Practical Commentary of 1 Peter Volume 2, Commentary · Chapter 2 · Verse 8
Verse 10.
10. As every man hath received the Gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good Stewards of the manifold Grace of God.
THIS is the rule concerning the Gifts and Graces bestow'd on Men; and we have here. 1. Their difference in their kind and measure. 2. Their Concordance in their source and use.
1. Different in their kind, that exprest in the first clause, as every one hath received. Then again in the last clause [foreign] various or manifold Grace, where [foreign] is all one with the former [foreign] and largely taken in all kind of endowments, and furniture by which Men are enabled for mutual good. One Man hath Riches, another Authority and Command, another Wit or Eloquence, or learning: and some tho' eminent in some one, yet have a fuller conjuncture of divers of these. We find not more difference in visages and statures of body, then in qualifications, and abilities of the mind, which are the visage and stature of it, yea the odds is far greater betwixt Man and Man in this than it can be in the other.
Now this difference accords well, with the accordance there exprest in their common spring and common use▪ For the variety of these many gifts suits well with the singular riches and wisdom of their own giver, and with the common advantage and benefit of the many receivers. And in the usefulness of that variety to the receivers, shines forth bounty and wisdom of the giver in so ordering all that diversity, to one excellent end; so this foreign here, commends that foreign that the Apostle speaks of, Eph. 3. 10.
There is such an admirable beauty in this variety, such a symmetry and contemperature of different, yea of contrary qualities, that speaks his riches, that so divers gifts are from the same Spirit. A kind of,*The Psalmist's Word for the boly Psal. 139. embroidering of many collours, happily mixt as the Word [foreign] signifies; as its in the frame of the natural body of Man as the lesser World, and in the composure of the greater World; thus in the Church of God, the mystical Body of Jesus Christ exceeding both, in excellency and beauty.
And as there is such art in this contrivance, and such comeliness in the resulting frame; so 'tis no less useful, and that commends mainly the thing it self, and the Supream Wisdom ordering it, that as in the body each part hath not only its place for proportion, and order, but each its use; and as in the World, each part is beneficial to another, so here, every mans gift relates, and is fitted to some use for the good of others.
Inser. 1. The first thing meets us here is very useful to know, that all is received, and received of gift, of most free gift, so the words do carry. Now this would most reasonably check all murmuring in those, that receive least; and insulting in those, that receive most: whatever 'tis, do not repine, but praise; how little soever it is, for its a free gift. Again, how much soever it is, be not high minded, but fear, boast not thy self, but humbly bless thy Lord: for if thou hast received it, how canst thou boast?
2. Every man hath received some gift, no man all gifts, and this rightly considered, would keep all in a more even temper; as in nature, nothing altogether useless, so nothing self sufficient; this would keep the meanest from r…pining, and discontent, that have the lowest rank in most respects: yet something he hath received, that is not only a good to himself, but rightly improved, may be so to others likewise. And this will curb the loftiness of the most advantaged, and teach them. not only to see some deficiences in themselves, and som… gifts stand lower in far meaner Persons, which they war…, but besides the simple discovery of this, it will put them upon the use of what is in lower persons, not only to stoop to the acknowledgment; but even withal the participation and benefit of it, not to trample upon all that is below them, but to take up, and use things useful, though lying at their feet; some Flowers and Herb▪ that grow very low, are of a very fragant smel, and healthful use.
Thou that carriest it so high, losest much by it: many a poor Christian that thou despisest to make use of, may have that in them that might be very useful for thee; thou overlookest it, and treadest on it. St. Paul acknowledgeth he was comforted by the coming of Titus, though far inferiour to him; sometimes a very mean unle…tered Christian may speak more profitably and com…rtably, even to a knowing learned man, than mult…tudes of his own best thoughts can do; especially in a time of we…ness and darkness.
3. As all is received, and with that difference, so the third thing is, that all is received, to minister to each other, and mutual benefit is the true use of all, suiting the mind of him that dispenses all, and the way of his dispensation. Thou art not proprietary Lord of any thing thou hast, but foreign, a Steward, and therefore oughtest gladly to be a good Steward, that is, both faithful and prudent in thy intrusted gifts, using all thou hast to the good of the Houshold, and so to the advantage of thy Lord and Master. Hast thou abilities of estate, or body, or mind, let all be thus employed? thinkest thou that thy wealth, or power, or wit, is thine, to do with them as thou wilt, to ingross to thy self, either to retain useless, or to use to hoord and wrap up, or to lavish out according as thy humour leads thee? no, all is given, as to a Steward, wisely and faithfully to lay up and lay out, not only thy outward and common mind gifts, but even saving grace, that seems most interested and appropriated for thy private good: yet is not wholly for that, even thy graces are for the good of thy Brethren.
Oh! That we would consider this in all, and look back and mourn on the fruitlessness of, all that hath been in our hand all our life hitherto. If not wholly fruitless, yet far short of that fruit we might have brought forth; any little thing done by us, looks big in our eye, we view it in a multiplying glass; but who may not complain that their means, and health, and opportunities of several kinds of doing for God, and for our Brethren, have lain dead upon their hands in a great part. Christians, as defective in other duties of love, so most in that most important, of advancing the spiritual good of each other. Even they that have grace, do not duly use it to mutual edification. I desire none to leap over the bounds of their calling, or rules of Christian prudence in their converse, yea, this were much to be blam'd, but, I fear, lest unwary hands, throwing on water to quench that evil, let some of it fall by upon these sparkles, that should be stirr'd and blown up.
Neither should the disproportion of Gifts and Graces hinder, nor move the weaker to envy the stronger; nor the stronger to despise the weaker; but each in his place to be serviceable to another, as the Apostle excellently presses it by that most fit resemblance of the parts of the body, 1 Cor. 12 As the foot says not, why am I not the eye, or the head; the head cannot say of the foot I have no need of thee. No envy, no despising in the natural; Oh! the pity that so much should be in the mystical; were we more spiritual, this would less be found. In the mean time, Oh! that we were more agreeable to that happy estate we look for, in our present aspect, and carriage one to another. Though all graces are in some measure where there is one, yet all not in a like measure. One Christian more eminent in meekness, another in humility, a third in zeal, &c. Now by their spiritual converse one with another each may be a gainer; and many ways may a private Christian promote the good of others, with whom he lives, by seasonable admonitions, and advice, and reproof sweetned with meekness; but most by holy example, which is the most lively, and most effectual speech.
Thou that hast greater Gifts, more is entrusted in thy hand, therefore the more engagement to fidelity and diligence. Men in great place and publick services to stir themselves up by this thought to singular watchfulness, and Zeal; and in private converse on with another, to be doing, and receiving spiritual good: are we not strangers here, and is it not strange, that we so often meet, and part without a word of our home, or the way to it, or our advance towards it? Christians should be trading one with another in spiritual things, and he sure that faithfully uses most, receives most, that's under that word; to him that hath shall be given, and from him that hath not, &c. that uses not. Its he that hath actively and usefully. Merchants can feel in their trading a dead time, and complain seriously of it, and Christians in theirs either can suffer it and not see it, or see it and not complain, or possibly complain and yet not be deeply sensible of it.
Certainly it cannot be duly regreted that we are so fruitless in the Lords work in this kind, that alone we study it not more, and seek it more by prayer, to know the true use of all we receive, and in society to endeavour accordingly. But we triffle out our time and instead of the commerse of grace to our mutual enriching, we trade in vanity, and as it were Children exchanging shells and toys together.
This sure will lie heavy when we reflect on it, and shall come near the utter brink of time, looking forwards on eternity, and then looking back to our days, so vainly wasted and worn out to no purpose. Oh! let us awake, awake our selves and one another, to more fruitfulness and faithfulness, whatsoever be our received measure, less or more.
Be not discouraged, to have little in the account shall be no prejudice. The approbation runs not, thou hadst much, but in the contrary, thou hast been faithful in little: great faithfulness in the use of small gifts hath great acceptance, and a great and sure reward. Great receits engage to greater returns, and therefore require the greater diligence; and that not only for the increase of grace within; but the assistance of it in others. Retired Contemplation may be more pleasing, but due activeness for God and his Church is more profitable. Rachel, was fair, but she was barren, Leah blear eyed, but fruitful.