Commentary on First Peter

by Robert Leighton

“The soul and body of all mankind are stained by the pollution of sin. The impure leprosy of the soul is not an outward spot, but wholly inward; so, as the bodily leprosy was purified by the sprinkling of blood, this is, too. Then, by reflecting, we see how all this expressed by the Apostle St. Peter is necessary for our justification. 1. Christ, the Mediator between God and man, is God and man. 2. A Mediator not only interceding, but also satisfying.. This satisfaction does not reconcile us, unless it is applied; therefore there is not only mention of blood, but the sprinkling of it. The Spirit by faith sprinkles the soul, as with hyssop, by which the sprinkling was this is what the Prophet speaks about, So shall he sprinkle many nations; and which the Apostle to the Hebrews prefers above all legal sprinklings (chap. 9:12-14), both as to its duration and as to the excellence of its effects. “Men are not easily convinced and persuaded of the deep stain of sin, and that no other laver can remove it but the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. Some who have moral resolutions of amendment dislike at least gross sins, and try to avoid them—to them it is cleanness enough to reform in those things, but they haven’t considered what becomes of the guiltiness they have already contracted, and how that shall be purged, how their natural pollution shall be taken away. Don’t be deceived in this; it is not a passing sigh, or a light word, or a wish of "God forgive me;" no, nor the highest current of repentance, nor that which is the truest evidence of repentance, change—none of these purify us in the sight of God, and expiate His wrath; they are all imperfect and stained themselves, cannot stand and answer for themselves, much less be of value to compensate the former guilt of sin. The very tears of the purest repentance, unless sprinkled with this blood, are impure; all our washings without this are but washings of the blackamoor—it is labor in vain. None are truly purified by the blood of Christ, who do not endeavor after purity of heart and conversation; yet it is the blood of Christ by which they are all made fair, and there is no spot in them. Here it is said, elect to obedience; but because that obedience is imperfect, there must be sprinkling of the blood too. There is nothing in religion further out of nature’s reach, and out of its liking and belief, than the doctrine of redemption by a Savior, and a crucified Savior,—by Christ, and by His blood, first shed on the cross in His suffering, and then sprinkled on the soul by His Spirit.”

511 pages, Hardcover

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 ...'