1 Peter 5:12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother to you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting… I. THE IMPORTANCE OF SUBORDINATE WORK. A chief man "accustomed to pull the stroke oar," yet content in his relation to an apostle to occupy a lower position. Silvanus could not write letters like Peter, but he could carry them when written. Those who can do great work in the Church are but units, those who are fitted for subordinate work millions. It is difficult to say what is important and what subordinate. The tiny rivet is just as important as the piston. The folks in the rear looking after the supplies, of whom one never reads in the despatches, are just as essential as those in the front. Be not too proud to be subordinate. Silvanus was content to be a satellite of somebody all his life long. II. THE IMPORTANCE AND OBLIGATION OF PERSISTENTLY DOING OUR WORK THOUGH NOBODY TAKES ANY NOTICE OF IT. Silvanus did not sit still with his "hands in his pockets" simply because nothing was said about him, no notice taken of him. Keep "pegging away," noticed or unnoticed. This man did so through years of oblivion. And yet after all his services were noticed: we are talking about them nineteen centuries afterwards. III. AN EXAMPLE OF A CHARACTER WE CAN ALL EMULATE. "A faithful brother." A great genius, a wise philosopher, an eloquent preacher? No, a faithful brother. It may be a foolish brother, but faithful. We can all emulate that, whatever our opportunities. If we are faithful, men will know where to have us, will know we shall not shirk obligation, will not scamp our work. (A. Maclaren, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand. |
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