Julian Period, 4778, or 4779. Vulgar Era, 65 or 66. Countries mentioned in the Inscription, and also to the Rome. of Antioch, and quoted by Papias, Irenæus, Clemens, Alexan- The passages which are considered inconsistent with the It remains for us now to inquire from what place this Epistle was written? for on this point also commentators are much divided. From St. Peter's sending the salutations of the Church from Babylon, it is by many believed that he wrote his first Epistle from that place. Pearson, Mill, and Le Clerc are of opinion that the apostle speaks of Babylon in Egypt. Erasmus, Drusius, Beza, Lightfoot, Basnage, Beausobre, Wetstein, Cave, and Benson, suppose he writes from Babylon in Assyria. But, according to Lardner, there is no mention made of any church or bishop at the Egyptian Babylon during the first four centuries; and the Assyrian Babylon was almost deserted in the time of the apostles. Ecumenius, Bede, and other fathers, Grotius, Whitby, and the learned of the Romish communion, think that by Babylon Peter figuratively signified Rome. And this opinion is corroborated by the general testimony of antiquity, which, Dr. Lardner remarks, is of no small weight. Eusebius (a) relates, on the authority of Clement of Alexandria and Papias Bishop Julian Period, 4778, or 4779. Vulgar Era, 65 or 66. for their Religion, and to enforce upon them the Necessity Rome. of Jerusalem, that St. Mark's Gospel was written at the request Silvanus or Silas, the bearer, was "the faithful brother," or The Jews were fond of mystical appellations, especially in their captivities; Edom was a frequent title for their heathen oppressors; and as they were first taken captive to Babylon, it is very probable that Rome, the principal scene of their second captivity, which so strongly resembled Babylon in her "abominations, her idolatries, and persecutions of the saints," should be denominated by the same title. And this supposition is confirmed by a similar expression of the Apocalypse, where the mystical application is unquestionable (Rev. xiv. 8. xvi. 19. xviii. 2, &c.) There is every reason to suppose (see Lardner) that John borrowed it from Peter; or rather, that both derived it by inspiration, from the prophecy of Isaiah (xxi. 9.) It is considered from the expression (chap. iii. 16.) that as St. Peter had seen all St. Paul's Epistles when this was written, that the latter apostle was dead, at least if St. Peter wrote from Rome, as it is more generally supposed by the ancient Christian writers. For when St. Paul wrote his second letter to Timothy from Rome, a short time before his death, he did not mention the name of Peter, which he would not have omitted had he been in the city at that time. From which it is argued, that if St. Peter wrote his first Epistle from Rome, he must have done so after St. Paul's martyrdom, consequently not sooner than the year 66, or 67, about three years before the destruction of Jerusalem : for St. Paul was put to death in the twelfth year of Nero, corresponding to A.D. 66; and we are told that when he wrote his second Epistle, which was a short time after the first, he was old, and near his end, with the prospect of soon dying a martyr Julian Pe riod, 4778, or 4779. Vulgar Era, 65 or 66. § 1. 1 PET. i. 1, 2. The Apostle's Address and Benediction to the Jews and Christ. 1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 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. § 2. 1 PET. i. 3–12. The Apostle blesses God for the spiritual Birth of the Jews for the truth of Christianity. Had he been put to death, as Macknight remarks, as the design of this Epistle is excellent, (a) Hist. Eccl. lib. ii. c. 15. vol. iii. p. 55.---Michaelis, vol. ii. VOL. II. p. (b) Lardner, 8vo. vol. v. p. 272. 4to. Rome. Julian Period, 4778, or 4779. 65 or 66. seen, they greatly rejoice as a Saviour, knowing they shall Rome. receive from him the Reward of their Faith, the Salvation Vulgar Era, of their Souls; which Salvation the Prophets predicted, diligently searching to ascertain the Period of Time and People referred to by the Spirit of God, which testified beforehand of the Sufferings of Christ, and the Glories and Blessings which should attend them-To whom also the Holy Spirit revealed, that it was not to themselves, but to a People of a future Time, that they ministered the Things now declared to the World by the Apostles, who were endowed for that Purpose by the same Holy Spirit, which Mysteries, the Angels, as well as Men, desire to contemplate (Exod. xxv. 20). 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations : 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: 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 : 9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 10 Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 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. 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 Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. Julian Period, 4778, or 4779. 65 or 66. § 3. 1 PET. i. 13-21. The Apostle calls upon them, from the Consideration of the Vulgar Era, Blessings obtained by the Sufferings of Christ, to take Courage under all their Trials, supported to the End of their Lives by the Hope of eternal Life, promised them at the Day of the Revelation of Christ, avoiding the Lusts practised by them in their unconverted State, and imitating the Holiness of God, who has called them to be his Children, as it is written by Moses (Lev. xix. 2. 1 Pet. v. 10. ii. 21. and iii. 9.)—And as every Man will be judged according to his individual Works, without distinction of Person, they are admonished to pass the Time of their sojourning on Earth in religious Fear-and so much the more, as they were delivered from the hereditary Superstitions and Traditions or vicious Rites of Worship they had received from their Fathers, by the Blood of Christ, as of a Sin-offering, without Blemish, appointed in the Divine Purpose, before the Foundation of the World, and typified by the legal Sacrifice; but was made manifest in the last, or the Gospel Dispensation, to the Gentiles also, who through Faith in the Divine Mercy, displayed in this Sacrifice of Christ, believe in God, who raised him from the Dead, and exalted him to celestial Glory, that their Faith being established in the fulfilment of God's Promises, their Hope of eternal Glory through Christ might be in God. 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; 14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 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: 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; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was fore-ordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you ; 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. Rome. |