1 Peter 5

1 Peter 5:1

When he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected. See Genesis 27:31-34. The spiritual blessing that belonged to the birthright was denied to Esau though he wept over the disappointment. For he found no place of repentance. No way to correct the mistake and to secure the blessing. It was too late for this, since he had forfeited his birthright. The apostle holds up his case as a warning example.

1 Peter 5:2

For ye are not come unto the mount. Ye should be diligent. Mount Sinai and the inauguration of the law are described. It was a mountain that might be touched, a mountain of earth, and that burned with fire. It burned on that occasion “with fire”. See Exodus 19:12-19.

1 Peter 5:3

And the sound of a trumpet. See Exodus 19:16. The trumpet blast preceded the giving of the law. And the voice of words. The voice of God proclaiming the Ten Commandments. They that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more. Filled with terror at the awful manifestation they entreated that God speak no more directly to them (Exodus 20:19).

1 Peter 5:4

For they could not endure that which was commanded. The command and penalty added to their terror (Exodus 19:12).

1 Peter 5:5

Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake. Even Moses was filled with fearful awe (Exodus 19:19).

1 Peter 5:6

Ye are come unto Mount Sion. The law was given at Sinai; the Gospel was to go forth from Mount Zion; that is, from Jerusalem. See Psalms 2:6 Joe 2:32 Revelation 21:2. It is used as a type or symbol of the kingdom of heaven. And unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. This heavenly city is where our Lord dwells and is our eternal home. In coming to Christ we have come into the covenant which gives us the right to a place in that city. And to an innumerable company of angels. The angels of heaven.

1 Peter 5:7

To the general assembly and church of the firtborn. The universal church of Christ. The first born son in Israel inherited the birthright (Genesis 25:31 1 Chronicles 5:1), but all the saints have the birthright and hence are called the first born. They are enrolled, not on earthly registers, but their names are written in heaven. And to God the Judge of all, who will inflict judgment in behalf of the persecuted church. And to the spirits of just men made perfect. To the fellowship of all the sainted dead now perfected above.

1 Peter 5:8

To Jesus the mediator of the new covenant. To fellowship with Jesus, the Mediator of the New Covenant as Moses was of the Old. And to the blood of sprinkling. To Christ’s atoning blood by which our hearts are “sprinkled from an evil conscience” (Hebrews 10:22). That speaketh better things than [that of] Abel. Abel’s blood cried for vengeance; Christ’s pleads for mercy.

1 Peter 5:9

See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. The whole Old Testament shows that those who refused to listen to God’s message delivered by men did not escape. How can those escape then who refuse to listen to God’s own Son?

1 Peter 5:10

Whose voice then shook the earth. At Sinai (Exodus 19:18). But now he hath promised. See Haggai 2:6, which declares the removal of the heavens and earth at Christ’s coming.

1 Peter 5:11

And [this word], Yet once more signifieth, etc. This means, says the apostle, that there is only one more shaking after the time of Hag 2:6. It is not a material, but moral and spiritual event. It began when Christ came and will continue until all that is temporal or erroneous be removed and only the eternal remains. Among the things removed is the covenant of Sinai.

1 Peter 5:12

Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved. We Christians have received a kingdom which cannot be shaken and which is eternal. Let us have grace. Hence should serve God with “reverence and godly fear” since we are called to so high an estate.

1 Peter 5:13

For our God [is] a consuming fire. Because, while God is very merciful and loving, he will not overlook willful disobedience, but will destroy those who despise his commandments.