<< 1 Peter 1 >>
King James Version
________________________________________
1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2Elect 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.
First Peter is a letter to Gentile believers that were scattered throughout the Asian continent. It should be wondered how a single letter could be expected to be delivered to such an audience.
The recipients were Gods elect or chosen.
3Blessed 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,
It was God the Father who raised up Jesus from the dead because Jesus was righteous and it was not possible that death could hold him. This resurrection of Jesus is the reason that those who have become obedient through sanctification have hope, but only the obedient have this hope.
4To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
The inheritance spoken of refers to the Holy City Jerusalem where Jesus has gone to prepare a place for each of his disciples who are obedient unto him. As with any reservation, you need to show up in order to participate. This city, however, is not staying in heaven but rather destined to be part of the new earth where God will dwell with Jesus his son and all of his brethren.
5Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Faith is given unto man through the gentle interaction of God with man. It can begin simply by looking at the creation of the universe or a person preaching the gospel. Faith as the bible says is the substance of things unseen and the evidence of things hoped for. Our hope is the resurrection of the just, which is salvation that is in Jesus Christ. Those who follow Christ, follow by faith that he is the righteousness of God manifest in the flesh and that by walking as he walked, they can have boldness in the day of judgment.
6Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7That 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:
We rejoice in faith even though our present state is wrought with temptations. But as James said, happy is he that endures through temptations for when he is approved he will receive the crown of life. We must be careful not to fall into the trap of comforting those who continuously fall into sin as if it won’t matter on the day of judgment as it may be a matter of life and death, eternally.
8Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:9Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
Those who through patient continuance in well doing shall achieve the promise of eternal life. This is a reason to have joy unspeakable, knowing that the end of resisting sin unto blood or even unto death is salvation of your soul.
10Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 11Searching 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. 12Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
Peter now is more specific about the salvation that has been spoken of that these chosen ones will receive at the end of their faith that keeps them by Gods power, as they walk in the faith of faithful Abraham. All the Old Testament prophets who partook in the anointing of the Holy Spirit searched out the message of salvation.
13Wherefore 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; 14As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
Having now covered the reasons behind why men are chosen by God for salvation, he reinforces the idea that obedience is the only way. Obedience that is Holiness in all behavior.
17And 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: 18Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 21Who 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.
Peter is careful to bring the attention back to where it belongs, God the Father. He is the one we call upon. Him who sent Jesus, who obeyed his Father, to die for us on the cross of Calvary. Our hope is in him who raised Jesus up from the dead, God.
22Seeing 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: 23Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Obedience to God brings love for other Christians. And another thing of note here is the very fact that it is the Word of God that brings about the rebirth that Jesus spoke to Nicodemus about.
24For 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: 25But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
A call back to Isaiah confirming the purity of the Word of God. Although men have always through vain philosophy worked to keep peace between people without God, only the pure Word of God can bring about true goodness. The Word of God, as sharp as it is, discerns the thoughts and intents of the hearts of men and exposes their selfish reasons for all that they do and reveals true love, the love of God which surpasses knowledge. The love of the Gospel itself.
To summarize the chapter is to say that there are those who are chosen of God who openly receive the Holy Spirit without resisting him. These are they who wash their garments in the blood of the Lamb and end up clothed with true righteousness as they purify themselves even as Jesus is pure. It isn’t a onetime prayer followed by a life of haphazard periods of walking in obedience and falling away but is instead a bold charge toward the face of God seeking and hungering after his righteousness while fending off all temptation to do evil, so that in the end you might here those words, “Well done good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord”.
May you hear these words, after you have submitted yourself wholly unto the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who died for you and commands that you now pick up your own cross, being obedient unto the Holy Scriptures, which are the Word of God.
In Jesus Name,
Gary
King James Version
________________________________________
1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2Elect 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.
First Peter is a letter to Gentile believers that were scattered throughout the Asian continent. It should be wondered how a single letter could be expected to be delivered to such an audience.
The recipients were Gods elect or chosen.
- Chosen
- Through sanctification of the spirit
- Unto obedience
- Unto the sprinkling of the blood of Christ
- Through sanctification of the spirit
3Blessed 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,
It was God the Father who raised up Jesus from the dead because Jesus was righteous and it was not possible that death could hold him. This resurrection of Jesus is the reason that those who have become obedient through sanctification have hope, but only the obedient have this hope.
4To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
The inheritance spoken of refers to the Holy City Jerusalem where Jesus has gone to prepare a place for each of his disciples who are obedient unto him. As with any reservation, you need to show up in order to participate. This city, however, is not staying in heaven but rather destined to be part of the new earth where God will dwell with Jesus his son and all of his brethren.
5Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Faith is given unto man through the gentle interaction of God with man. It can begin simply by looking at the creation of the universe or a person preaching the gospel. Faith as the bible says is the substance of things unseen and the evidence of things hoped for. Our hope is the resurrection of the just, which is salvation that is in Jesus Christ. Those who follow Christ, follow by faith that he is the righteousness of God manifest in the flesh and that by walking as he walked, they can have boldness in the day of judgment.
6Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7That 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:
We rejoice in faith even though our present state is wrought with temptations. But as James said, happy is he that endures through temptations for when he is approved he will receive the crown of life. We must be careful not to fall into the trap of comforting those who continuously fall into sin as if it won’t matter on the day of judgment as it may be a matter of life and death, eternally.
8Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:9Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
Those who through patient continuance in well doing shall achieve the promise of eternal life. This is a reason to have joy unspeakable, knowing that the end of resisting sin unto blood or even unto death is salvation of your soul.
10Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 11Searching 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. 12Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
Peter now is more specific about the salvation that has been spoken of that these chosen ones will receive at the end of their faith that keeps them by Gods power, as they walk in the faith of faithful Abraham. All the Old Testament prophets who partook in the anointing of the Holy Spirit searched out the message of salvation.
13Wherefore 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; 14As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
Having now covered the reasons behind why men are chosen by God for salvation, he reinforces the idea that obedience is the only way. Obedience that is Holiness in all behavior.
17And 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: 18Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 21Who 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.
Peter is careful to bring the attention back to where it belongs, God the Father. He is the one we call upon. Him who sent Jesus, who obeyed his Father, to die for us on the cross of Calvary. Our hope is in him who raised Jesus up from the dead, God.
22Seeing 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: 23Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Obedience to God brings love for other Christians. And another thing of note here is the very fact that it is the Word of God that brings about the rebirth that Jesus spoke to Nicodemus about.
24For 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: 25But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
A call back to Isaiah confirming the purity of the Word of God. Although men have always through vain philosophy worked to keep peace between people without God, only the pure Word of God can bring about true goodness. The Word of God, as sharp as it is, discerns the thoughts and intents of the hearts of men and exposes their selfish reasons for all that they do and reveals true love, the love of God which surpasses knowledge. The love of the Gospel itself.
To summarize the chapter is to say that there are those who are chosen of God who openly receive the Holy Spirit without resisting him. These are they who wash their garments in the blood of the Lamb and end up clothed with true righteousness as they purify themselves even as Jesus is pure. It isn’t a onetime prayer followed by a life of haphazard periods of walking in obedience and falling away but is instead a bold charge toward the face of God seeking and hungering after his righteousness while fending off all temptation to do evil, so that in the end you might here those words, “Well done good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord”.
May you hear these words, after you have submitted yourself wholly unto the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who died for you and commands that you now pick up your own cross, being obedient unto the Holy Scriptures, which are the Word of God.
In Jesus Name,
Gary
