1 Peter: Faith, Obedience, & Patience

While preparing for a sermon this Sunday evening on 1 Peter, I came across the encouraging words from a seventeenth century Puritan named Robert Leighton.

Leigthon (1611-1684), Archbishop of Glasgow, one time principal of The University of Edinburgh, and signer of The Solemn League and Covenant, wrote a famous commentary on 1 Peter which still remains in print.

He summarized the epistle under three headings: faith, obedience, and patience. He states,

The heads of doctrine contained in it are many, but the main that are most insisted on, are these three, faith, obedience, and patience; to establish them in believing, to direct them in doing, and to comfort them in suffering.

We see these emphases in the Apostle's own words in 1 Peter 4:19 (cf. 5:12), "So then, those who suffer according to God will [comforting them in suffering, i.e. patience] should commit themselves to their faithful Creator [establishing them in believing, i.e. faith] and continue to do good [directing them in doing, i.e. obedience]."

To read part of Leighton's exposition of 1 Peter 1 (from where this quote came), click here.