1 Peter Chapter 1 Part 1

 

1 Peter Chapter 1 Part 1

Greeting

1 Peter 1:1 "Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,"

Apostle of Jesus... Peter was one of a unique group of men who were personally called (Mat. 10:1-4) and commissioned (John 20:19-23) by Christ, and who ministered with Christ after His resurrection. The Church was built upon the foundation of their teaching. Apostle, in this instance, means an ambassador for Christ. Peter is bringing the message of Christ, and not his own. Notice, that Peter did not say he was the apostle, but an apostle, which recognizes the other apostles.

“Peter” (Greek Petros) is the Greek form of the Aramaic name Cephas (“Rock”) which was given to Peter at his call to discipleship by the Lord Himself (John 1:42) and is the name by which he is usually designated in the New Testament. Peter's calling was primarily to the Jew. He had been taught of God not to call any man unclean, when the Lord let the sheet full of unclean animals down three times to him. It was, also, Peter who saw the first Gentiles baptized in the Holy Spirit. Read about it in Acts chapters 10 and 11.

to the strangers... Greek: parepidemos. Translated "stranger" (1Pet. 1:1) and "pilgrim" (Heb. 11:13; 1Pet. 2:11). They were Jews of the dispersion (see, Jas. 1:1). They were the elect or converted Jews (1Pet. 1:2). These strangers dispossessed in a land not their own – temporary residents or foreigners. Like all believers, they were residents of an eternal city (Phil. 3:20; Heb. 13:13-14). They are described as strangers, sojourners in a strange place, and scattered (Greek Diasporas), meaning the dispersion.

scattered throughout Pontus... An ancient kingdom of Asia Minor, originally part of Cappadocia, between the Black and Caspian Seas and south to Armenia (Acts 2:9). Throughout Pontus, and so on, is in the area now known as Asia Minor. Peter’s letter is addressed to churches in provinces located in modern-day Turkey, which were part of the Roman Empire. This is addressed primarily to the Jews that were scattered in these places.

scattered throughout Galatia... A province in Asia Minor west of Cappadocia and south of the Black Sea (Acts 2:9).

scattered throughout Cappadocia... A province east of Galatia and south of the Black Sea (Acts 2:9).

scattered throughout Asia... Asia in some places refers to the whole of Asia Minor, but here it no doubt means the province of Asia Minor with Ephesus as its capital.

scattered throughout Bithynia... An ancient kingdom of Asia Minor south of the Dead Sea and west of Pontus (Acts 16:7).

scattered throughout... With the Greek definite article, “scattered,” or “dispersion,” is sometimes a technical term for the scattering of the Jews from Israel throughout the world (John 7:35; James 1:1), but here, without the article “scattered” is used in a non-technical sense referring to spiritual pilgrims, aliens to the earth, whether Jews or Gentiles, i.e., the church.

Customary Salutation


The introductory greeting is the common form of salutation used in first-century correspondence. Paul’s letters usually began in the same manner, identifying both the author and those to whom the letters were addressed.

Identification of the author

Peter is the Greek translation of the Aramaic Cephas, the name Jesus gave Simon when he was called to be a disciple (John 1:42). Nobody else in the New Testament could be identified as Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ. This bold statement of apostolic authority is supported both by internal evidence in the text and by its early and universal acceptance as a part of the canon of Scripture.

Identification of those addressed

Peter immediately, using a careful choice of words, began to comfort and encourage his readers. Christians are God’s elect not by chance or human design but by God’s sovereign, unconditional choice. Once only the nation of Israel could claim this title.



It is not surprising that those who have been chosen by God are seen as strangers in the world (from the one word parepidēmois, that emphasizes both foreign nationality and temporary residence; cf. 1Pet. 2:11). Christians, whose citizenship is in heaven (cf. Phlp. 3:20), live in the midst of a pagan society as aliens and sojourners, displaced persons whose thoughts should often turn toward their true home. The readers were scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, sprinkled like salt throughout five of Asia Minor’s Roman provinces. The letter was evidently meant to circulate among the churches in this area. “Scattered” (diasporas) had special meaning to the Jewish Christians in these churches. The diaspora referred to Jews who were separated from their homeland. Peter adapted this word which previously described Israel to emphasize the condition of the early church.


1 Peter 1:2 "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied."


Elect ones who are chosen of God to salvation “according to the foreknowledge of God the Father”: Foreknowledge is God’s determination in eternity past to bring certain ones into a special relationship with Himself. The Spirit sets apart for salvation from destruction those whom God has foreknown.

This is a very controversial Scripture. The "elect" are those chosen from the foundation of the earth to receive salvation. The elect are the elect, because they activate their free will and accept the Lord as their Savior.

foreknowledge of God... Foreknowledge, Greek word is translated “foreknown” in verse 20. In both verses, the word does not refer to awareness of what is going to happen, but it clearly means a predetermined relationship in the knowledge of the Lord.

God’s Foreknowledge

Greek: prognosis, a perceiving beforehand. Only here and Acts 2:23. In both places it refers to God seeing ahead that He would have to send a Savior to redeem man from the fall (see, Rom. 8:29-30). No single individual is chosen, elected, foreknown, or predestined to be saved or lost without his personal choice and responsibility in the matter (John 3:16; 1Tim. 2:4; 2Pet. 3:9; Rev. 22:17). It would be cruel impartiality—an unjust regard for one and an unjust disregard for another—and not divine justice for one to be chosen by God to be saved and another to be damned. God offers grace to all alike. His invitations, promises, provision, and warnings of punishment are general. All people are invited to choose life and are warned of eternal punishment if they do not do so. It is inconsistent with man’s probation for God to elect some to be saved and some to be lost.

sanctification of the... Three ways to become God’s elect:

1. Through sanctification of the Spirit

2. Through obedience to the gospel

3. Through sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ

All three things take place at once—when we get salvation. This is plainly taught here and in 2Thes. 2:13. To sanctify means “to consecrate,” “to set apart.” The objective of election is salvation, which comes to the elect through the sanctifying work of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit thus makes God’s chosen holy, by saving and setting them apart from sin and unbelief unto faith and righteousness (1Thes. 1:4; 2Thes. 2:13).

Sanctification thus begins with justification (declaring the sinner just before God by graciously imputing Christ’s righteousness to him, Phil. 3:9) and continues as a process of purification that goes on until glorification, when the Christian sees Jesus face to face.

God brought the salvation relationship into existence by decreeing it into existence ahead of time. Christians are foreknown for salvation in the same way Christ was foreordained before the foundation of the world to be a sacrifice for sins (Acts 2:23).


and sprinkling of... Is an allusion to Exodus 24:1-11 in which the blood was sprinkled on the altar and the people as a symbol sealing their covenant as they promised to obey God’s Word and as a symbol of Jehovah’s acceptance. Likewise, in the New Covenant, faith in the shedding of Christ’s blood on the cross not only activates God’s promise to give the believer perfect atonement for sin, but also bring the believer into the covenant by one’s promise of obedience to the Lord and His Word.

God is not controlled by time, as we are. He is eternal. He lives in eternity. It is no problem for Him to look a few thousand years into the future {by our time}. God dwells where there is one eternal day. There is no separation of time into days, and weeks, and months where God the Father dwells.

He foreknew, from the foundation of the earth, what decision you and I would make pertaining to salvation. He wrote our name into the Lamb's book of life at the foundation of the earth. He did not make us like puppets where we would not have a choice, He just knew ahead of time, how we would choose.

God chose all who would believe to be His sons, from the beginning of time. The plan of salvation was worked out from the very beginning. God knew our weakness and made provision for it. We are sanctified in the Spirit by the shed blood of Jesus Christ. It is in the Holy Spirit that we are "sanctified" {made holy}. It is the Holy Spirit of God which keeps us.

Jesus promised He would send the Holy Spirit to dwell within us and be our Teacher and our Guide. He would teach us all Truth. It is the sprinkled blood of Jesus Christ that cleanses us and makes us acceptable to the Father. To be filled with God's Spirit, brings grace and peace, multiplied.

From verses 1:3 to 2:10 - The Christian’s destiny: salvation means “deliverance.” Peter’s view of salvation is ultimate salvation, that is, when the believer will be rescued from this world into the presence of God.

Verses 1:3 to 12 – The plan of salvation: Peter does not look at time from a Western perspective. The Hebrews regarded the present as so fleeting that in their language they have essentially only two tenses: past and future.

Verses 3-5: The portrayal of salvation looks to the future. The author of salvation is portrayed as the blessed God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. The work of salvation (verses 3-5) is described as to its effect. Hath begotten us again refers to a new stage of life that begins at salvation.

This lively hope has no element of uncertainty for it is guaranteed by Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. The believer’s “inheritance” is described as “incorruptible”, imperishable or indestructible, and undefiled (i.e. morally untainted).

That fadeth not away means it is not subject to the ravages of time. Further it is reserved, that is, it has been preserved in the past and still is “in heaven”. “Kept” is a present passive participle – we are secure because we are continually guarded by God, who never relaxes His vigil. Salvation here refers to final salvation, that is, deliverance from the presence of sin and into the presence of God.


Peter elaborated on the descriptive term “God’s elect” (cf. 1Pet. 2:9) who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God. God’s choice is part of His predetermined plan, and is not based on any merit in those who are elected, but solely on His grace and love for them before their creation. As the Williams translation puts it, God’s choosing is “in accordance with” (kata) or in keeping with His foreknowledge. This seems preferable to the view that election follows or is based on foreknowledge. Moreover the word for foreknowledge (prognōsin) means more than a passive foresight; it contains the idea of “having regard for” or “centering one’s attention on” (cf. Kenneth S. Wuest, First Peter in the Greek New Testament for the English Reader, p. 15). The same word is used in 1Pet. 1:20 of Christ who was “chosen” by the Father before Creation. The Father did more than merely know about His Son ahead of time; He knew Him completely. Thus God chose all those on whom He focused His attention (by His grace, not because of their merit). The sanctifying work of the Spirit has set these chosen ones apart for service, putting God’s choice and purpose into effect. The result of the Spirit’s work is obedience… and sprinkling by His blood. “Obedience” (hypakoēn, from hypakouō, “to hear under, to hearken”) is man’s responsibility to be submissive to God’s Word (cf. Exo. 24:7; Rom. 1:5; 15:18; 16:26). One living in obedience is constantly being cleansed with Christ’s blood and is thus “set apart” from the world (cf. 1Jhn. 1:7, 1:9). The blood sprinkling is redolent of the Old Testament priestly work at the tabernacle (Lev. 7:14; 14:7, 14:16, 14:51; 16:14-15; cf. Heb. 9:13; 12:24), which required obedience on the part of the offerers. However, the only time people were sprinkled with blood was at the inauguration of the Mosaic Covenant (Exo. 24:8). In these words (1Pet. 1:2) Peter laid the theological foundations for this letter of encouragement. “God” the Father in His grace had chosen them and God the “Spirit” had sanctified them through the atoning blood of God the Son, Jesus Christ. (All three Persons of the Trinity are mentioned in this verse.) Thus Peter greeted his readers with the prayerful wish that they might experience in abundance God’s grace (charis) and peace (eirēnē, equivalent of the Heb. šālôm cf. Heb. 5:14). The words (lit.) “Grace to you and peace be multiplied” are also used in 2Pet. 1:2. God’s grace was dear to Peter, for he referred to it 10 times in this epistle (1Pet. 1:2, 1:10, 1:13; 2:19-20 [trans. “commendable” in these two verses]; 1Pet. 3:7; 4:10; 5:5, 5:10, 5:12).

Born Again to a Living Hope

1 Peter 1:3 "Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,"

God and Father... God is both the Father and God of Jesus Christ. He is not Jesus Christ. It is clear in Scripture that there are three separate and distinct persons in the Godhead. Though God was known as Creator and Redeemer in the Old Testament, He was rarely called Father. Christ, however, always addressed God as His Father in the gospels (as in 5:17), except in the separation on the cross (Mat. 25:46). In so doing, Christ was claiming to be of the same nature, being, or essence as the Father (Mat. 11:27; John 10:29-39; 14:6-11; 2Cor. 1-3; Eph. 1:3, 17; 2John 3).

Also, by speaking of “our” Lord, Peter personalized the Christian’s intimate relationship with the God of the universe through His Son (1Cor. 6:17), an important truth for suffering Christians to remember.

begotten us again...

Begotten Again

Greek: anagennao, to beget anew. Used both times by Peter. Translated "begotten again" (1Pet. 1:3) and "be born again" (1Pet. 1:23). It certainly teaches a begetting more than once. The word "again" proves this fact (1Pet. 1:3; John 3:3, 3:7; see, Gal. 4:19). Man was created in union with God and in God’s grace and favor. He fell from this position and has to be born again to get back into God’s grace (John 3:3, 3:7). After one is born again he is warned not to build again the things he once destroyed (Gal. 2:18); not to turn again to sin (Gal. 4:9); not to be entangled again with the yoke of bondage (Gal. 5:1); not to be overcome again with the pollutions of the world (2Pet. 2:20-22); and not to lay again the foundation of repentance and service to God (Heb. 6:1). If man does not heed these warnings and does these things again, then what happens? Is he still saved? Is he still born of God? Is he still in grace? See, Gal. 4:19. God gave the new birth as part of His provision in salvation. When a sinner comes to Christ and puts his faith in Him, he is born anew into God’s family and receives a new nature (John 1:13; 3:1-21).

his abundant mercy... The reason God provided a glorious salvation for mankind is that He is merciful. Sinners need God’s mercy because they are in a pitiful, desperate, wretched condition as sinners.

lively hope by... Hope of living again by resurrection. Because of the new birth, the believer anticipates a literal, bodily resurrection, even as Jesus was raised from the dead (see 1Cor. 15:23). This living, blessed, purifying hope will be realized at the Rapture and resurrection of the “dead in Christ” (1Thes. 4:6; Tit. 2:13; 1Jhn. 3:3).

The hope for the Christian is the resurrection. The word "blessed", in the Scripture above is from the word, eulogetos. This word translated blessed, is only used in regard to God. When blessed is said of the Christians, it is taken from another root word.

The living hope is the eternal life, “Hope” means confident optimism and:

1. Comes from God (Psm. 43:5)

2. Is a gift of grace (2Thes. 2:16)

3. Is defined by Scripture (Rom. 15:4)

4. Is a reasonable reality (1Pet. 3:5)

5. Is secured by the resurrection of Jesus Christ (John 11:25-26; 14:19; 1Cor. 15:17)

6. Is confirmed in the Christian by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 15:13)

7. Defends the Christian against Satan’s attack (1Thes. 5:8)

8. Is confirmed through trials (Rom. 5:3-4)

9. Products joy (Psm. 146:5) and

10. Is fulfilled in Christ’s return (Tit. 2:13).

The Lord Jesus Christ is the first of the first fruit harvest. He was the first to be begotten at resurrection. The hope of the believer is that our Leader, Jesus Christ, arose and so all who put their faith in Him, shall rise, also. The Christian's new life is in Christ.

Chosen for New Birth

Peter continued to present the theological basis for encouragement in persecution. The stress throughout this section is on God’s grace toward believers, evidenced by His sovereign call to salvation and its results in a believer’s life. In the midst of trials one’s new birth is the source of a living hope and a lifestyle of holiness.

The new birth’s living hope

In a doxology of praise to God, Peter encouraged his readers by reminding them that the new birth gave them a living hope in an imperishable future inheritance. The inheritance is sure because believers are shielded by the power of God till it is ready to be revealed. Consequently Christians may rejoice even when they face trials, since trials will prove their faith genuine and thus bring greater glory to Christ. Finally the new birth’s hope is based not only on a future inheritance and present blessings but also on the written Word of God.

The Future Inheritance

The contemplation of God’s grace caused Peter to praise God, the Author of salvation and the Source of hope. The words Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ are identical in 2Cor. 1:3. The phrase in His great mercy refers to God’s unmerited favor toward sinners in their hopeless condition. He has given us new birth; people can do nothing to merit such a gift. The words “has given… new birth” translate anagennēsas, from the verb “beget again” or “cause to be born again.” It is used only twice in the New Testament, both times in this chapter (1Pet. 1:3, 1:23). Peter may have been recalling Jesus’ interview with Nicodemus (John 3:1-21). The “new birth” results in a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. The “living hope” is based on the living resurrected Christ (cf. 1Pet. 1:21). The Christian’s assurance in Christ is as certain and sure as the fact that Christ is alive! Peter used the word “living” six times (1Pet. 1:3, 1:23; 2:4-5; 4:5-6). Here “living” means that the believer’s hope is sure, certain, and real, as opposed to the deceptive, empty, false hope the world offers.


1 Peter 1:4 "To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,"

an inheritance incorruptible… In keeping with this “living hope,” believers have a future inheritance, already reserved in heaven (Acts 26:18; Eph. 1:11; 14, 18; Col. 1:12; 3:24). An inheritance comes by virtue of relationship, to be distinguished from rewards, which are granted for obedience and good works (1Cor. 3:13-14; 2Cor. 5:10).

incorruptible and, undefiled... The inheritance is not subject to passing away, nor liable to decay. The word was used in secular Greek of something that was unravaged by an invading army.

undefiled, This word means unpolluted, unstained with evil. The undefiled inheritance of the Christian is in marked contrast to an earthly inheritance, all of which is corrupted and defiled.

that fadeth not... “Fading” was often used of flowers that wither and decay. Though earthly inheritances eventually fade away, the eternal inheritance of a Christian has no decaying elements.

Peter showed those persecuted Christians how to look past their troubles to their eternal inheritance. Life, righteousness, joy, peace, perfection, God’s presence, Christ’s glorious companionship, rewards, and all else God has planned is the Christian’s heavenly inheritance. According to Eph. 1:14, the indwelling Holy Spirit is the resident guarantee of that inheritance.

The New Testament is the last will and testament for those who choose to believe in and follow Jesus. Our inheritance in Jesus is incorruptible, because He is incorruptible. Since Jesus is the Beginning and the Ending, the inheritance is forever, as well.

What a wonderful promise to the believer, that we will be joint-heirs with Jesus. This inheritance is not of this world. It is not an earthly inheritance which is corruptible.

We are told in John 14:1-3 "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me." "In my Father's house are many mansions: if [it were] not [so], I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also."

1 Peter 1:5 "Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."

kept by the... Nothing can steal the believer’s heavenly inheritance, although disobedience can mean a loss of rewards (2 John 8). The final consummation of our salvation will be revealed and experienced in glorification with Christ at His return (Rom. 8:17; 2Thes. 1:10).

Supreme power, omniscience, omnipotence, and sovereignty, not only keep the inheritance, verse 4, but also keep the believer secure. No one can steal the Christian’s treasure and no one can disqualify him from receiving it.

through faith unto... The Christian’s response to God’s election and the Spirit’s conviction is faith, but even faith is empowered by God. Moreover the Christian’s continued faith in God is the evidence of God’s keeping power. At the time of salvation, God energizes faith, and continues to preserve it. Saving faith is permanent; it never dies.

We must have faith to receive this great inheritance that God has for us in heaven.

Heb. 11:1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

It takes no faith to believe in things on this earth that we can see with our physical eyes. It takes faith to believe in the things in heaven that we cannot see. It is our faith that activates the power of God within us. By faith are we saved. Faith in Jesus Christ and His resurrection is what brings salvation to us.

Read Romans chapter 10 verses 9 and 10. The revealing will take place when we have shed this house of flesh and are in heaven with Jesus. Some revealing of the Scriptures are taking place now, because the coming of Christ is so near.


Verses 1:6-9. The problem of salvation looks to the present. Earthly trails constitute a problem of our salvation, but they are only “for a season,” or temporary. “Manifold temptations” means diversified trails. True faith cannot be destroyed though God is in the process of refining faith through our trails.

1 Peter 1:6 "Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:"


ye greatly rejoice... That is, to be exceedingly glad, exuberantly jubilant. This kind of joy is not based on changing, temporal circumstance, but is used of joy that comes from the unchanging, eternal relationship with God.

In which salvation you rejoice, but once in a while it is needful for you to go through manifold temptations to test your faith that it be found genuine and thus be rewarded (1Pet. 1:6-7).

Peter relates this joy to:

1. The assurance of one’s protected eternal inheritance, (verses 4-5; John 16:16-33) and

2. The assurance from one’s proven faith (verse 7)

need be, ye...Grieved with many kinds of trials.

through manifold temptations... Peter teaches several important principles about trouble in this verse:

1. Trouble does not last (For a season)

2. Trouble serves a purpose (If need be)

3. Trouble brings turmoil (Heaviness)

4. Trouble comes in various forms (Temptations)

5. Trouble should not diminish the Christian’s joy (Greatly rejoice)

temptations See, Jas. 1:2, 1:13.

There is anticipation looking forward to that wonderful day, when we will be with Jesus for all of eternity. Christians are in the world, but not of the world. This earth is not our home, we are just passing through. Since we are still housed in a body of flesh, we have problems originating from that flesh.

We age, we get sick, we get tired, etc. Some of the temptations we experience are no more than just being tempted to eat too much. Praise God! I will have a new body. Temptations are earthly in nature. I will no longer experience temptations, when I get my new body and dwell in heaven.

The Present Joy

A living hope results in a present joy. In this likely refers to the truths mentioned in 1Pet. 1:3-5. Peter encouraged his readers to put their knowledge into practice. Their response to the tremendous theological truths taught so far should be that they would greatly rejoice. Knowledge alone cannot produce the great joy of experiential security and freedom from fear in the face of persecution. God’s omnipotent sovereignty needs to be coupled with human responsibility. Christians are responsible to respond in faith. Faith turns sound doctrine into sound practice. Faith acts on the content of theology and produces conduct that corresponds to that content. Faith makes theological security experiential. The Apostle John wrote, “This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith” (1Jhn. 5:4). This kind of faith or living hope can enable believers to rejoice even when they are called on to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.


Peter stressed that a Christian’s joy is independent of his circumstances. James used the same two Greek words (poikilois peirasmois, trans. here “all kinds of trials”). The trials themselves are seen as occasions for joy (Jas. 1:2). Though trials may cause temporary grief, they cannot diminish that deep, abiding joy which is rooted in one’s living hope in Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 1:7 "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:"


That the trial... The 2nd New Testament prophecy in 1 Peter (1Pet. 1:7, unfulfilled). Next, 1Pet. 1:13.

God’s purpose in allowing trouble is to test the reality of one’s faith. But the benefit of such a testing, or “fire”, is immediately for the Christian, not God. When a believer comes through a trial still trusting the Lord, he is assured that his faith is genuine (Genesis 22:1; Job 1:20-22

gold that perisheth,... Fire only separates all the foreign and impure materials from gold. It loses nothing of its nature, weight, color, or any other property. Gold has been kept in a state of fusion for months without the smallest change. Genuine faith also will be proved by trials. Gold, tried in the fire, just becomes more and more pure. Some of the fiery trials that come on us are to purify us and make us better Christians. Sometimes that is very hard to see, but usually a great problem that we overcome, makes us stronger in the Lord.

at the appearing... The Greek word for “appearing” is apokalupsis, or “revelation” of Christ. The revelation or unveiling of Christ refers to His coming in the clouds, particularly focusing on the time when He comes to call and reward His redeemed people (verse 13; 4:13; 1 Cor. 1:7), i.e. the Rapture. At this time it will be manifest what rewards men will have in the eternal kingdom (Mat. 16:27; 25:21, 25:23).

Though persecutions and suffering may befall believers, such trials will not be “worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18).

Job, in the Bible, is a very good example of overcoming in dire circumstances. Gold will perish, when the earth is destroyed. Gold may be changed, now, but it is still around in some form or other after it is melted. We are the same. We are still around after the testing, but the question is, are we a vessel of honor or dishonor, after the trial?


These various trials — which seem to refer to persecution rather than life’s normal problems — have two results: (a) they refine or purify one’s faith — much as gold is refined by fire when its dross is removed, and (b) trials prove the reality of one’s faith. Stress deepens and strengthens a Christian’s faith and lets its reality be displayed. The word dokimazomenou, rendered proved genuine, means “to test for the purpose of approving” (cf. dokimion, “testing,” in 1Pet. 1:7 [“the trial of your faith,” KJV] and Jas. 1:3, and dokimon, “test,” in Jas. 1:12).

In addition to comparing faith to gold, Peter contrasted purified faith with purified gold. Faith is more precious, of greater worth, than gold. Even refined gold, though it lasts a long time, eventually perishes (cf. 1Pet. 1:18; cf. Jas. 5:3). It will be valueless in the marketplace of eternity.

But faith “purchases” an inheritance that can never perish. Genuine faith is not only of ultimate value to its possessor, but it will also bring praise, glory, and honor to the One whose name Christians bear, when He will return (is revealed; cf. 1Pet. 5:1) to claim them as His own. “Is revealed” translates apokalypsei, from which comes “apocalypse” (cf. 1Pet. 1:5, 1:12, and see 1Pet. 1:13).


1 Peter 1:8 "Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see [him] not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:"


having not seen... This is in the sense of His appearing (verse 7; 1Cor. 5:7). At that time, the fiery trials that believers have endured will benefit God by bringing Him “praise and glory and honor” eternally. Faith in Christ makes one a new creature and instills in him a personal living confidence as strong as the faith of those who have seen Him and known Him personally (2Cor. 5:17-18; Rom. 5:5). This faith produces joy (1Pet. 1:8-9).

Jesus says that those who believe, who have not seen, are greatly blessed.

John 20:29 "Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed [are] they that have not seen, and [yet] have believed."

This is speaking of true faith. Abraham believed, and it was counted unto him as righteousness. When we have faith like Abraham, we are counted righteous in God's sight, as well.

Galatians 3:29 "And if ye [be] Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."

It is our faith in Jesus Christ that saves us.


Here is the climax of the experiential joy that results from faith. God accomplished salvation through the work of His Son Jesus Christ. So the focus of a believer’s faith is not on abstract knowledge but on the person of Christ. The apostle’s warm heart overflowed as he spoke of the love and belief in Christ of those who, unlike himself, did not see Jesus when He walked on earth. Peter may have had in mind Jesus’ words: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). Yet, though Christians do not now see Him, like Peter they love and believe in Him, and are also filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. The verb agalliasthe (“are filled with… joy”) was used by Peter in 1Pet. 1:6, “you greatly rejoice,” and agalliōmenoi is used in 1Pet. 4:13.


1 Peter 1:9 "Receiving the end of your faith, [even] the salvation of [your] souls."


end of your... To the End

Greek: telos, the end of a thing. It could also mean the consummation of being admitted or initiated into religion, marriage, etc. If this is what Peter has in mind it refers to believers being initiated into salvation by their faith (1Pet. 1:8-9). He could also have had in mind the end of salvation itself, which is at the end of a life of faith. Translated "end" (1Pet. 1:9; 4:7, 4:17; Mat. 10:22; 24:6, 24:13, 24:14; 26:58; Mark 3:26; 13:7, 13:13; Luke 1:33; 21:9; 22:37; John 13:1; Rom. 6:21-22; 10:4; 1Cor. 1:8; 10:11; 15:24; 2Cor. 1:13; 3:13; 11:15; Phlp. 3:19; 1Tim. 1:5; Heb. 3:6, 3:14; 6:8, 6:11; 7:3; Jas. 5:11; Rev. 2:26; 21:6; 22:13); "ending" (Rev. 1:8); "finally" (1Pet. 3:8); "to the uttermost" (1Thes. 2:16); "continual" (Luke 18:5); and "custom" (Mat. 17:25; Rom. 13:7).


the salvation of... This could be translated “presently receiving for yourselves.” In some sense, Christians now possess the result of their faith, a constant deliverance from the power of sin. In another sense, we are waiting to receive the full salvation of eternal glory in the redemption of our bodies (Romans 8:23).

This is just saying that the reward for believing is salvation in Jesus Christ.


Believers can rejoice because they are (pres. tense) receiving (komizomenoi, “to receive as a reward”) what was promised, namely salvation, the goal or culmination (telos, “end”) of… faith. For those who love and believe in Jesus Christ, salvation is past (“He has given us new birth,” 1Pet. 1:3), present (“through faith are shielded by God’s power,” 1Pet. 1:5), and future (it is their “inheritance,” 1Pet. 1:4, which will “be revealed in the last time,” 1Pet. 1:5, and is “the goal of your faith,” 1Pet. 1:9). Since each day brings believers closer to that final day, they are now “receiving” it. All of this — in spite of persecution which deepens and demonstrates one’s faith — is certainly cause for “inexpressible and glorious joy”! (1Pet. 1:8)


Verses 10-11: The prophecy of salvation looks to the past. This section is most important, for it reveals that salvation was the object of prophecy and reveals how much the Old Testament prophets knew of Christ. The “prophets,” that is, the Old Testament prophets “searched diligently:” This emphasizes the study involved in their search.

They wanted to know when the Messiah was coming and what would be the circumstances of His coming. “The Spirit of Christ,” that is, the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:9). “Which was in them” indicates the prophets were indwelt by the Spirit.

1 Peter 1:10 "Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace [that should come] unto you:"


Of which salvation... In this section, Peter looks at the greatness of salvation from the viewpoint of the divine agents who made it possible.

1. Old Testament Prophets (verses 10-11).

2. The Holy Spirit (verses 11-12).

3. The New Testament apostles (verse 12).

4. The angels (verse 12).

prophets have enquired... Greek: ekzeteo, to search out. They carefully and diligently sought the truth of thing things they were prophesying. The prophets of old could prophesy about this salvation in Jesus, but they had no first-hand knowledge.

and searched diligently... Greek: exereunao, to search out; examine. Only here. The Old Testament prophets studied their own writings in order to know more about the promised salvation. Though they believed and were personally saved from their sin by that faith (through the sacrifice God would provide in Christ), they could not fully understand what was involved in the life and death of Jesus Christ (Num. 24:17; Heb:13 39-40).

of the grace... They had salvation, grace, fillings, and gifts of the Spirit. It was the fullness of grace they predicted (John 1:16-17). God is by nature gracious and was so, even under the conditional Old Covenant (Exodus 34:19; John 4:2). But the prophets foretold an even greater exhibit of grace than what they had even known (Isa. 45:20-25; 52:14-15; 55:1-7; 61:1-3; Rom. 9:24-33, 10-11, 13, 20; 15:9-21).

Mat. 13:17 "For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous [men] have desired to see [those things] which ye see, and have not seen [them]; and to hear [those things] which ye hear, and have not heard [them]."

We know they were aware that they were to happen in the future, but they did not have the opportunity of seeing Jesus, because He had not come. They believed that it would happen, as we see in the following verse.

Zec. 6:12 "And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name [is] The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:"

All of the true prophets of old told similar things. They knew that He would come, and they hoped for His coming, but He did not come in their lifetimes.


The Past Revelation

The living hope of the new birth springs not only from believers’ future inheritance and present experience but also from their faith in God’s written Word (1Pet. 1:11). Peter iterated that faith is not based on the mere writings of men but on the Word of God. Concerning this salvation (cf. “salvation” in 1Pet. 1:5, 1:9) the prophets… searched intently and with the greatest care their own Spirit-guided writings. They longed to participate in this salvation and coming period of grace and tried to discover the appointed time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing.


1 Peter 1:11 "Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow."


Searching what, or... Greek: ereunao, to search for; examine (1Pet. 1:11; John 5:39; 7:52; Rom. 8:27; 1Cor. 2:10; Rev. 2:23). They did not know the time of the sufferings of Christ or by whom, neither the glory to follow the sufferings.

what manner of... “Who would be the person?” and “When would He come?” were the questions the Old Testament prophets searched to know.

Spirit of Christ... Jesus Christ, in the person of the Holy Spirit, took up residence within the writers of the Old Testament, enabling them to write about the glorious salvation to be consummated in the future (2Pet. 1:19-21).

This is saying that the Spirit of Christ dwelt within these prophets.

did signify, when... In the verse above, means to make plain or real. They had visions from God that revealed to them the things that would occur at a later date. God revealed to them about the Messiah {Jesus Christ}. They knew of his birth, life, ministry, death of His flesh, and of His resurrection. They knew it, because God had revealed it to them.

sufferings of Christ… The Old Testament prophets foresaw both the first coming, with the Messiah suffering (Isa. 53), and the Second Coming, with Messiah reigning (Isa. 32:1), without understanding the long interval of this current dispensation.


They pondered how the glorious Messiah could be involved in suffering. Again Peter echoed the teachings of Christ (cf. Mat. 13:17).

In 1Pet. 1:10-12 the apostle gave a practical illustration of the doctrine of the inspiration of Scripture he clearly stated in 2Pet. 1:20-21. The prophets did not fully understand all that the Holy Spirit had authored through them. It was the Spirit who predicted the sufferings of Christ (Isa. 53:1-12) and the glories that would follow (Isa. 11:1-16). Peter’s readers would be encouraged by this reminder that Christ’s suffering was followed by glory. They too would experience glory after their suffering (cf. 1Pet. 5:10).


1 Peter 1:12 "Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into."


not unto themselves,... The Old Testaments prophets who wrote of the coming of salvation in verses 10-11 knew it was a future Savior who would come , and thus they were really writing for those who are on this side of the cross.

the gospel unto... It was the new covenant and its full blessings that the prophets foretold. The fullness of grace (John 1:16-17), the fullness of the Holy Spirit anointing upon believers (Luke 24:49; John 7:37-39; Acts 1:4-8), the full gifts and fruit of the Spirit (1Cor. 12:4-11; Gal. 5:22-23), and the complete redemptive acts and processes of which the law was a shadow (Heb. 10:1) were all predicted by the prophets. The way into the holiest by the blood of Christ (Heb. 10:19), power and authority of every believer to do the works of Christ (John 14:12), and many other truths and experiences were unknown to the prophets. The New Testament apostles and preachers of the gospel had the privilege of proclaiming that the prophecies written by the Old Testament prophets had come to pass (2Cor. 6:1-2).

angels desire to.... Angels are no doubt amazed at the wonderful plan of redemption and of the eternal exaltation of the redeemed. Even now they are being taught by the church the manifold wisdom of God (Eph. 3:9-11). They observe saints constantly (1Co. 4:9) and desire to look into the wonderful truths of the gospel. Angels, who are not themselves objects of redemption, “desire to look into” (literally, “desire to stoop to look into”): This is the same word used of Peter at the empty tomb of God (Luke 24:12).

The prophet's ministry is not just for his generation of people. Prophecy is given to make known unto all generations the wisdom of God. Even the angels, in heaven, do not know the things revealed to these prophets through the Holy Ghost of God.


Peter gave further encouragement (1Pet. 1:12), stating that the prophets understood they were not writing for themselves but for those who would live later, those who would hear the gospel proclaimed by the Holy Spirit (cf. “the Spirit of Christ,” 1Pet. 1:11), and consequently follow Christ. In the ultimate stage of believers’ salvation they will experience glory, not suffering. The writer of Hebrews also referred to this “ultimate” salvation (Heb. 1:14; 2:3).

The reality of the Christian’s living hope was held in awe and wonder by the angelic hosts of heaven. Prophets and angels alike wondered about “this salvation” in the grace that was to come (1Pet. 1:10).