The Jewish traditional greeting sounds in English as “peace be to you”. The Same expression is used when saying "goodbye". Of course, in the daily use of the word, it is rather often used and are using without thinking about the sense, approximately as we say in English "hello", without...
The Jewish traditional greeting sounds in English as “peace be to you”. The Same expression is used when saying "goodbye". Of course, in the daily use of the word, it is rather often used and are using without thinking about the sense, approximately as we say in English "hello", without remembering that by doing so we wish the one we greet health, or "thank you", without thinking that this expression comes from "mercy, grace". But what then, if we think, means the wish of peace?
The Jewish corresponding word can mean not only peace, but also health and the prosperity, and then this greeting can be also considered, as the wish of health and prosperity. But "peace in Christ Jesus", as we see, implies in the first place exactly peace. And not only peace in the sense of the absence of enmity or quarrels, but also this peace, about which Jesus Himself said: blessed those who make peace ("peacemakers"). Of course it is here not only about peacemakers in its general or political sense. It is about this peace, which only God can give.
In fact, the fallen human nature is foreign to the state of peace; the fallen man aspires for superiority, priority, competition, victory over an opponent. Such an aspiration, certainly, does not still overflow in an open hostility or, especially, in a war, but can always become the source of either. And only God by His influence is capable of changing the human nature, so that the aspiration for superiority stops being the driving force of its existence. The absence of enmities and wars in that case is only a consequence, the first cause, the transformation of the human nature.
Jesus, leaving with His disciples and followers His peace, the peace of the Kingdom, thus introduced them to the life of the Kingdom. Here the transformation arrives at the logical completion, and it is only here that peace becomes not a temporary spiritual state, but a norm of life. And that is why the wish of peace means in this case nothing else than the wish to remain from now on the inhabitants of the Kingdom. Wish, which to invent better for a Christian is difficult.
5
5:1 I who am a fellow - elder - So the first though not the head of the apostles appositely and modestly styles himself.And a witness of the sufferings of Christ - Having seen him suffer, and now suffering for him.
5:2 Feed the flock - Both by doctrine and discipline.Not by constraint - Unwillingly, as a burden. Not for filthy gain - Which, if it be the motive of acting, is filthy beyond expression. O consider this, ye that leave one flock and go to another, merely because there is more gain, a large salary!Is it not astonishing that men can see no harm in this? that it is not only practised, but avowed, all over the nation?
5:3 Neither as lording over the heritage - Behaving in a haughty, domineering manner, as though you had dominion over their conscience. The word translated heritage, is, literally, the portions. There is one flock under the one chief Shepherd; but many portions of this, under many pastors. But being examples to the flock - This procures the most ready and free obedience.
5:5 Ye younger, be subject to the elder - In years. And be all - Elder or younger. Subject to each other - Let every one be ready, upon all occasions, to give up his own will. Be clothed with humility - Bind it on, (so the word signifies,) so that no force may be able to tear it from you. Jam 4:6; Pro 3:34
5:6 The hand of God - Is in all troubles.
5:7 Casting all your care upon him - In every want or pressure.
5:8 But in the mean time watch. There is a close connexion between this, and the duly casting our care upon him. How deeply had St. Peter himself suffered for want of watching! Be vigilant - As if he had said, Awake, and keep awake. Sleep no more: be this your care. As a roaring lion - Full of rage. Seeking - With all subtilty likewise. Whom hemay devour or swallow up - Both soul and body.
5:9 Be the more steadfast, as ye know the same kind of afflictions are accomplished in - That is, suffered by, your brethren, till the measure allotted them is filled up.
5:10 Now the God of all grace - By which alone the whole work is begun, continued, and finished in your soul. After ye have suffered a while - A very little while compared with eternity.Himself - Ye have only to watch and resist the devil: the rest God will perform. Perfect - That no defect may remain.Stablish - That nothing may overthrow you.Strengthen - That ye may conquer all adverse power.And settle you - As an house upon a rock. So the apostle, being converted, does now "strengthen his brethren."
5:12 As I suppose - As I judge, upon good grounds, though not by immediate inspiration. I have written - That is, sent my letter by him. Adding my testimony - To that which ye before heard from Paul, that this is the true gospel of the grace of God.
5:13 The church that is at Babylon - Near which St. Peter probably was, when he wrote this epistle. Elected together with you - Partaking of the same faith with you. Mark - It seems the evangelist. My son - Probably converted by St. Peter.And he had occasionally served him, "as a son in the gospel."