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4:1 Christo igitur passo in carne, et vos eadem cogitatione armamini : quia qui passus est in carne, desiit a peccatis :
*H Christ therefore having suffered in the flesh, be you also armed with the same thought: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sins:


Ver. 1. He that hath suffered in the flesh, hath ceased from sins. Some expound these words of Christ; but he never had committed the least sin. The true sense is, that every one who suffers by Christ's example, leaves off a sinful life, so as not to fall into great sins. Wi.

4:2 ut jam non desideriis hominum, sed voluntati Dei, quod reliquum est in carne vivat temporis.
That now he may live the rest of his time in the flesh, not after the desires of men but according to the will of God.
* Footnote * Ephesians 4 : 23 And be renewed in spirit of your mind:
4:3 Sufficit enim praeteritum tempus ad voluntatem gentium consummandam his qui ambulaverunt in luxuriis, desideriis, vinolentiis, comessationibus, potationibus, et illicitis idolorum cultibus.
*H For the time past is sufficient to have fulfilled the will of the Gentiles, for them who have walked in riotousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings and unlawful worshipping of idols.


Ver. 3. For the time past is sufficient, &c. As if he said, you who were Gentiles, have already lived too long in vices before your conversion; so that they who are not yet converted, admire [1] at the change they see in you, make a jest of you, talk against you for your not running on with them in the same wicked and shameful disorders: but they shall render an exact account of all to the just Judge of the living and the dead. For as I told you before, in the last chap. (v. 19.) for this cause (i.e. because Christ is judge of all) he descended to the place where the souls of the dead were, and preached to them, shewing himself, their Redeemer, who judgeth and condemneth those who had lived according to the flesh, but gave life to those who had lived well, or done penance according to the spirit of God. Wi.

4:4 In quo admirantur non concurrentibus vobis in eamdem luxuriae confusionem, blasphemantes.
Wherein they think it strange that you run not with them into the same confusion of riotousness: speaking evil of you.
4:5 Qui reddent rationem ei qui paratus est judicare vivos et mortuos.
Who shall render account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
4:6 Propter hoc enim et mortuis evangelizatum est : ut judicentur quidem secundum homines in carne, vivant autem secundum Deum in spiritu.
For, for this cause was the gospel preached also to the dead: That they might be judged indeed according to men, in the flesh: but may live according to God, in the Spirit.
4:7 Omnium autem finis appropinquavit. Estote itaque prudentes, et vigilate in orationibus.
But the end of all is at hand. Be prudent therefore and watch in prayers.
4:8 Ante omnia autem, mutuam in vobismetipsis caritatem continuam habentes : quia caritas operit multitudinem peccatorum.
*H But before all things have a constant mutual charity among yourselves: for charity covereth a multitude of sins.


Ver. 8. Charity covereth a multitude of sins. It is a great means to atone for them; or it may signify, that a charitable mind excuses many sins in others. Wi.

* Footnote * Proverbs 10 : 12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: and charity covereth all sins.
4:9 Hospitales invicem sine murmuratione.
Using hospitality one towards another, without murmuring,
* Footnote * Romans 12 : 13 Communicating to the necessities of the saints. Pursuing hospitality.
* Footnote * Hebrews 13 : 2 And hospitality do not forget: for by this some, being not aware of it, have entertained angels.
* Footnote ** Philippians 2 : 14 And do ye all things without murmurings and hesitations:
4:10 Unusquisque, sicut accepit gratiam, in alterutrum illam administrantes, sicut boni dispensatores multiformis gratiae Dei.
*H As every man hath received grace, ministering the same one to another: as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.


Ver. 10. As good stewards of the manifold grace of God. An admonition to the ministers of the gospel, to employ well their talents and the graces received to the honour and glory of God. Wi.

* Footnote * Romans 12 : 6 And having different gifts, according to the grace that is given us, either prophecy, to be used according to the rule of faith;
* Footnote ** 1_Corinthians 4 : 1 Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ and the dispensers of the mysteries of God.
4:11 Si quis loquitur, quasi sermones Dei : si quis ministrat, tamquam ex virtute, quam administrat Deus : ut in omnibus honorificetur Deus per Jesum Christum : cui est gloria et imperium in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
If any man speak, let him speak, as the words of God. If any minister, let him do it, as of the power which God administereth: that in all things God may be honoured through Jesus Christ: to whom is glory and empire for ever and ever. Amen.
4:12 Carissimi, nolite peregrinari in fervore, qui ad tentationem vobis fit, quasi novi aliquid vobis contingat :
*H Dearly beloved, think not strange the burning heat which is to try you: as if some new thing happened to you.


Ver. 12. Think not strange, &c. Be not surprised, nor discouraged that a hot and sharp persecution is come upon you at this time, as if it were a new and an extraordinary thing. It is what you must expect and be ready to receive with patience, and even with joy, when you suffer as Christ did before you, and for his sake: this is the way to eternal happiness in heaven. Wi.

4:13 sed communicantes Christi passionibus gaudete, ut et in revelatione gloriae ejus gaudeatis exsultantes.
But if you partake of the sufferings of Christ, rejoice that, when his glory shall be revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
4:14 Si exprobramini in nomine Christi, beati eritis : quoniam quod est honoris, gloriae, et virtutis Dei, et qui est ejus Spiritus, super vos requiescit.
*H If you be reproached for the name of Christ, you shall be blessed: for that which is of the honour, glory and power of God, and that which is his Spirit resteth upon you.


Ver. 14. Which is of the honour, glory, &c. He gives them the reason why they must rejoice and look upon themselves happy to suffer for the name of Christ, because to suffer for God's sake is glorious, is a mark that the glorious, the honourable, and the powerful spirit of God rests upon them: for as Paul said, (Heb. xii. 6.) "For whom the Lord loveth, he chastiseth; and he scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." Nothing then is more honourable, nothing more advantageous, than to suffer for being a Christian. This word is only found here, and Acts xi. 26. Wi.

4:15 Nemo autem vestrum patiatur ut homicida, aut fur, aut maledicus, aut alienorum appetitor.
*H But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or a railer or coveter of other men's things.


Ver. 15. Or a railer. [2] The Greek here signifies one that does evil, or a malefactor. — Or as coveting the goods of others. [3] The Greek rather signifies one curiously prying into the affairs of others, which Protestants translate a busy body. Wi.

4:16 Si autem ut christianus, non erubescat : glorificet autem Deum in isto nomine :
But, if as a Christian, let him not be ashamed: but let him glorify God in that name.
4:17 quoniam tempus est ut incipiat judicium a domo Dei. Si autem primum a nobis, quis finis eorum, qui non credunt Dei Evangelio ?
*H For the time is, that judgment should begin at the house of God. And if at first at us, what shall be the end of them that believe not the gospel of God?


Ver. 17. The time is that judgment should begin at the house of God. By judgment seems to be here understood afflictions, persecutions, and trials in this world; and the sense is, that the time of this life is a time of suffering. — And if first at us. That is, if the justice of God deal in this manner with his friends whom he loves, much greater will be hereafter the punishments of sinners, and of those who have refused to believe in Christ. Wi.

4:18 et si justus vix salvabitur, impius et peccator ubi parebunt ?
*H And if the just man shall scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?


Ver. 18. Scarcely. That is, not without much labour and difficulty. Ch.

* Footnote * Proverbs 11 : 31 If the just man receive in the earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner.
4:19 Itaque et hi, qui patiuntur secundum voluntatem Dei, fideli Creatori commendent animas suas in benefactis.
Wherefore let them also that suffer according to the will of God commend their souls in good deeds to the faithful Creator.
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