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| 15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; |
But as he – "Walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his Kingdom and glory." (1 Thes. 2:12) "Ye should show forth the F91
Is holy – Perfect; that which is whole, that which is complete, lacking nothing. CR451:2; R5856:3
So be ye holy – Let your will be perfect; nothing less is acceptable to him. CR455:4; R5482:5
God is speaking to the new creature, the Gospel Church. CR453:2; R1351:4*
Absolute holiness is the standard which our minds can gladly and fully endorse and live up to, but to which we can never attain actually in our fallen nature. F136; R5127:4
Holiness is the standard of perfection. R5482:5
This will be the standard before all of the world in the thousand years. CR452:6
In the present life the new creature is a representative of God and his righteousness and should seek to walk in accord therewith. F92
Put away all anger, malice, envy, hatred and strife and put on instead the fruits and graces of the Lord's holy Spirit--meekness, gentleness, patience, long-suffering, brotherly kindness, love. SM336:1
Conversation – In all your conduct. (Diaglott) R13:2, 353:5*
Behavior. R5405:4
Conversation has a broad meaning. It relates to all our conduct with respect to others. Our thoughts words and deeds. R5482:6[R5482:6], 3149:6
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| 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. |
Be ye holy – We who are called to be partakers of his own nature and glory. R3149:6
Any instrument that God would use and recognize must be holy. SM578:1
He is the pattern, we are to copy that pattern as much as possible in our daily lives, especially in our wills, our minds. R4662:6
We were by nature unholy; hence his arrangement for our justification, our being made right, whole. R5856:3
A continual effort to bring our conduct, thoughts and intents of the heart into subjection to the divine will; but we can never attain to it actually and physically so long as we are subject to the frailties of our fallen natures. R5127:4
Strive after actual soundness and perfection. R3280:2
The world in general will be made right during the Millennium. R5856:3; SM578:2
For – Because. (Diaglott) R353:5*
I – The Lord. R3149:6, 5127:4
Am holy – The very standard and pattern of righteousness. R1800:2
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| 17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: |
Call on the Father – Not on the Son. R2425:6*
The Judge of all. F400
Judgment; of the Father, and by the Son. R2426:5
In fear – Not in levity, frivolity, sensuality, money-grabbing, carelessness or slothfulness, but in earnest watchfulness of every word and act to please the Lord. R2289:6
Perfect love casts out slavish but not reverential fear. R2986:6
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| 18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; |
Ye – The Church. R4633:2, 4536:2
The world is not redeemed as yet. Jesus' merit has not yet been appropriated for all men. R4633:2
Were not redeemed – Relates not so much to our ultimate deliverance from death, as to our present loosing from an evil course, vain conversation, foolish talking, and iniquity in general; this liberty was purchased for us by the blood of Christ. E432
Purchased. R965:2
Bought. R4991:4, 4536:2, 1878:3, 1086:3
Not with the example, but with the blood of Christ. R1810:4*, 1321:6
With corruptible things – We are redeemed with the incorruptible life of Christ; the life which was not under penalty, not forfeited, not condemned but approved. HG482:3
As silver and gold – "Ye have sold yourselves for naught, and ye shall be redeemed without money." (Isa. 52:3) E438
The traditions handed down from our forefathers really make void, meaningless, ungracious, the message of God's wisdom and love. OV260:2; E438
Vain – Fruitless. E258
Conversation – Life. E258
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| 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: |
The precious blood – The death; sacrificed life. E385; R4147:2, 1293:2, 1230:3, 211:5*, 122:2
Illustrated by the blood of the bullock sprinkled on the Mercy Seat. T59
The New Covenant of divine mercy and favor toward whosoever will is sealed by the blood of Christ, his death. NS289:2
It does not mean literal blood. R1230:3
Our justification, without Christ's death as our ransom price, would have been legally impossible. R1247:1, 1031:2
The merit of his sacrifice of earthly rights. R4528:2, 1350:2*
The merit of Christ will not be applied to seal the New Covenant until the last member of the Great Company shall have suffered the complete destruction of the flesh. R4601:6
It is the merit of our Lord's sacrifice that cleanses or purifies us from sin. E445
It signifies that the valuable sacrifice of Jesus' life was made on our behalf. NS623:1
All that the word ransom means, giving of life in exchange for life. Q563:6
Of Christ – Jesus' merit is all-sufficient for the whole world, but he has not yet appropriated it for all men. R4633:2, 2855:5, 1316:2, 1230:2, 1299:1
The only true foundation of the Christian's hope; redemption through the precious blood. R5822:1
Neither the blotting out of sins nor even their covering, is possible, except as the sinner shall first of all accept of Jesus through faith. R2855:6
His blood became the basis for the forgiveness of our sins, made peace for us, opened up the way to reconciliation, and transferred us from the domain of sentenced culprits, back to sonship in the family of God. R120:3
In the 43 times that the blood of Christ is mentioned in the Bible, not once is it hinted that it represented the slaying of his carnal nature, nor that he had about him anything evil that required to be destroyed. R1230:2
This sacrifice was not made in the change of nature from spiritual to human, but was made after he had become a man; "a body hast thou prepared for me." (Heb. 10:5) R573:3
"Ye (the Church) are bought with a price." (1 Cor. 6:20, 7:23) Not at Calvary but (Heb. 9:24) R4633:2, 1350:2*, 1247:1, 1086:3, 876:2, 684:2, 642:2, 464:4, 392:3, 387:2, 381:2
"Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." (1 Tim. 2:6) R4372:1, 5152:1, 1086:3, 876:2
"In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins." (Col. 1:14) R866:4, 1810:4*, 1298:6*
"Who through the eternal spirit offered himself without spot to God." (Heb. 9:14) E450; R1298:6
"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by (in) the spirit." ( 1 Peter 3:18) R652:6
"And he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." (1 John 2:2) R866:4, 876:2, 1810:4*
That will restore mankind. R866:4
As of a lamb – As typed by the shedding of the blood of the Passover lamb throughout the Jewish age. R1336:3*, 1312:6
"The Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world." (John 1:29) A103; R788:3, 685:4, 573:3
Without blemish – This must be true of every sacrifice upon the Lord's altar, as the Law clearly taught and the types showed. R4398:3
Every member of our race was spotted and blemished by inherited sin and imperfection, hence the necessity for the divine provision of justification by faith. R4398:3
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| 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, |
Foreordained – Foreknown, forearranged. R2479:2
Before the foundation – Love has been active preparing for the redemption ever since sin entered. T126
Not "from the foundation," as in the case of the sheep class of the Millennial age. (Matt. 25:34) R2607:1; A305
The endless, heavenly, spiritual Kingdom was prepared long before the earth was founded, its inception being in Christ. R2607:1, 5057:3, 4398:5, 2690:1, 2122:4
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| 21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. |
God that raised him – It was his soul that died, he was wholly dead, and could have no power whatever to resuscitate himself. R2795:2
No agency of man, nor even the angel Gabriel, was permitted in the work of our Lord's resurrection: no agencies great or small were employed. God raised Jesus, and will raise the Church. R1005:4
Up from the dead – From "hades" on the third day. CR277:5
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| 22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: |
Have purified – A thorough cleansing of the heart, the mind, the will, the actuating intentions, or motives. R4766:2
When we presented ourselves in spirit and in truth, through faith, our sins were forgiven; we were accepted as new creatures and were started in a new career. R4766:3
Lived more purely. R276:6
Your souls – Your beings; nor merely the physical being. R205:3, 4766:2, 276:6
Obeying the truth – We receive a knowledge of the truth, of God's will; then it is for us to put it into practice, to weave it into our thoughts and words and doings, by feeding constantly on the Word. SM704:1; R1802:6*
We do not inherit this God-like quality of love. It is only in obedience to the truth that we acquired this love, being purified thereby from the downward tendencies of our fallen nature. R1670:2
It is not necessary to know all truth; but necessary for us to know the great truth--that God condemned sin, and that the whole world of mankind came under this condemnation, and that God has provided a particular way of escape by being justified by faith in Christ and taking up the cross and following in his footsteps. R4766:2
Through the Spirit – The spirit of the truth. R2518:1
Unto – To the extent of. R2807:5
Unfeigned – Genuine; without pretense; not merely professed. R4766:3, 2518:4, 1670:3
Love – Greek, phileo, duty love. R2807:5
"He laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." (1 John 3:16) R2453:4, 4766:5
Our love for the brethren might, at first, be merely obedience in following this command; but as we follow on, our love increases, our sympathy expands. We must not neglect this. R4766:6, 5757:3
The third quarter mark in our race course. NS417:3
See that ye – Go on to. R2807:5
Love – Greek, agape, have disinterested love for. R2807:5, 4766:5, 1670:3
Love presides and rules in their hearts, always exercising itself in ministries of kindness and benevolence. R1670:1
Weaker ones are to be cared for and loved, "we ought to bear the infirmities of the weak." (Rom. 15:1) Not by simply ignoring his still humbly and patiently submitting to the discomfort it brings. R4767:1
One another – Love prompted Christian communism. We perceive that some were poor; and, controlled by the spirit of love, the well-to-do felt that they would like all the poorer brethren to have just as good as themselves. R5849:6
If this spirit prevails among the members of the Lord's Body, they will have a mutual love and care for one another which seeks to encourage and strengthen all that is good and to discourage all that is unbecoming; and throws a mantle over a deformity and endeavors to conceal a fault, and judges the motives of others generously, charitably. R4767:4, 1845:2
Where the brother's flesh is much fallen, we have largely a compassionate love, rather than a loving admiration. R4984:6
The weaker ones of the household of faith are to be cared for and helped that they may grow strong in the Lord. R4767:1
"Let us love one another: for love is of God: and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God." (1 John 4:7) "For ye yourselves are tau R32:1*
The final test of character is love, in deed and in truth. R4524:4
We are to love one another--first our Heavenly Father, then our heavenly Lord Jesus; and finally we should love, and as we have opportunity serve, the brethren. R5850:6
Purifying of the heart by the truth is both an instantaneous and a gradual work. R1670:4
Fervently – Intensely; not cold and indifferent, willing to lay down our lives for the brethren. R2518:4, 4766:5
We should recognize that they, like ourselves, are new creatures in Christ; and this should give us great sympathy and a desire to do everything we can to encourage them, to help them. R4766:3
Verses 22 and 23 are a divine explanation of how the holy Spirit will manifest itself, and are the qualities to be looked for in the servants of the Church. R2446:5
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| 23 Having been begotten again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. |
Being born again – Begotten again. R1697:6, 837:1, 192:3; E105
In 1 Peter 1:3 ana-gennao is correctly rendered "d incorrectly "born again." R837:1
To be genuine, it must be a begetting by the truth, not by error. R1698:1,6
Isaac was the heir of Abraham and child of promise (by Sarah), so we like Isaac are children of God, children of the promise or Sarah Covenant. R777:4
Not of corruptible – The new creature is begotten of incorruptible seed in the sense that this seed will not become unholy. The Spirit of God always stays pure, holy, incorruptible. Q509:4
Of incorruptible – Greek, aphthartos, that which cannot decay; not liable to corrupt. E398; R2339:3, 204:1
The word incorruptible, when applied to being, existence, is of similar significance to immortal. R1642:4
The Word of God – The inspiration and importance of the Word of God are shown in 1 Pet. 1:10, 11, 23, 25. R2012:5
The text book from which the world will be instructed during the Millennial age. R1526:2
Which liveth and abideth forever – Faith must be a reasonable thing, well founded in that which is fixed, immovable, sure and steadfast, even in the Word of God which liveth and abideth forever. R2162:1
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| 24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: |
Flesh – Flesh and blood uniformly represent human nature. R611:3
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| 25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. |
Word – My Master gave his word, that believing, I might have life through his name (John 20:21); and, that thank God, thi R803:1
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