Bible Study Peter 1: 1-25

 

A Commentary of the Book of 1 Peter

By Dr. Barry L. Jenkins

Text Used: Legacy Standard Bible

Bible Study Peter 1: 1-25

Introduction to 1 Peter (From the MacArthur Study Bible)

Title The letter has always been identified (as are most general epistles, like James, John, and Jude) with the name of the author, Peter, and with the notation that it was his first inspired letter.

Author and Date

The opening verse of the epistle claims it was written by Peter, who was clearly the leader among Christ’s apostles. First Peter was most likely written just before or shortly after July, A.D. 64 when the city of Rome burned, thus a writing date of ca. A.D. 64–65.

Background and Setting

When the city of Rome burned, the Romans believed that their emperor, Nero, had set the city on fire, probably because of his incredible lust to build. In order to build more, he had to destroy what already existed.

The Romans were totally devastated. Their culture, in a sense, went down with the city. All the religious elements of their life were destroyed—their great temples, shrines, and even their household idols were burned up. This had great religious implications because it made them believe that their deities had been unable to deal with this conflagration and were also victims of it. The people were homeless and hopeless. Many had been killed. Their bitter resentment was severe, so Nero realized that he had to redirect the hostility.

The emperor’s chosen scapegoat was the Christians, who were already hated because they were associated with Jews, and because they were seen as being hostile to the Roman culture. Nero spread the word quickly that the Christians had set the fires. As a result, a vicious persecution against Christians began, and soon spread throughout the Roman Empire, touching places N of the Taurus mountains, like Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia (1:1), and impacting the Christians, whom Peter calls “pilgrims.” These “pilgrims,” who were probably Gentiles, for the most part (1:14, 18; 2:9, 10; 4:3), possibly led to Christ by Paul and his associates, and established on Paul’s teachings, needed spiritual strengthening because of their sufferings. Thus the Apostle Peter, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote this epistle to strengthen them.

Text:

A Living Hope

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who reside as exiles, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to the obedience of Jesus Christ and the sprinkling of His blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and unfading, having been kept in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various [a]trials, 7 so that the [b]proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which [c]is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 And though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and [d]full of glory, 9 receiving as the outcome of your faith the salvation of [e]your souls.

10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, made careful searches and inquiries, 11 [f]inquiring to know what time or what kind of time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He was predicting the sufferings of Christ and the glories [g]to follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been declared to you through those who proclaimed the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to [h]look.

13 Therefore, having [i]girded your minds for action, [j]being sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace [k]to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As [l]obedient children, not [m]being conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15 but [n]like the Holy One who called you, [o]be holy yourselves also in all your conduct; 16 because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

17 And if you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves [p]in fear during the time of your sojourn, 18 knowing that you were not [q]redeemed with corruptible things like silver or gold from your futile conduct inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but appeared [r]in these last times for the sake of you 21 who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

22 Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a love of the brothers without hypocrisy, fervently love one another from [s]the heart, 23 for you have been born again not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For,

“All flesh is like grass,
And all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
And the flower falls off,

25 

But the word of the Lord endures forever.”

And this is the word which was [t]proclaimed to you as good news.

Verse by verse commentary:

Verse 1: “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as exiles, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen”

Peter was one of a special group of men who were personally called and commissioned  by the Lord Jesus Christ, and who ministered with Christ after His resurrection. The church was built upon the foundation of their teaching. As I have stated, there are no Apostles of Christ today. There are no Apostles today chosen personally by Christ. There are apostles of the church today. These are people the church choses to send out for a particular service. The areas described by Peter are in modern day Turkey. Peter wants to comfort his readers that have been “chosen.” “Exiles” likely refers to spiritual pilgrims traveling this world destined for an eternity with Christ.

Verse 2: “according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to the obedience of Jesus Christ and the sprinkling of His blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.” 

The “foreknowledge” refers to the Sovereign God’s decision before the foundation of the world to love the elect He has chosen. This was a choice to love those that would belong to Christ. The “sanctifying work of the Spirit” was the act of the Holy Spirit convicting the elect of their sin and need for a substitute which is the Lord Jesus Christ. The purpose of this work was to lead to obedience. First, in the obedience of the Lord Jesus Christ imputed to the elect which leads to obedience of the believer. Imputed righteousness first and then imparted righteousness as the believer becomes more Christlike everyday. The foreknowledge was not because of obedience in the life of the believer, but rather to lead to obedience. The “sprinkling of blood” was a reference to Old Testament sacrifices. The words “grace” and “peace” were both a greeting and a blessing.

Verse 3: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” 

Who caused you to be “born again”? Was it your righteousness or obedience? No, it was the grace and mercy from the Father Who made the Lord Jesus Christ to be your substitute. The blessed Holy Spirit applies these truths to the elect’s heart and they are born again. “Hope” is a central theme in this epistle. The church was under intense persecution and the message of hope coming from Peter would encourage the church.

Verse 4: “to obtain an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and unfading, having been kept in heaven for you,”

Our inheritance as God’s children makes us heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. Our inheritance is called “salvation”. It should give you hope and comfort knowing that it is being kept in heaven for you. No one can steal it or defile it in any way. Why? Because it is in heaven!

Verse 5: “who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

This verse teaches both the priority of Divine Grace and the necessity of the human response that results from grace. Faith is the gift of God, but believers are still responsible for exercising that faith. The “salvation” here refers to is final salvation from the presence of sin. We have been saved from the penalty and power of sin, but not the presence of it. That comes “in the last time” which will be at Christ’s Second Coming.

Verse 6: “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,”

Why do you “greatly rejoice”? You rejoice in what verse 5 stated: “who are protected by the power of God through faith.” The suffering and the security of the believer produce joy. How much different is this message from what most modern preachers proclaim? The Lord Jesus Christ has provided an amazing inheritance for us. The “various trials” were the extreme persecution facing the early Christians. 

Verse 7: “so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Peter is explaining one reason for the severe trials. Just like a person uses fire to purify metals, fiery trials will bring forth a faith more valuable than gold. The ultimate goal of trials is to bring glory to God. “Revelation of Jesus Christ” means the Second Coming. 

Verse 8: “And though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,”

These persecuted Christians had not seen the Lord like Peter had, but they loved Him. The Greek word for love is agapao which is the God kind of love. It is the type of love that gives you what you need, not necessarily what you want. Even though these Christians had not seen Christ, they still believed in Him. The end result was “joy inexpressible and full of glory,” The fiery trials that believers have endured will benefit God by bringing Him praise, honor, and glory eternally.

Verse 9: “receiving as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.”

Believers already enjoy certain elements of salvation, e.g. freedom from the penalty and power of sin,  but full possession of salvation, e.g. freedom from the presence of sin, awaits the return of Christ. The final outcome is eternal salvation and to ne in the Presence of God forever.

Verse 10: “Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, made careful searches and inquiries,”

All the Old Testament prophets prophesied diligently concerning salvation to come. Contrary to what some teach, salvation has always been by faith, never works. You work because you are saved, not to get saved. How was Abraham justified? By faith! (Romans 4: 3)

Verse 11: “inquiring to know what time or what kind of time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He was predicting the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.”

The prophets knew the Messiah would come one day, but they did not know when or how. Many times in Hebraic thinking, you don’t understand prophecy until you look backwards, like rowing a boat when you face the direction you are coming from and facing away from where you are going. You look back at events and say, “that’s what that was or that is what was meant by those prophetic words.” “The Spirit of Christ” refers to the Holy Spirit working with the Son after the resurrection and ascension in the lives of the believer.

Verse 12: “It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been declared to you through those who proclaimed the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look.”

The Old Testament prophets who wrote of the coming of the Messiah knew it was for a future time, and thus they were really writing for those who are on this side of the cross. They knew a Savior was coming. Some understood the concepts of Messiah ben Joseph and Messiah ben David. Messiah ben Joseph comes in peace and will be a suffering servant. This represents the first coming of Christ. Messiah ben David represent s the powerful reign of a conquering King. This will be at the Lord Jesus Christ’s second coming.

Verse 13: “Therefore, having girded your minds for action, being sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Modern expressions would include, “fasten your belt” or “roll up your sleeves.” Peter is teaching the readers to prepare for vigorous and sustained spiritual exertion. The phrase “girded” referred to the practice of tucking your robe in your belt so you could run without being restricted by your robe. Peter is telling them to get your mind ready. To be “sober” means to be in self-control. Our hope is in the grace of God. When Christ comes for His church at the rapture, He will bring grace for all His elect.

Verse 14: “As obedient children, not being conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance,”

The Holy Bible will lead true believers to obedience. This is consistent with James’ instruction: “Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only …”. The Word of God not only brings us hope, but it also leads to our obedience. Obedience will occur as we yield to its instruction.

Verse 15: “but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your conduct;”

The Christian is called to a life of holiness. Isaiah wrote about “a highway of holiness.” The obedient believer will want to be holy because our God is holy. Holiness is not a dress code or list of activities one should or should not do (but both of these areas will be impacted by walking in holiness), but rather it is a matter of the heart. A holiness walk is a walk patterned after the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Verse 16: “because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Is our holiness to be an attribute equal to God’s holiness? No! God is absolutely perfect in His holiness, and we can never, while we are in this mortal flesh, obtain that state. I have met several people from “holiness denominations” who thought they had reached that state, but I could not find anyone who would agree with them that they had reached that exalted level. So what does it mean? It means growing in spiritual maturity. This occurs as we read, study, memorize, and apply the Word of God to our lives. 

Verse 17: “And if you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your sojourn,”

“Fear” is literally reverence and awe. Though Christians will not receive the penalty for committing sins, they will be judged for their works as Christians and rewarded accordingly. The word “sojourn” refers to the fact that Christians are just passing through this world. Our home is an eternity with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

Verse 18: “knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things like silver or gold from your futile conduct inherited from your forefathers,”

If you are born again, you have been “redeemed” which means freed from the bondage of sin by the payment of a price and that price being the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. The “futile conduct inherited from your forefathers” likely refers to Gentile paganism. 

Verse 19: “but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.”

The “lamb” is a reference from the Old Testament sacrificial system, especially the Passover celebration. Christ’s blood was sinless and pure, thus capable of being a sacrifice for our sins. 

Verse 20: “He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but appeared in these last times for the sake of you”

The Lord Jesus Christ was chosen as Redeemer of the elect in the eternity past. This was a covenant between the Father (in His love chose the elect), the Son (in His love agreed to be a sacrifice for the sins of the elect), and the Holy Spirit Who agreed to take this truth to the hearts of the ones the Father had chosen. “Last times” refers to the period between the first and second coming of Christ.

Verse 21: “who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.”

As the only Mediator between God and mankind, Christ provides the only way to God that is acceptable to Him. Praying to dead saints or other “gods” is heretical and evidence that the person never was saved in the first place. In Christ the Father is revealed, and Christ’s sacrificial death has opened the path to God in a way that satisfies both of His wrath and grace.

Verse 22: “Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a love of the brothers without hypocrisy, fervently love one another from the heart,”

When the elect received the gospel message and were converted, they changed not only their mental outlook but also their moral lives, i.e. how they lived. They obeyed the truth of the message they received, so that they purified themselves from their former way of life. This purification was for love, that is, it had love as its purpose. In other words, at their conversion, the believers welcomed their new faith with the knowledge that it was a real expression of love toward fellow Christians and was a central virtue of the Christian life, and they were determined to act in this way. Now Peter calls on them to follow through on this prior commitment to love. 

Verse 23: “for you have been born again not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.”

Being “born again” means the Holy Spirit has convicted you of sin, given you a new heart that is pure, both the gifts of faith and repentance, and you have responded in repentance. This experience is incorruptible because you have been born again through the Holy Spirit. It is not a man made event. Salvation is 100% of the Lord. (Jonah 2: 9) This is in contrast to your physical birth with your parents that birthed you with a sin nature. The Perfect Word of God saves for all eternity.

Verse 24: “For,

“All flesh is like grass,
And all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
And the flower falls off,”

Peter quotes Isaiah 40: 6-8 to make his point concerning the power of the Word to regenerate a lost sinner and bring him into the body of Christ.

Verse 25: “But the word of the Lord endures forever.”

And this is the word which was proclaimed to you as good news.”

I do not intend to minimize the necessity of worship, plans or programs, and the place of organizations, but there is absolutely no substitute for the Word of God today. It is the Word of God preached by man, taken to the heart of a sinner by the Holy Spirit, that leads the lost soul to the blood stained cross of Calvary.