1 Peter Chapter 1
“The land of Palestine, says Cave, at and before the coming of our blessed Savior, was distinguished into three several provinces, Judea, Samaria, and Galilee. In the upper, called also Galilee of the Gentiles, within the division belonging to the tribe of Naphtali, stood Bethsaida, formerly an obscure and inconsiderable village, till lately re-edified and enlarged by Philip the Tetrarch; and, in honor of Julia, daughter of Augustus, called by him Julias. It was situated upon the banks of the sea of Galilee, called also the lake of Tiberias, and the lake of Gennesareth, which was about forty furlongs in breadth, and a hundred in length; and had a wilderness on the other side called the desert of Bethsaida, whither our Savior used often to retire.
“At this place was born Simon, surnamed Cephas, or Petros, Petrus, Peter, signifying a stone, or fragment of a rock. He was a fisherman upon the forementioned lake or sea, as was also in all probability his father Jonas, Jonah, or John. He had a brother named Andrew: which was the eldest of the two is not certain; for, concerning this, there were different opinions among the ancients.
“The call of Andrew and Peter to a stated attendance on Jesus is recorded in three evangelists. Their father Jonas seems to have been dead; for there is no mention of him, as there is of Zebedee, when his two sons were called. It is only said of Andrew and Peter that, when Jesus called them, they left their nets and followed him. Follow me, said he, and, I will make you fishers of men.
“Simon Peter was married when called by our Lord to attend upon him; and upon occasion of that alliance, it seems, had removed from Bethsaida to Capernaum, where was his wife’s family. Upon her mother our Savior wrought a great miracle of healing. And, I suppose, that when our Lord left Nazareth, and came and dwelled at Capernaum, he made Peter’s house the place of his usual abode when he was in those parts. I think we have a proof of it in the history just noticed. When Jesus came out of the synagogue at Capernaum, he entered into Simon’s house, Luk_4:38. Compare Mar_1:29, which is well paraphrased by Dr. Clarke: ‘Now when Jesus came out of the synagogue, he went home to Peter’s house;’ and there it was that the people resorted unto him. (Lardner)
The practical character of the Epistle is marked, and is illustrated by reference to the Divine dealings recorded in the Old Testament. Admonition, exhortation, and encouragement, for all circumstances, show how faithfully the apostle obeyed his Lord’’s command to feed the flock of God. in 1Pe_5:12 he refers to his brief epistle as "exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand" (lit. "in which stand ye"). So far as is known, he had never seen those to whom he wrote, nor does he make reference to a single one of those "strangers" who had doubtless been taught by Paul and his fellow-workers in their "journeyings often". Thus the teaching delivered to them by "our beloved brother Paul" is that to which Peter refers as "the true grace of God wherein ye stand" (cp.1Co_15:1).
THE TIME of writing was probably about A..D. 60 (see Appdx-180), and the Epistle was written from Babylon (1Pe_5:13). (Bullinger)
1Pe 1:1 KJV Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
Peter, an apostle - Simon Peter, called also Kephas: he was a fisherman, son of Jonah, brother of Andrew, and born at Bethsaida; and one of the first disciples of our Lord. (Clarke)
To the strangers -- Jews, Israelites, non-residents of Palestine, not "lost" Israelites; but the large class of Israelites of all tribes, who after the Babylonian captivity made their homes amongst the Gentiles. (Russell)
Scattered throughout--Of the Dispersion (diasporās). See Joh_7:35 for literal sense of the word for scattered (from diaspeirō, to scatter abroad, Act_8:1) Jews outside of Palestine, and Jas_1:1 for the sense here to Jewish Christians, including Gentile Christians (only N T. examples). Note absence of the article, though a definite conception (of the Dispersion). The Christian is a pilgrim on his way to the homeland. These five Roman provinces include what we call Asia Minor north and west of the Taurus mountain range (Hort). Hort suggests that the order here suggests that Silvanus (bearer of the Epistle) was to land in Pontus from the Euxine Sea, proceed through Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, to Bithynia, where he would re-embark for Rome. This, he holds, explains the separation of Pontus and Bithynia, though the same province. Only Galatia and Asia are mentioned elsewhere in the N.T. as having Christian converts, but the N.T. by no means gives a full account of the spread of the Gospel, as can be judged from Col_1:6, Col_1:23. (Robertson)
Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia: These specific areas were places Christianity had extended to in the first several decades after the beginning of the church. It is probably the route the original courier of Peter’s letter would follow in distributing the letter. This was not written to any one congregation, but intentionally written to all Christians. (Guzik)
1Pe 1:2 KJV 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 -- Chosen. Justified, consecrated, spirit-begotten new creatures.
Not an arbitrary election, but conditioned upon three things; full consecration of the believer, implicit obedience to the divine teaching, and full reliance upon the precious blood of Christ. God elected first that Jesus should taste death for us; second, that the knowledge of this redemption should be declared; third that those who believed the proclamation should be called to the divine nature.
Foreknowledge -- This special class was foreknown from before the foundation of the world. (Eph_1:4) God's predestination was that He would have a class of beings of the divine nature, and that each one of that class must have a fixed character, like that of His Son. No scripture implies divine foreknowledge of the individuals. The selection of this class was always the divine purpose, not a change in God's program.
"For whom he did foreknow he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son." (Rom_8:29) (Russell)
And sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: However, since all the elect fall short of perfect sanctification and obedience, there is cleansing from sin provided for them through the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.
i. There were only three circumstances in the Old Testament where blood was sprinkled on people. First, at the establishment of a covenant (Exo_24:5-8). Second, at the ordination of Aaron and his sons (Exo_29:21). Finally, in the purification ceremony for a cleansed leper (Lev_14:6-7).
ii. The sprinkling of the blood of Jesus on us accomplishes the same things. First, a covenant is formed, then we are ordained as priests to Him, and finally we are cleansed from our corruption and sin. Each one of these things is ours through the work of Jesus on the cross.
f. Grace to you and peace be multiplied: Peter brings a greeting that had become common among the Christians, combining elements from Greek culture (Grace) and Jewish culture (peace). (Guzik)
1Pe 1:3 KJV 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,
Blessed be the God and Father - If we translate και, even, a meaning which it frequently has in the New Testament, then we have a very good sense: Let that God have praise who is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and who deserves the praise of every human being for His infinite mercy to the world, in its redemption by Christ Jesus.
Begotten us again unto a lively hope - by his death and burial this hope became nearly, if not altogether, extinct; but by his resurrection the hope was revived. (Clarke)
Which according to His abundant mercy - Margin, as in the Greek, “much.” The idea is, that there was great mercy shown them in the fact that they were renewed. They had no claim to the favor, and the favor was great. People are not begotten to the hope of heaven because they have any claim on God, or because it would not be right for him to withhold the favor (Barnes)
Unto a lively hope -- The ground of this hope is confirmed by the death of our Lord as the ransom price for our sins, and by his resurrection from the dead for our justification. Hope of life; a living hope. The hopes of the apostles had withered at the time of the crucifixion but were revived at Jesus' resurrection. (Russell)
1Pe 1:3 TPT Celebrate with praises the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has shown us his extravagant mercy. For his fountain of mercy has given us a new life—we are reborn to experience a living, energetic hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: When Peter considers the salvation of God, all he can do is praise Him. This is especially because the motive for God’s work is found in Him, not in us (according to His abundant mercy).
To a living hope: We are born again to a living hope, because we have eternal life in a Savior who has conquered death Himself. The hope lives because it is set on an inheritance incorruptible, which can never fade away because it is reserved in heaven. This is a significant contrast to any inheritance on this earth. (Guzik)
Are you thankful for the extravagant mercy (compassion) that God has for us?
Do you have a living hope, and energetic hope through the resurrection of Jesus?
What does it look like?
1Pe 1:4 KJV To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
Adam Clarke To an inheritance - Called an inheritance because it belongs to the children of God. Eternal life cannot be a gift to any but these; for, even in heaven, the lot is dealt out according to law: if children, then heirs; if not children, then not heirs.
Incorruptible - Αφθαρτον· It has no principles of dissolution or decay in it; and, therefore, must be totally different from this earth.
Undefiled - Αμιαντον· Nothing impure can enter it; it not only has no principles or seeds of dissolution in itself, but it can never admit any; therefore its deterioration is impossible.
Fadeth not away - Αμαρνατον· It cannot wither, it is always in bloom; a metaphor taken from those flowers that never lose their hue nor their fragrance. From the Greek αμαραντος we have our flowers called amaranths, because they preserve their hue and odour for a long time.
Reserved in heaven - Such a place as that described above is not to be expected on earth.
Guzik: Incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away: Peter doesn’t really describe our inheritance. All he can tell us is what it is not. What our inheritance actually is, is too great for him to describe.
Russell: To an inheritance -- As heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ.
Incorruptible -- Greek, aphthartos, that which cannot corrupt, or decay. Immortal, the divine nature; the Bride will be like her Lord--have life on the divine plane of being. We became embryo new creatures, and were to grow day by day until, in due time, we would be born as spirit beings, on the divine plane, if faithful unto death.
Fadeth not away -- The crown of life that fadeth not away. ( 1Pe_5:4)
Reserved in heaven -- Preserved. (Diaglott) Not for immediate possession at death, but reserved, to be revealed at the second advent.
For you -- For the Lord's holy ones. SM334:1
To be members of the Royal Priesthood, heirs of God, joint-heirs with Jesus Christ their Lord.
Are you looking forward to being with the Lord?
1Pe 1:5 KJV Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Adam Clarke --Who are kept - Who are defended as in a fortress or castle. There is a remarkable correspondence between the two verbs used in this sentence: the verb τηρεω, signifies to keep, watch, guard; and τηρησις, is a place of custody or prison. And φρουρεω, from φρουρος, a sentinel, signifies to keep as under a military guard. See on Gal_3:22, Gal_3:23. The true disciples of Christ are under the continual watchful care of God, and the inheritance is guarded for them.
Ready to be revealed - Or rather, Prepared to be revealed. The inheritance is prepared for you; but its glories will not be revealed till the last time - till ye have done with life, and passed through your probation, having held fast faith and a good conscience.
Guzik: We are kept by the power of God, but it is through faith, meaning our faith. The person who is kept is a person abiding in a continuing relationship of faith with God. And we need to be kept! Keeping is not necessary unless there is danger outside and weakness inside.
“To have been told, as in the preceding verse, that our inheritance was reserved in heaven could have yielded us little comfort, unless that assurance had been followed and capped by this, that the heirs also are being kept for its full enjoyment.” (Meyer)
Russell: In the last time -- In the last season. Greek, kairos, fixed time. In the end of this age, when the Little Flock shall be completed and glorified. At the second advent of the Lord. "Henceforth, there is laid up for me a crown, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me at that day." (2Ti_4:8)
Can you claim this promise of God?
1Pe 1:6 KJV Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
TPT—Or “exult in joy.” The Aramaic can be translated “rejoice for eternity.”
Adam Clarke --Though now for a season - A little while yet - during your pilgrimage here below, which is but a point when compared with eternity.
If need be - Sometimes there is a kind of necessity that the followers of God should be afflicted; when they have no trials they are apt to get careless, and when they have secular prosperity they are likely to become worldly-minded. But the disciples of Christ may be very happy in their souls, though grievously afflicted in their bodies and in their estates. … The verb λυπεω signifies to grieve, to make sorrowful: perhaps heaviness is not the best rendering of the original word, as this can scarcely ever consist with rejoicing; but to be sorrowful on account of something external to ourselves, and yet exulting in God from a sense of His goodness to us, is quite compatible: so that we may say with St. Paul, always sorrowing, yet still rejoicing.
Russell: Manifold temptations -- Testings; provings; trials. Since trials are needful for our perfecting in holiness, the Father will not hinder us from having temptations, even though he himself tempteth no man. (Jam_1:13) These are evidences of our acceptance with the Lord and that he is dealing with us as sons, and that he is polishing us as jewels for the Kingdom.
Guzik: In this you greatly rejoice: We especially rejoice in God’s keeping power when we are grieved by various trials, knowing that He will keep us as our faith is tested by fire.
1Pe 1:7 KJV 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:
Adam Clarke - As by the action of fire gold is separated from all alloy and heterogeneous mixtures, and is proved to be gold by its enduring the action of the fire without losing any thing of its nature, weight, color, or any other property, so genuine faith is proved by adversities, especially such as the primitive Christians were obliged to pass through. For the word was then, “Renounce Jesus and live,” “Cleave to him and die;” for every Christian was in continual danger of losing his life. He then who preferred Christianity to his life gave full proof, not only of his own sincerity, but also of the excellency of the principle by which he was influenced; as his religion put him in possession of greater blessings, and more solid comforts, than any thing the earth could afford.
That the trial -- Proof. (Diaglott) The endurance of present afflictions are causes for thanksgiving, because their discipline is necessary to prepare us for the glorious inheritance of the saints.
Whenever we pass through a fiery trial and still retain our faith and confidence in God, then our characters are more pleasing to God, who subjects us to discipline for this very purpose.
"The sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." (Rom_8:18) "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial that is to try you." ( 1Pe_4:12) "He is like a refiner's fire." (Mal_3:2) "Many shall be purified and made white and tried." (Dan_12:10)
Of your faith -- It is your faith that is on trial now. In the calmer days you were quietly laying the foundation of a knowledge of the truth, now you are in the furnace to be proved: summon all your courage, fortify your patience; nerve yourself to endurance, hold fast to your hope. If we have not the faith to stand the trials, then we are not of the kind whom God is at the present time looking for.
More precious -- A developed and perfect faith. Much more carefully done.
Gold that perisheth -- Gold is a rare metal and has a special value; therefore the Apostle compares it to the faith of the Little Flock.
Tried with fire -- Tested thoroughly; the Lord develops us through suffering. God is subjecting our faith to a great heat in order to separate the dross so that our characters may grow more Christ-like. A faith which has stood the tests of fiery ordeal and has come off victorious is very precious in our Father's sight.
At the appearing -- Greek, apokalupsis, uncovering, revealment. Early in the morning of the Millennial day, the overcoming Church will be delivered. (Psa_46:5 Margin)
Guzik:: Our faith isn’t tested because God doesn’t know how much or what kind of faith we have. It is tested because we often are ignorant of how much or what kind of faith we have. God’s purpose in testing is to display the enduring quality of our faith.
Gold is one of the most durable of all materials. But it too will one day perish, but our faith will not.
Can you see the value of your trials?
Are you being more victorious in them as time progresses?
1Pe 1:8 KJV 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:
Adam Clarke - Those to whom the apostle wrote had never seen Christ in the flesh; and yet, such is the realizing nature of faith, they loved him as strongly as any of his disciples could, to whom he was personally known. For faith in the Lord Jesus brings him into the heart; and by his indwelling all his virtues are proved, and an excellence discovered beyond even that which his disciples beheld, when conversant with him upon earth. In short, there is an equality between believers in the present time, and those who lived in the time of Christ, to a believing soul, is the same to-day that he was yesterday and will be forever.
Ye rejoice with joy unspeakable - Ye have unutterable happiness through believing; and ye have the fullest, clearest, strongest evidence of eternal glory. Though they did not see him on earth, and men could not see him in glory, yet by that faith which is the evidence of things not seen, and the subsistence of things hoped for, they had the very highest persuasion of their acceptance with God, their relation to him as their Father, and their sonship with Christ Jesus.
Guzik: Whom having not seen you love: Peter knew that though he had seen Jesus, both before and after the resurrection, most every Christian in the early church had not seen Jesus. Yet they loved Him. Jesus was no less real simply because they had not seen Him.
ii. The word translated joy inexpressible “occurs only here in the New Testament, and describes a joy so profound as to be beyond the power of words to express.” (Grudem)
TPT: The Aramaic can be translated “a glorification that cannot be described.”
Do you have this love for Jesus?
Are you yearning to be with him?
1Pe 1:9 KJV Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
1Pe 1:9 TPT For you are reaping the harvest of your faith—the full salvation promised you—your souls’ victory!
Receiving -- Greek, komizo, to bring; hence to receive with the added sense of bringing along with.
Even the salvation -- We are not to see Christ until our salvation, when we shall be like him and see him as he is; and not until then will faith end, and we no longer need signs, not even the fig tree, because we watch by faith.
Souls -- Beings. The Church is receiving the salvation of their souls.
Adam Clarke Receiving the end of your faith - Ye are put in possession of the salvation of your souls, which was the thing presented to your faith, when ye were called by the Gospel of Christ. Your faith has had a proper issue, and has been crowned with a proper recompense. The word τελος, end, is often used so as to imply the issue or reward of any labor or action.
Salvation of your souls - The object of the Jewish expectations in their Messiah was the salvation or deliverance of their bodies from a foreign yoke; but the true Messiah came to save the soul from the yoke of the devil and sin. This glorious salvation these believers had already received.
JFB: Receiving — in sure anticipation; “the end of your faith,” that is, its crowning consummation, finally completed “salvation” (Peter here confirms Paul’s teaching as to justification by faith): also receiving now the title to it and the first-fruits of it. In 1Pe_1:10 the “salvation” is represented as already present, whereas “the prophets” had it not as yet present. It must, therefore, in this verse, refer to the present: Deliverance now from a state of wrath: believers even now “receive salvation,” though its full “revelation” is future.
Can you trust in this promise?
1Pe 1:10 KJV Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
Adam Clarke Of which salvation the prophets have inquired - The suffering of Jesus Christ, and the redemption procured by him for mankind, were made known, in a general way, by the prophets; but they themselves did not know the time when these things were to take place, nor the people among and by whom he was to suffer, etc.; they therefore inquired accurately or earnestly, εξεζητησαν, and searched diligently, εξηρευνησαν, inquiring of others who were then under the same inspiration, and carefully searching the writings of those who had, before their time, spoken of these things. The prophets plainly saw that the grace which was to come under the Messiah’s kingdom was vastly superior to anything that had ever been exhibited under the law; and in consequence they made all possible inquiry, and searched as after grains of gold, hidden among sand or compacted with ore, (for such is the meaning of the original word), in order to ascertain the time, and the signs of that time, in which this wondrous display of God’s love and mercy to man was to take place; but all that God thought fit to instruct them in was what is mentioned 1Pe_1:12.
Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully: It is important to Peter - and all the New Testament writers - to demonstrate that their teaching was no novelty, but that it was testified beforehand by the prophets.
i. The predictions of the sufferings of the Messiah begin with the first prophecy of the Messiah, when God told Eve I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel. (Gen_3:15)
Prophesied of the grace that would come to you: The prophets of the Old Testament longed to see exactly the grace of the New Covenant to come. Prophesying by the Spirit of Christ, they knew something of His sufferings and glories, but far less than they longed to know.
Do you appreciate the time when you were born?
Do you appreciate the understanding that is yours if you desire it?
1Pe 1:11 KJV 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.
(Russell) Beforehand -- The prophets spoke of the sufferings as all future.
Sufferings of Christ -- Began with the baptism of Christ and still continues. From this standpoint the first advent of Christ has been a gradual one, covering a period of nearly nineteen centuries. Head and Body.
"No cross, no crown." "If we suffer, we shall also reign with him." (2 Tim. 2:12)
"Fill up that which is behind of the sufferings of Christ." (Col_1:24)
"For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ." (2Co_1:5)
"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." (2Co_4:17)
"Ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings, that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." (1Pe_4:13)
" We suffer with him that we may be also glorified together. The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." (Rom_8:17,18)
And the glory that should follow -- As soon as the sufferings of the Body are completed. The great work of filling the world ocean deep with the knowledge of the Lord, the restitution of all things.
Do you search the scriptures?
Do you know what is expected of you?
1Pe 1:12 Weymouth To them it was revealed that they were serving not themselves but you, when they foretold the very things which have now been openly declared to you by those who, having been taught by the Holy Spirit which had been sent from Heaven, brought you the Good News. Angels long to stoop and look into these things.
Guzik: The prophets understood that they were ministering to people beyond them, as well as to people in their own day. These things the prophets predicted were reported as fact by the apostles (the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel).
i. Because we know the Who (Jesus) and the when (Jesus’ day) of these Old Testament prophecies, they should be of far more interest to us than they were even in the day of the prophets.
d. Things which angels desire to look into: The unfolding of God’s eternal plan is something that angels desire to look into. Angels observe our conduct (1Co_4:9), making it necessary that Christians conduct themselves properly (1Co_11:10).
i. Part of God’s eternal purpose is to show His wisdom to the angelic beings through His work with the church (Eph_3:10-11). God wants the angels to look in on what He does in the church.
ii. “The longing must therefore include a holy curiosity to watch and delight in the glories of Christ’s kingdom as they find ever fuller realization in their lives of individual Christians throughout the history of the church.” (Grudem)
Russell: Unto whom -- The prophets. They were used as God's mouthpieces simply, and laid up treasures of wisdom and knowledge which are made manifest during the Gospel age, by the holy Spirit, as meat in due season, for the Church.
It was revealed -- God used them to express His mind; though generally they did not understand the import of the words they used. Prophecy can only be fully understood when fulfilled, and a truth is not fully revealed until it is understood. The Saviour and his apostles often speak of these writings as the Word of God; recognizing, and directly asserting, their divine authority and inspiration.
Not unto themselves -- In many instances those who uttered the prophecies and those who heard them comprehended them not. They were the pen and tongue which the Lord used in preparing statements to be understood by his people of the Gospel age. God did not commit all these sacred things to their understanding.
"I heard but I understood not." (Dan_12:8)
"They say of me, doth he not speak parables?" (Eze_20:49)
But unto us -- The Gospel Church. The Body of Christ. Spiritual Israel is blessed by the meaning of those types and shadows of the past and by an understanding of the mystery of the divine plan presented in those types and prophecies.
"Upon whom the ends of the world (ages) are come." (1Co_10:11)
By them -- The apostles preached not with man's wisdom but with the wisdom from above. Their human weaknesses were not permitted to mar their work or usefulness as apostles.
Have preached -- Delivered.
The gospel -- Good news.
Holy Spirit -- Every time the Apostle Paul referred to his apostleship he announced himself one of those specially commissioned "by the holy Spirit sent down from heaven" to preach and to establish the Gospel.
Down from heaven -- Not with man's wisdom but the wisdom from above.
The angels -- The holy angels, they are earnest students of the plan for human salvation. The angelic hosts are watching and learning lessons in respect to all this shepherding of the flock through the narrow way.
They are also learning the immensity of God's love, wisdom and power; the exceeding beauty of holiness in contrast with sin and the lesson of complete submission to the will of our Father. Throughout the six thousand years during which God has permitted evil, the angels have been looking on. The introduction of evil was a great test to them at first.
Desire to look into -- Are deeply interested in because in the divine plan they see God's wisdom, justice, love and power shown as never before.
Clarke: Angels desire to took into - Παρακυψαι· To stoop down to; the posture of those who are earnestly intent on finding out a thing, especially a writing difficult to be read; they bring it to the light, place it so that the rays may fall on it as collectively as possible, and then stoop down in order to examine all the parts, that they may be able to make out the whole. There is evidently an allusion here to the attitude of the cherubim who stood at the ends of the ark of the covenant, in the inner tabernacle, with their eyes turned towards the mercy-seat or propitiatory in a bending posture, as if looking attentively, or, as we term it, poring upon it. Even the holy angels are struck with astonishment at the plan of human redemption… If then these things be objects of deep consideration to the angels of God, how much more so should they be to us; in them angels can have no such interest as human beings have.
Do you have an interest to know these things?
Are you studying these things?
1Pe 1:13 KJV Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
Adam Clarke Gird up the loins of your mind - Take courage from this display of God’s love now made known to you; and though you must expect trials, yet fortify your minds with the consideration that He who has given you His Son Jesus will withhold from you no manner of thing that is good. The allusion here is to the long robes of the Asiatics, which, when they were about to perform any active service, they tucked in their girdles: this they did also when they waited on their superiors at meals.
Russell: Wherefore -- Gird up the loins -- Cast aside the weights of unnecessary worldly cares, redouble your diligence, increase your zeal, renew your determination. Our chief object in the present life is to fight a good fight against self and against sin. We have determined upon a course of activity; rest and ease are put aside, we are engaging in an important work which requires all the strength we possess.
In olden times, girdles were constantly worn for two purposes; 1) to keep the garments so that they would not be disordered in appearance, 2) for effect upon the loins during active labor.
Of your mind -- Our minds need to be strengthened; we need to be fortified against all disposition to lassitude.
Be sober -- Being vigilant. (Diaglott) Do not allow yourself, under the spur of excitement, to exhaust all your spiritual vitality in a very short time, then to suffer a relapse into coldness or discouragement. Prepare for a long and determined effort. We are to endeavor to realize the import of the exceeding great and precious promises and to gather from them their invigorating inspiration.
Avail ourselves of such helps of pastors and teachers and their literary productions, which prove harmonious with the Scriptures.
The Apostle is not referring to the use of intoxicating liquors; there is a spiritual intoxication, the spirit of error; all the world are intoxicated with this spirit. We should be of serious mind, thoughtful, not given to frivolity or levity, but earnestly watching our thoughts, our words, our doings, that we may in all things bring honor to our King whose name we bear.
Keep yourself in the love of God and in the service of God, the truth and the brethren. The Church is now being tested for life or death eternal. This thought should make us sober.
And hope to the end -- Do you hope perfectly. (Diaglott) Let us not be discouraged or overcome in any way.
For the grace -- The salvation of our own resurrection. Our salvation completed. The salvation of the elect class will be the very first item connected with the Lord's second advent.
To be brought unto you -- At the time specified, not previously.
At the revelation -- Greek, apokalupsis, uncovering, unveiling. At Christ's second coming; at the establishment of his Kingdom.
Of Jesus Christ -- When he comes to reign in power and great glory, is the Church's exaltation with him, to sit with him in his throne. At his second advent.
Guzik: Therefore gird up the loins of your mind: Living the way God wants us to means that we must gird up the loins of our mind. The idea in this phrase is of preparing for action, much like our phrase “rolling up your sleeves.” Then, we must also be sober, which means the ability to take a serious look at life.
b. Rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ: Peter has told us a lot about God’s grace. He greeted us with grace (1Pe_1:2). He told us of the grace that came to us in Jesus, predicted by the prophets of old (1Pe_1:10). Now he goes further, writing of the grace that is to be brought to you when Jesus comes back. The only way we will be able to stand before Jesus on that day is because of the unmerited favor He gives and will give to us.
i. Grace isn’t just for the past, when we first gave our lives to Jesus. It isn’t only for the present, where we live each moment standing in His grace (Rom_5:2). It is also for the future, when grace will be brought to us. God has only just begun to show us the riches of His grace!
ii. “Grace is the unmerited love of God, stooping to save and bless; the source of all those bright and holy gifts which come from his infinite heart.” (Meyer)
Are you “girding up the loins of your mind”?
Are you “sober”?
Are you “hoping to the end”?
1Pe 1:14 KJV As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
1Pe 1:14 TPT As God’s obedient children, never again shape your lives by the desires that you followed when you didn’t know better.
Barnes: As obedient children - That is, conduct yourselves as becomes the children of God, by obeying his commands; by submitting to His will; and by manifesting unwavering confidence in him as your Father at all times.
Not fashioning yourselves - Not forming or modeling your life. Compare the notes at Rom_12:2. The idea is, that they were to have some model or example, in accordance with which they were to frame their lives, but that they were not to make their own former principles and conduct the model. The Christian is to be as different from what he was himself before conversion as he is from his fellow-men. He is to be governed by new laws, to aim at new objects, and to mould his life in accordance with new principles. Before conversion, he was:
(a) Supremely selfish;
(b) He lived for personal gratification;
(c) He gave free indulgence to his appetites and passions, restrained only by a respect for the decencies of life, and by a reference to his own health, property, or reputation, without regard to the will of God;
(d) He conformed himself to the customs and opinions around him, rather than to the requirements of his Maker;
(e) He lived for worldly aggrandizements, his supreme object being wealth or fame; or,
(f) In many cases, those who are now Christians, gave indulgence to every passion which they wished to gratify, regardless of reputation, health, property, or salvation.
Now they are to be governed by a different rule, and their own former standard of morals and of opinions is no longer their guide, but the will of God.
Guzik: As obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance: Fulfilling God’s call to holiness requires that we, as obedient children, break off with the lifestyle of the world (characterized by lusts and ignorance).
Russell: -- Not the fashioning of our will, but the transforming of our minds into the mind of the Lord. "Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind." (Rom_12:2) Seeing things from God's standpoint, we change our ideas as to what we shall eat, and what we shall drink.
Former lusts -- Desires and ambitions, which we had.
Have you changed your thinking and actions?
If you were tried before a jury –would there be enough evidence to convict you of being a Christian?
1Pe 1:15 KJV But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
1Pe 1:15 TPT Instead, shape your lives to become like the Holy One who called you.
Russell:--But as he -- "Walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his Kingdom and glory." (1Th_2:12) "Ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness." (1Pe_2:9)
Is holy -- Perfect; that which is whole, that which is complete, lacking nothing.
So be ye holy -- Let your will be perfect; nothing less is acceptable to him. Absolute holiness is the standard which our minds can gladly and fully endorse and live up to, but to which we can never attain actually in our fallen nature.
In the present life the new creature is a representative of God and his righteousness and should seek to walk in accord therewith. Put away all anger, malice, envy, hatred and strife and put on instead the fruits and graces of the Lord's holy Spirit--meekness, gentleness, patience, long-suffering, brotherly kindness, love.
Conversation -- In all your conduct. (Diaglott) Behavior. Conversation has a broad meaning. It relates to all our conduct with respect to others. Our thoughts words and deeds. 5482:6, 3149:6
Meyer:-- The appeal for a holy life is enforced by considering the great cost of our redemption and the great hope which is opened before us. Ours must be the girded loins, lest our desires trail after forbidden things, or be sullied by the mud on the road. We must be holy, as God is: and this can be realized only when we allow God, by His Holy Spirit, to pour Himself into our natures.
Is it your will to be Holy?
MacLaren:-- ‘As He that hath called you is holy.’ God’s holiness is the very attribute which seems to separate Him most from the creatures; for its deepest meaning is His majestic and Divine elevation above all that is creatural. … The holiness of God which is capable of imitation by us is His separation from all impurity. There is a side of His holiness which separates Him from all the creatures, to which we can only look up, or bow with our faces in the dust; but there is a side of His holiness which, wonderful as it is, and high above all our present attainment as it is, yet is not higher than the possibilities which His indwelling Spirit puts within our reach, nor beyond the bounds of the duty that presses upon us all. ‘As He which hath called you is holy.’ Absolute and utter purity is His holiness, and that is the pattern for us….
But then, says somebody or other, ‘it is not possible.’ Well, if it were not possible, try it all the same. For in this world it is aim and not attainment that makes the noble life; and it is better to shoot at the stars, even though your arrow never reaches them, than to fire it along the low levels of ordinary life. I do not see that however the unattainableness of the model may be demonstrated, that has anything to do with the duty of imitation. Because, though absolute conformity running throughout the whole of a life is not possible here on earth, we know that in each individual instance in which we came short of conformity the fault was ours, and it might have been otherwise. Instead of bewildering ourselves with questions about ‘unattainable’ or ‘attainable,’ suppose we asked, at each failure, ‘Why did I not copy God then; was it because I could not, or because I would not?’ The answer would come plain enough to knock all that sophisticated nonsense out of our heads, and to make us feel that the law which puts an unattainable ideal before the Christian as his duty is an intensely practical one, and may be reduced to practice at each step in his career. Imitation of the Father, and to be perfect, ‘as our Father in heaven is perfect,’ is the elementary and the ultimate commandment of all Christian morality. ‘Be ye holy as He that hath called you is holy.’
1Pe 1:16 KJV Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
1Pe 1:17 KJV And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
Guzik: -- The main idea behind holiness is not moral purity but it is the idea of “apartness.” The idea is that God is separate, different from His creation, both in His essential nature and in the perfection of His attributes. But instead of building a wall around His apartness, God calls us to come to Him and share His apartness. He says to us, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
i. When we refuse to see God’s apartness, we begin to believe that He is just a “super-man.” Then we don’t see that His love is a holy love, His justice is a holy justice, and so on with all of His attributes. Holiness is not so much something we possess, as it is something that possesses us.
e. And if you call on the Father: If we, as Christians, call on a holy God (presumably for help), we must understand we call on a God who shows no partiality - and will so judge our conduct, making a working, sober, holy walk all the more important.
Clarke --And if ye call on the Father - Seeing ye invoke the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and your Father through Christ, and profess to be obedient children, and sojourners here below for a short time only, see that ye maintain a godly reverence for this Father, walking in all his testimonies blameless.
Who without respect of persons - God is said to be no respecter of persons for this reason among many others, that, being infinitely righteous, He must be infinitely impartial. He cannot prefer one to another, because He has nothing to hope or fear from any of His creatures. All partialities among men spring from one or other of these two principles, hope or fear; God can feel neither of them, and therefore God can be no respecter of persons. He approves or disapproves of men according to their moral character. He pities all, and provides salvation for all, but He loves those who resemble Him in His holiness; and He loves them in proportion to that resemblance, i.e. the more of His image He sees in any, the more He loves him; and e contra. And every man’s work will be the evidence of his conformity or nonconformity to God, and according to this evidence will God judge him. Here, then, is no respect of persons; God’s judgment will be according to a man’s work, and a man’s work or conduct will be according to the moral state of his mind. No favouritism can prevail in our day of judgment; nothing will pass there but holiness of heart and life.
Barnes: Pass the time of your sojourning - “Of your temporary residence on earth. This is not your permanent home, but you are strangers and sojourners.”
Russell: In fear -- Not in levity, frivolity, sensuality, money-grabbing, carelessness or slothfulness, but in earnest watchfulness of every word and act to please the Lord. Perfect love casts out slavish but not reverential fear.
Is heaven your home, or are you very content here on earth?
Do you keep a careful guard upon your heart and actions?
1Pe 1:18 KJV (Weymouth) knowing, as you do, that it was not with a ransom of perishable wealth, such as silver or gold, that you were set free from your frivolous habits of life which had been handed down to you from your forefathers,
Clarke --Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things - To redeem, λυτροω, signifies to procure life for a captive or liberty for a slave by paying a price, and the precious blood of Christ is here stated to be the price at which the souls of both Jews and Gentiles were redeemed; is was a price paid down, and a price which God’s righteousness required.
Corruptible things mean here anything that man usually gives in exchange for another; but the term necessarily includes all created things, as all these are corruptible and perishing. The meaning of the apostle is, evidently, that created things could not purchase the souls of men, else the sacrifice of Christ had not been offered; could anything less have done, God would not have given up His only-begotten Son. Even silver and gold, the most valuable medium of commerce among men, bear no proportion in their value to the souls of a lost world, for there should be a congruity between the worth of the thing purchased and the valuable consideration which is given for it... Nothing, therefore, but such a ransom price as God provided could be a sufficient ransom, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sin of the world.
Vain conversation - Empty, foolish, and unprofitable conduct, full of vain hopes, vain fears, and vain wishes.
Received by tradition from your fathers - The Jews had innumerable burdens of empty ceremonies and useless ordinances, which they received by tradition from their fathers, rabbins, or doctors. The Gentiles were not less encumbered with such than the Jews; all were wedded to their vanities, because they received them from their forefathers, as they had done from theirs.
Do you appreciate the price paid to redeem you?
1Pe 1:19 KJV But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
Clarke --The precious blood of Christ - The valuable blood; how valuable neither is nor could be stated.
Without blemish - In himself, and without spot from the world; being perfectly pure in his soul, and righteous in his life.
Russell: The precious blood -- The death; sacrificed life. Our justification, without Christ's death as our ransom price, would have been legally impossible. It signifies that the valuable sacrifice of Jesus' life was made on our behalf. All that the word ransom means, giving of life in exchange for life.
Of Christ –
"Ye (the Church) are bought with a price." (1Co_6:20, 7:23) Not at Calvary but at his ascension when "He appeared in the presence of God for us." (Heb_9:24)
"Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." (1Ti_2:6)
"In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins." (Col_1:14)
"Who through the eternal spirit offered himself without spot to God." (Heb_9:14)
"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by (in) the spirit." ( 1Pe_3:18)
"And he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." (1Jo_2:2)
As of a lamb -- As typed by the shedding of the blood of the Passover lamb throughout the Jewish age. "The Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world." (Joh_1:29)
Without blemish -- This must be true of every sacrifice upon the Lord's altar, as the Law clearly taught and the types showed.
Do you place a value on the life that Jesus gave up to save you?
Do you appreciate it?
1Pe 1:20 KJV Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
Russell: Foreordained -- Foreknown, forearranged.
Clarke --Before the foundation of the world - Before the law was given, or any sacrifice prescribed by it. Its whole sacrificial system was appointed in reference to this foreappointed Lamb, and consequently from him derived all its significance and virtue. The phrase καταβολη κοσμου, foundation of the world, occurs often in the New Testament, …if we take it here in its common signification, the creation of universal nature, then it shows that God, foreseeing the fall and ruin of man, appointed the remedy that was to cure the disease.
Last times - The Gospel dispensation, called the last times, as we have often seen.
Guzik: He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world: The work of Jesus was not a plan developed late in the course of redemption. It was foreordained before the foundation of the world, though it was made evident in these last times.
Isa 46:9-10 KJV Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
If God knew Adam was going to fall before he did, and already set in motion the plan of redemption before He even created Adam—Do you think He doesn’t know what you are going through? Or what things you might need? He knows—take comfort in that.
1Pe 1:21 KJV Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
1Pe 1:21 TPT It is through him that you now believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, so that you would fasten your faith and hope in God alone.
Clarke Who by him do believe in God - This is supposed to refer to the Gentiles, who never knew the true God till they heard the preaching of the Gospel: the Jews had known him long before, but the Gentiles had every thing to learn when the first preachers of the Gospel arrived amongst them.
That your faith - In the fulfillment of all his promises, and your hope of eternal glory, might be in God, who is unchangeable in His counsels, and infinite in His mercies.
Guzik: For you who through Him believe in God: The entire plan of redemption is for those who believe in God, though even their belief is through Him. Those who believe in God are not disappointed, because their faith and hope has been substantiated by Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.
Russell: God that raised him -- It was his soul that died, he was wholly dead, and could have no power whatever to resuscitate himself. No agency of man, nor even the angel Gabriel, was permitted in the work of our Lord's resurrection: no agencies great or small were employed. God raised Jesus, and will raise the Church.
Up from the dead -- From "hades" on the third day.
JFB: that your faith and hope might be in God — the object and effect of God’s raising Christ. He states what was the actual result and fact, not an exhortation, except indirectly. Your faith flows from His resurrection; your hope from God’s having “given Him glory” (compare 1Pe_1:11, “glories”). Remember God’s having raised and glorified Jesus as the anchor of your faith and hope in God, and so keep alive these graces.
Is your faith anchored?
1Pe 1:22 KJV Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
(Weymouth) Now that, through your obedience to the truth, you have purified your souls for cherishing sincere brotherly love, you must love another heartily and fervently.
Guzik: -- Love one another fervently: Holy living is incomplete if it isn’t accompanied by love. To be a Christian means to have a sincere love of the brethren, but we are encouraged to exercise that love fervently.
Russell --Have purified -- A thorough cleansing of the heart, the mind, the will, the actuating intentions, or motives. When we presented ourselves in spirit and in truth, through faith, our sins were forgiven; we were accepted as new creatures and were started in a new career.
Obeying the truth -- We receive a knowledge of the truth, of God's will; then it is for us to put it into practice, to weave it into our thoughts and words and doings, by feeding constantly on the Word. We do not inherit this God-like quality of love. It is only in obedience to the truth that we acquired this love, being purified thereby from the downward tendencies of our fallen nature.
It is not necessary to know all truth; but necessary for us to know the great truth--that God condemned sin, and that the whole world of mankind came under this condemnation, and that God has provided a particular way of escape by being justified by faith in Christ and taking up the cross and following in his footsteps.
Through the Spirit -- The spirit of the truth. R2518:1
Unfeigned -- Genuine; without pretense; not merely professed.
Love -- Greek, phileo, duty love.
"He laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." (1Jo_3:16)
Our love for the brethren might, at first, be merely obedience in following this command; but as we follow on, our love increases, our sympathy expands. We must not neglect this.
See that ye -- Go on to. R2807:5
Love -- Greek, agape, have non-self-interested love for.
Weaker ones are to be cared for and loved, "we ought to bear the infirmities of the weak." (Rom_15:1) Not by simply ignoring his fault, but while kindly urging him to strive against it, still humbly and patiently submitting to the discomfort it brings.
One another -- If this spirit prevails among the members of the Lord's Body, they will have a mutual love and care for one another which seeks to encourage and strengthen all that is good and to discourage all that is unbecoming; and throws a mantle over a deformity and endeavors to conceal a fault, and judges the motives of others generously, charitably.
"Let us love one another: for love is of God: and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God." (1Jo_4:7) "For ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another." (1Th_4:9)
Fervently -- Intensely; not cold and indifferent, willing to lay down our lives for the brethren.
Verses 22 and 23 are a divine explanation of how the holy Spirit will manifest itself, and are the qualities to be looked for in the servants of the Church.
1Pe 1:23 RV having been begotten again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which liveth and abideth.
Clarke --Being born again - For being born of Abraham’s seed will not avail to the entering of the kingdom of heaven.
Not of corruptible seed - By no human generation, or earthly means; but of incorruptible - a Divine and heavenly principle which is not liable to decay, nor to be affected by the changes and chances to which all sublunary things are exposed.
By the word of God - Δια λογου ζωντος Θεου· By the doctrine of the living God, which remaineth for ever; which doctrine shall never change, any more than the source shall whence it proceeds.
Russell: Being born again -- Begotten again. In 1Pe_1:3 ana-gennao is correctly rendered "begotten again," but in verse 23 the same word is rendered incorrectly "born again."
To be genuine, it must be a begetting by the truth, not by error.
Of incorruptible -- Greek, aphthartos, that which cannot decay; not liable to corrupt. The word incorruptible, when applied to being, existence, is of similar significance to immortal.
The Word of God -- The inspiration and importance of the Word of God are shown in 1Pe_1:10,
Which liveth and abideth forever -- Faith must be a reasonable thing, well founded in that which is fixed, immovable, sure and steadfast, even in the Word of God which liveth and abideth forever.
Are you begotten of corruptible seed (human) or incorruptible (spiritual)?
Where is your faith anchored?
1Pe 1:24 KJV For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
Barnes: - The connection here is this: The apostle, in the previous verse, had been contrasting that which is begotten by man with that which is begotten by God, in reference to its permanency. The former was corruptible and decaying; the latter abiding. The latter was produced by God, who lives forever; the former by the agency of man, who is himself corruptible and dying. It was not unnatural, then, to dwell upon the feeble, frail, decaying nature of man, in contrast with God; and the apostle, therefore, says that “all flesh, every human being, is like grass. There is no stability in anything that man does or produces. He himself resembles grass that soon fades and withers; but God and His word endure forever the same.” The comparison of a human being with grass, or with flowers, is very beautiful, and is quite common in the Scriptures. The comparison turns on the fact, that the grass or the flower, however green or beautiful it may be, soon loses its freshness; is withered; is cut down, and dies. Thus, in Psa_103:15-16;
“As for man, his days are as grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourisheth;
For the wind passeth over it and it is gone, And the place thereof shall know it no more.”
So in Isa_40:6-8; a passage which is evidently referred to by Peter in this place:
“The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry?
All flesh is grass, And all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field.
The grass withereth, The flower fadeth, When the wind of Jehovah bloweth upon it: Surely the people is grass, The grass withereth, The flower fadeth,
But the word of our God shall stand forever.”
And all the glory of man - All that man prides himself on - his wealth, rank, talents, beauty, learning, splendor of equipage or apparel.
As the flower of grass - The word rendered “grass,” (χόρτος chortos,) properly denotes herbage; that which furnishes food for animals - pasture, hay. Probably the prophet Isaiah, from whom this passage is taken, referred rather to the appearance of a meadow or a field, with mingled grass and flowers, constituting a beautiful landscape, than to mere grass. In such a field, the grass soon withers with heat, and with the approach of winter; and the flowers soon fade and fall.
The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away - This is repeated, as is common in the Hebrew writings, for the sake of emphasis, or strong confirmation.
Do you see the contrast? Does that increase your love and faith in the Lord?
1Pe 1:25 KJV But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
Russell: Word -- My Master gave his word, that believing, I might have life through his name (Joh_20:21); and, that thank God, this is the word by which the gospel is preached unto you.
Barnes: Endureth forever - Is unmoved, fixed, permanent. Amidst all the revolutions on earth, the fading glories of natural objects, and the wasting strength of man, His truth remains unaffected. Its beauty never fades; its power is never enfeebled. The gospel system is as lovely now as it was when it was first revealed to man, and it has as much power to save as it had when first applied to a human heart. We see the grass wither at the coming on of autumn; we see the flower of the field decay; we see man, though confident in his strength, and rejoicing in the rigor of his frame, cut down in an instant; we see cities decline, and kingdoms lose their power: but the word of God is the same now that it was at first, and, amidst all the changes which may ever occur on the earth, that will remain the same.
This is a “precious promise”—can you cling to this promise?
“At this place was born Simon, surnamed Cephas, or Petros, Petrus, Peter, signifying a stone, or fragment of a rock. He was a fisherman upon the forementioned lake or sea, as was also in all probability his father Jonas, Jonah, or John. He had a brother named Andrew: which was the eldest of the two is not certain; for, concerning this, there were different opinions among the ancients.
“The call of Andrew and Peter to a stated attendance on Jesus is recorded in three evangelists. Their father Jonas seems to have been dead; for there is no mention of him, as there is of Zebedee, when his two sons were called. It is only said of Andrew and Peter that, when Jesus called them, they left their nets and followed him. Follow me, said he, and, I will make you fishers of men.
“Simon Peter was married when called by our Lord to attend upon him; and upon occasion of that alliance, it seems, had removed from Bethsaida to Capernaum, where was his wife’s family. Upon her mother our Savior wrought a great miracle of healing. And, I suppose, that when our Lord left Nazareth, and came and dwelled at Capernaum, he made Peter’s house the place of his usual abode when he was in those parts. I think we have a proof of it in the history just noticed. When Jesus came out of the synagogue at Capernaum, he entered into Simon’s house, Luk_4:38. Compare Mar_1:29, which is well paraphrased by Dr. Clarke: ‘Now when Jesus came out of the synagogue, he went home to Peter’s house;’ and there it was that the people resorted unto him. (Lardner)
The practical character of the Epistle is marked, and is illustrated by reference to the Divine dealings recorded in the Old Testament. Admonition, exhortation, and encouragement, for all circumstances, show how faithfully the apostle obeyed his Lord’’s command to feed the flock of God. in 1Pe_5:12 he refers to his brief epistle as "exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand" (lit. "in which stand ye"). So far as is known, he had never seen those to whom he wrote, nor does he make reference to a single one of those "strangers" who had doubtless been taught by Paul and his fellow-workers in their "journeyings often". Thus the teaching delivered to them by "our beloved brother Paul" is that to which Peter refers as "the true grace of God wherein ye stand" (cp.1Co_15:1).
THE TIME of writing was probably about A..D. 60 (see Appdx-180), and the Epistle was written from Babylon (1Pe_5:13). (Bullinger)
1Pe 1:1 KJV Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
Peter, an apostle - Simon Peter, called also Kephas: he was a fisherman, son of Jonah, brother of Andrew, and born at Bethsaida; and one of the first disciples of our Lord. (Clarke)
To the strangers -- Jews, Israelites, non-residents of Palestine, not "lost" Israelites; but the large class of Israelites of all tribes, who after the Babylonian captivity made their homes amongst the Gentiles. (Russell)
Scattered throughout--Of the Dispersion (diasporās). See Joh_7:35 for literal sense of the word for scattered (from diaspeirō, to scatter abroad, Act_8:1) Jews outside of Palestine, and Jas_1:1 for the sense here to Jewish Christians, including Gentile Christians (only N T. examples). Note absence of the article, though a definite conception (of the Dispersion). The Christian is a pilgrim on his way to the homeland. These five Roman provinces include what we call Asia Minor north and west of the Taurus mountain range (Hort). Hort suggests that the order here suggests that Silvanus (bearer of the Epistle) was to land in Pontus from the Euxine Sea, proceed through Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, to Bithynia, where he would re-embark for Rome. This, he holds, explains the separation of Pontus and Bithynia, though the same province. Only Galatia and Asia are mentioned elsewhere in the N.T. as having Christian converts, but the N.T. by no means gives a full account of the spread of the Gospel, as can be judged from Col_1:6, Col_1:23. (Robertson)
Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia: These specific areas were places Christianity had extended to in the first several decades after the beginning of the church. It is probably the route the original courier of Peter’s letter would follow in distributing the letter. This was not written to any one congregation, but intentionally written to all Christians. (Guzik)
1Pe 1:2 KJV 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 -- Chosen. Justified, consecrated, spirit-begotten new creatures.
Not an arbitrary election, but conditioned upon three things; full consecration of the believer, implicit obedience to the divine teaching, and full reliance upon the precious blood of Christ. God elected first that Jesus should taste death for us; second, that the knowledge of this redemption should be declared; third that those who believed the proclamation should be called to the divine nature.
Foreknowledge -- This special class was foreknown from before the foundation of the world. (Eph_1:4) God's predestination was that He would have a class of beings of the divine nature, and that each one of that class must have a fixed character, like that of His Son. No scripture implies divine foreknowledge of the individuals. The selection of this class was always the divine purpose, not a change in God's program.
"For whom he did foreknow he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son." (Rom_8:29) (Russell)
And sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: However, since all the elect fall short of perfect sanctification and obedience, there is cleansing from sin provided for them through the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.
i. There were only three circumstances in the Old Testament where blood was sprinkled on people. First, at the establishment of a covenant (Exo_24:5-8). Second, at the ordination of Aaron and his sons (Exo_29:21). Finally, in the purification ceremony for a cleansed leper (Lev_14:6-7).
ii. The sprinkling of the blood of Jesus on us accomplishes the same things. First, a covenant is formed, then we are ordained as priests to Him, and finally we are cleansed from our corruption and sin. Each one of these things is ours through the work of Jesus on the cross.
f. Grace to you and peace be multiplied: Peter brings a greeting that had become common among the Christians, combining elements from Greek culture (Grace) and Jewish culture (peace). (Guzik)
1Pe 1:3 KJV 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,
Blessed be the God and Father - If we translate και, even, a meaning which it frequently has in the New Testament, then we have a very good sense: Let that God have praise who is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and who deserves the praise of every human being for His infinite mercy to the world, in its redemption by Christ Jesus.
Begotten us again unto a lively hope - by his death and burial this hope became nearly, if not altogether, extinct; but by his resurrection the hope was revived. (Clarke)
Which according to His abundant mercy - Margin, as in the Greek, “much.” The idea is, that there was great mercy shown them in the fact that they were renewed. They had no claim to the favor, and the favor was great. People are not begotten to the hope of heaven because they have any claim on God, or because it would not be right for him to withhold the favor (Barnes)
Unto a lively hope -- The ground of this hope is confirmed by the death of our Lord as the ransom price for our sins, and by his resurrection from the dead for our justification. Hope of life; a living hope. The hopes of the apostles had withered at the time of the crucifixion but were revived at Jesus' resurrection. (Russell)
1Pe 1:3 TPT Celebrate with praises the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has shown us his extravagant mercy. For his fountain of mercy has given us a new life—we are reborn to experience a living, energetic hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: When Peter considers the salvation of God, all he can do is praise Him. This is especially because the motive for God’s work is found in Him, not in us (according to His abundant mercy).
To a living hope: We are born again to a living hope, because we have eternal life in a Savior who has conquered death Himself. The hope lives because it is set on an inheritance incorruptible, which can never fade away because it is reserved in heaven. This is a significant contrast to any inheritance on this earth. (Guzik)
Are you thankful for the extravagant mercy (compassion) that God has for us?
Do you have a living hope, and energetic hope through the resurrection of Jesus?
What does it look like?
1Pe 1:4 KJV To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
Adam Clarke To an inheritance - Called an inheritance because it belongs to the children of God. Eternal life cannot be a gift to any but these; for, even in heaven, the lot is dealt out according to law: if children, then heirs; if not children, then not heirs.
Incorruptible - Αφθαρτον· It has no principles of dissolution or decay in it; and, therefore, must be totally different from this earth.
Undefiled - Αμιαντον· Nothing impure can enter it; it not only has no principles or seeds of dissolution in itself, but it can never admit any; therefore its deterioration is impossible.
Fadeth not away - Αμαρνατον· It cannot wither, it is always in bloom; a metaphor taken from those flowers that never lose their hue nor their fragrance. From the Greek αμαραντος we have our flowers called amaranths, because they preserve their hue and odour for a long time.
Reserved in heaven - Such a place as that described above is not to be expected on earth.
Guzik: Incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away: Peter doesn’t really describe our inheritance. All he can tell us is what it is not. What our inheritance actually is, is too great for him to describe.
Russell: To an inheritance -- As heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ.
Incorruptible -- Greek, aphthartos, that which cannot corrupt, or decay. Immortal, the divine nature; the Bride will be like her Lord--have life on the divine plane of being. We became embryo new creatures, and were to grow day by day until, in due time, we would be born as spirit beings, on the divine plane, if faithful unto death.
Fadeth not away -- The crown of life that fadeth not away. ( 1Pe_5:4)
Reserved in heaven -- Preserved. (Diaglott) Not for immediate possession at death, but reserved, to be revealed at the second advent.
For you -- For the Lord's holy ones. SM334:1
To be members of the Royal Priesthood, heirs of God, joint-heirs with Jesus Christ their Lord.
Are you looking forward to being with the Lord?
1Pe 1:5 KJV Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Adam Clarke --Who are kept - Who are defended as in a fortress or castle. There is a remarkable correspondence between the two verbs used in this sentence: the verb τηρεω, signifies to keep, watch, guard; and τηρησις, is a place of custody or prison. And φρουρεω, from φρουρος, a sentinel, signifies to keep as under a military guard. See on Gal_3:22, Gal_3:23. The true disciples of Christ are under the continual watchful care of God, and the inheritance is guarded for them.
Ready to be revealed - Or rather, Prepared to be revealed. The inheritance is prepared for you; but its glories will not be revealed till the last time - till ye have done with life, and passed through your probation, having held fast faith and a good conscience.
Guzik: We are kept by the power of God, but it is through faith, meaning our faith. The person who is kept is a person abiding in a continuing relationship of faith with God. And we need to be kept! Keeping is not necessary unless there is danger outside and weakness inside.
“To have been told, as in the preceding verse, that our inheritance was reserved in heaven could have yielded us little comfort, unless that assurance had been followed and capped by this, that the heirs also are being kept for its full enjoyment.” (Meyer)
Russell: In the last time -- In the last season. Greek, kairos, fixed time. In the end of this age, when the Little Flock shall be completed and glorified. At the second advent of the Lord. "Henceforth, there is laid up for me a crown, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me at that day." (2Ti_4:8)
Can you claim this promise of God?
1Pe 1:6 KJV Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
TPT—Or “exult in joy.” The Aramaic can be translated “rejoice for eternity.”
Adam Clarke --Though now for a season - A little while yet - during your pilgrimage here below, which is but a point when compared with eternity.
If need be - Sometimes there is a kind of necessity that the followers of God should be afflicted; when they have no trials they are apt to get careless, and when they have secular prosperity they are likely to become worldly-minded. But the disciples of Christ may be very happy in their souls, though grievously afflicted in their bodies and in their estates. … The verb λυπεω signifies to grieve, to make sorrowful: perhaps heaviness is not the best rendering of the original word, as this can scarcely ever consist with rejoicing; but to be sorrowful on account of something external to ourselves, and yet exulting in God from a sense of His goodness to us, is quite compatible: so that we may say with St. Paul, always sorrowing, yet still rejoicing.
Russell: Manifold temptations -- Testings; provings; trials. Since trials are needful for our perfecting in holiness, the Father will not hinder us from having temptations, even though he himself tempteth no man. (Jam_1:13) These are evidences of our acceptance with the Lord and that he is dealing with us as sons, and that he is polishing us as jewels for the Kingdom.
Guzik: In this you greatly rejoice: We especially rejoice in God’s keeping power when we are grieved by various trials, knowing that He will keep us as our faith is tested by fire.
1Pe 1:7 KJV 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:
Adam Clarke - As by the action of fire gold is separated from all alloy and heterogeneous mixtures, and is proved to be gold by its enduring the action of the fire without losing any thing of its nature, weight, color, or any other property, so genuine faith is proved by adversities, especially such as the primitive Christians were obliged to pass through. For the word was then, “Renounce Jesus and live,” “Cleave to him and die;” for every Christian was in continual danger of losing his life. He then who preferred Christianity to his life gave full proof, not only of his own sincerity, but also of the excellency of the principle by which he was influenced; as his religion put him in possession of greater blessings, and more solid comforts, than any thing the earth could afford.
That the trial -- Proof. (Diaglott) The endurance of present afflictions are causes for thanksgiving, because their discipline is necessary to prepare us for the glorious inheritance of the saints.
Whenever we pass through a fiery trial and still retain our faith and confidence in God, then our characters are more pleasing to God, who subjects us to discipline for this very purpose.
"The sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." (Rom_8:18) "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial that is to try you." ( 1Pe_4:12) "He is like a refiner's fire." (Mal_3:2) "Many shall be purified and made white and tried." (Dan_12:10)
Of your faith -- It is your faith that is on trial now. In the calmer days you were quietly laying the foundation of a knowledge of the truth, now you are in the furnace to be proved: summon all your courage, fortify your patience; nerve yourself to endurance, hold fast to your hope. If we have not the faith to stand the trials, then we are not of the kind whom God is at the present time looking for.
More precious -- A developed and perfect faith. Much more carefully done.
Gold that perisheth -- Gold is a rare metal and has a special value; therefore the Apostle compares it to the faith of the Little Flock.
Tried with fire -- Tested thoroughly; the Lord develops us through suffering. God is subjecting our faith to a great heat in order to separate the dross so that our characters may grow more Christ-like. A faith which has stood the tests of fiery ordeal and has come off victorious is very precious in our Father's sight.
At the appearing -- Greek, apokalupsis, uncovering, revealment. Early in the morning of the Millennial day, the overcoming Church will be delivered. (Psa_46:5 Margin)
Guzik:: Our faith isn’t tested because God doesn’t know how much or what kind of faith we have. It is tested because we often are ignorant of how much or what kind of faith we have. God’s purpose in testing is to display the enduring quality of our faith.
Gold is one of the most durable of all materials. But it too will one day perish, but our faith will not.
Can you see the value of your trials?
Are you being more victorious in them as time progresses?
1Pe 1:8 KJV 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:
Adam Clarke - Those to whom the apostle wrote had never seen Christ in the flesh; and yet, such is the realizing nature of faith, they loved him as strongly as any of his disciples could, to whom he was personally known. For faith in the Lord Jesus brings him into the heart; and by his indwelling all his virtues are proved, and an excellence discovered beyond even that which his disciples beheld, when conversant with him upon earth. In short, there is an equality between believers in the present time, and those who lived in the time of Christ, to a believing soul, is the same to-day that he was yesterday and will be forever.
Ye rejoice with joy unspeakable - Ye have unutterable happiness through believing; and ye have the fullest, clearest, strongest evidence of eternal glory. Though they did not see him on earth, and men could not see him in glory, yet by that faith which is the evidence of things not seen, and the subsistence of things hoped for, they had the very highest persuasion of their acceptance with God, their relation to him as their Father, and their sonship with Christ Jesus.
Guzik: Whom having not seen you love: Peter knew that though he had seen Jesus, both before and after the resurrection, most every Christian in the early church had not seen Jesus. Yet they loved Him. Jesus was no less real simply because they had not seen Him.
ii. The word translated joy inexpressible “occurs only here in the New Testament, and describes a joy so profound as to be beyond the power of words to express.” (Grudem)
TPT: The Aramaic can be translated “a glorification that cannot be described.”
Do you have this love for Jesus?
Are you yearning to be with him?
1Pe 1:9 KJV Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
1Pe 1:9 TPT For you are reaping the harvest of your faith—the full salvation promised you—your souls’ victory!
Receiving -- Greek, komizo, to bring; hence to receive with the added sense of bringing along with.
Even the salvation -- We are not to see Christ until our salvation, when we shall be like him and see him as he is; and not until then will faith end, and we no longer need signs, not even the fig tree, because we watch by faith.
Souls -- Beings. The Church is receiving the salvation of their souls.
Adam Clarke Receiving the end of your faith - Ye are put in possession of the salvation of your souls, which was the thing presented to your faith, when ye were called by the Gospel of Christ. Your faith has had a proper issue, and has been crowned with a proper recompense. The word τελος, end, is often used so as to imply the issue or reward of any labor or action.
Salvation of your souls - The object of the Jewish expectations in their Messiah was the salvation or deliverance of their bodies from a foreign yoke; but the true Messiah came to save the soul from the yoke of the devil and sin. This glorious salvation these believers had already received.
JFB: Receiving — in sure anticipation; “the end of your faith,” that is, its crowning consummation, finally completed “salvation” (Peter here confirms Paul’s teaching as to justification by faith): also receiving now the title to it and the first-fruits of it. In 1Pe_1:10 the “salvation” is represented as already present, whereas “the prophets” had it not as yet present. It must, therefore, in this verse, refer to the present: Deliverance now from a state of wrath: believers even now “receive salvation,” though its full “revelation” is future.
Can you trust in this promise?
1Pe 1:10 KJV Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
Adam Clarke Of which salvation the prophets have inquired - The suffering of Jesus Christ, and the redemption procured by him for mankind, were made known, in a general way, by the prophets; but they themselves did not know the time when these things were to take place, nor the people among and by whom he was to suffer, etc.; they therefore inquired accurately or earnestly, εξεζητησαν, and searched diligently, εξηρευνησαν, inquiring of others who were then under the same inspiration, and carefully searching the writings of those who had, before their time, spoken of these things. The prophets plainly saw that the grace which was to come under the Messiah’s kingdom was vastly superior to anything that had ever been exhibited under the law; and in consequence they made all possible inquiry, and searched as after grains of gold, hidden among sand or compacted with ore, (for such is the meaning of the original word), in order to ascertain the time, and the signs of that time, in which this wondrous display of God’s love and mercy to man was to take place; but all that God thought fit to instruct them in was what is mentioned 1Pe_1:12.
Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully: It is important to Peter - and all the New Testament writers - to demonstrate that their teaching was no novelty, but that it was testified beforehand by the prophets.
i. The predictions of the sufferings of the Messiah begin with the first prophecy of the Messiah, when God told Eve I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel. (Gen_3:15)
Prophesied of the grace that would come to you: The prophets of the Old Testament longed to see exactly the grace of the New Covenant to come. Prophesying by the Spirit of Christ, they knew something of His sufferings and glories, but far less than they longed to know.
Do you appreciate the time when you were born?
Do you appreciate the understanding that is yours if you desire it?
1Pe 1:11 KJV 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.
(Russell) Beforehand -- The prophets spoke of the sufferings as all future.
Sufferings of Christ -- Began with the baptism of Christ and still continues. From this standpoint the first advent of Christ has been a gradual one, covering a period of nearly nineteen centuries. Head and Body.
"No cross, no crown." "If we suffer, we shall also reign with him." (2 Tim. 2:12)
"Fill up that which is behind of the sufferings of Christ." (Col_1:24)
"For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ." (2Co_1:5)
"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." (2Co_4:17)
"Ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings, that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." (1Pe_4:13)
" We suffer with him that we may be also glorified together. The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." (Rom_8:17,18)
And the glory that should follow -- As soon as the sufferings of the Body are completed. The great work of filling the world ocean deep with the knowledge of the Lord, the restitution of all things.
Do you search the scriptures?
Do you know what is expected of you?
1Pe 1:12 Weymouth To them it was revealed that they were serving not themselves but you, when they foretold the very things which have now been openly declared to you by those who, having been taught by the Holy Spirit which had been sent from Heaven, brought you the Good News. Angels long to stoop and look into these things.
Guzik: The prophets understood that they were ministering to people beyond them, as well as to people in their own day. These things the prophets predicted were reported as fact by the apostles (the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel).
i. Because we know the Who (Jesus) and the when (Jesus’ day) of these Old Testament prophecies, they should be of far more interest to us than they were even in the day of the prophets.
d. Things which angels desire to look into: The unfolding of God’s eternal plan is something that angels desire to look into. Angels observe our conduct (1Co_4:9), making it necessary that Christians conduct themselves properly (1Co_11:10).
i. Part of God’s eternal purpose is to show His wisdom to the angelic beings through His work with the church (Eph_3:10-11). God wants the angels to look in on what He does in the church.
ii. “The longing must therefore include a holy curiosity to watch and delight in the glories of Christ’s kingdom as they find ever fuller realization in their lives of individual Christians throughout the history of the church.” (Grudem)
Russell: Unto whom -- The prophets. They were used as God's mouthpieces simply, and laid up treasures of wisdom and knowledge which are made manifest during the Gospel age, by the holy Spirit, as meat in due season, for the Church.
It was revealed -- God used them to express His mind; though generally they did not understand the import of the words they used. Prophecy can only be fully understood when fulfilled, and a truth is not fully revealed until it is understood. The Saviour and his apostles often speak of these writings as the Word of God; recognizing, and directly asserting, their divine authority and inspiration.
Not unto themselves -- In many instances those who uttered the prophecies and those who heard them comprehended them not. They were the pen and tongue which the Lord used in preparing statements to be understood by his people of the Gospel age. God did not commit all these sacred things to their understanding.
"I heard but I understood not." (Dan_12:8)
"They say of me, doth he not speak parables?" (Eze_20:49)
But unto us -- The Gospel Church. The Body of Christ. Spiritual Israel is blessed by the meaning of those types and shadows of the past and by an understanding of the mystery of the divine plan presented in those types and prophecies.
"Upon whom the ends of the world (ages) are come." (1Co_10:11)
By them -- The apostles preached not with man's wisdom but with the wisdom from above. Their human weaknesses were not permitted to mar their work or usefulness as apostles.
Have preached -- Delivered.
The gospel -- Good news.
Holy Spirit -- Every time the Apostle Paul referred to his apostleship he announced himself one of those specially commissioned "by the holy Spirit sent down from heaven" to preach and to establish the Gospel.
Down from heaven -- Not with man's wisdom but the wisdom from above.
The angels -- The holy angels, they are earnest students of the plan for human salvation. The angelic hosts are watching and learning lessons in respect to all this shepherding of the flock through the narrow way.
They are also learning the immensity of God's love, wisdom and power; the exceeding beauty of holiness in contrast with sin and the lesson of complete submission to the will of our Father. Throughout the six thousand years during which God has permitted evil, the angels have been looking on. The introduction of evil was a great test to them at first.
Desire to look into -- Are deeply interested in because in the divine plan they see God's wisdom, justice, love and power shown as never before.
Clarke: Angels desire to took into - Παρακυψαι· To stoop down to; the posture of those who are earnestly intent on finding out a thing, especially a writing difficult to be read; they bring it to the light, place it so that the rays may fall on it as collectively as possible, and then stoop down in order to examine all the parts, that they may be able to make out the whole. There is evidently an allusion here to the attitude of the cherubim who stood at the ends of the ark of the covenant, in the inner tabernacle, with their eyes turned towards the mercy-seat or propitiatory in a bending posture, as if looking attentively, or, as we term it, poring upon it. Even the holy angels are struck with astonishment at the plan of human redemption… If then these things be objects of deep consideration to the angels of God, how much more so should they be to us; in them angels can have no such interest as human beings have.
Do you have an interest to know these things?
Are you studying these things?
1Pe 1:13 KJV Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
Adam Clarke Gird up the loins of your mind - Take courage from this display of God’s love now made known to you; and though you must expect trials, yet fortify your minds with the consideration that He who has given you His Son Jesus will withhold from you no manner of thing that is good. The allusion here is to the long robes of the Asiatics, which, when they were about to perform any active service, they tucked in their girdles: this they did also when they waited on their superiors at meals.
Russell: Wherefore -- Gird up the loins -- Cast aside the weights of unnecessary worldly cares, redouble your diligence, increase your zeal, renew your determination. Our chief object in the present life is to fight a good fight against self and against sin. We have determined upon a course of activity; rest and ease are put aside, we are engaging in an important work which requires all the strength we possess.
In olden times, girdles were constantly worn for two purposes; 1) to keep the garments so that they would not be disordered in appearance, 2) for effect upon the loins during active labor.
Of your mind -- Our minds need to be strengthened; we need to be fortified against all disposition to lassitude.
Be sober -- Being vigilant. (Diaglott) Do not allow yourself, under the spur of excitement, to exhaust all your spiritual vitality in a very short time, then to suffer a relapse into coldness or discouragement. Prepare for a long and determined effort. We are to endeavor to realize the import of the exceeding great and precious promises and to gather from them their invigorating inspiration.
Avail ourselves of such helps of pastors and teachers and their literary productions, which prove harmonious with the Scriptures.
The Apostle is not referring to the use of intoxicating liquors; there is a spiritual intoxication, the spirit of error; all the world are intoxicated with this spirit. We should be of serious mind, thoughtful, not given to frivolity or levity, but earnestly watching our thoughts, our words, our doings, that we may in all things bring honor to our King whose name we bear.
Keep yourself in the love of God and in the service of God, the truth and the brethren. The Church is now being tested for life or death eternal. This thought should make us sober.
And hope to the end -- Do you hope perfectly. (Diaglott) Let us not be discouraged or overcome in any way.
For the grace -- The salvation of our own resurrection. Our salvation completed. The salvation of the elect class will be the very first item connected with the Lord's second advent.
To be brought unto you -- At the time specified, not previously.
At the revelation -- Greek, apokalupsis, uncovering, unveiling. At Christ's second coming; at the establishment of his Kingdom.
Of Jesus Christ -- When he comes to reign in power and great glory, is the Church's exaltation with him, to sit with him in his throne. At his second advent.
Guzik: Therefore gird up the loins of your mind: Living the way God wants us to means that we must gird up the loins of our mind. The idea in this phrase is of preparing for action, much like our phrase “rolling up your sleeves.” Then, we must also be sober, which means the ability to take a serious look at life.
b. Rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ: Peter has told us a lot about God’s grace. He greeted us with grace (1Pe_1:2). He told us of the grace that came to us in Jesus, predicted by the prophets of old (1Pe_1:10). Now he goes further, writing of the grace that is to be brought to you when Jesus comes back. The only way we will be able to stand before Jesus on that day is because of the unmerited favor He gives and will give to us.
i. Grace isn’t just for the past, when we first gave our lives to Jesus. It isn’t only for the present, where we live each moment standing in His grace (Rom_5:2). It is also for the future, when grace will be brought to us. God has only just begun to show us the riches of His grace!
ii. “Grace is the unmerited love of God, stooping to save and bless; the source of all those bright and holy gifts which come from his infinite heart.” (Meyer)
Are you “girding up the loins of your mind”?
Are you “sober”?
Are you “hoping to the end”?
1Pe 1:14 KJV As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
1Pe 1:14 TPT As God’s obedient children, never again shape your lives by the desires that you followed when you didn’t know better.
Barnes: As obedient children - That is, conduct yourselves as becomes the children of God, by obeying his commands; by submitting to His will; and by manifesting unwavering confidence in him as your Father at all times.
Not fashioning yourselves - Not forming or modeling your life. Compare the notes at Rom_12:2. The idea is, that they were to have some model or example, in accordance with which they were to frame their lives, but that they were not to make their own former principles and conduct the model. The Christian is to be as different from what he was himself before conversion as he is from his fellow-men. He is to be governed by new laws, to aim at new objects, and to mould his life in accordance with new principles. Before conversion, he was:
(a) Supremely selfish;
(b) He lived for personal gratification;
(c) He gave free indulgence to his appetites and passions, restrained only by a respect for the decencies of life, and by a reference to his own health, property, or reputation, without regard to the will of God;
(d) He conformed himself to the customs and opinions around him, rather than to the requirements of his Maker;
(e) He lived for worldly aggrandizements, his supreme object being wealth or fame; or,
(f) In many cases, those who are now Christians, gave indulgence to every passion which they wished to gratify, regardless of reputation, health, property, or salvation.
Now they are to be governed by a different rule, and their own former standard of morals and of opinions is no longer their guide, but the will of God.
Guzik: As obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance: Fulfilling God’s call to holiness requires that we, as obedient children, break off with the lifestyle of the world (characterized by lusts and ignorance).
Russell: -- Not the fashioning of our will, but the transforming of our minds into the mind of the Lord. "Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind." (Rom_12:2) Seeing things from God's standpoint, we change our ideas as to what we shall eat, and what we shall drink.
Former lusts -- Desires and ambitions, which we had.
Have you changed your thinking and actions?
If you were tried before a jury –would there be enough evidence to convict you of being a Christian?
1Pe 1:15 KJV But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
1Pe 1:15 TPT Instead, shape your lives to become like the Holy One who called you.
Russell:--But as he -- "Walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his Kingdom and glory." (1Th_2:12) "Ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness." (1Pe_2:9)
Is holy -- Perfect; that which is whole, that which is complete, lacking nothing.
So be ye holy -- Let your will be perfect; nothing less is acceptable to him. Absolute holiness is the standard which our minds can gladly and fully endorse and live up to, but to which we can never attain actually in our fallen nature.
In the present life the new creature is a representative of God and his righteousness and should seek to walk in accord therewith. Put away all anger, malice, envy, hatred and strife and put on instead the fruits and graces of the Lord's holy Spirit--meekness, gentleness, patience, long-suffering, brotherly kindness, love.
Conversation -- In all your conduct. (Diaglott) Behavior. Conversation has a broad meaning. It relates to all our conduct with respect to others. Our thoughts words and deeds. 5482:6, 3149:6
Meyer:-- The appeal for a holy life is enforced by considering the great cost of our redemption and the great hope which is opened before us. Ours must be the girded loins, lest our desires trail after forbidden things, or be sullied by the mud on the road. We must be holy, as God is: and this can be realized only when we allow God, by His Holy Spirit, to pour Himself into our natures.
Is it your will to be Holy?
MacLaren:-- ‘As He that hath called you is holy.’ God’s holiness is the very attribute which seems to separate Him most from the creatures; for its deepest meaning is His majestic and Divine elevation above all that is creatural. … The holiness of God which is capable of imitation by us is His separation from all impurity. There is a side of His holiness which separates Him from all the creatures, to which we can only look up, or bow with our faces in the dust; but there is a side of His holiness which, wonderful as it is, and high above all our present attainment as it is, yet is not higher than the possibilities which His indwelling Spirit puts within our reach, nor beyond the bounds of the duty that presses upon us all. ‘As He which hath called you is holy.’ Absolute and utter purity is His holiness, and that is the pattern for us….
But then, says somebody or other, ‘it is not possible.’ Well, if it were not possible, try it all the same. For in this world it is aim and not attainment that makes the noble life; and it is better to shoot at the stars, even though your arrow never reaches them, than to fire it along the low levels of ordinary life. I do not see that however the unattainableness of the model may be demonstrated, that has anything to do with the duty of imitation. Because, though absolute conformity running throughout the whole of a life is not possible here on earth, we know that in each individual instance in which we came short of conformity the fault was ours, and it might have been otherwise. Instead of bewildering ourselves with questions about ‘unattainable’ or ‘attainable,’ suppose we asked, at each failure, ‘Why did I not copy God then; was it because I could not, or because I would not?’ The answer would come plain enough to knock all that sophisticated nonsense out of our heads, and to make us feel that the law which puts an unattainable ideal before the Christian as his duty is an intensely practical one, and may be reduced to practice at each step in his career. Imitation of the Father, and to be perfect, ‘as our Father in heaven is perfect,’ is the elementary and the ultimate commandment of all Christian morality. ‘Be ye holy as He that hath called you is holy.’
1Pe 1:16 KJV Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
1Pe 1:17 KJV And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
Guzik: -- The main idea behind holiness is not moral purity but it is the idea of “apartness.” The idea is that God is separate, different from His creation, both in His essential nature and in the perfection of His attributes. But instead of building a wall around His apartness, God calls us to come to Him and share His apartness. He says to us, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
i. When we refuse to see God’s apartness, we begin to believe that He is just a “super-man.” Then we don’t see that His love is a holy love, His justice is a holy justice, and so on with all of His attributes. Holiness is not so much something we possess, as it is something that possesses us.
e. And if you call on the Father: If we, as Christians, call on a holy God (presumably for help), we must understand we call on a God who shows no partiality - and will so judge our conduct, making a working, sober, holy walk all the more important.
Clarke --And if ye call on the Father - Seeing ye invoke the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and your Father through Christ, and profess to be obedient children, and sojourners here below for a short time only, see that ye maintain a godly reverence for this Father, walking in all his testimonies blameless.
Who without respect of persons - God is said to be no respecter of persons for this reason among many others, that, being infinitely righteous, He must be infinitely impartial. He cannot prefer one to another, because He has nothing to hope or fear from any of His creatures. All partialities among men spring from one or other of these two principles, hope or fear; God can feel neither of them, and therefore God can be no respecter of persons. He approves or disapproves of men according to their moral character. He pities all, and provides salvation for all, but He loves those who resemble Him in His holiness; and He loves them in proportion to that resemblance, i.e. the more of His image He sees in any, the more He loves him; and e contra. And every man’s work will be the evidence of his conformity or nonconformity to God, and according to this evidence will God judge him. Here, then, is no respect of persons; God’s judgment will be according to a man’s work, and a man’s work or conduct will be according to the moral state of his mind. No favouritism can prevail in our day of judgment; nothing will pass there but holiness of heart and life.
Barnes: Pass the time of your sojourning - “Of your temporary residence on earth. This is not your permanent home, but you are strangers and sojourners.”
Russell: In fear -- Not in levity, frivolity, sensuality, money-grabbing, carelessness or slothfulness, but in earnest watchfulness of every word and act to please the Lord. Perfect love casts out slavish but not reverential fear.
Is heaven your home, or are you very content here on earth?
Do you keep a careful guard upon your heart and actions?
1Pe 1:18 KJV (Weymouth) knowing, as you do, that it was not with a ransom of perishable wealth, such as silver or gold, that you were set free from your frivolous habits of life which had been handed down to you from your forefathers,
Clarke --Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things - To redeem, λυτροω, signifies to procure life for a captive or liberty for a slave by paying a price, and the precious blood of Christ is here stated to be the price at which the souls of both Jews and Gentiles were redeemed; is was a price paid down, and a price which God’s righteousness required.
Corruptible things mean here anything that man usually gives in exchange for another; but the term necessarily includes all created things, as all these are corruptible and perishing. The meaning of the apostle is, evidently, that created things could not purchase the souls of men, else the sacrifice of Christ had not been offered; could anything less have done, God would not have given up His only-begotten Son. Even silver and gold, the most valuable medium of commerce among men, bear no proportion in their value to the souls of a lost world, for there should be a congruity between the worth of the thing purchased and the valuable consideration which is given for it... Nothing, therefore, but such a ransom price as God provided could be a sufficient ransom, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sin of the world.
Vain conversation - Empty, foolish, and unprofitable conduct, full of vain hopes, vain fears, and vain wishes.
Received by tradition from your fathers - The Jews had innumerable burdens of empty ceremonies and useless ordinances, which they received by tradition from their fathers, rabbins, or doctors. The Gentiles were not less encumbered with such than the Jews; all were wedded to their vanities, because they received them from their forefathers, as they had done from theirs.
Do you appreciate the price paid to redeem you?
1Pe 1:19 KJV But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
Clarke --The precious blood of Christ - The valuable blood; how valuable neither is nor could be stated.
Without blemish - In himself, and without spot from the world; being perfectly pure in his soul, and righteous in his life.
Russell: The precious blood -- The death; sacrificed life. Our justification, without Christ's death as our ransom price, would have been legally impossible. It signifies that the valuable sacrifice of Jesus' life was made on our behalf. All that the word ransom means, giving of life in exchange for life.
Of Christ –
"Ye (the Church) are bought with a price." (1Co_6:20, 7:23) Not at Calvary but at his ascension when "He appeared in the presence of God for us." (Heb_9:24)
"Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." (1Ti_2:6)
"In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins." (Col_1:14)
"Who through the eternal spirit offered himself without spot to God." (Heb_9:14)
"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by (in) the spirit." ( 1Pe_3:18)
"And he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." (1Jo_2:2)
As of a lamb -- As typed by the shedding of the blood of the Passover lamb throughout the Jewish age. "The Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world." (Joh_1:29)
Without blemish -- This must be true of every sacrifice upon the Lord's altar, as the Law clearly taught and the types showed.
Do you place a value on the life that Jesus gave up to save you?
Do you appreciate it?
1Pe 1:20 KJV Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
Russell: Foreordained -- Foreknown, forearranged.
Clarke --Before the foundation of the world - Before the law was given, or any sacrifice prescribed by it. Its whole sacrificial system was appointed in reference to this foreappointed Lamb, and consequently from him derived all its significance and virtue. The phrase καταβολη κοσμου, foundation of the world, occurs often in the New Testament, …if we take it here in its common signification, the creation of universal nature, then it shows that God, foreseeing the fall and ruin of man, appointed the remedy that was to cure the disease.
Last times - The Gospel dispensation, called the last times, as we have often seen.
Guzik: He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world: The work of Jesus was not a plan developed late in the course of redemption. It was foreordained before the foundation of the world, though it was made evident in these last times.
Isa 46:9-10 KJV Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
If God knew Adam was going to fall before he did, and already set in motion the plan of redemption before He even created Adam—Do you think He doesn’t know what you are going through? Or what things you might need? He knows—take comfort in that.
1Pe 1:21 KJV Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
1Pe 1:21 TPT It is through him that you now believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, so that you would fasten your faith and hope in God alone.
Clarke Who by him do believe in God - This is supposed to refer to the Gentiles, who never knew the true God till they heard the preaching of the Gospel: the Jews had known him long before, but the Gentiles had every thing to learn when the first preachers of the Gospel arrived amongst them.
That your faith - In the fulfillment of all his promises, and your hope of eternal glory, might be in God, who is unchangeable in His counsels, and infinite in His mercies.
Guzik: For you who through Him believe in God: The entire plan of redemption is for those who believe in God, though even their belief is through Him. Those who believe in God are not disappointed, because their faith and hope has been substantiated by Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.
Russell: God that raised him -- It was his soul that died, he was wholly dead, and could have no power whatever to resuscitate himself. No agency of man, nor even the angel Gabriel, was permitted in the work of our Lord's resurrection: no agencies great or small were employed. God raised Jesus, and will raise the Church.
Up from the dead -- From "hades" on the third day.
JFB: that your faith and hope might be in God — the object and effect of God’s raising Christ. He states what was the actual result and fact, not an exhortation, except indirectly. Your faith flows from His resurrection; your hope from God’s having “given Him glory” (compare 1Pe_1:11, “glories”). Remember God’s having raised and glorified Jesus as the anchor of your faith and hope in God, and so keep alive these graces.
Is your faith anchored?
1Pe 1:22 KJV Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
(Weymouth) Now that, through your obedience to the truth, you have purified your souls for cherishing sincere brotherly love, you must love another heartily and fervently.
Guzik: -- Love one another fervently: Holy living is incomplete if it isn’t accompanied by love. To be a Christian means to have a sincere love of the brethren, but we are encouraged to exercise that love fervently.
Russell --Have purified -- A thorough cleansing of the heart, the mind, the will, the actuating intentions, or motives. When we presented ourselves in spirit and in truth, through faith, our sins were forgiven; we were accepted as new creatures and were started in a new career.
Obeying the truth -- We receive a knowledge of the truth, of God's will; then it is for us to put it into practice, to weave it into our thoughts and words and doings, by feeding constantly on the Word. We do not inherit this God-like quality of love. It is only in obedience to the truth that we acquired this love, being purified thereby from the downward tendencies of our fallen nature.
It is not necessary to know all truth; but necessary for us to know the great truth--that God condemned sin, and that the whole world of mankind came under this condemnation, and that God has provided a particular way of escape by being justified by faith in Christ and taking up the cross and following in his footsteps.
Through the Spirit -- The spirit of the truth. R2518:1
Unfeigned -- Genuine; without pretense; not merely professed.
Love -- Greek, phileo, duty love.
"He laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." (1Jo_3:16)
Our love for the brethren might, at first, be merely obedience in following this command; but as we follow on, our love increases, our sympathy expands. We must not neglect this.
See that ye -- Go on to. R2807:5
Love -- Greek, agape, have non-self-interested love for.
Weaker ones are to be cared for and loved, "we ought to bear the infirmities of the weak." (Rom_15:1) Not by simply ignoring his fault, but while kindly urging him to strive against it, still humbly and patiently submitting to the discomfort it brings.
One another -- If this spirit prevails among the members of the Lord's Body, they will have a mutual love and care for one another which seeks to encourage and strengthen all that is good and to discourage all that is unbecoming; and throws a mantle over a deformity and endeavors to conceal a fault, and judges the motives of others generously, charitably.
"Let us love one another: for love is of God: and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God." (1Jo_4:7) "For ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another." (1Th_4:9)
Fervently -- Intensely; not cold and indifferent, willing to lay down our lives for the brethren.
Verses 22 and 23 are a divine explanation of how the holy Spirit will manifest itself, and are the qualities to be looked for in the servants of the Church.
1Pe 1:23 RV having been begotten again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which liveth and abideth.
Clarke --Being born again - For being born of Abraham’s seed will not avail to the entering of the kingdom of heaven.
Not of corruptible seed - By no human generation, or earthly means; but of incorruptible - a Divine and heavenly principle which is not liable to decay, nor to be affected by the changes and chances to which all sublunary things are exposed.
By the word of God - Δια λογου ζωντος Θεου· By the doctrine of the living God, which remaineth for ever; which doctrine shall never change, any more than the source shall whence it proceeds.
Russell: Being born again -- Begotten again. In 1Pe_1:3 ana-gennao is correctly rendered "begotten again," but in verse 23 the same word is rendered incorrectly "born again."
To be genuine, it must be a begetting by the truth, not by error.
Of incorruptible -- Greek, aphthartos, that which cannot decay; not liable to corrupt. The word incorruptible, when applied to being, existence, is of similar significance to immortal.
The Word of God -- The inspiration and importance of the Word of God are shown in 1Pe_1:10,
Which liveth and abideth forever -- Faith must be a reasonable thing, well founded in that which is fixed, immovable, sure and steadfast, even in the Word of God which liveth and abideth forever.
Are you begotten of corruptible seed (human) or incorruptible (spiritual)?
Where is your faith anchored?
1Pe 1:24 KJV For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
Barnes: - The connection here is this: The apostle, in the previous verse, had been contrasting that which is begotten by man with that which is begotten by God, in reference to its permanency. The former was corruptible and decaying; the latter abiding. The latter was produced by God, who lives forever; the former by the agency of man, who is himself corruptible and dying. It was not unnatural, then, to dwell upon the feeble, frail, decaying nature of man, in contrast with God; and the apostle, therefore, says that “all flesh, every human being, is like grass. There is no stability in anything that man does or produces. He himself resembles grass that soon fades and withers; but God and His word endure forever the same.” The comparison of a human being with grass, or with flowers, is very beautiful, and is quite common in the Scriptures. The comparison turns on the fact, that the grass or the flower, however green or beautiful it may be, soon loses its freshness; is withered; is cut down, and dies. Thus, in Psa_103:15-16;
“As for man, his days are as grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourisheth;
For the wind passeth over it and it is gone, And the place thereof shall know it no more.”
So in Isa_40:6-8; a passage which is evidently referred to by Peter in this place:
“The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry?
All flesh is grass, And all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field.
The grass withereth, The flower fadeth, When the wind of Jehovah bloweth upon it: Surely the people is grass, The grass withereth, The flower fadeth,
But the word of our God shall stand forever.”
And all the glory of man - All that man prides himself on - his wealth, rank, talents, beauty, learning, splendor of equipage or apparel.
As the flower of grass - The word rendered “grass,” (χόρτος chortos,) properly denotes herbage; that which furnishes food for animals - pasture, hay. Probably the prophet Isaiah, from whom this passage is taken, referred rather to the appearance of a meadow or a field, with mingled grass and flowers, constituting a beautiful landscape, than to mere grass. In such a field, the grass soon withers with heat, and with the approach of winter; and the flowers soon fade and fall.
The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away - This is repeated, as is common in the Hebrew writings, for the sake of emphasis, or strong confirmation.
Do you see the contrast? Does that increase your love and faith in the Lord?
1Pe 1:25 KJV But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
Russell: Word -- My Master gave his word, that believing, I might have life through his name (Joh_20:21); and, that thank God, this is the word by which the gospel is preached unto you.
Barnes: Endureth forever - Is unmoved, fixed, permanent. Amidst all the revolutions on earth, the fading glories of natural objects, and the wasting strength of man, His truth remains unaffected. Its beauty never fades; its power is never enfeebled. The gospel system is as lovely now as it was when it was first revealed to man, and it has as much power to save as it had when first applied to a human heart. We see the grass wither at the coming on of autumn; we see the flower of the field decay; we see man, though confident in his strength, and rejoicing in the rigor of his frame, cut down in an instant; we see cities decline, and kingdoms lose their power: but the word of God is the same now that it was at first, and, amidst all the changes which may ever occur on the earth, that will remain the same.
This is a “precious promise”—can you cling to this promise?
