7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Commentary
Vs. 7 The Apostle Peters exhortation here: "But the end of all things is at hand", sets that stage for all that follows, and is given in the light of Jesus Christ's return. That is that the Lord Jesus Christ can and will return at anytime, a time that not even the Biblical Apostles knew, nor does anyone else. And so there is to always be an immediacy with our lives and service, as we await Jesus' return. (Consider Matt 24:36-44; 24:45-51 parallel passage in Luke 12:41-48; Matt 25:1-13). A return that will see His gathering of all believers to Himself (See 2 Thess 2:1-12), before He executes His judgment on the unrepentant and unbelieving world (consider Isaiah 66:16; Matt 13:38-43; 47-50; 24:27-31; Rev 19:11-16, 20:4-6; 11-15; 21:5-8). Therefore because the end of all things is at hand. Whether our own lives end, or Christ's return while were still alive on earth, we must be watchful and serious in all our prayers (Again consider Mark 13:32-37). For there are many distractions in this life, and these must never supplant the urgency of the Gospel and or our preparing ourselves for Jesus Christ's return. Which is not a one time event, that is, though we must make a positive decision for the Lord Jesus Christ here and now, that is not the end of our faith. But rather we must as faithful disciples of Jesus grow in our faith and in all righteousness. For God will not delay, on the appointed day, and at the appointed time, the end of this world (and the god of it) will come, and then the Judgment; of both believers and unbelievers (Daniel 12:1-3). Therefore we must live lives here and now that are preparing us for that Day, when we will stand before our Lord and Savior to be judged by Him (Consider Matt 16:27; John 5:24-30; Rom 2:16; 1 Cor 3:10-15; 2 Cor 5:10; Rev 22:12).
Vs. 8 Having exhorted us to watchfulness and seriousness in our prayers and lives. The Apostle Peter now commands what is most critical for all believers live by, and that is love. For he says "And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”
Now the notion of fervent love here is not merely an "intensity of love", but more readily is an ongoing disposition of love towards one another. For only then will love cover (as in forgive, remit or conceal) a multitude of sins. For in church's where we all come from different backgrounds and bring with us different "baggage's" from old lives, and or being raised by broken and or imperfect people, even Christian people. Inevitably there is going to be issues that we will need to face and resolve as maturing Christians, both individually, as well as corporately. Therefore if we as believers make it our goal to love one another as Jesus Christ has loved us, then truly love will cover all sins amongst us (Prov 10:12). The Believers Bible Commentary says here: "Such a love will not publicize the faults and failings of other believers, but will protect them from public view. Someone has said, "Hatred makes the worst of everything. Love is entitled to bury things out of sight."*
Therefore only as we abide in Jesus Christ's love will we exemplify His love for us and all through our own lives. For as the Apostle Paul once noted, without love everything else fails (1 Cor 13). Are there times when public disclosure is necessary? Of course there is (consider Matt 18:15-17; 1 Tim 5:20 etc.). But this is far different than one who does not first seek reconciliation; or spreads gossips about others (Lev 19:16), or uses the faults or failings of others to undermine them (Psalm 101:5). All which causes needless injury and harm to person and reputation and ultimately sows discord amongst brethren (Pr. 26:20). Which as the Scripture says is only an abomination to the Lord (Prov 6:19). Therefore only by exemplifying the same grace and love towards each other that God has shown, and continues to show us In Christ, will we strengthen the bonds of Christian love and kindness between us and the church body as a whole. For love is absolutely critical in maintaining a healthy fellowship and strong unity in Jesus Christ's Church, as the Apostle John emphasized both love and righteousness in first epistle. For when followed it makes Jesus Christ's building upon the local assemblies in which we fellowship, truly viable.
Vs. 9 "Be hospitable to one another without grumbling." Being hospitable, that is receiving each other, indeed all believers, with warmth and kindness, is probably one of the most important and liberating things that we can do for each other, and all people as Jesus Christ's envoys. Maybe that's why hospitality so clearly marked Jesus Christ's Person and ministry. From His willingness to publicly identify with, and or defend known sinners and social outcasts who in faith sought Him (Matt 9:9-13; Luke 7:40-50). To His receiving and or publicly removing social shame and stigma from those once enslaved by it (Luke 8:41-48; Luke 17:1-19). Jesus was a Man whose goodness of heart and hospitality towards all was never partial to anyone. Neither His own countrymen, simply because they were Jews (consider His Words in Matt 8:5-13). Nor did He favor those of Israel's "elite"; (as would be the nature of most men, court the favor of the rich and powerful to forward ones own ministry interests). Instead Jesus received both native Israelite and foreigners alike, irrespective of their social standing. Who in faith, or in need, or in a Spiritual search for truth, sought Him. From Nicodemus (a teacher of the law) who late one night sought Jesus with pressing questions (See John 3 and the beautiful discourse and critically important message born out of their encounter). To ten lepers who needed healing, and yet with only one returning to glorify God, and that a foreigner, Jesus will say to him, and him alone, that his faith has made him well (Luke 17:11-19). To the multitudes of people with their seemingly endless needs. Jesus never turned anyone away who was seeking Him. Even when Jesus was in region of Tyre and Sidon, and wanting to remain there in a certain house unknown, yet when sought out by a Syro-Phoenician woman who appealed to Him to heal her daughter of a demon, He did so, even at the risk of self disclosure (Mark 7:24-30).
Again Jesus' Person and Ministry is marked by many examples of hospitality in the Gospel, even towards little children when His disciples thought it prudent to do otherwise (Matt 19:13-15). In regards to this one of my personal favorites is Jesus' encounter with Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10). A tax collector, and not just and ordinary tax collector like Matthew and his friends, but a chief tax collector who was not only of short physical stature. But was by all accounts, a man of short social "stature" amongst his own people. And so Zacchaeus, hearing that Jesus had come wanted to see Him, but he could. For as the narrative goes, he was of short stature, and the crowds were so large that he could not see over them. Nevertheless instead of being discouraged and giving up, Zacchaeus runs ahead of where Jesus is; seeing that Jesus is heading in that direction; and climbs a nearby sycamore tree on the side of the road, so that he can see Jesus from it. What follows is probably one of the most uplifting encounters in the Gospel, as Jesus; though swarmed by people; as He is walking by, looks up and sees Zacchaeus in the tree, and from the midst of the crowd calls out to him, and says: "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house." vs. 5
With that Zacchaeus makes haste and comes down and receives Jesus joyfully. Now when Jesus received him the people began to complain, saying: "He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner." vs. 7
And with that the Scripture says:" Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold." 9 And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; 10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." And that is what hospitality does, it opens wide the door to the Kingdom of heaven, to everyone who though lost, sees their need for the Lord Jesus Christ. Again Jesus' commandments and parables point to both the serious, as well as the eternal rewards with which He views and repays any hospitality down in, or for His Name (consider Matt 5:47; 25:31-46). Therefore just as Jesus is, so we are to be. Both towards each other as believers as the greetings in Romans chapter 16 so wonderfully command (16:3-21) and exemplify (Rom. 16:21-24). As well as towards all; as Hebrews 13:2 also exhorts the spiritual realities of doing so. And so we must all as ambassadors of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of Heaven be willing to receive each other without grumbling (and not be like the people who did when Jesus received Zacchaeus) but rather exemplify that most excellent Life and example Jesus lived amongst us, whose hospitality not only welcomed us home, when no one else would (consider Luke 15:1-32), but will bring us home to be with Himself, when He fulfills all things for our lives.
The first exhortations were about personal conduct, here the finial exhortations are about personal ministry. "As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." vs. 10 Each believer has been given Spirit gifts by the Holy Spirit, these are not natural abilities these are Supernatural gifts imparted by the Spirit of God that the Spirit gives according to His own will, to work through each and every believers unique persons and personalities (see Rom 12:3-8; 1 Cor 12:4-11; Eph 4:7-16; Heb 2:4). That said we are to use them, not for our own edification, but rather for the edification of the church (1 Cor 14:12) . And so as the Apostle Peter says here we are to minister with our Spirit gifts to each other as good stewards of the manifold (that is the immense and diverse) grace of God. Therefore if someone needs encouragement then through your gift of encouragement, encourage them. Or if someone needs mercy then through the gift of mercy show mercy to them. Or if their is a ministry that needs leadership, or a teacher, preacher, Evangelist or administration then lead and serve there with the gifts and abilities that God has provided through the Holy Spirit to you to do that. For again gifts of Wisdom, Knowledge, Discernment are absolutely critical to making sound choices in ministry. Therefore "If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen." vs 11
Again the point of all ministry done in Jesus Christ's name is for the building of the church in love, and for God's glory and His glory alone through Jesus Christ. Let us then make that our goal.
Scripture Citations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982
Commentary
Vs. 7 The Apostle Peters exhortation here: "But the end of all things is at hand", sets that stage for all that follows, and is given in the light of Jesus Christ's return. That is that the Lord Jesus Christ can and will return at anytime, a time that not even the Biblical Apostles knew, nor does anyone else. And so there is to always be an immediacy with our lives and service, as we await Jesus' return. (Consider Matt 24:36-44; 24:45-51 parallel passage in Luke 12:41-48; Matt 25:1-13). A return that will see His gathering of all believers to Himself (See 2 Thess 2:1-12), before He executes His judgment on the unrepentant and unbelieving world (consider Isaiah 66:16; Matt 13:38-43; 47-50; 24:27-31; Rev 19:11-16, 20:4-6; 11-15; 21:5-8). Therefore because the end of all things is at hand. Whether our own lives end, or Christ's return while were still alive on earth, we must be watchful and serious in all our prayers (Again consider Mark 13:32-37). For there are many distractions in this life, and these must never supplant the urgency of the Gospel and or our preparing ourselves for Jesus Christ's return. Which is not a one time event, that is, though we must make a positive decision for the Lord Jesus Christ here and now, that is not the end of our faith. But rather we must as faithful disciples of Jesus grow in our faith and in all righteousness. For God will not delay, on the appointed day, and at the appointed time, the end of this world (and the god of it) will come, and then the Judgment; of both believers and unbelievers (Daniel 12:1-3). Therefore we must live lives here and now that are preparing us for that Day, when we will stand before our Lord and Savior to be judged by Him (Consider Matt 16:27; John 5:24-30; Rom 2:16; 1 Cor 3:10-15; 2 Cor 5:10; Rev 22:12).
Vs. 8 Having exhorted us to watchfulness and seriousness in our prayers and lives. The Apostle Peter now commands what is most critical for all believers live by, and that is love. For he says "And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”
Now the notion of fervent love here is not merely an "intensity of love", but more readily is an ongoing disposition of love towards one another. For only then will love cover (as in forgive, remit or conceal) a multitude of sins. For in church's where we all come from different backgrounds and bring with us different "baggage's" from old lives, and or being raised by broken and or imperfect people, even Christian people. Inevitably there is going to be issues that we will need to face and resolve as maturing Christians, both individually, as well as corporately. Therefore if we as believers make it our goal to love one another as Jesus Christ has loved us, then truly love will cover all sins amongst us (Prov 10:12). The Believers Bible Commentary says here: "Such a love will not publicize the faults and failings of other believers, but will protect them from public view. Someone has said, "Hatred makes the worst of everything. Love is entitled to bury things out of sight."*
Therefore only as we abide in Jesus Christ's love will we exemplify His love for us and all through our own lives. For as the Apostle Paul once noted, without love everything else fails (1 Cor 13). Are there times when public disclosure is necessary? Of course there is (consider Matt 18:15-17; 1 Tim 5:20 etc.). But this is far different than one who does not first seek reconciliation; or spreads gossips about others (Lev 19:16), or uses the faults or failings of others to undermine them (Psalm 101:5). All which causes needless injury and harm to person and reputation and ultimately sows discord amongst brethren (Pr. 26:20). Which as the Scripture says is only an abomination to the Lord (Prov 6:19). Therefore only by exemplifying the same grace and love towards each other that God has shown, and continues to show us In Christ, will we strengthen the bonds of Christian love and kindness between us and the church body as a whole. For love is absolutely critical in maintaining a healthy fellowship and strong unity in Jesus Christ's Church, as the Apostle John emphasized both love and righteousness in first epistle. For when followed it makes Jesus Christ's building upon the local assemblies in which we fellowship, truly viable.
Vs. 9 "Be hospitable to one another without grumbling." Being hospitable, that is receiving each other, indeed all believers, with warmth and kindness, is probably one of the most important and liberating things that we can do for each other, and all people as Jesus Christ's envoys. Maybe that's why hospitality so clearly marked Jesus Christ's Person and ministry. From His willingness to publicly identify with, and or defend known sinners and social outcasts who in faith sought Him (Matt 9:9-13; Luke 7:40-50). To His receiving and or publicly removing social shame and stigma from those once enslaved by it (Luke 8:41-48; Luke 17:1-19). Jesus was a Man whose goodness of heart and hospitality towards all was never partial to anyone. Neither His own countrymen, simply because they were Jews (consider His Words in Matt 8:5-13). Nor did He favor those of Israel's "elite"; (as would be the nature of most men, court the favor of the rich and powerful to forward ones own ministry interests). Instead Jesus received both native Israelite and foreigners alike, irrespective of their social standing. Who in faith, or in need, or in a Spiritual search for truth, sought Him. From Nicodemus (a teacher of the law) who late one night sought Jesus with pressing questions (See John 3 and the beautiful discourse and critically important message born out of their encounter). To ten lepers who needed healing, and yet with only one returning to glorify God, and that a foreigner, Jesus will say to him, and him alone, that his faith has made him well (Luke 17:11-19). To the multitudes of people with their seemingly endless needs. Jesus never turned anyone away who was seeking Him. Even when Jesus was in region of Tyre and Sidon, and wanting to remain there in a certain house unknown, yet when sought out by a Syro-Phoenician woman who appealed to Him to heal her daughter of a demon, He did so, even at the risk of self disclosure (Mark 7:24-30).
Again Jesus' Person and Ministry is marked by many examples of hospitality in the Gospel, even towards little children when His disciples thought it prudent to do otherwise (Matt 19:13-15). In regards to this one of my personal favorites is Jesus' encounter with Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10). A tax collector, and not just and ordinary tax collector like Matthew and his friends, but a chief tax collector who was not only of short physical stature. But was by all accounts, a man of short social "stature" amongst his own people. And so Zacchaeus, hearing that Jesus had come wanted to see Him, but he could. For as the narrative goes, he was of short stature, and the crowds were so large that he could not see over them. Nevertheless instead of being discouraged and giving up, Zacchaeus runs ahead of where Jesus is; seeing that Jesus is heading in that direction; and climbs a nearby sycamore tree on the side of the road, so that he can see Jesus from it. What follows is probably one of the most uplifting encounters in the Gospel, as Jesus; though swarmed by people; as He is walking by, looks up and sees Zacchaeus in the tree, and from the midst of the crowd calls out to him, and says: "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house." vs. 5
With that Zacchaeus makes haste and comes down and receives Jesus joyfully. Now when Jesus received him the people began to complain, saying: "He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner." vs. 7
And with that the Scripture says:" Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold." 9 And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; 10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." And that is what hospitality does, it opens wide the door to the Kingdom of heaven, to everyone who though lost, sees their need for the Lord Jesus Christ. Again Jesus' commandments and parables point to both the serious, as well as the eternal rewards with which He views and repays any hospitality down in, or for His Name (consider Matt 5:47; 25:31-46). Therefore just as Jesus is, so we are to be. Both towards each other as believers as the greetings in Romans chapter 16 so wonderfully command (16:3-21) and exemplify (Rom. 16:21-24). As well as towards all; as Hebrews 13:2 also exhorts the spiritual realities of doing so. And so we must all as ambassadors of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of Heaven be willing to receive each other without grumbling (and not be like the people who did when Jesus received Zacchaeus) but rather exemplify that most excellent Life and example Jesus lived amongst us, whose hospitality not only welcomed us home, when no one else would (consider Luke 15:1-32), but will bring us home to be with Himself, when He fulfills all things for our lives.
Vs. 10-11 10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
The first exhortations were about personal conduct, here the finial exhortations are about personal ministry. "As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." vs. 10 Each believer has been given Spirit gifts by the Holy Spirit, these are not natural abilities these are Supernatural gifts imparted by the Spirit of God that the Spirit gives according to His own will, to work through each and every believers unique persons and personalities (see Rom 12:3-8; 1 Cor 12:4-11; Eph 4:7-16; Heb 2:4). That said we are to use them, not for our own edification, but rather for the edification of the church (1 Cor 14:12) . And so as the Apostle Peter says here we are to minister with our Spirit gifts to each other as good stewards of the manifold (that is the immense and diverse) grace of God. Therefore if someone needs encouragement then through your gift of encouragement, encourage them. Or if someone needs mercy then through the gift of mercy show mercy to them. Or if their is a ministry that needs leadership, or a teacher, preacher, Evangelist or administration then lead and serve there with the gifts and abilities that God has provided through the Holy Spirit to you to do that. For again gifts of Wisdom, Knowledge, Discernment are absolutely critical to making sound choices in ministry. Therefore "If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen." vs 11
Again the point of all ministry done in Jesus Christ's name is for the building of the church in love, and for God's glory and His glory alone through Jesus Christ. Let us then make that our goal.
Scripture Citations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982
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