Romans. By H. C. G. MOULE, M.A. 1 Chronicles. By Prof. W. H. BENNETT, M.A. 2 Corinthians. By JAMES DENNEY, B.D. Numbers. By R. A. WATSON, D.D. The Psalms. By A. MACLAREN, D.D. Vol. III. THE EPISTLES OF ST. PETER BY J. RAWSON LUMBY, D.D. LADY MARGARET PROFESSOR OF DIVINITY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE LONDON HODDER AND STOUGHTON 27, PATERNOSTER ROW MDCCCXCIII _Printed by Hazell, Watson, & Viney, Ld., London and Aylesbury._ PREFACE The two letters which bear the name of St. Peter have from the earliest times met with very different degrees of acceptance. The genuineness of the First Epistle is attested by the unanimous voice of primitive Christendom. As it is addressed to Christians dwelling in different parts of Asia Minor, it is natural to look for a knowledge of it in those countries. And nowhere is it earlier noticed. Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, a contemporary of the last surviving Apostle, and whose martyrdom took place about the middle of the second century, has repeated quotations from this Epistle. It was known also to Papias (+ 163), Bishop of Hierapolis, and to Melito (170), Bishop of Sardis. That it was known to the Greeks is seen from the Epistle to Diognetus, which for a long time was attributed to Justin Martyr (+ 165), while the "Shepherd" of Hermas, written at Rome, testifies that it was known there also at about the same date. The inclusion of it in the Peschito-Syriac Version bears witness to its early circulation in the Eastern Church, as also does its quotation in the writings of Theophilus of Antioch (178). Heretics, no less than the faithful, regarded it as a portion of authoritative Christian literature. Basilides in Alexandria and the Marcosians and Theodotus in Syria all knew of and cited this Epistle. The Latin Church of Africa accepted it, as we can see from a few quotations in Tertullian (+ 218) and a greater number in the writings of Cyprian (+ 258). In the Alexandrian Church it is often quoted by both Clement (+ 218) and Origen (+ 254); while for Gaul we have the testimony of the Church of Vienne in the touching letter sent by the Christians there to their "brethren in Asia and Phrygia" (177), and of Irenæus, who was Bishop of Lyons shortly afterwards, and who, coming from Asia to fill that see, is a witness both for the East and the West. From the Christian Church of the early centuries it is hardly possible to produce stronger attestation.