A Practical Commentary on 1 Peter

by Robert Leighton

Robert Leighton (1611 – 25 June 1684) was a Scottish pastor and moderate puritan. He served as the Bishop of Dunblane, Archbishop of Glasgow, and Principal of the University of Edinburgh.

But he is best remembered for his classic commentary on 1 Peter. Spurgeon remarked on this volume, "We need scarcely commend this truly heavenly work. It is a favorite with all spiritual men."

"The heart that is touched with the loadstone of Divine love," writes Leighton, "trembling with godly fear, and yet still looking towards God by fixed believing, points at the love of election, and tells the soul that its course is heavenward, towards the haven of eternal rest.

He who loves may be sure he was loved first; and he who chooses God for his delight and portion may conclude confidently that God has chosen him to be one of those who shall enjoy Him and be happy in Him forever; because our love and electing of Him is but the return and repercussion of the beams of His love shining upon us."

664 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

Robert Leighton (1611 – 25 June 1684) was a Scottish prelate and scholar, best known as a church minister, Bishop of Dunblane, Archbishop of Glasgow, and Principal of the University of Edinburgh from 1653 to 1662.

(wikipedia)

Reviews

[Jonah Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-have and must-use commentary.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Commentaries are tools, and like tools, you may need different types for different purposes. Some commentaries focus more on technical grammatical analysis, some enter more deeply into dialogue with earlier commentators, some are introductory, some expository, etc. Archbishop Leighton's commentary doesn't exactly fit any of those more common categories, though it is closer to an expository commentary than a technical one. Thomas Manton on James, Spurgeon on the Psalms, and Bridges on Proverbs are perhaps similar in style and usefulness, though I might prefer Leighton to them all. Certainly for all the commentaries I used while preaching through 1 Peter (Calvin, Henry, Clowney, Brown, Schreiner, Grudem, Kistemaker), pride of place undoubtedly goes to Leighton. He excelled in explaining the meaning lucidly and memorably and applying it with great pastoral insight and precision. Not only was it one of the best commentaries I've ever read, but also one of the best books on the Christian life in general.

[Macira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spell Bounding

Probably the most practical reformed commentary on 1 Peter in print. A must read for those wanting a clear exegesis and application of the divine text.

[Cath]

A *readable* commentary. Leighton was the best of the episcopal ministers in Scotland around the time of the Covenanters, and this is his best known work.[return][return]He works through each of the chapters in 1 Peter, verse by verse, and although the level of detail can be quite challenging at times, the insights which he presents are always intended to inspire the reader to greater love and devotion to the Saviour.[return][return]One of his main themes is the perspective which a Christian should have towards their day to day lives here on earth - he continually emphasises the need to look at "time" through the filter of "eternity," remembering that those who know God have infinitely beautiful and worthwhile things to occupy their thoughts with, rather than fretting about what goes on here on the earth. 'Unto you therefore who believe, he is precious ...'