William Burkitt Notes and Observations - 1 Peter 3:15 - 3:15

Online Resource Library

Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | Download

William Burkitt Notes and Observations - 1 Peter 3:15 - 3:15


(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)

This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts;-- This phrase in scripture imports, 1. A firm belief of God's Almighty power, that he can protect from sufferings; and a full affiance in his goodness and providence, that he will do it, if it be good for us.

2. It is from the heart to own and believe the truth of all that God delivers in his word by way of promise to his people, and by way of threatening to their enemies, that his eyes are over the righteous, and his face against them that do evil.

3. To sanctify the Lord God in our hearts, is always to maintain upon our minds such an holy fear, and awful reverence of God, as will effectually prevail upon us to dread more the displeasure of God, than any thing we can suffer at the hand of man.

Learn hence, 1. That when sufferings are approaching we ought to strengthen our hearts against all fears of suffering, by putting our trust in God.

2. That by this trust and confidence in God in a suffering hour, we do eminently sanctify the Lord God in our hearts, Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself, and let him be your fear and your dread. Isa_8:13

--And be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear: As if the apostle had said, "If you be Christians indeed, you are not without hope, an hope of everlasting bliss and happiness, which will infinitely recompense you hereafter for all the hard things which you suffer for the sake of Christianity here; and forasmuch as this your hope is not a vain and groundless expectation, but a rational hope, be always ready to render a reason of that hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.

Learn hence, 1. That the Christian's hope is a rational hope, he has a reason to hope for what he hopes, his hope is well-grounded upon the promise of God, upon the purchase of Christ, and upon the operations of the Holy Spirit, quickening him by its renovation, leading him by its manuduction, actuating him by its influence, animating him in devotions by its assistances, by being the author of all that grace that is in him.

Learn, 2. That it is a Christian's duty to be always ready to render a reason of this his hope, when the glory of God, the honour of religion, and the good of others do require it.

Learn, 3. That this must not be done with vanity and ostentation, but with meekness and fear: Be always ready to render a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.