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. To drive them to repentance (2 Samuel 12:18; Genesis 42:21). They are as the shepherd's dog, to fetch us out of the corn, to bring us into compass again (Psalm 32:4, 5; Psalm 119:67, 71). 2. To keep them from sin, being therefore compared to a hedge of thorns (Hosea 2:6; Job 33:17; 2 Chronicles 20:37). 3. To humble them. We have a proud nature, and while in health we think our heads half touch the clouds; therefore God pulls us down by troubles. 4. To make them more holy, to scourge off the rust, purge out some of the remnant of the old man, and renew the inner man (Isaiah 4:4; Hebrews 12:10; Isaiah 27:9). 5. To wean them from the world, to which even the best are too much addicted, and to make them willing to die and to be gone hence, so setting them on work to look after and make sure of a better inheritance. 6. To prove the devil a liar (Job 1:9). 7. To keep them from hell and condemnation. 8. To bring them to heaven. (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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