This commentary is a work in progress and may be revised as study continues. If you have a question, spot an error, or want to discuss a passage, please reach out.
1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
As Hebrews 11:13 says we are just passing through: ”These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”
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.
The “foreknowledge” of God is how we are elected. As Jesus says in John 6:64, He knew from the beginning who would believe “But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.”
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,
We have a living hope and its reserved in heaven for us! Where does are hope rest? In by our sinlessness, by holy living, by works we should do, etc? No by the resurrection of Jesus.
4To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
5Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Peter is clear here. Not by works or a holy life but by Gods power we are kept. This rests on Him (He chastises those that are His) through faith in Him. One might say, well if it is “through faith”then what happens if you lose this faith, do you then lose this keeping God does of you? Let’s look at a few other verses to answer this:
God finishes what He begins, so this verse doesn’t allow for this, Philipians 1:6 “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ”
God again, finishes what He begins Hebrews 12:2 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
If you are His sheep you hear, follow, never perish and never removed from God’s hand, there is no other alternatives so John 10:27-28 also doesn’t allow for this as it says “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish,neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”
Jesus kept Peter by His power by praying for his faith in Luke 22:32 “I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not”. We know all prayer that is God’s will, will be answered (1 John 5:14-15), therefore Jesus’s prayer did not fail. It was impossible for Peter to lose faith. Yes Peter’s faith fell but his faith didn’t ultimately fail. We can see his faith in that he first repented and wept (Luke 22:62), he then returned to Jesus and was restored (John 21) and lastly he became a bold preacher (Acts 2 and beyond). See also on falling:
“The righteous falleth seven times, and riseth up again” Proverbs 24:16
“Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.” Psalm 37:24
The word “kept” here is Strong's G5432 - phroureō and it means “to guard, protect by a military guard, either to prevent hostile invasion, or to keep the inhabitants of a besieged city from flight”. This is a resolute picture of what God is doing for us.
Once you believe by faith you enter into this protection. This bulwark of protection will not be thrawted by any demon or enemy of darkness. If God is protecting us, protecting from doubts, sin, etc there is no way we could lose faith. Faith can be weak, tested, and even stumble, but it won’t be utterly destroyed, because God sustains it.
Not all that profess faith actually have it, actually believe in their mind/heart. Some fall away because they never truly belonged, were never actually saved (1 John 2:19)
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:
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.
10Of which salvation the prophets have enquired 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.
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;
Where do you rest your hope? His grace that "is to be brought" not "may be brought". Our hope is not our works, sinless living, etc but our hope and confidence is in Him.
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.
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:
This verse, if taken out of context, may sound like our eternal distination is judged by our work and so we should live in fear of this. So, is this teaching, “make sure you don't sin or do a poor job at working for the Lord or else the result could be your soul cast into hell” when God judges you?
Rom 8:15 says “ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear;..we cry, Abba, Father.” and 1 John 4:18 say we should not have this judgement/torment fear (scared of being cast into hell) “perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment”, we are to be free of this and instead cry out to our Father Abba in a loving communion. Futhermore, 1 John 4:17 says “that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we”. Praise the Lord we don’t have to fear when we eventually see Him.
The word “fear” here is Strong’s G5401 - phobos. In the outline of Biblical usage it is usually meant for fear but we can see there is another usage “reverence for one's husband”. Christian’s are the bride of Christ. He is our husband and we must revere Him as we will see throughout the rest of 1 Peter 1. We will be judged and rewarded for our works. 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 “Every man's work...fire shall try every man's work..If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire”. Peter and Jesus Himself gives instruction to us to store up treasures and rewards in heaven. We certainly do have things to strive and work for but it is not the salvation of our souls.
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.
Those that believe in Him are redeemed, not will be redeemed but we are through His precious gift! Peter is saying don't trample this, live worthy of this calling, store up treasure and glorify God. And finally again, where does our hope rest? In God. Not in us trying not to sin, live a holy life or do good works but of course these “things that accompany salvation,”Heb 6:9 will come for those that have passed from death into life.
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:
The phrase “obeying the truth”here simply means to believe upon Jesus. In chapter 2 we can clearly see the the ones that believe are contrasted by the ones that don’t and are called “disobedient” for not believing. 1 Peter 2:7 “nto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,” (See also 1 John 3:23, Acts 17:30)
23Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Peter summarizes this chapter saying we are born again. Not you will be. But you are by the word of God by hearing it (Acts 4:4). “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17. Jesus tells us to enter heaven you must be born again in John 3. Jesus tells us that a man in this state has heaven awaiting him. Peter here says you can be in this state. Not something you achieve by living a certain way, doing good works or that can wax and wane
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.
1
1 Peter 1 — Forever Word commentary
King James VersionThis commentary is a work in progress and may be revised as study continues. If you have a question, spot an error, or want to discuss a passage, please reach out.
1Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
As Hebrews 11:13 says we are just passing through: ”These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”
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.
The “foreknowledge” of God is how we are elected. As Jesus says in John 6:64, He knew from the beginning who would believe “But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.”
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,
We have a living hope and its reserved in heaven for us! Where does are hope rest? In by our sinlessness, by holy living, by works we should do, etc? No by the resurrection of Jesus.
4To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
5Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Peter is clear here. Not by works or a holy life but by Gods power we are kept. This rests on Him (He chastises those that are His) through faith in Him. One might say, well if it is “through faith” then what happens if you lose this faith, do you then lose this keeping God does of you? Let’s look at a few other verses to answer this:
God finishes what He begins, so this verse doesn’t allow for this, Philipians 1:6 “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ”
God again, finishes what He begins Hebrews 12:2 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
If you are His sheep you hear, follow, never perish and never removed from God’s hand, there is no other alternatives so John 10:27-28 also doesn’t allow for this as it says “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”
Jesus kept Peter by His power by praying for his faith in Luke 22:32 “I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not”. We know all prayer that is God’s will, will be answered (1 John 5:14-15), therefore Jesus’s prayer did not fail. It was impossible for Peter to lose faith. Yes Peter’s faith fell but his faith didn’t ultimately fail. We can see his faith in that he first repented and wept (Luke 22:62), he then returned to Jesus and was restored (John 21) and lastly he became a bold preacher (Acts 2 and beyond). See also on falling:
“The righteous falleth seven times, and riseth up again” Proverbs 24:16
“Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.” Psalm 37:24
The word “kept” here is Strong's G5432 - phroureō and it means “to guard, protect by a military guard, either to prevent hostile invasion, or to keep the inhabitants of a besieged city from flight”. This is a resolute picture of what God is doing for us.
Once you believe by faith you enter into this protection. This bulwark of protection will not be thrawted by any demon or enemy of darkness. If God is protecting us, protecting from doubts, sin, etc there is no way we could lose faith. Faith can be weak, tested, and even stumble, but it won’t be utterly destroyed, because God sustains it.
Not all that profess faith actually have it, actually believe in their mind/heart. Some fall away because they never truly belonged, were never actually saved (1 John 2:19)
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:
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.
10Of which salvation the prophets have enquired 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.
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;
Where do you rest your hope? His grace that "is to be brought" not "may be brought". Our hope is not our works, sinless living, etc but our hope and confidence is in Him.
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.
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:
This verse, if taken out of context, may sound like our eternal distination is judged by our work and so we should live in fear of this. So, is this teaching, “make sure you don't sin or do a poor job at working for the Lord or else the result could be your soul cast into hell” when God judges you?
Rom 8:15 says “ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear;..we cry, Abba, Father.” and 1 John 4:18 say we should not have this judgement/torment fear (scared of being cast into hell) “perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment”, we are to be free of this and instead cry out to our Father Abba in a loving communion. Futhermore, 1 John 4:17 says “that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we”. Praise the Lord we don’t have to fear when we eventually see Him.
The word “fear” here is Strong’s G5401 - phobos. In the outline of Biblical usage it is usually meant for fear but we can see there is another usage “reverence for one's husband”. Christian’s are the bride of Christ. He is our husband and we must revere Him as we will see throughout the rest of 1 Peter 1. We will be judged and rewarded for our works. 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 “Every man's work...fire shall try every man's work..If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire”. Peter and Jesus Himself gives instruction to us to store up treasures and rewards in heaven. We certainly do have things to strive and work for but it is not the salvation of our souls.
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.
Those that believe in Him are redeemed, not will be redeemed but we are through His precious gift! Peter is saying don't trample this, live worthy of this calling, store up treasure and glorify God. And finally again, where does our hope rest? In God. Not in us trying not to sin, live a holy life or do good works but of course these “things that accompany salvation,” Heb 6:9 will come for those that have passed from death into life.
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:
The phrase “obeying the truth” here simply means to believe upon Jesus. In chapter 2 we can clearly see the the ones that believe are contrasted by the ones that don’t and are called “disobedient” for not believing. 1 Peter 2:7 “nto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,” (See also 1 John 3:23, Acts 17:30)
23Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Peter summarizes this chapter saying we are born again. Not you will be. But you are by the word of God by hearing it (Acts 4:4). “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17. Jesus tells us to enter heaven you must be born again in John 3. Jesus tells us that a man in this state has heaven awaiting him. Peter here says you can be in this state. Not something you achieve by living a certain way, doing good works or that can wax and wane
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.