Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
1 Peter Ch.3 / 5 Ch.s
1PE:3
* The duties of wives and husbands. (1-7) Christians exhorted to
agree. (8-13) And encouraged to patience under persecutions for
righteousness' sake, considering that Christ suffered patiently.
(14-22)
#1-7 The wife must discharge her duty to her own husband, though
he obey not the word. We daily see how narrowly evil men watch
the ways and lives of professors of religion. Putting on of
apparel is not forbidden, but vanity and costliness in ornament.
Religious people should take care that all their behaviour
answers to their profession. But how few know the right measure
and bounds of those two necessaries of life, food and raiment!
Unless poverty is our carver, and cuts us short, there is
scarcely any one who does not desire something beyond what is
good for us. Far more are beholden to the lowliness of their
state, than the lowliness of their mind; and many will not be so
bounded, but lavish their time and money upon trifles. The
apostle directs Christian females to put on something not
corruptible, that beautifies the soul, even the graces of God's
Holy Spirit. A true Christian's chief care lies in right
ordering his own spirit. This will do more to fix the
affections, and excite the esteem of a husband, than studied
ornaments or fashionable apparel, attended by a froward and
quarrelsome temper. Christians ought to do their duty to one
another, from a willing mind, and in obedience to the command of
God. Wives should be subject to their husbands, not from dread
and amazement, but from desire to do well, and please God. The
husband's duty to the wife implies giving due respect unto her,
and maintaining her authority, protecting her, and placing trust
in her. They are heirs together of all the blessings of this
life and that which is to come, and should live peaceably one
with another. Prayer sweetens their converse. And it is not
enough that they pray with the family, but husband and wife
together by themselves, and with their children. Those who are
acquainted with prayer, find such unspeakable sweetness in it,
that they will not be hindered therein. That you may pray much,
live holily; and that you may live holily, be much in prayer.
#8-13 Though Christians cannot always be exactly of the same
mind, yet they should have compassion one of another, and love
as brethren. If any man desires to live comfortably on earth, or
to possess eternal life in heaven, he must bridle his tongue
from wicked, abusive, or deceitful words. He must forsake and
keep far from evil actions, do all the good he can, and seek
peace with all men. For God, all-wise and every where present,
watches over the righteous, and takes care of them. None could
or should harm those who copied the example of Christ, who is
perfect goodness, and did good to others as his followers.
#14-22 We sanctify God before others, when our conduct invites
and encourages them to glorify and honour him. What was the
ground and reason of their hope? We should be able to defend our
religion with meekness, in the fear of God. There is no room for
any other fears where this great fear is; it disturbs not. The
conscience is good, when it does its office well. That person is
in a sad condition on whom sin and suffering meet: sin makes
suffering extreme, comfortless, and destructive. Surely it is
better to suffer for well-doing than for evil-doing, whatever
our natural impatience at times may suggest. The example of
Christ is an argument for patience under sufferings. In the case
of our Lord's suffering, he that knew no sin, suffered instead
of those who knew no righteousness. The blessed end and design
of our Lord's sufferings were, to reconcile us to God, and to
bring us to eternal glory. He was put to death in respect of his
human nature, but was quickened and raised by the power of the
Holy Spirit. If Christ could not be freed from sufferings, why
should Christians think to be so? God takes exact notice of the
means and advantages people in all ages have had. As to the old
world, Christ sent his Spirit; gave warning by Noah. But though
the patience of God waits long, it will cease at last. And the
spirits of disobedient sinners, as soon as they are out of their
bodies, are committed to the prison of hell, where those that
despised Noah's warning now are, and from whence there is no
redemption. Noah's salvation in the ark upon the water, which
carried him above the floods, set forth the salvation of all
true believers. That temporal salvation by the ark was a type of
the eternal salvation of believers by baptism of the Holy
Spirit. To prevent mistakes, the apostle declares what he means
by saving baptism; not the outward ceremony of washing with
water, which, in itself, does no more than put away the filth of
the flesh, but that baptism, of which the baptismal water formed
the sign. Not the outward ordinance, but when a man, by the
regeneration of the Spirit, was enabled to repent and profess
faith, and purpose a new life, uprightly, and as in the presence
of God. Let us beware that we rest not upon outward forms. Let
us learn to look on the ordinances of God spiritually, and to
inquire after the spiritual effect and working of them on our
consciences. We would willingly have all religion reduced to
outward things. But many who were baptized, and constantly
attended the ordinances, have remained without Christ, died in
their sins, and are now past recovery. Rest not then till thou
art cleansed by the Spirit of Christ and the blood of Christ.
His resurrection from the dead is that whereby we are assured of
purifying and peace.