Bible Commentaries
1 Peter 2

Verse 1

1) "Wherefore" (Gk. oun) therefore, in view of what has been affirmed.

2) "Lay aside" (Gk. apothemenoi) putting or setting to one side, isolating, or eliminating - lay aside like old dirty, soiled clothes.

3) "All malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies." Sins of the old nature of evil emotions from within.

4) "And all" (Gk. Kai pasas) "evil speakings" (Gk. katalalias) outward expressions such as gossiping, backbiting, snide remarks, derision, and scornful criticism. Ephesians 4:30-32; Colossians 3:8. Bury forever those evil inclinations and words that are grievous to the Spirit of God.

TONGUE CONTROL

Unless we yield our tongues as instruments of righteousness unto God, Satan will use them to his advantage, and to our spiritual impoverishment. Some people pride themselves that they have the gift of gab. But one thing is certain -- what little spirituality such people possess may soon dribble away via the mouth.

--W. B. K.

Verse 2

1) "As newborn babes" (G k. hos artigenneta) as or like just begotten or born (Gk. brephe) infants, babes.

2) "Desire the sincere milk of the word." Desire or strongly yearn for the (Gk. logikon) Spiritual or holy Word of (Gk. adolon gala) pure milk kind.

3) "That ye may grow thereby," (Gk. hina) in order that (Gk. en auto) in or by it (Gk. eis soterian) into salvation or full deliverance. 1 Corinthians 3:1-3. Hebrews 5:12-14; 1 Peter 3:18.

Verse 3

1) "If so be ye have tasted" (Gk. ei) on the condition that (Gk. egeusasthe) ye have tasted -partaken of the bread of life. David exhorted, "taste and see that the Lord is good." Psalms 34:8; John 6:50.

2) "That the Lord is gracious." That (Gk. Chrestos) abounding in grace - the Lord is. Romans 5:20 asserts that, "where sin abounded, grace did much more abound" - and it still does. Paul found it so. 2 Corinthians 12:9.

Verse 4

1) "To whom coming" (Gk. proserchomai) approaching of one’s own volition, one’s own will, or accord -- voluntarily moving forward, moving out in obedient service toward Christ as Lord and Master.

2) "As unto a living stone." (Gk. lithon zonta) a stone of living kind or nature that stone is Jesus. 1 Corinthians 3:11; Acts 4:11-12.

3) "Disallowed indeed of men," or having been rejected, cast aside, thrown aside of men – Psalms 118:22 - The smitten stone (rock) was Christ. Exodus 17:6; 1 Corinthians 10:4; John 1:11-12.

4) "But chosen of God and precious." (Gk. de theon) on the other hand of God (Gk. eklekton) elected or chosen (Gk. entimon) precious or honored highly.

a) This Christ is the foundation of redemption.

b) He is the rock - stone from whom the Spirit and water of life flows. John 4:13-14; John 7:37-39.

c) He is the Foundation (solid support) on which the church is built, Ephesians 2:20.

d) He is to be recognized as the "Stone cut out of the mountain" (world government order) "without hands," Virgin born - appearing in the Judean and Galilean area of the Gentiles, under Roman Rule, that is to “smite the image of the Beast" the restored one world Gentile government at His return - in which state He shall crush (with judgment) all unbelievers and unholy religious and irreligious orders - as prophecied Daniel 2:34; Daniel 2:44-45; Matthew 1:23; Matthew 4:13-16.

Verse 5

1) "Ye also, as lively stones," (Gk. Kai autoi) also or even yourselves - as Jesus Christ is "the Stone" (foundation one) in salvation, supplying the water of life, the foundation for a worthwhile life, the Foundation of the church - the pillar and ground of the truth, even so those saved (in Him) are declared by Peter to be "living stones." 1 Timothy 3:15-16.

2) "Are built up a Spiritual house." (Gk. oikomeisthe) means are progressively being built up." Strengthened or embellished (Gk. oikos pneumatikos) an house spiritual in nature. The church of Jesus Christ is made of "lively stones" "fitly framed together" on the New Testament pattern.

a) saved baptized disciples Matthew 4:19-21.

b) covenanted together to follow Jesus in His program of worship and work. Mark 8:34-36; Ephesians 2:19-20.

3) "An holy Priesthood." (eis hierateuma hagion) “unto” that is built or fitly framed or covenanted together as lively stones with view to a holy priesthood work - as the Old Testament priesthood administered a program of Divine work and worship even so - not all the family of God - not all the saved - not all believers, but those "fitly framed, formed," or covenanted together to carry on the worship and work of Jesus constitute His Holy priesthood in the Gentile age. Ephesians 4:16. This is the church.

4) "To offer up Spiritual sacrifices" These sacrifices are to be of the whole body, mind, and talents in service, prayer, praise, thanksgiving, witnessing, and testimony to the Lord -- through the church. Romans 12:1-2; Philippians 4:18; Colossians 3:12-17.

5) "Acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." To be well received by Jesus Christ every redeemed person must seek and find fitly framed fellowship in the church of Jesus Christ, a local congregation. Here only may a lively stone render the greatest degree of service to Jesus. Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 3:21.

STONES LEFT UNUSED

Travelers sometimes find in lonely quarries, long abandoned, or once worked by a vanished race, great blocks, squared and dressed, that seem to have been meant for palace or shrine. But there they lie, neglected and forgotten, and the building for which they were hewn has been reared without them. Beware lest God’s grand temple should be built without you, and you be left to desolation and decay.

--A. MacLaren

Verse 6

1 ) "Wherefore also it is contained in the scriptures, (Gk. dioti) because it is (Gk. periechei) held or contained – Isaiah 28:16; 1 Corinthians 3:10-11. This certifies Peter’s faith in the trustworthiness of the Scriptures.

2) "Behold I lay in Zion" (Gk. tithemi) I Put, place, or set (of my own accord or will) in Zion - the City of God.

3) "A chief corner stone, elect, precious," this was an elected, called out, selected, chosen and highly honored corner stone - chosen, elected, and honored of God who gave Him for redemption of man, the church, and the universe. John 3:16; Ephesians 5:25; Romans 8:11; Acts 20:28.

4) "And he that believeth on Him," or the one trusting (pisteuon) (epi) upon Him, (Jesus Christ).

5) "Shall not be confounded." A double negative is used here meaning -shall not, never, at all be ashamed of having trusted Him."

Verse 7

1) "Unto you therefore which believe he is precious." To those who trust in Jesus Christ as Savior, pray to Him and follow Him as Lord of their lives, He is precious (Gk. tima) a personage of honor, Hebrews 11:39.

2) "But unto them which be disobedient." But to the non-trusting or unbeliever, the one in a state of disobedience to the call of God to salvation.

3) "The stone which the builders disallowed." The stone (Gk. lithos) rejected by the builders, alluding to Jesus Christ and His rejection by His own people. John 1:11-12. Psalms 118:22; looks beyond the first coming of Christ and establishment of His church to restoration of the Davidic Kingdom, Daniel 2:34; Daniel 2:44; Acts 4:11-12.

4) "The same is made the head of the corner," (Gk. houtos) this One became (eis) for or with relationship to a head-corner or the corner stone. Our Lord is the:

a) Foundation stone of Salvation – Acts 4:11-12; 1 Corinthians 3:10-11.

b) The Cornerstone Foundation of the church – Ephesians 2:19-20.

c) The Capstone of the Davidic Kingdom –Zechariah 4:7; Luke 1:33.

Verse 8

1) "And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence." (Gk. Kai) even a stone of (proskommatos) stumbling or-obstruction and a (Gk. petra) rock of scandalizing or offence, Romans 9:22-23; 1 Corinthians 1:23. His deity they rejected.

2) "Even to them which stumble at the Word, being disobedient. Those who stumbled at the Word which first came to them (the Jews), natural Israel, did so, first through or by their own obstinate volition or rejecting will, Romans 1:16; Romans 10:1-4.

3) "Whereunto also they were appointed." The Jews were set in order or appointed to hear the Gospel - the Word of Salvation first. They heard it, but few received it, Romans 10:20-21; John 1:11-12; Our Lord would have gathered more of His own race, except for their obstinate rejection of Him, Matthew 11:28-30; Matthew 23:37.

Verse 9

1) "But ye are a chosen generation," The "ye" here named are the "living stones", built up and fitly framed a Spiritual house, a local church, 1 Peter 2:4; Ephesians 2:19-20; a chosen race, to bear His name thru the church, Romans 11:25; Acts 15:13-17; Ephesians 3:6-10; Ephesians 3:21.

2) "A royal priesthood" The royal or kingly priesthood, the church, is appointed to carry on the order and service of worship of our Lord’s program. Matthew 28:18-20.

3) a) "An holy nation" (Gk. ethnos hagion) a sanctified race meaning to be set apart to serve God in this dispensation, Romans 11:25.

b) "A peculiar people" A people for a possession, to be had of the Lord - the bride of Christ.

4) "That ye should shew forth the praises of him" That ye (the church) should tell forth (Gk. eksangeilete) the (Gk. aretas) virtues of Him (the stone) Acts 1:8.

5) "Who hath called you out of darkness" The lost are in darkness, spiritual danger, and the saved who are not in the Lord’s church are not in the center of His light or will - for the church is the light (light bearer) of the world, Matthew 5:14-16. Each with the light of Salvation should place his light (influence, candle) on the candlestick, the church. Revelation 1:20.

6) "Into his marvelous light." Jesus calls men out of sin’s darkness into His marvelous light, then bids them walk in the light of His word, will and way, John 8:12; 2 Corinthians 4:3-6.

Verse 10

1) "Which in time past were not a people." (Gk. hoi pote) who then (before the Lord’s coming - (Gk. ou Laos) not a people (recognized).

2) "But are now the people of God." But are (Gk. nun) now and hereafter a people of God. As Israel is God’s wife, divorced, to be restored to Him, so the church, called from among the Gentiles, is to be the bride of Christ, John 3:29; Revelation 19:7-10.

3) "Which had not obtained mercy." The ones (Gentiles) having not been pitied or shown mercy, Romans 9:22-24.

4) "But now have obtained mercy." But (Gk. nun) now and for hereafter have secured mercy or pity. Hosea 1:10; Romans 9:25-26; Romans 9:30; Romans 9:33.

Verse 11

1) "Dearly beloved." (agapetoi) Dearly beloved ones of the highest order addressed to members of an unnamed church.

2) "I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims." (Gk. parakalo) I affectionately appeal to you as sojourners and aliens --- sojourners on earth and aliens from heaven, their true homeland. Wherever our Lord’s people labor and toil they should treasure this truth, Psalms 119:19.

3) "Abstain from fleshly lusts " (Gk. apechesthai) hold yourselves away from flesh like (G k. epithumimon) lusts 1 Thessalonians 5:22; 1 Thessalonians 4:3.

4) "Which war against the soul" Which strategically turn against the soul. Romans 8:13; Romans 7:23; Galatians 5:17; James 4:1-3. The selfish cravings of the flesh are in mortal array against the welfare of the soul and must be continually resisted by the believer.

RESIST EVIL

"What do you consider a good rule of life?" someone asked Dr. J. Wilbur Chapman. He replied, "This rule governs my life -- anything that dims my vision of Christ, or takes away my taste for Bible study, or cramps my prayer life, or makes Christian work more difficult, is wrong for me and I must as a Christian, turn away from it."

--Knight’s Treasury

Verse 12

1) "Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles." (Gk. echontes) having or holding your (Gk. anastrophen) conduct good or upright among the masses of people.

2) "That, whereas they speak against you as evil doers." (Gk. hina) in order that, even though they blab and circulate bad things (evil) of derision against you, Matthew 5:11-12; John 15:18-21.

3) "They may by your good works." When the believer has 1) upright conduct and 2) involves himself in doing good, like his Lord - the unsaved are influenced.

4) "Which they shall behold" These things they watch like a hawk watches a chicken or a jackal watches a lamb.

5) "Glorify God in the day of Visitation." The upright conduct and deeds of goodness of believers causes, or influences lost people to glorify God when the Spirit of God comes to convict and call them. Matthew 5:15-16; 1 Corinthians 9:22-23.

A LIGHT TO OTHERS

On a bronze tablet in Bethany Church, Philadelphia, are these words: "In loving memory of John Wanamaker -- founder -- By reason of him many went away and believed on Jesus."

Knight’s Treasury

/-

HOW CHRIST IS EXPRESSED

Not merely in the words you say,

Not only in your deeds confessed,

But in the most unconscious way

Is Christ expressed.

For me ’twas not the truth you taught,

To you so clear, to me so dim;

But when you came to me you brought

A sense of Him.

And from your eyes He beckons me,

And from your heart His love is shed,

Till I lose sight of you and see

The Christ instead.

--Selected.

Verse 13

1) “ Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man." Every child of God is Divinely ordered to submit or be subject to the Civil laws of his country -- the good and the bad. When bad, he should seek to get them amended not lead an insurrection, not become a law to himself, just because he decides it is a bad law.

2) "For the Lord’s sake." Only when a government attempts to forbid or tell one how to worship does the Bible ever sanction disobedience of a decree of an organized government of which one is a citizen. Daniel 3:16-18; Daniel 6:10; Acts 5:28-29.

3) "Whether it be to the king, as supreme." Even if it be ’to ’ a king as supreme (a king absolute), civil law is of Divine order and sanction, and as it relates to man’s conduct in relation to his fellowman, is to be absolutely respected by Christians, whether they like or do not like the laws. They may make redress of grievance, seek to amend laws they believe to be wrong, but not defy them.

Verse 14

1) "Or unto governors" (G k. eite) or to or toward (Gk. hegemosin) governors -- Christians and church members are to be, in all civil matters, subject to absolute kings and governors, national, state and area civil rulers.

2) "As unto them that are sent by him." Peter is simply asserting that Civil government is of Divine origin and sanction and Christians should recognize civil rulers as having been sent (Gk. pempomenais) - indirectly sent -- from God and obey them in civil matters.

3) "For the punishment of evil doers." Civil rulers are Divinely authorized to administer punishment of a retribution or (Gk. ekdikesin) vengeance nature upon or to evil doers. This punitive discipline is for protective purposes of those who are righteous.

4) "And for the praise of them that do well." The same God who sends civil rulers (kings and Governors) to, administer punishment on evil doers sends them to commend, praise, or express gratitude to those citizens who conduct themselves uprightly in moral and civil affairs. (Romans 13:1-5)

Verse 15

1) "For so is the will of God." To submit (in the absolute sense on civil matters) to duly elected or appointed rulers is asserted to be the will (Gk. thelema) -- Holy will -- of God. To disobey civil rulers and civil laws duly established is to act in direct rebellion against and disobedience to God and the Bible, Romans 13:1-2.

2) "That with well doing, ’ Good Christian conduct and obedience to civil laws that concern civil and moral matters enables Christians to offer testimony and Divine right or redress of grievance, when or if, a ruler acts or laws are enacted that attempt or seriously restrict one’s right to pray and worship. Daniel 1:8-21; Acts 5:28-29.

3) "Ye may put to silence." One may strictly obey the word of God in relationship to both civil and spiritual matters without conflict or contradiction -our Lord did, Matthew 22:21.

4) "The ignorance of foolish men." Many able Bible students believe that the "ignorance of foolish men" was never more glaring in the history of the USA than during the 1960’s when John F. Kennedy, President of the USA, "his brother Robert Kennedy, Attorney General of the U.S.A.," and Martin Luther King, prominent black orator in the USA publicly advocated that citizens join in marching street demonstrations, sit-in demonstrations, openly defying and breaking civil and state laws in order to try to effect revolutionary law changes. That the three met assassination is believed by many to have been an act of Divine permissive judgment,

Verse 16

1) "As free." (hos aleutheroi) as or like free subjects or citizens -- "submit yourselves to every ordinance of man," 1 Peter 1:13; Galatians 5:13.

2) "And not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness." One who is free (free-born) in the family of God, liberated from the eternal dominion of Satan, should still use his liberty to obey God in Civil -and moral matters. Romans 6:14; Romans 6:20; Romans 6:22.

3) "But as servants of God." One redeemed, saved, brought from the slave market of sin, should with gratitude, serve Him who redeemed Him. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Galatians 2:12; Galatians 6:14.

Verse 17

1) "Honor all men". The dignity of every human is to be honored (Gk. timesate) by every Christian -- to respect the dignity of man is to respect God whose image he bears.

2) "Love the brotherhood." Imperatively Peter admonishes (Gk. agopate adelphoteta) Love ye (the) or in a brotherhood manner. Evidently this admonishes a special affinity love for the church of the Lord.

3) "Fear God" To fear God (reverentially) is so important to the Christian life -- He is a chastening as well as blessing God. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Proverbs 24:21.

4) "Honor the king." True Christianity requires one to honor, respect kings and the highest civil ruler over the subject.

Verse 18

1) "Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear." While citizens are to be “subject to” rulers in civil matters, servants of slave masters were by inspiration instructed to "be subject" to their masters (owners), with respectful fear. See also Ephesians 6:5-6.

2) "Not only to the good and gentle." This subjection was to be not only to the good and (epikesin) forbearing masters-those who treated them well - not to be subject only when their masters were watching, to please the masters. Ephesians 6:6-7.

3) "But also to the froward," But they were to be obedient, submissive servants to the unbelieving, unsaved (Gk. skoliois) perverse, harsh, threatening masters.

Verse 19

1) "For this is thank worthy" (touto gar charis) means "this is gracious or conduct that shows grace," Romans 6:1. Because one is free in Christ does not mean his earthly debts and obligations are canceled. 2 Peter 3:18.

2) "If a man for conscience toward God." If or when a man with conscience of God -- or God first in his life.

3) "Endure grief, suffering wrongfully" (Gk. hupopherei) "gently bear up under" grief’s (Gk. paschon) "progressively or repeatedly suffering" (adikos) unjustly or wrongly. Read Matthew 5:11-12.

Verse 20

1) "For what glory is it " For (poion) "what kind" of (kleos) earthly glory is it.

2) "If when ye be buffeted for your faults” If going on sinning (disobeying both God and your master) ye be buffeted."

3) "Ye shall take it patiently?" Ye should remain (patiently) or uprotesting. Romans 3:23.

4) "But if, when ye do well." In contrast with bearing up under buffeting for sinning, if when you pursue well doing, a course of conduct that is right.

5) "And suffer for it, ye take it patiently." And suffer for right conduct -- if you endure it patiently, faithfully.

6) "This is acceptable with God." This kind of behavior is gracious or favorable with, in close association with, God. What God favors, God blesses. Matthew 6:33.

Verse 21

THE SUBSTITUTIONARY SUFFERING OF JESUS

1) "For even hereunto were ye called:" (eis touto) to this end -- obedience to God, even when mistreated -- (Gk. eklethete) ye were called out or elected. Matthew 16:24; John 16:23; 1 Thessalonians 3:3-4.

2) "Because Christ also suffered for us." Peter cites the suffering and unjust suffering of Christ on our behalf and His patient forbearance of it as justifiable grounds for the true believer’s enduring the same for Him.

3) "Leaving us an example" (Gk. hupolimpanon) leaving behind (hupogrammon) an example, pattern, or blueprint (a pattern).

4) "That ye should follow his steps." (Gk. hina) in order that (epakolouthesete) you all might (should) follow the steps or pattern of conduct He lived or walked. John 15:18-21.

Verse 22

1) "Who did no sin." Who did not (hamatian) once "Miss the mark of righteousness" not even one time, as prophecied, Isaiah 55:9 and declared fulfilled. Hebrews 7:26.

2) "Neither was guile found in his mouth." Nor was any (dolos) guile, deceit, trickery, or half-truth found or discovered in His mouth -- His tongue tossed out no flattery, gossip, backbiting, idle words, or unbecoming speech. Even Pilate witnessed "I can find no fault in Him," Luke 23:4; Luke 23:14; Luke 23:22.

COULD CHRIST HAVE SINNED?

Dr. I. M. Haldeman tells of a scene in New York State among the mountains. A bridge had been thrown across a great chasm hundreds of feet deep. One day he heard the first train on the road approaching, and looking out saw two huge locomotives drawn up on the bridge. There was a sharp challenging whistle, then the brakes crashed down, and the two great machines came to a standstill. They waited for fully half a day right in the center of the bridge, with their great tons of iron quivering and beating and the bridge beneath like a great spider’s web supporting them. What did it mean! They were there to demonstrate the strength of the bridge, to show there was no weakness in it; but that it was able to bear up under the greatest test put on it, and so was worthy of the fullest trust on the part of man. "All the weight of temptation was crowded on our Lord Jesus Christ in that hour when the Devil met him on the mount. He was "tempted in all points as we are," from base appetites and desires, to the highest reaches of ambition for self-gratification and power. He was tempted and tried and tested at every point to prove and demonstrate to angels and to men that he could not say, "Yes" to the temptation; that He could not have sinned; that it was no more possible for Him to have sinned than it was possible for God to lie; "that we might see Him as the majestic, unbreakable bridge across the deep chasm of sin and death; and so seeing, fling ourselves without reserve, and in unhesitating confidence, upon Him as the One and all supreme object of our unfaltering faith and profound adoration."

--From pamphlet by Haldeman,

"Could Our Lord Have Sinned?"

Verse 23

1) "Who, when he was reviled" (hos loidoroumenos) who (while) being reviled, or castigated, scoffed or scorned. Isaiah 53:7.

2) "Reviled not again. " He did not retaliate against His revilers and deriders – Matthew 26:62-63; Matthew 27:12-14; Acts 8:32-33. (Gk. ouk anteloidorei) means He reviled not in return or retaliation.

3) "When he suffered, he threatened not." When or as He (Gk. paschon) was "suffering or enduring torturous pain" He did not (epeilei) threaten, or utter a recriminating remark.

4) "But committed himself" But delivered or (Gk. paredidou) delivered Himself of His own will or accord, this right He had from the Father, John 10:18.

5) "To him that judgeth righteously." (to krinonti) to the one judging justly (without moral error of decision), God the Father. Romans 2:16; Romans 3:6; 2 Timothy 4:1.

Verse 24

1) "Who his own self bare our sins" (Gk. anenegken) raised, bare or carried up --When He was lifted up upon the cross. John 3:14-15; John 1:29; Leviticus 16:21-24.

2) "In his own body on the tree" It was our Lord’s cross-body", not His “church-body" or assembly through which salvation was and is obtained. He bore all our sins in His body of flesh on the tree (cross) of Calvary. Colossians 1:20-22; Galatians 2:20; Galatians 6:14.

3) "That we, being dead to sins" (hina) "in order that" to or toward (mark-missing sins). We might be dying or moving away, (that) toward righteousness we might live -- serving the right master. Matthew 6:24.

4) "Should live unto righteousness" The saved are to reckon, consider or calculate themselves to be dead (unproductive, not fruitbearing to or toward sin) but alive to God, His Holiness and righteousness to produce. Romans 6:2; Romans 6:11-13.

5) "By whose stripes ye were healed." By whose (molopi) "stripes, bruises, and lacerations" (Gk. hiathete) ye were once for all healed, cured, or made whole. Isaiah 53:4-5; Luke 4:18.

Verse 25

1) "For ye were as sheep going astray." Before salvation Peter asserted the brethren were as (planomenoi) deaf, wandering, sheep -- straying, careless and heedless of the Shepherd’s voice. Isaiah 53:6; Matthew 18:12.

2) "But are now returned" Ye are (Gk. nun) for now and hereafter (Gk. epestraphete) turned -- true repentance and faith toward God and in Jesus Christ effects a soul change to eternal life for every believer not to be repeated 2 Corinthians 7:10.

3) "Unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls." The wandering sheep that comes to Jesus finds in Him a true (poimera) shepherd to feed and lead, and be the (episkopion) overseer of his soul, his entire being that belongs to God. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Psalms 23:1-6; Ezekiel 34:11-12; John 10:11; John 10:28-30.

THE SHEPHERD

As I came over, the heath, I noticed a solitary sheep, which had evidently wandered from its fold. It bleated piteously, and was scared at every sound, and every shadow. It seemed to be calling for its companions, and vainly trying to recover and retrace the path, by which it had so rashly strayed from its home. I went towards the poor wanderer; but it fled from a stranger; and would probably have perished in that solitude, had not the shepherd missed it from the fold, and come in time to seek it. As soon as he spied it from a distance, he hastened towards it; and the sheep, aware of his kindly purpose, suffered him to come near, and take it in his arms. He raised it on his shoulders, and bore it away rejoicing." It is a true emblem of the lost sinner.

Many adventures with wild beasts still occur. There are wolves in abundance, and leopard and panthers exceeding fierce, prowl about those wild wadies in the region of Tyre. They not infrequently attack the flock in the very presence of the shepherd, and he must be ready to do battle at a moment’s warning. And when the thief and robber come (and come they do), the faithful shepherd has often to put his life in his hand to defend his flock. A poor, faithful fellow between Tiberius and Tabor, instead of fleeing, actually fought three Bedouin robbers until he was hacked to pieces with their khanjars, and died among the sheep he was defending.

--6000 Windows For Sermons