To the temporary residents dispersed in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father and set apart by the Spirit for obedience and for sprinkling with the blood of Jesus Christ.
May grace and peace be multiplied to you." (1 Peter 1:1-2, HCSB)
Peter opens this letter in a similar fashion to most of the other epistles in the New Testament. If you are like me, when I read the Bible, it can be all too easy to kind of skip over the greetings in the epistles. (Similar to the phenomenon of skipping through the genealogies: "Adam begat.... Jesus") However, when we take the time to carefully read through, there can be some interesting content to discover. This opening to Peter's first epistle is no different.
The first thing of note is that Peter addresses his audience as "temporary residents". In other translations, they are referred to as "strangers". In the original Greek, the word is "parepidēmos" which comes from two primary words, "para", meaning contrary, or different; and "dēmos", which means people or a crowd. In essence, the idea associated with this word is to be different from the crowd, to be an alien alongside. That is why the word translates best as "resident foreigner", or "temporary residents" in the HCSB. This word appears two other times in the NT, one of which also appears in this epistle, 1 Peter 2:11. The other reference is Hebrews 11:13. Both times, the usage and context confirms the same picture given here in Peter's address to his audience, that of his readers being aliens in their areas of residence.
There is some debate whether Peter is addressing the Jewish Christians dispersed among the nations, or just Christians in general - Jew or Gentile. Without getting too much into the details of the debate for the sake of brevity, suffice it to say that is seems a very reasonable conclusion that Peter in fact has the general Christian populace in mind as he addresses this epistle. Why make this point? For two reasons that impact how we read these first few verses. First, by noting that both Gentiles and Jews are addressed here, the focus is not on the Jews being displaced from their home, but instead a poignant reminder that all of us who follow Christ are only temporary residents here on earth, aliens in a foreign land. This realization should impact how we live out our lives. Second, if this letter was addressed only to Jewish Christians, an argument could be made that the content of 1 Peter does not fully apply to us since most of us are not Jewish Christians. This, however, is not the case. Because it seems more likely that this address is meant for all Christians, that we had best pay close attention as the content is very applicable to all of us.
Moving on to verse two, we then find a conundrum of sorts (for our theology, that is). "... chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father and set apart by the Spirit for obedience and for sprinkling with the blood of Jesus Christ." For some, these verses are a good support for the doctrine of Predestination. It is not my intent to spend a lot of time discussing this here, (though it is certainly fine if one wants to discuss it in the comments) however, I will point out that regardless your view on what this verse specifically means, I think the focus is more on the fact that we are chosen to be set apart, a theme Peter explains more later in the epistle. Specifically, we are to be set apart to obedience. Obedience shows our faith in Christ. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in his book, The Cost of Discipleship, says it well: "Only he who believes is obedient, and only he who is obedient believes." (Bonhoeffer, 1995, 63).
"Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. You are being protected by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. You rejoice in this, though now for a short time you have had to struggle in various trials so that the genuineness of your faith—more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. You love Him,though you have not seen Him. And though not seeing Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls." (1 Peter 1:3-9, HCSB).
Peter then transitions from the greeting to what some call a hymn of praise. This section sums up well the glory and the triumph of the Gospel in us. Because of God's great and abundant mercy, we now have new life. We have a living hope in Christ's resurrection. The Greek gives a picture that we have an unshakable confidence in Christ's work; "hope" can also be translated "confidence". The focus on the new birth also brings to mind other passages that make it clear that in Christ, we are a new creation, a new creature. The old self, desperately trapped and enslaved to sin is discarded like an old garment.
Further, the focus is not only on what Christ has done, but also on what awaits us. Peter describes it as an imperishable, un-corruptible inheritance. Peter's description here reminds us of what Jesus said in Matthew 6:19-21: "Don’t collect for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But collect for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (HCSB). In reminding of us of what Jesus said regarding our heavenly treasure, it does not seem to far a stretch to think that he also intends to remind his readers that the value of this imperishable inheritance far outweighs anything here on earth. This is an important note, especially in light of the context of this book. In spite of persecution, danger, hardship, loss of possessions or even death, all that truly matters can not be taken away or destroyed. Our salvation in Christ, our relationship that has been restored with Him - nothing can take that away, no matter what happens in the body here. The next verse (5) makes it clear that it is through God's power that our salvation is protected. God's power, working through our faith, will ultimately redeem us, and make us new.
Next, in verse 6, Peter makes it clear why it is important to remember that our salvation will never perish, being held secure through God's power. Despite the current trials the Christian readership of that time was facing, our faith can hold on. In fact, Peter points out, our faith is strengthened through trials, refined as gold is by fire, burning off all the impurities. This image of the gold and precious metals being refined by fire is also brought to mind in James 1:3, where James writes how the "testing of your faith produces endurance." (HCSB). Peter also makes it clear that the refining of our faith is not to bring more attention or accolades on us, but rather to bring praise, honor and glory to Christ, who gave us life. He is the object of our faith and it is He who receives all the glory from the refinement brought by suffering. I do not think it implausible to suggest that He allows suffering in our lives primarily so He can receive the glory and honor due Him as our faith get refined.
While we do not see Christ, we love Him. Because we believe without seeing, we can rejoice because He is working in us, bringing about our salvation. His works are clearly visible even when His presence is not. Therefore, we can rejoice because of His work, because it is so visibly displayed in us as he transforms us into new creatures.
Peter then reminds us just how special this salvation really is: "Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that would come to you searched and carefully investigated. They inquired into what time or what circumstances the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating when He testified in advance to the messianic sufferings and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you. These things have now been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Angels desire to look into these things. " (1 Peter 1:10-12, HCSB).
This salvation that Christ has brought to us has been sought after and looked forward to for many, many years. All of the Old Testament looked forward to this. The prophets have long foretold and sought after God's redemptive plan. Literally, in the Greek, they "ekzēteō" these things, meaning they craved, sought after the Good News revealed by God through Christ. They eagerly sought out all the details that God would reveal to them. "Ekzēteō" also has the sense of "to demand", which could also imply that these prophets of old wrestled with God to know more about this wonderful grace that was coming.
Thanks to their determination, the sufferings of Christ, and His glorification were well foretold. Isaiah 55 is just one good example. And now, we benefit from their investigative search into the mysteries of God's plan. They were seeking these things not only for their benefit, but primarily so those who would come after would know in what manner God's promises would be revealed. They would be able to know, as it occurred, that God's redemptive plan was unfolding. Now, this glorious Gospel has been revealed and proclaimed. The good news eagerly sought after is now revealed in whole. We are now privileged partakers of this plan of salvation, a plan that even angels desired to look into because the weight of this good news and all the Christ has done is so enormous.
We see then, in these first few verses, just how privileged we are. Our salvation through Christ is of priceless worth. Giving up everything to follow Him is well worth the cost. We are merely trading what is perishable for what is imperishable. The sufferings we face only serve to grow our faith, to the glory and praise to Him. Further, this salvation has longed been anticipated and sought after. Many have gone before us who have longed to see the things we see and to read the things we read, regarding this Gospel. May we never take our position in Christ for granted. In the face of difficult and trying circumstances, we can rest in the unshakable assurance of Christ. Jim Elliott summed this up well when he said, "He is no fool to give up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." May we never forget that no matter the political situation, or our current circumstance, we have an imperishable inheritance waiting for us, to the glory and praise of Christ.
Please feel free to contribute! If you have anything to add, or an additional point to make from this passage, please make your voice heard in the comments. May we encourage each other into deeper study and awe of Christ and His works in us!
The first thing of note is that Peter addresses his audience as "temporary residents". In other translations, they are referred to as "strangers". In the original Greek, the word is "parepidēmos" which comes from two primary words, "para", meaning contrary, or different; and "dēmos", which means people or a crowd. In essence, the idea associated with this word is to be different from the crowd, to be an alien alongside. That is why the word translates best as "resident foreigner", or "temporary residents" in the HCSB. This word appears two other times in the NT, one of which also appears in this epistle, 1 Peter 2:11. The other reference is Hebrews 11:13. Both times, the usage and context confirms the same picture given here in Peter's address to his audience, that of his readers being aliens in their areas of residence.
There is some debate whether Peter is addressing the Jewish Christians dispersed among the nations, or just Christians in general - Jew or Gentile. Without getting too much into the details of the debate for the sake of brevity, suffice it to say that is seems a very reasonable conclusion that Peter in fact has the general Christian populace in mind as he addresses this epistle. Why make this point? For two reasons that impact how we read these first few verses. First, by noting that both Gentiles and Jews are addressed here, the focus is not on the Jews being displaced from their home, but instead a poignant reminder that all of us who follow Christ are only temporary residents here on earth, aliens in a foreign land. This realization should impact how we live out our lives. Second, if this letter was addressed only to Jewish Christians, an argument could be made that the content of 1 Peter does not fully apply to us since most of us are not Jewish Christians. This, however, is not the case. Because it seems more likely that this address is meant for all Christians, that we had best pay close attention as the content is very applicable to all of us.
Moving on to verse two, we then find a conundrum of sorts (for our theology, that is). "... chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father and set apart by the Spirit for obedience and for sprinkling with the blood of Jesus Christ." For some, these verses are a good support for the doctrine of Predestination. It is not my intent to spend a lot of time discussing this here, (though it is certainly fine if one wants to discuss it in the comments) however, I will point out that regardless your view on what this verse specifically means, I think the focus is more on the fact that we are chosen to be set apart, a theme Peter explains more later in the epistle. Specifically, we are to be set apart to obedience. Obedience shows our faith in Christ. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in his book, The Cost of Discipleship, says it well: "Only he who believes is obedient, and only he who is obedient believes." (Bonhoeffer, 1995, 63).
"Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. You are being protected by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. You rejoice in this, though now for a short time you have had to struggle in various trials so that the genuineness of your faith—more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. You love Him,though you have not seen Him. And though not seeing Him now, you believe in Him and rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls." (1 Peter 1:3-9, HCSB).
Peter then transitions from the greeting to what some call a hymn of praise. This section sums up well the glory and the triumph of the Gospel in us. Because of God's great and abundant mercy, we now have new life. We have a living hope in Christ's resurrection. The Greek gives a picture that we have an unshakable confidence in Christ's work; "hope" can also be translated "confidence". The focus on the new birth also brings to mind other passages that make it clear that in Christ, we are a new creation, a new creature. The old self, desperately trapped and enslaved to sin is discarded like an old garment.
Further, the focus is not only on what Christ has done, but also on what awaits us. Peter describes it as an imperishable, un-corruptible inheritance. Peter's description here reminds us of what Jesus said in Matthew 6:19-21: "Don’t collect for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But collect for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (HCSB). In reminding of us of what Jesus said regarding our heavenly treasure, it does not seem to far a stretch to think that he also intends to remind his readers that the value of this imperishable inheritance far outweighs anything here on earth. This is an important note, especially in light of the context of this book. In spite of persecution, danger, hardship, loss of possessions or even death, all that truly matters can not be taken away or destroyed. Our salvation in Christ, our relationship that has been restored with Him - nothing can take that away, no matter what happens in the body here. The next verse (5) makes it clear that it is through God's power that our salvation is protected. God's power, working through our faith, will ultimately redeem us, and make us new.
Next, in verse 6, Peter makes it clear why it is important to remember that our salvation will never perish, being held secure through God's power. Despite the current trials the Christian readership of that time was facing, our faith can hold on. In fact, Peter points out, our faith is strengthened through trials, refined as gold is by fire, burning off all the impurities. This image of the gold and precious metals being refined by fire is also brought to mind in James 1:3, where James writes how the "testing of your faith produces endurance." (HCSB). Peter also makes it clear that the refining of our faith is not to bring more attention or accolades on us, but rather to bring praise, honor and glory to Christ, who gave us life. He is the object of our faith and it is He who receives all the glory from the refinement brought by suffering. I do not think it implausible to suggest that He allows suffering in our lives primarily so He can receive the glory and honor due Him as our faith get refined.
While we do not see Christ, we love Him. Because we believe without seeing, we can rejoice because He is working in us, bringing about our salvation. His works are clearly visible even when His presence is not. Therefore, we can rejoice because of His work, because it is so visibly displayed in us as he transforms us into new creatures.
Peter then reminds us just how special this salvation really is: "Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that would come to you searched and carefully investigated. They inquired into what time or what circumstances the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating when He testified in advance to the messianic sufferings and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you. These things have now been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Angels desire to look into these things. " (1 Peter 1:10-12, HCSB).
This salvation that Christ has brought to us has been sought after and looked forward to for many, many years. All of the Old Testament looked forward to this. The prophets have long foretold and sought after God's redemptive plan. Literally, in the Greek, they "ekzēteō" these things, meaning they craved, sought after the Good News revealed by God through Christ. They eagerly sought out all the details that God would reveal to them. "Ekzēteō" also has the sense of "to demand", which could also imply that these prophets of old wrestled with God to know more about this wonderful grace that was coming.
Thanks to their determination, the sufferings of Christ, and His glorification were well foretold. Isaiah 55 is just one good example. And now, we benefit from their investigative search into the mysteries of God's plan. They were seeking these things not only for their benefit, but primarily so those who would come after would know in what manner God's promises would be revealed. They would be able to know, as it occurred, that God's redemptive plan was unfolding. Now, this glorious Gospel has been revealed and proclaimed. The good news eagerly sought after is now revealed in whole. We are now privileged partakers of this plan of salvation, a plan that even angels desired to look into because the weight of this good news and all the Christ has done is so enormous.
We see then, in these first few verses, just how privileged we are. Our salvation through Christ is of priceless worth. Giving up everything to follow Him is well worth the cost. We are merely trading what is perishable for what is imperishable. The sufferings we face only serve to grow our faith, to the glory and praise to Him. Further, this salvation has longed been anticipated and sought after. Many have gone before us who have longed to see the things we see and to read the things we read, regarding this Gospel. May we never take our position in Christ for granted. In the face of difficult and trying circumstances, we can rest in the unshakable assurance of Christ. Jim Elliott summed this up well when he said, "He is no fool to give up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." May we never forget that no matter the political situation, or our current circumstance, we have an imperishable inheritance waiting for us, to the glory and praise of Christ.
Please feel free to contribute! If you have anything to add, or an additional point to make from this passage, please make your voice heard in the comments. May we encourage each other into deeper study and awe of Christ and His works in us!
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