I PETER -- Chapter 1
Introduction:
1. Almost all agree that this book was penned by the
apostle Peter.
2. The time and place of writing the book are
controverted by many diversities of opinions:
(a) The time most likely was 64-65 A.D.
(b) The place: Babylon (5:12). Three choices:
(1) Babylon used figuratively for Rome. But, it
seems strange that such would be used here.
Why not use "Rome"?
(2) There was a Babylon in Egypt, but it would
seem that it would be identified.
(3) Ancient Babylon. This would be the most
obivious interpretation.
3. To whom written: "the elect in Pontus, Galatia, etc.,"
Verse 1. Aquila was from Pontus (Acts 18:2). There
were Jews from Pontus in Jerusalem when Peter preached
that first gospel sermon (Acts 2:9).
(a) Three views:
(1) Only Jewish Christians
(2) Only Gentile Christians
(3) Both Jewish and Gentile converts seems to be
the best explanation.
4. Some overlapping of that which Paul wrote and this
that Peter writes. (See Barnes Notes) Indicates that
the same author (the Holy Spirit) guided each one in
that which was said.
(vs 1) Introduction and greeting. He reminds them that they
were the "elect" of God. God's chosen people.
(vs 2) "foreknowledge of God..." Their obedience and service
unto God was not by accident. God had planned the
church from the beginning of time. Eph. 3:10.
"Sanctification"--set apart, for God's use, by the
Spirit. They had been made holy.
"obedience"-- One cannot please God without obedience
They had been set apart by their obedience.
"sprinkling of the blood"-- This reminds us of Ex.
24:7,8, when the people heard what Moses read and
they said: "All that the Lord hath said we will do
and be obedient," and then Moses sprinkled them
with the blood. Now, the blood of Christ has been
given on the cross that we might be cleansed. And,
as we walk in the light, His blood continues to
cleanse us (1 John 1:7-9).
NOTE: We have all of the Godhead involved in this
passage: (1) foreknowledge of God;
(2) sanctification of the Spirit
(3) redeeming work of the Savior.
"Grace...peace" -- May they abound, be multiplied.
(vs 3) Peter expresses his praise unto the Father. (2 Cor.1:3;
Eph. 1:3)
"Mercy"--mercy and grace go together. His mercy is
great, abundant, much, limitless, And how great
is His mercy when we compare it to what we were
while still in our sins.
"Begat us again" -- the new birth, John 3:3,5; We are
children by birth, the only way children come
about.
"A living hope" -- not dead, empty, false or deceptive
Our new life is not a mere form, sham, external,
or ritualistic, but alive and living, real. A
hope based upon promises grand and great.
"by the resurrection" -- The foundation, basis, of our
hope. 1 Cor 15. Rom 6:3-4, buried with Him, that
we may be raised with Him, united with Him. With
the hope of eternal life when this journey is over
(vs 4) "Inheritance incorruptible..." -- All inheritances of
this world are corruptible. Things are passed on
to each generation, but in the end they all perish
Not so with our eternal inheritance, it is
incorruptible, does not fade, lose it grandeur.
Matt. 6:19-23.
"undefiled" -- Pure, lasting, no mar, no tarnish,
Rev. 7:13,14--garments are made white in the blood
Cleansed, free from sin and its consequences.
"fadeth not away"--enduring, kept in its original
brightness and beauty. No dimness. The crown of
glory, though worn throughout eternity will never
fade or lose its luster.
"reserved"-- reservations must be made in advance. (cf.
a play, program, etc.) Sometimes weeks, months,
in advance. Takes planning, foresight, preparation
Pay the price..When one reaches heaven, it will be
no surprise.
(vs 5) "power of God" -- Al;l that we are, or will be is
dependent upon God and His power.
"faith" -- Faith is man's part of salvation. Faith is
something that we must do. Jn. 8:24; Heb 11:6. Our
faith must remain strong and alive, active.
"Salvation" -- obedience to the Gospel brings about
salvation from past sins, but one must continue
faithful to receive eternal salvation (verse 9).
(vs 6) "rejoice" There is reason for rejoicing, Hope of
eternal salvation, in the presence of God.
"trials" -- for a little while. (cf 2 Cor 4:17) Even if
trials last for a lifetime, they are brief. It is
most likely that they were going through a great
persecution. Perhaps it would not last long.
(vs 7) "proof" -- Jas 1:3,12, our faith will be tested, tried
Fire is used to purify gold. The dross is
separated from the gold by extreme heat. So is our
faith found to be good, excellent, to the praise,
glory, and honor of Christ. (cf. Rom 8:18)
"revelation" --when the Lord returns to judge the world
(vs 8) "not having seen" --These converts had not personally
seen the Lord. Peter had seen Him, etc. (1 Jn l:l)
It is possible to love one whom we have never seen
(cf 1 John 4:20) All of the attributes and
qualities of God are loveable.
NOTE: One need not have a direct, personal,
contact with God in order to love and obey Him.
Some seem to think there must be some kind of
mystical, warm, overwhelming experience before
they are convinced that God is real.
Our faith is objective, not subjective; it
comes from without (faith in an object--God), not
within (from outself, subjective); it comes from
revelation, not from feelings.
"see Him not" -- Many unseen things that we accept to
be real: electricity, gravity, the wind, love,
hate, envy, etc. Some have never seen London, Paris
(cf 2 Cor. 4:16-18)
"yet, believing" -- We have as much confidence in the
Lord and Heaven, as if we saw them. Ours is a hope
(cf Rom 8:24-25)
"rejoice" -- be happy. A true Christian is full of joy.
"Unspeakable"--beyond explanation.
(vs 9) "end" -- The object, the result, the conclusion of our
faith, is the eternal salvation of our soul.
NOTE: Eternal salvation is not present, but future
Granted, if we remain faithful, our salvation
began when we obeyed the gospel, but we must ever
remember that we could lose that crown.
(vs 10) We are more blessed than the prophets of old. What
they talked about (prophesied) we now have.
"search" To trace out, they laid it out. But we are
blessed, because we have received. it is NOW ours
"grace" The Holy spirit never lets us forget that all
that we are, or shall be, is because of God's
grace, His unmerited favor.
(vs 11) "time, manner of time"-- Same language as Acts 1:7.
The prophets were thus searching for the time
these things were to happen, or the age in
which they could be expected.
"Spirit of Christ"--could be Holy Spirit: Rom. 8:9;
Gal. 4:6.
NOTE: (1) The Holy Spirit guided the prophets;
they spoke by inspiration. (2) Likewise, the
same spirit guided the apostles (2 Pet 1:20,21
The prophets revealed much concerning the coming and
life of the Messiah:
(1) They had some knowledge of the resurrection.
Ps 16:8-11. Peter applies--Acts 2:25-28.
(2) They spoke of His travail--Isa 53:11; Acts
3:18; 26:31; Lk. 24:25-27
(3) They had some insight to the success of the
gospel to all nations, Isa. 11:1-10; 25:1-8,
Yet, they could not possibly have understood
God's plan
(vs 12) The prophets did not speak of their own time, but of a
future time, the time of this epistle.
Peter refers to the apostles and their work of
revelation. Same Spirit guided them. (Jn. 16:13;
14:26).
These Christians were reaping the benefits of all the
prophets endured/suffered. They were given a clear
picture of what the prophets saw only dimly. The
most humble Christian was permitted to see what
the most distinguished prophet never really
grasped nor fully understood.
Even the angels were not privileged to the information
that these Christian now had. The angels were
extremely interested in these events.
(vs 13) "Wherefore" -- Because of all thus said; their trials,
their inheritance, all the prophets did, the work
of the apostles, the angels.
"girding up"-- so as to not be impeded. (cf. Ex. 12:11,
Moses instruction to Israel to get ready.)
"be sober"--self control; 1 Thess 5:6-8; 1 Pet 4:7;
5:8; We must ever be the master of our destiny.
"hope" -- expectation and desire; unwavering confidence
in the grace given by Christ. They were the
recipients of this unmerited favor.
(vs 14) "children of obedience" - a Hebraism: one who is
obedient and becomes a partaker of the nature of
the parent; as a child belongs to and exhibits the
nature of the physical parents. Cf. Eph. 2:3--
"sons of disobedience," Eph 5:8, "children of
light," 2 Thess 2:3, "son of perdition," etc.
One becomes a child through obedience and in
obedience continues as a child. All that we are
cannot exist except in obedience. Mt 7:21; 1 Jn.
2:4.
"former lust...ignorance" -- language used to describe
Gentiles. (Acts 17:30), Eph 4:17, 18.
"lust" signifies passionate desire; evil desire
(vs 15) "called you" -- In verse 1, Peter called them "elect."
Here he states they were called; cf. 2 Thess 2:14.
Thus, those who respond to the call are those
elected.
The results of obeying this call is holiness.
We should take on the character of our Father.
Comes by obedience (vs 14).
(vs 16) "It is written" (Lev. 11:44; 11:45; 19:2; 20:7;
20:26). "Be ye holy..." A holy nation; a holy
priesthood, cf. 2:5; 2:8.
(vs 17) "If" -- 3rd class conditional sentence. "Since" cf.
Mt. 4:3. Satan is not questioning the deity of
Christ. Rather, he is acknowledging it.
NOTE: Our Father is also our judge. His judgment is
without respect of persons. Completely fair and
impartial. God looks on the heart, not the outward
circumstance. (1 Sam. 16:7--choosing David to be
King). Cf. Acts 10:34; Rom. 2:11.
"each man's work" (singular) suggesting the reference
is to one's life as a whole.
"fear" -- The fear of the Lord is the beginning of
wisdom. (Ps. 111:10; Prov 1:7, etc.) Such is not
the fear of a coward, but a reverence of respect
and awe. A fear of displeasing Jehovah. (Lk 12:4,5
(vs 18) "Redeemed" -- to set free by payment of a ransom.
Cf. Mt. 20:28 -Christ "gave his life a ransom for
many" 1 Cor 6:20 "Bought with a price." 2 Pet
2:1; Gal. 3:13.
NOT: "silver or gold" (diminutive form--little
things) "corruptible things"-- decay, rot.
NOTE: Again perhaps a reference to Gentiles and
their idolatry of things.
(vs 19) "Precious" --contrasted with "corruptible"; very
costly, highly valuable.
"Lamb" -- John 1:29--John's statement.
"without spot" -- Lev. 4:32; 22:22-24; Num. 28:3, 11.
Any atonement, necessary that it be free of
pollution or defilement.
cf. 2:21-23--without blemish, perfect,
undefiled. Eph 5:27; Col 1:22.
Heb. 10:1-2 -- Blood of animals could not take away sin
(vs 20) "according to the eternal plan of God" -- Eph 3:10;
Acts 2:23; Eph 1:4,5; Gal. 4:4, "fulness of time"
"end of the times"-- at close of Mosaic age.
(vs 21) "Through Christ" -- only through Christ can man come
to know God. Eph 2:17, 18.
NOTE: It is through the death, burial, resurrection and
glorification of Christ that we now have faith and
hope. cf. Acts 2:32-36; 3:15; 4:10
There is none other (Mohammed; Budda; etc. cannot) that
can give hope in God for a future eternity.
(vs 22) "ye have purified"--"having purified" (perfect
participle) Past action, with continuing results.
We are purified (redeemed) to continue in that
condition. cf. 1 John 1:9.
HOW?? In "obedience to the truth" HUMAN RESPONSIBILITY
Acts 2:40 -- "Save yourselves" Yes, man must do
something. It takes hearing (Rom 10:17), faith
and obedience.
Some would place the complete arrangement of
salvation in the hands of God.
"unfeigned" -- not hypocritical, no play actor,
Sincere love and affection. 1 John 3:18.
Affection between brethren. How much this theme is
stressed in the New Testament. Actually, it began
in the very beginning. "Am I my brother's keeper?"
NOTE: Two words translated LOVE are used here:
(1) "unfeigned love" (Phileo - affection because
of the congeniality of the parties involved.)
(2) "love one another" (Agapao - love based on the
worthiness or preciousness of the person
loved)
Two words used in John 21:15, by Christ
and Peter. Peter do you love (agapao) me? Yes,
Lord you know I love (phileo) you. Having
denied the Lord, Peter was unwilling to admit
to the greater love for the Lord, rather using
the more common term for love, affection;
rather than the stronger term (agapao).
"fervantly" -- deep, earnest, forceful.
(vs 23) The highest motive for love -- a common parenthood. We
are children of the same father. In becoming sons,
we become brothers.
"corruptible seed"-- natural birth, subject to death.
"incorruptible" -- spiritual birth.
The difference is in the seed -- Luke 8:11.
Born of earthly parents, we must die -- Heb 9:27.
Born of the heavenly, we live forever.
(vs 24) Isa 40:6-8 -- cf. Jas. 1:10-11; all flesh, like grass
ultimately fades away and perishes. We must face
the fact that we are not here for long.
(vs 25) But, that born of God, continues into eternity.
Ps. 23-- "Yea, though I walk through the valley of
the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil.....
NOTE: ONLY where the word is preached can man be born
again.
Jesus discusses the new birth in John 3:1ff.
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