Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

INTRODUCTION: The Books of 1st and 2nd Peter, as the books of James , 1 st, 2nd, and 3rd John, and Jude though generally referred to as "General Epistles", appear to be general only in the sense that they were to be generally circulated among die churches of Northern Syria, Galatia, and Asia Minor, at the time of their writing. It is the opinion of the writers of the Commentary that each of these seven letters was written to local congregations, to be circulated among others of like faith and order, or to individuals in local congregations or churches to be conveyed by them to the churches, and circulated among the churches.

The writers have sought diligently to interpret each passage and each book in its contextual setting, based on subject matter discussed by each writer, and in keeping with its literary structure and basic message content.

1) "Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ." (Gk. petros) means a stone or little rock. The name appears 160 times in the N.T. He was of the little town of Bethsaida (house of fish), on the northeast shore of the sea of Galilee, also home of Philip and Andrew Mark 6:45; John 1:44; John 12:21. Peter was one of John’s disciples who also was called to follow the Lord as one of His early disciples and become one of the twelve apostles of our Lord, later living in Capernaum, Matthew 4:18-20; Matthew 10:2.

2) "To the strangers" To the sojourners (Gk. parepidemois) or pilgrims of the dispersion (Gk. eklektois) called out or chosen ones. This is a general epistle only in the sense that the elected, chosen, and called, dispersed pilgrim brethren of local churches of several provinces are addressed. It is a specific church letter, not a universal Catholic letter. 1 Peter 2:5-10; 1 Peter 4:17. The church only is the house of God. 1 Timothy 3:15.

3) "Scattered throughout" Institutionally the church, the house of God, had assemblies in each of the following provinces, to whom this circulatory letter was addressed.

a) Pontus, converts were made on Pentecost Acts 2:9.

b) Galatia - a place colonized by Gauls, Acts 16:6, visited by Paul, who loved them, reproved them, and exhorted them. Galatians 1:6; Galatians 4:13; Galatians 5:6.

c) Cappadocia, inhabitants heard the gospel at Pentecost Acts 2:9.

d ) Asia; Peter’s message on Pentecost and the witness of the disciples was heard by people from the three continents of Asia, Africa, and Europe, Acts 2:8-11.

e) Bithynia - Paul had been hindered in carrying the gospel to this place, but this letter was also for them, Acts 16:7.

1) "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father." Election or calling of the lost to salvation and service is based on the foreknowledge of the Trinitarian God, the Father who comprehended from eternity every man’s need of salvation and provided for it.

2) "Through sanctification of the Spirit." Brethren in these churches of five provinces addressed had been called (elected) to salvation through the (Gk. hagiasmo) sanctification of the Holy Spirit. This is the only way any person has, is, or ever shall become an elect one or a child of God. He is, as a sinner, begotten of the Holy Ghost, born again, when he believes in Jesus, John 6:63; John 3:6; 1 John 5:1; 2 Thessalonians 2:13.

3) "Unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ." After one believes, obeys the call of the Holy Spirit, (Gk. eis hupakoen) he is also to symbolize this holiness by the proper outward symbol. As the sprinkling water and blood symbolized physical cleanliness under Judaism, so baptism symbolizes it to the Christian, Romans 6:3-4.

4) "Grace unto you." (Gk. charis) Grace to you, the brethren, Peter addresses, he wishes and prays.

1) "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Greek - eulogetos) blessed or well spoken of be the God. -- "kai (even) the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ affirms Peter’s belief in the Virgin birth of Jesus as the only begotten of the Father. John 1:14.

2) "Which according to his abundant mercy" Which (which one) or who according to or in keeping with His (Greek polu) much, plenty, or abounding mercy, to sinners, saints, and angels.

3) "Hath begotten us again unto a lively hope." (Greek anagenesas) "has regenerated us from above." Our first generation or begetting was from below -fleshly, earthly, but the new birth, of the Spirit, is from above and gives us an ever-living (Greek elpida) hope Hebrews 6:19.

4) "By the resurrection of Jesus Christ," (Gk. di’) through the (anastaseos) upstanding or resurrection of Jesus Christ. We live, because He lives. This is our assurance, John 14:19.

5) "From the dead." (Gk. ek nekron) means "out of" or "from’ among" dead corpses. He came from among dead corpses, alive, Revelation 1:18 to give His children assurance of being begotten from among dead corpses, 1 Corinthians 15:20-23; Romans 8:11; Revelation 1:5.

6) "And peace be multiplied." The aged apostle desires that both Grace and peace be effusively bestowed on brethren of the faith of the dispersion now residing in the five provinces of Asia Minor, and in each church where the circular letter should go.

1) "To an inheritance," (Gk. eis kleronomian) to or toward an inheritance - coming possession. There is more and better ahead for the redeemed, Ephesians 1:11-14; Colossians 1:12; Colossians 3:24.

2) "Incorruptible, and undefiled," (Gk. aphtharton) not inherently polluted or contaminated from within and (Gk. amianton) not defiled or tainted by contracted defilement from without. Our inheritance is free from impurity like our Lord within and without.

3) "And that fadeth not away." This coming inheritance is also declared to be an unfading one. It is not a mirage, or rainless - cloud, or an illusionary hope."

4) "Reserved in heaven for you." (Gk. teterem enen) means "having been guarded or protected" in heaven for the begotten in Christ. Each begotten one in Christ has an assured reservation of heaven’s place for him, John 14:2-3.

1) "Who are kept by the power of God." (Gk. tous phrouroumenous) The ones being guarded or who are guarded, (Gk. en dunamei) in dynamics or power of God - God like (not human) power. Judges 1:24; Psalms 34:7; Luke 16:22; Hebrews 1:14.

2) "Through faith unto Salvation" (Gk. dia pisteos) through the media or instrument of faith, first of the three spiritual gifts, man’s salvation is procured (obtained) and secured (sustained) to the glory hour or resurrection inheritance, Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 Peter 2:6-7.

3) "Ready to be revealed." The prepared place, territory, inheritance for each prepared and begotten one in Christ, is ready, waiting, held in safe keeping, to be unveiled, like a bride in her beauty, at the appointed time.

4) "In the last time." The race is run ere the crown be given -- the inheritance comes at last (end) of "fixed time" and in time for eternal habitation by its owner. There’s glory to be revealed, Romans 8:17-18; 1 Peter 5:1.

KEPT BY GOD

The Re J. H. Brooks, D. D., says: "If your final salvation depends on your holding out or holding on, you will most certainly be lost. Two ministers were conducting a meeting together, and at its close one of them said, ’I picked up a Dublin tract on a railroad train the other day, and with great interest and profit " although it teaches a doctrine I don’t believe. "What is the doctrine?’ asked his friend. ’The doctrine of the perseverance of the saints,’ he answered. ’Neither do I believe it,’ was the reply. ’Is it possible?’ exclaimed the first, ’I thought you were decided in your belief of it.’ ’No, I am not. I once believed it, but since I have come to know more about the saints, and especially about myself, I believe all of us would go to the devil if left to ourselves; but I believe very firmly in the perseverance of the Lord; and they shook hands to show their fellowship in this earth."

1) "Wherein ye greatly rejoice " (Gk. en ho) "in which (assurance, reservation hope) ye exult or greatly rejoice.

2) "Though now for a season." (Gk. ei deon) If necessary at this moment, (arti) temporarily, (holigon), a little while.

3) " If need be, or should it be necessary.

4) "Ye are in heaviness" or are softly grieving, weeping (Gk. lupethentes) to be laden with a burden of sorrow.

5) "Through manifold temptations." (en poikilois) in or through variegated, many shaded, colored (peirasmois) testings, trials, or temptations, 2 Peter 2:9; 1 Corinthians 10:13.

1) "That the trial of your faith." (Gk. hina) In order that or so that the (Gk. dokimion) testing or proving of the faith of you - the Spiritual gift that brought you salvation, 1 Corinthians 13:13; Ephesians 2:8-9.

2) "Being much more precious than gold that perisheth” (Gk. polutimoteron) being or existing as much or abundantly more precious than (chrusiou) gold of the perishing nature or kind.

3) "Though it be tried by fire." Gk. dia puros) through fire even (Gk. dokimazomenou) being tested or proved.

4) "Might be found unto praise and honor and glory." (Gk. euretha eis epainon) may or might be found unto praise, even glory and honor.

5) "At the appearing of Jesus Christ." (Gk. en pokalupsei) in the unveiling or revelation of Jesus Christ.

6) The word suffering" is the key word in 1 Peter, and it is used some 17 times. That Christians should be willing to suffer and endure it for the sake of Jesus Christ is set forth as a disciplinary Christian virtue that leads to maturity and eventual rewards and glory at the coming of the Lord, 1 Peter 4:13; 2 Timothy 2:12.

TRIED AND TRUE

When a founder has cast his bell he does not at once put it into the steeple, but tries it with the hammer, and beats it on every side, to see if there is a f law. So when Christ converts a man, He does not at once convey him to heaven, but suffers him to be beaten upon by many temptations and afflictions, and then exalts him to his crown. As snow is of itself cold, yet warms and refreshes the earth, so afflictions, though in themselves grievous, keep the Christian’s soul warm and make it fruitful.

--Fellowship News.

1) "Whom having not seen, ye love" - whom not having visibly beheld ye love. Those specifically addressed in the five provinces of Asia Minor loved the Lord, as a fruit of their new nature, though they had not personally seen Him. Yet they believed and loved Him. John 20:29; Romans 4:18-20; 2 Corinthians 5:7.

2) "In whom, though now ye see Him not, ’ (Gk. arti) at this instant or moment of time - though a believer can not look upon or behold his Lord’s physical presence.

3) "Yet believing" (Gk. pistuontes) still actively or progressively trusting Him and His Word.

4) "Ye rejoice with joy unspeakable." (Gk. agalliasthe) ye exult or radiate (Chara) joy, jubilance (anekaleto) unspeakable or irrepressible in kind as Peter and John witnessed, Acts 4:20.

5) "And full of glory. " (Gk. kai dedoksasmene) even having been glorified or experienced joy of "preview -glory - nature" through this suffering, believing, loving experience, Acts 5:41.

LOVING THE UNSEEN

A mother in England taught her little child that his father was away in India. As soon as he could lisp his father’s name, h is picture was shown him, and he was taught to say, "That’s my papa." Though he had never seen his father to know him, yet through that mother’s faithful teaching he had learned to love him, One day, unexpectedly to all, the father returned from India, and as he entered the hall door, his little son was the first to greet him, exclaiming as he did so, "My dear papa, I am so glad to see you." So the Bible pictures before us Christ, our Elder Brother, "whom having not seen, we love," and of whom we sing, "He’s my Saviour." Bye-and-bye, when we behold Him face to face, we shall know Him and meet Him, not as a stranger, but asa friend.

1) "Receiving the end of your faith." (Gk. komizomenoi) receiving or obtaining in your own behalf, for your own profit -the (Gk. telos) end or end purpose of your faith. Trusting faith has present blessings as surely as future rewards for every believer.

2) "Even the Salvation of your souls." (that is) the (Soterion) the salvation or deliverance of your (Gk. psuchon) souls. Salvation of the soul begins at trust in Jesus Christ and is consummated or completed in each through life at the resurrection of the body, Ephesians 1:13-14; Ephesians 4:30.

1) "Of which Salvation" (Gk. Peri) concerning which, which kind of salvation, total deliverance from the penalty of sin and restoration to God’s favor.

2) "The Prophets have inquired and searched diligently." (Gk. eksezetesan) sought out, pursued (kai) even (eksereunesan) searched out meticulously have the prophets.

3) "Who prophecied of the grace." who persistently with unity of agreement went on speaking forth (Gk. peri) concerning the grace for or with reference to you. Acts 10:43.

4) "That should come unto you." The story or redemption and coming hope through the Messiah was the theme of every old and New Testament prophet, from Abel to Jesus Christ. Isaiah 53:1-12; Matthew 3:11-12; Deuteronomy 18:15-19; Acts 3:21-23; Acts 10:43.

1) "Searching what, or what manner of time." (Gk. Ereunontes) Intently seeking to determine at what time or manner (Gr. poion) or condition of time -the prophets all seem to have earnestly searched the Word for signs of the Lord’s coming. Do we today?

2) "The Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify" -Old Testament saints and prophets are here declared to have had the Spirit of Christ (the Holy Spirit) "in" them. It was the same Spirit that gave them unction to speak and write prophetically 2 Peter 1:20-21. The Spirit did (Gk. edelou - make clear) His virgin birth, place of birth, tribe and family, Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2; Luke 1:27-35, Matthew 2:1-7.

3) "When it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ." (Gk. promarturomen) means to bear witness before an event. The omniscient Holy Spirit empowered prophets to do this concerning the coming suffering of Christ Isaiah 53:1-12

4) "And the glory that should follow." The Spirit also enabled prophets to foretell that after the cross would come the crown, reign, and glories of the Lord."

1) "Unto whom is was revealed." To ancient prophets the curtain of revelation disclosed that their prophecies were an heritage for future generations.

2) "That not unto themselves." (Gk. heautois) meaning that not for their personal or selfish benefit.

3) "But unto us they did minister the things," but to us common benefactors today these prophets tediously ministered to provide us these prophetic disclosures.

4) "Which are now reported unto you." The same things (Gk. nun) now and hereafter announced and reported to you. It appears that written prophetic disclosures regarding the sufferings and glories of Christ were meant to be primarily, not for the personal benefit of the writing prophets, but for us. What divine help!

5) "By them that have preached the gospel unto you." The suffering of Christ, His conquering death, and entering heaven constitute the gospel story - the evangelical hope and assurance of personal glory to come to every believer.

6) "With the Holy Ghost sent down from Heaven" As prophets foretold, by the Spirit of Christ in them, our Lord’s coming, suffering, and death-conquering resurrection, even so must true disciples tell it even though they suffer for it. The Holy Spirit empowers in it, Romans 8:14-16.

7) "Which things the angels desire to look into." (Gk. eis ha) into which things the angels (guardian ones) (Gk. epithoumousin) long or desire to look or examine - that redemption from sin is available for fallen men seems to be amazing to the Seraphims and cherubims as they gaze upon the mercy seat. See Genesis 3:24, Exodus 25:18-22; Exodus 37:7-9; Psalms 80:1; Isaiah 6:2.

1) "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind." To gird up the loins of the mind is a phrase of ancient athletic terminology. The brethren were admonished to get their minds "psyched up", emotionally prepared, for the Christian race necessary in the full salvation.

2) "Be sober and hope to the end" (G k. nephontes) being in a state of sobriety or seriousness, hope ye, or hope perfectly to the end. Hebrews 6:19-20.

3)"For the grace that is to be brought unto you.” Place your hope upon the grace gently being brought to you. One has enabling, growing grace now and more awaits the believer to meet future needs. 2 Peter 3:18.

4) "At the revelation of Jesus Christ." (Gk. apokalupsei) at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Romans 3:24; 1 Peter 5:12.

1) 11 As obedient children". As born children (Gk. hupakoes) of obedience - ones who give heed. Children of God, having obeyed His call to obedience in hearing, repenting and believing, should also lead obedient lives of separated service to the Lord and His church. John 14:15; John 15:14.

2) "Not fashioning yourselves". Not patterning yourselves- not becoming a pattern. Romans 12:2.

3) "According to your former lusts." To, toward or according to the former way (of the world) (Gk. epithumiais) longings or sinful cravings.

4) "In your ignorance." In your ignorant, not knowing or not comprehending state. 1 Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 4:18. Those saved should no longer live as if they were yet in ignorance of grace.

1) "But as He which hath called you is holy." Man is called to fulness of salvation by the voice of an Holy God. He is holy in nature, character and all His acts, Psalms 22:3; Psalms 145:17; Revelation 4:8.

2) "So be ye holy" (kai-even or also) (Gk. hautoi hagioi) yourselves be holy ones. Our Lord sets a standard of Holy being and living to which goal all His children are called. Matthew 5:48. Romans 12:1.

3) "In all manner of conversation." This means in all or every course, conduct, or behavior-pattern of life. He is our pattern to follow. Philippians 2:5-7; Philippians 2:12-16.

1) "Because it is written." Peter accepted and gave sanction to the Old Testament Law in which God declared His Holiness, Leviticus 11:44.

2) "Be ye holy." (Gk. hagioi esesthe) Holy ye shall be - or a state or condition of holiness, separation, ye shall maintain.

3) "For I am holy" (Gk. hoti) because, (ego) I am or I be holy. What the Trinitarian Elohim God was, Jesus Christ became in the flesh and called His children to follow it, Mark 8:34-37; Hebrews 7:26.

1) "And if ye call on the Father." And if you (Gk. epikaleisthe) invoke, call to your aid, help, or rescue, the Father - in prayer for a need. John 16:23.

2) "Who without respect of persons judgeth." The one who without face-respect judgeth. Acts 10:34; Deuteronomy 10:17; Romans 2:11; Romans 10:12.

3) "According to every man’s work." (Kata) according to, based on every man’s work (singular). The unbeliever’s work, (said to bring salvation only) is that in remorse of repentance he believe on Jesus Christ, John 6:27-29; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.

4) "Pass the time of your sojourning here in fear." Pass ye, or let pass your time of pilgrimage here in reverential fear. Matthew 10:28; Romans 14:12; 1 Corinthians 5:9-11.

So-live, that when thy summons comes to join

The innumerable caravan which moves

To that mysterious realm, were each shall take

His chamber in the silent halls of death,

Thou go not, like the quarry-slave at night,

Scourged to his dungeon, but, sustained and soothed

By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave,

Like one that wraps the drapery of h is couch About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.

--Thanatopsis

1) "Forasmuch as ye know." (Gk. eidotes) Knowing, perceiving, or comprehending ye - the behavior of the redeemed should always be on the basis of his knowledge of salvation.

2) "That ye were not redeemed with corruptible things” The redeemed were not bought from the-slave market of sin (elutrothete) with (phthartois) corrupt, inherently defiled, or externally contracted, impure things.

3) "As silver and gold" as or like silver (argurio) or (chrusio) gold. Even gold and silver canker - contract defilement, though the dross seems to be gone.

4) "From your vain conversation " from your vain, empty, or sham course of life, living - the vanity pattern.

5) "Received by tradition from your fathers." Received or given over to you from the source of your earthly fathers. Ephesians 2:1-3; Ephesians 2:12; Ephesians 4:18; Romans 3:9; Romans 3:22.

1) "But with the precious blood of Christ." It is the blood that atones for sin, the blood of Jesus, more precious than that of bulls and goats. Leviticus 17:11; Hebrews 10:4; Hebrews 10:14; Ephesians 1:7; 1 John 1:7.

2) "As of a lamb." This phrase refers to the humility and resignation of Jesus Christ as the believers paschal lamb - prepared and holy, qualified to be their deliverer from sin’s bondage. John 1:29; Isaiah 53:1-12

3) "Without blemish and without spot.” A "Blemish" not having (Gk. amamou). The sacrifice lamb could have no deformity of birth, sickness, or corruption - nor could it have a "spot" (Gk. aspilou) not spotted. There was to be no contracted defilement, Exodus 13, 14. Even so our Lord had no internal, inherent, or contracted sin, Hebrews 7:26; nor did He do any act of sin – John 1:47; 1 Peter 2:22-23; Luke 23:4.

THE PRECIOUS BLOOD

An old herdsman of Dartmoor, England, was taken to a London hospital to die. There his grandchild used to visit and read to him. One day she was reading to him the first chapter of the first epistle of John, when she reached the seventh verse," "And the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanseth us from all sin," the old man raised himself and stopped the little girl saying with great earnestness: "Is that there, my dear?" "Yes, grandpa." "Then read it to me again; I never heard the like before." The little girl read again: "And the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanseth us from all sin." "You are quite sure that is there?" "Yes quite sure." "Then take my hand and lay my finger on the passage, for I should like to feel it." So she took the old blind man’s hand and placed his bony finger on the verse, when he said, "Now read it to me again." The little girl read, with her soft, sweet voice: "And the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanseth us from all sin." "You are quite sure that is there?" "Yes quite sure." "Then if any one should ask how I died, tell them I died in the faith of these words: ’And the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanseth us from all sin.’ " And with that, the old man withdrew his hand, his head fell softly back on the pillow, and he silently passed into the presence of him whose "blood cleanseth us from all sin."

--6000 Windows For Sermons

1 ) "Who verily was foreordained." (proegnosmenou) Before having been known one (with the Trinity) Genesis 1:26-27.

2) "Before the foundation of the world." (Gk. pro) to or toward, from the (kataboles) downcasting of the world order ... the universal chaos wrought by Satan’s fall. Ezekiel 28:11-19; Luke 10:18.

3) "But was manifest." (de phanerothentos) moreover was made manifest, made to be recognized, in person. Galatians 4:4-5.

4) "In these last times for you." In the last of the times, (di humas) on account of or because of you of human kind. John 3:16-17; John 20:31.

1) "Who by him do believe in God." Jesus was manifest in-the flesh for the ones believing in God, John 1:31-33; John 1:11-12.

2) "That raised him up from the dead." Peter affirmed his and true disciples, belief that the living God had raised Jesus up from the dead (Gk. nekron) -among dead corpses, Romans 8:11. He shall also bring forth all who have since believed. 1 Thessalonians 4:14.

3) "And gave him the glory." And gave to Him therewith glory -a resurrection glory body. Philippians 3:21.

4) "That your faith and hope might be in God." The earthly manifestation of Jesus Christ, His death, and glorious resurrection body after His death, were all heaven ordained evidences by which the Holy Spirit might call unbelievers to faith in Jesus Christ and believers to exercise their volition, (their will) as obedient servants, in faith and hope of their resurrection and reunion with the Lord and all the redeemed. John 20:31; Philippians 3:20-21; Titus 2:11-13; 1 Peter 1:13.

1) "Seeing ye have purified your souls." When one has exercised the gift of faith by placing it in Jesus Christ, of his own Holy Spirit convicted will, he is said to have purified or made his soul pure. Ephesians 2:8-9; Acts 15:9.

2) "in obeying the truth through the Spirit." For a convicted sinner to obey God’s call to repentance and faith through the Spirit he is said to be made holy or "purify his soul." Trusting in Jesus Christ is declared to be obeying the gospel - not baptism. Romans 10:16.

3) "Unto unfeigned love of the brethren." this soul purifying salvation experience enables one to love brethren and express it without pretence or hypocrisy. (Gk. anupokriton) Romans 12:9.

4) "See that ye love one another." Hortatively, with fatherly exhortation, Peter says to pure-souled brethren "see after it" - make it a matter of effort that ye love one another. John 13:34-35.

5) "With a pure heart fervently." (Gk. ek kardias) out from the source of the purified heart (Acts 15:9) love one another earnestly, fervently. (Gk. ektenos). 1 John 3:23; 2 John 1:5.

1) "Being born again, not of corruptible seed." Having been or now being regenerated, a state or present condition of being - not an active process of becoming regenerated. "Not of corruptible seed" means the source of regeneration was not of corrupt or depraved origin.

2) "But of incorruptible, by the Word of God." The new birth (from above birth) has its origin in Jesus Christ who Himself was born (Gk. aphthartou) of incorruptible seed of woman - not man, begotten by the Holy Spirit Galatians 4:4-5. By the incorruptible seed -the Word of God that became flesh, believers are regenerated, John 1:14.

3) "Which liveth" The progressive, unending -life-word regenerating one lives on, Romans 6:8. Because of this we believe we too shall live on, progressively.

4) "And abideth forever." Even abides or remains progressively without end or cessation of life or being. Here is the believers assurance. John 14:19.

1) "For all flesh is as grass. ’ All depraved human flesh, like grass, is temporary, fading, decaying. Job 14:2; Psalms 90:5-6; Isaiah 40:6-8.

2) "And all the glory of man as the flower of grass

All the glory of man is declared to be as the (Gk. anthos) flower petal and grass - so soon to pass.

3) "The grass withereth." When the grass stem withers or dries, the end of the flower beauty is at hand.

4) "And the flower thereof falleth away. ’ The flower petal of it drops down to the earth. So is this life of flesh. How brief, uncertain, rapidly passing is this life. Its brevity should give men pause. James 1:10.

BREVITY OF LIFE

Out, out brief candle! Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more. It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.

--Shakespeare

1) "But the Word of the Lord endureth forever." But the rhetoric (Gk. hrema) saying of the Lord endures, continues, remains true into the ages or forever. His spoken written and living Word should therefore be respected regarding life and death. Matthew 24:35; Isaiah 40:8.

2) "And this is the Word." This is even or also the saying (of finality) in authority.

3) "Which by the gospel is preached unto you.

Which by the good news of the Lord is preached to you. The full salvation for which man’s heart yearns, a better life hereafter has actuality of being in Jesus Christ alone, by regeneration, by faith in the Incorruptible Son of God. This message we witness and preach. Romans 1:16.