1 Peter 1:6-9 Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, you are in heaviness through manifold temptations:… 1. Gold comes out of the earth; faith from heaven, whence every good and perfect gift is. 2. Faith is more rare, termed therefore the faith of God's elect, whereas most, even of the wicked, are not without gold. 3. Faith cannot be purchased with all the gold in the world. 4. It is hardly gotten and hardly kept, and has many and strong enemies — our own nature, the world and the devil are all against faith, but not against getting of gold. 5. It apprehends salvation and life eternal, and so is the instrument of our happiness. So is not gold but the instrument of many a man's damnation; by unconscionable getting, and covetous keeping the same, many cast away their souls. 6. It will comfort a man with true comfort in his life, carry him strongly through troubles, and boldly through the gates of death. 7. Gold perisheth, here canker and rust consume it; we may be taken from it, as it from us; but faith endureth till Christ's appearing, to our full redemption, as the fruit thereof forever.Uses: 1. To them that want gold, and yet have faith. Know that thou art richer than he that hath thousands of gold and hath not faith. 2. To the rich. Rejoice not that thou art rich, but that thou hast faith. Again, think all your pains to become you well, and well bestowed in getting this precious faith. 3. To those who have not faith. Poor souls, labour after it, that you may be made inwardly rich. 4. To rich men who have toiled for gold. Seek this that is so much better. (John Rogers.) Parallel Verses KJV: Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: |
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