Hilary of Arles — Commentary on Scripture

1 Peter 3:2

Actions speak louder than words, and the husbands will be persuaded by what they see, not by what they hear from their wives.

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1 Peter 3:3

There is nothing wrong with these ornaments in themselves, but they are unnecessary extras for the believer and should therefore be avoided. Most of them were invented by the daughters of Ham, which explains why the prohibition is directed to women rather than to men.

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1 Peter 3:5

Women must remain holy in every state of life, whether they are married, single or celibate.

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1 Peter 3:7

The head can easily corrupt the members of the body, but Peter addresses himself to the latter first, lest it be thought that the lesser might somehow despise the greater. But then he goes on to exhort the greater to treat the lesser members properly. This means, first, husbands must respect the times set aside for prayer and fasting and not demand their marital rights if these are going to be a distraction from other things. Second, men must accept that they are stronger than their wives and therefore have a duty to protect them. Third, both parties are heirs of eternal life which God gives by grace, not by any merit which we may possess, and we do well to remember that “It depends not on man’s will or exertion, but on God’s mercy.”

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1 Peter 3:8

Peter, as the head of the church, calls everyone to unite in harmony, whether they are secular rulers and peasants, princes of the church and monks, or husbands and wives. The same basic principles apply to them all.

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1 Peter 3:9

Of course you should not return evil for good or cursing for blessing either, though some people do. A Christian is called to the exact opposite behavior!

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1 Peter 3:10

The present is evil, but the future is bright. We should always remember that.

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1 Peter 3:13

Who can prevent you from being blessed, for the Scriptures say that no one can take our joy from us.

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1 Peter 3:16

Do not get angry or threaten anyone. Your conscience is the part of you which embraces what is good and which rejects evil. It is like the doorkeeper of a house which is open to friends and closed to enemies.

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1 Peter 4:2

The will of God which we live by is the witness of the gospel, which kills any interest we may have in human glory.

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1 Peter 4:6

The gospel is preached to the Gentiles who are dead in sin, but this may also refer to the fact that when the Lord was buried in the tomb he went to preach to those who live in hell.

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1 Peter 4:7

Peter is saying that once the gospel has been preached to the Gentiles the end will have come.

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1 Peter 4:12

The trials and temptations which come to Christians are nothing new. The prophets of the Old Testament suffered exactly the same things. All such trials find their meaning and culmination in the cross of Christ. The servant is not greater than his master. If Christ suffered, how can we expect to get off any more lightly?

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1 Peter 4:15

Our suffering must not be like that of the thief on the cross, who suffered because he was a murderer, even though he himself confessed that Christ had done no wrong. Nor should we be like Ananias and Sapphira, who tried to steal what belonged to God. Even less should we imitate Simon Magus, who denounced the apostles to Nero and who tried to buy their gifts with gold and silver.

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 1 PETER

1 Peter 4:16

If you suffer as a Christian, you have nothing to be ashamed of. Think of James the son of Zebedee or Stephen. However awful the trials you suffer may be, learn to glory in them, not to be upset by them. Christ’s glory is revealed in the church when it suffers.

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1 Peter 5:1

It is by exhortation and constructive criticism that the flock of the Lord is to be set straight.

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1 Peter 5:2

Here Peter is telling the leaders of the church exactly what the Lord told him: “Feed my sheep.”

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1 Peter 5:3

Even though you may have authority over the church in what you say or in the office which you occupy, you should never have a superior attitude toward others.

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1 Peter 5:5

By “young men” Peter means everyone who occupies a subordinate role in the church. But note that those who are superiors must also act humbly, for humility is what should be common to both.

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1 Peter 5:9

There is a world of difference between God and the devil. If you resist God, he will destroy you, but if you resist the devil, you will destroy him.

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 1 PETER