Hilary of Arles

Nicene & Post-Nicene · AD 325–500 · 167 passages across 8 books

Commentary

41–60 of 167

Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

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.

1 Peter 2:7

Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

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

1 Peter 2:11

Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

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

1 Peter 2:12 · 2 passages

Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

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.

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.

1 Peter 2:16

As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

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.

1 Peter 2:19

For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.

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

1 Peter 2:20

For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

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

1 Peter 2:25

For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

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.

1 Peter 3:1

Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

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.

1 Peter 3:2

While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

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

1 Peter 3:3

Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;

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.

1 Peter 3:5

For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:

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

1 Peter 3:7

Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

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.”

1 Peter 3:8

Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

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.

1 Peter 3:9

Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

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!

1 Peter 3:10

For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

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

1 Peter 3:13

And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?

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

1 Peter 3:16

Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

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.

1 Peter 4:2

That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

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

All writers

Who was this?

Hilary of Arles, also known as Hilarius, served as a bishop in Southern France during the fifth century. He died in 449. He is recognized as a saint in both the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions, where his feast day is observed on 5 May.

Wikipedia

Works cited

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 1 PETER 40
INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 2 PETER 38
INTRODUCTORY TRACTATE ON THE LETTER OF JAMES 38
INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 1 JOHN 30
INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 3 JOHN 7
INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON JUDE 6
INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 2 JOHN 5
HONORATUS, PREFACE 3 1
INTRODUCTORY OMMENTARY ON 2 JOHN 1

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