Hilary of Arles — Commentary on Scripture

1 Peter 2:6

Everything in this prophecy is written about Christ. There are many living stones in God’s temple, but here we are contemplating only the One.

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 1 PETER

1 Peter 2:7

Those of you who believe in Christ are more than just stones—you are sons of God!

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 1 PETER

1 Peter 2:11

Evil desires are called “carnal” because they operate through the flesh, but in reality they are spiritual, because they come from the soul.

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 1 PETER

1 Peter 2:12

The day of visitation will be like the time when God visited Egypt through an angel and slew all the firstborn children. Similarly he will visit the lands of the earth and will cut off the firstfruits of all evil works.

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 1 PETER

1 Peter 2:12

As the head of the church Peter lays down rules for everyday behavior, and by doing so he unites all the members of the church in one overall harmony.

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 1 PETER

1 Peter 2:16

If we have a form of religion on the outside but inside we are opposed to the rulers of the church as well as to kings and princes, we are using our faith as a pretext for evil.

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 1 PETER

1 Peter 2:19

You will be approved by God if you suffer unjustly, because you know that that is exactly what he did.

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 1 PETER

1 Peter 2:20

Peter shows here that those who deserve punishment receive no mercy or grace from God if they perish.

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 1 PETER

1 Peter 2:25

Error has three causes—darkness, loneliness and ignorance. The Gentile sheep were wandering among idols because of their foolish ignorance, and they found themselves lost in the darkness of sin and in the loneliness of a strange nation. Peter goes on to add that now they have turned to the guardian [bishop] of their souls, because although there are many guardians around who care about the things of the flesh, there are few who can look deep into the soul and take care of it.

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 1 PETER

1 Peter 3:1

The husband is the head of the wife, and so she must be subject to him just as the other members of the body must be subject to the head. Peter wants wives to show their husbands the path of virtue with just the same vitality as so many of them lead their husbands in the opposite direction.

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 1 PETER

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.

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 1 PETER

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.

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 1 PETER

1 Peter 3:5

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

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 1 PETER

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.”

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 1 PETER

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.

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 1 PETER

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!

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 1 PETER

1 Peter 3:10

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

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 1 PETER

1 Peter 3:13

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

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 1 PETER

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.

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 1 PETER

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.

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 1 PETER