Speaking of the Christian life and of Christians, Peter compares the Savior to an overseer or guard who watches over the safety of those entrusted to Him. The corresponding Greek word can, of course, be translated differently, in a more “elevated” way, but its original meaning...
Speaking of the Christian life and of Christians, Peter compares the Savior to an overseer or guard who watches over the safety of those entrusted to Him. The corresponding Greek word can, of course, be translated differently, in a more “elevated” way, but its original meaning is exactly this: guard, overseer, watchman. In Gospel times, however, it also had another meaning.
In those days among the Jews there were religious brotherhoods of a special kind, whose members regularly gathered together for common meals, usually connected with one or another feast; the most frequent were the Sabbath meals, celebrated every week. In such brotherhoods there were special ministers who presided over the gatherings, called deacons in Greek, and there were special administrators responsible for organizing the meeting and maintaining order during it. This was especially important when the brotherhood was numerous, and such ministers were called bishops in Greek, that is, overseers.
It is precisely by this word that Peter calls Jesus in his epistle. At first glance such a title may seem strange. Indeed, in the terminology of that time it would have been more logical to call the Savior a deacon, a minister, the head of the fraternal community, and the early Christian Church in its form really did resemble a religious brotherhood. It was the minister-deacon who presided over the assembly, broke the bread, and recited the prayer of blessing over the bread and wine.
But the bishop had, among other things, another duty: he had to remember all the members of the brotherhood by name and take care of them. If, for example, one of the brothers did not appear at the assembly for a fairly long time, usually a month, it was the bishop who had to find out the reason. And if it turned out that this person was ill, for instance, or had some other problems, the bishop had to organize whatever help the brotherhood could provide. The bishop had to keep in mind not only the problems of the brotherhood as a whole, but also the problems of each individual person, caring for concrete people who needed help.
By calling the Savior a bishop, Peter evidently wants to emphasize what Jesus Himself said more than once when describing the meaning of His ministry: each person who can be saved matters to Him, each individual person with all his problems. For in the Kingdom there are no masses and collectives; there are concrete people who love Christ and are loved by Him.
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2:21 Hereunto are ye - Christians. Called - To suffer wrongfully. Leaving you an example - When he went to God.That ye might follow his steps - Of innocence and patience.
2:22 In all these instances the example of Christ is peculiarly adapted to the state of servants, who easily slide either into sin or guile, reviling their fellowservants, or threatening them, the natural result of anger without power.He committed himself to him that judgeth righteously - The only solid ground of patience in affliction. Isa 53:4, Isa 53:6, Isa 53:7, Isa 53:9.
2:23 In all these instances the example of Christ is peculiarly adapted to the state of servants, who easily slide either into sin or guile, reviling their fellowservants, or threatening them, the natural result of anger without power.He committed himself to him that judgeth righteously - The only solid ground of patience in affliction.
2:24 Who himself bore our sins - That is, the punishment due to them. In his afflicted, torn, dying body on the tree - The cross, whereon chiefly slaves or servants were wont to suffer.That we being dead to sin - Wholly delivered both from the guilt and power of it: indeed, without an atonement first made for the guilt, we could never have been delivered from the power.Might live to righteousness - Which is one only. The sins we had committed, and he bore, were manifold.
2:25 The bishop - The kind observer, inspector, or overseer of your souls.
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3:1 If any - He speaks tenderly. Won - Gained over to Christ.
3:2 Joined with a loving fear of displeasing them.
3:3 Three things are here expressly forbidden: curling the hair, wearing gold, (by way of ornament,) and putting on costly or gay apparel. These, therefore, ought never to be allowed, much less defended, by Christians.
3:4 The hidden man of the heart - Complete inward holiness, which implies a meek and quiet spirit. A meek spirit gives no trouble willingly to any: a quiet spirit bears all wrongs without being troubled. In the sight of God - Who looks at the heart. All superfluity of dress contributes more to pride and anger than is generally supposed. The apostle seems to have his eye to this by substituting meekness and quietness in the room of the ornaments he forbids. "I do not regard these things," is often said by those whose hearts are wrapped up in them: but offer to take them away, and you touch the very idol of their soul. Some, indeed only dress elegantly that they may be looked on; that is, they squander away their Lord's talent to gain applause: thus making sin to beget sin, and then plead one in excuse of the other.
3:5 The adorning of those holy women, who trusted in God, and therefore did not act thus from servile fear, was,
3:6 Whose children ye are - In a spiritual as well as natural sense, and entitled to the same inheritance, while ye discharge your conjugal duties, not out of fear, but for conscience' sake. Gen 18:12.
3:7 Dwell with the woman according to knowledge - Knowing they are weak, and therefore to be used with all tenderness. Yet do not despise them for this, but give them honour - Both in heart, in word, and in action; as those who are called to be joint - heirs of that eternal life which ye and they hope to receive by the free grace of God. That your prayers be not hindered - On the one part or the other. All sin hinders prayer; particularly anger. Anything at which we are angry is never more apt to come into our mind than when we are at prayer; and those who do not forgive will find no forgiveness from God.
3:8 Finally - This part of the epistle reaches to Pe1 4:11.The apostle seems to have added the rest afterwards.Sympathizing - Rejoicing and sorrowing together. Love all believers as brethren. Be pitiful - Toward the afflicted. Be courteous - To all men. Courtesy is such a behaviour toward equals and inferiors as shows respect mixed with love.
3:9 Ye are called to inherit a blessing - Therefore their railing cannot hurt you; and, by blessing them, you imitate God, who blesses you.