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1 Peter Chapter
One
I.
Content of the Chapter
Know the Salvation We Have
Obtained
A. Those who have been favored and God who
grants grace (v.1-2) ---- the holy Trinity;
B. Blessings to us by salvation v.3-5) ----
regeneration and hope;
C. The relation of the salvation with our faith
(v.6-9) ---- be tried to the end;
D. The revelation and manifestation of the
salvation (v.10-12) ----- the prophets and those who have preached the gospel
and the angels;
E. The attitudes that we are supposed to have
toward the salvation (v.13-17) ---- holiness and fear;
F. Through which we obtain the salvation
(v.18-21) ---- through the precious blood of Christ and faith in God;
G. The nature of the new life brought by the
salvation (v.22-25) ---- love;
II.
Verse by Verse Commentary
Pet. 1:1
“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in
YLT: “Peter, an apostle of Jesus
Christ, to the choice sojourners of the dispersion of
Meaning of Words:
“apostle”: messenger,
ambassador, the one who is sent; “Dispersion”: scattered abroad;
“pilgrims”: sojourners,
foreigners, alien;
Literal Meaning:
“an apostle of Jesus Christ”, “Jesus Christ”, the
name has appeared six times (see v.1, 2, 3, 3, 7, 13) in chapter one. It seems
that the author repeatedly declares that Jesus is the Christ anointed by God.
There are two sorts of “apostles”: 1) be sent by the Lord to many places to
preach the gospel and establish the church (see Gal. 2:7; Acts 13:2; 14:14,
23); 2) be sent by the church to various regions to help the saints (see Acts
11:22; Phil. 2:25); “the apostle Peter” is often firstly listed when the names
of the twelve disciples are mentioned in three Gospels (Matt. 10:1-4; Mark
3:16-19; Luke 6:12-16). However, he never called himself the first disciple of
Jesus Christ.
“To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in
Peter called the receivers of this
epistle in three ways: 1) “pilgrims”: they are sojourners on the earth and the eternal
and better home is in the heaven (see Heb. 11:13-16); 2) “Dispersion”, they are
just like seeds scattered on the earth, only little flock in different regions
(see Luke 12:32); 3) “elect” (v.2): they are chosen by God (see Rom. 9:11).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Peter was called to be an apostle to preach
the gospel for the Lord. All believers are called on the earth to represent
Christ and be witnesses in various regions. We followers shall take it as the
central goal of our life. Anything else is of subordinate importance.
2) If we have really recognized our identity on
the earth, our life attitude and goal of pursuit will be significantly
affected.
3) Though we are living on the earth, it is not
our permanent house. Since are merely sojourners here, we are not supposed to
be too satisfactory to earthly things to think of heavenly home.
4) God scatters us everywhere on the earth to
fulfill the duty of “salt and light” (Matt. 5:13-16) instead of establishing a
large organizational system, just like the city of
5) Christians are “in dispersion” apparently,
but have mutual fellowship with one another in inner life actually (“epistle”
is a form of fellowship).
Pet. 1:2 “elect according to the
foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience
and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be
multiplied.”
YLT:
“according to a foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the
Spirit, to obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you
and peace be multiplied!”
Meaning
of Words: “foreknowledge”: forethought; “elect”: be chosen; “sanctification”: holiness, purification; “multiplied”: abound, increase;
Literal
Meaning: “elect according to the foreknowledge of God
the Father”, “according to…”, here it refers to the source and foundation of
salvation; “the foreknowledge of God the Father”, God the Father foreknew our
strength;
There three steps of predestinarianism: 1) God’s foreknowledge, which
means God is able to “foreknow” …, God had foreknown us before the foundation
of the world (see Rom. 8:29); 2) God “election”: God had elected us according
to His foreknowledge (see Eph. 1:4); 3) God’s “predestination”: the purpose
that God has preordained to fulfill in us according to His election ----
adoption (see Rom. 8:29; Eph. 1:5).
“In sanctification of the Spirit”, “in…”, it refers to the work and realm of
salvation; “sanctification”, the Spirit has sanctified us according to the
foreknowledge and election, including enlightenment, inspiration, knowledge of
sins and remission etc. that we shall be saved (see 2Thess. 2:13). Here it
emphasizes the sanctifying works that made us turn to God before we were saved,
not the sanctification after we have been saved (see Rom. 6:19, 22).
“For obedience … of Jesus Christ”, “for”, here it refers to the purpose
and end of salvation; “obedience … of Jesus Christ”, it means that the election of God the Father and
the works of the Spirit in us are for the purpose of making us obedient to
Jesus Christ.
“Sprinkling
of the blood of …”, “the blood”
refers to the precious blood of the Lord Jesus shedding on the cross which has
the power and effect of redemption (see v.18-19). “Sprinkling”, here it quotes
the sign of sprinkling the blood of sacrifices for atonement ---- the blood of
sacrifices typify the blood of Jesus Christ (see Heb. 9:12, 19-26). Therefore,
“sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ” means the redemption by His precious
blood.
“Grace
to you and peace be multiplied”, “grace”: enjoy
God Himself and God’s provision in man’s experiences; “peace”: the peaceful
mood and blessed condition brought by the enjoyment of God’s grace. And here it
emphasizes the inner peace more than the outer prosperity (see John 16:33). “Be
multiplied”, abound more and more to deal with the situations;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Salvation is completely out of the Holy
Trinity ---- the counsel of God the Father and the works of the Spirit and the
fulfillment of Jesus Christ.
2) If it is not out of God election in His
foreknowledge, we can never be saved by our works (see Rom. 9:11). If we have
no obedience, the good salvation of God can still not be fulfilled in us.
3) God’s election and man’s obedience, or God’s
sovereignty and man’s will, are seemingly contradictory but are not
inconsistent actually. On one hand, we shall fulfill our responsibilities. And
on the other hand, we shall rely on the grace of God. We are nothing and can do
nothing without God’s grace.
4) The works of the Spirit is leading us to be
separated from sins and the world gradually to the obedience of Christ.
Therefore, the Spirit is closely relevant to our salvation. No wonder that the
Lord Jesus said “speaking injuriously of the Spirit shall not be forgiven to
men” (Matt. 12:31).
5) The right response of men to the work of the
Spirit is obedience to Jesus Christ. God has set Jesus Christ as the object of
our obedience in salvation. Obedience to Christ is obedience to God. When we
believe in and receive the salvation Jesus Christ has fulfilled, we have obeyed
Him.
6) When a man obeys the gospel, he has
inherited all blessings fulfilled by the blood of Christ on
7) In our daily life, we still need grace and
strength. In the turbulent age, we need peace. Danny said, “The whole gospel is
full of grace and peace ---- health in spirit is the effect of grace.”
8) Since the sufferings of believers in the
world “are multiplied”, grace and peace shall be “multiplied” (see v.6 “various
trials”; John 16:33).
Pet. 1:3 “Blessed be the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has
begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ
from the dead,”
YLT:
“Blessed the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, according to the
abundance of His kindness did beget us again to a living hope, through the
rising again of Jesus Christ out of the dead,”
Meaning
of Words: “blessed”: adorable; “mercy”: compassion; “resurrection”:
raised to life again, rise from the dead, a standing up again; “begotten … again”:
bear again, regenerate; “living”:
alive; “hope”:
expectation;
Literal
Meaning: “blessed be the God the Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ”, “blessed”, it is an expression of utter fear and adoration for
God Himself and His works; “the Lord Jesus Christ”: His whole name; “the Lord”:
He is the ruler of our life; “Jesus”: He is savior of sinners; “Christ”: He is
the One on whom believers rely;
We believers are submit to the Lord Jesus Christ (see v.2), for He is
our God and His Father is our Father.
“Who according to his abundant mercy”, “mercy”, it is compassion raised
by one side to those who are unworthy of mercy. We are not lovable according to
our conditions before God, so we need “the abundant mercy” of God so that we
may receive the divine grace.
“Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”, the “death” of Jesus Christ is redemptive
death for our transgressions. “Resurrection”, on one hand, it shows that God
has accepted His redemptive works so that we shall be justified through Him
(see
“Has begotten us again”, “begotten again”, it means that one has obtained
the divine life besides his natural life.
“To a living hope”,
“living”: alive; “hope”, in the Scriptures, hope does not refer to vain
expectation, but firm hope of the future; “a living hope”, it is related to the
new life that we have obtained: 1) hope comes from the divine life; 2) it is
not hope for objective things, but hope in subjective life; 3) the eternal life
of God has substantiated the hope; 4) hope also facilitates the growth of the
divine life in believers.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Believers shall give the priority to
blessings in all tribulations and afflictions. This is the secret of overcoming
tribulations (see v.6-7).
2) Since the sins and wickedness of us are so
“great” before God ---- great stubbornness and great rebellion, we need God’s
“abundant mercy” to be saved.
3) Only those who have been regenerated have
the living hope, for there is no hope without Christ (see Eph. 2:12; 1Thess.
4:13).
4) The greatest hope of believers is
inheritance reserved for us in heaven (v.4).
5) The living hope is the way for believers to
be perfected and established and strengthened in tribulations (see 5:10).
Pet. 1:4 “to an inheritance
incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for
you,”
YLT:
“Blessed the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, according to the
abundance of His kindness did beget us again to a living hope, through the
rising again of Jesus Christ out of the dead,”
Meaning
of Words: “incorruptible”: immortal, undecaying; “undefiled”: unsoiled, pure; “does not fade away”: perpetual; “reserve”: keep, preserve; “inheritance”: possession;
Literal
Meaning: “incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away”, it shows that the nature of the
inheritance is too glorious and rich to describe on the positive side.
Therefore, the wittier describes the eternal and glorious and superior nature
on the “passive” side only.
“Incorruptible” emphasizes the abiding nature of the inheritance.
“Undefiled” describes the perfect nature of the inheritance. “That does not
fade away”, it emphasizes the superior nature of the inheritance.
“To an inheritance … reserved in heaven for you”, “to …”, it explains
the object of the hope (see v.3); “reserved”, it is reserved and kept by God;
“in heaven”, it is earthly things, but heavenly and spiritual things.
“Inheritance”, it is the essence of believers’ hope. This verse describes the
specialties of this inheritance.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Christians do not seek the inheritance that
is transient and impure and may devalue, but the inheritance that is abiding
and perfect and firm in heaven.
2) When we walk on the earth now, we shall aim
at laying up treasures in heaven (see Matt. 6:20) instead of caring for the
earthly gain or loss.
Pet. 1:5 “who are kept by the power
of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
YLT:
“who, in the power of God are being guarded, through faith, unto salvation,
ready to be revealed in the last time,”
Meaning
of Words: “kept”: guard, watch;
“ready”: prepared; “reveal”: disclose; “salvation”: deliverance, saving; “in
the last time”: in the final time;
Literal
Meaning: “who are kept by the power of God through
faith”, “through faith”, it shows that our faith is the precondition of our
being kept by God; “are kept”, it does not equal to not being tried, but means
being tried without failure.
“For salvation ready to be revealed in the last time”, “in the last
time”: in the second coming of Christ; “salvation”: salvation in the Scriptures
can be classified into three sorts at least (2Cor. 1:10): 1) in the past ----
what believers had obtained when they were saved (see Titus 3:5; Luke 19:9); 2)
at present ---- what believers are obtaining and undergoing (see v.9; Phil.
2:12); 3) the future ---- what believers shall receive fully when Christ comes
again (see Rom. 13:11; Heb. 9:28). Salvation in this verse refers to the third
sort.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) None of the elect of God shall be lost.
Those who had been chosen before the foundation of the world are saved in this
age and will be kept into the coming eternity. Believers in Christ shall be
kept forever.
2) Our being kept is totally because of the
power of God. And our faith is also indispensable. We have to hold fast the
power of God through faith that the power of God will be worked in us (see
Matt. 17:20; Phil. 4:13).
3) Our faith paves the way the power of God.
The train of God’s power is only driven on the rails of faith.
Pet. 1:6 “In this you greatly
rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by
various trials,”
YLT:
“in which ye are glad, a little now, if it be necessary, being made to sorrow
in manifold trials,”
Meaning
of Words: “greatly
rejoice”: exult, with
exceeding joy; “various”: manifold; “trials”: try; “for a little while”: a short season, a
little; “grieve”: distress, be sad;
Literal
Meaning: “in this you greatly rejoice”, “in this”, it
contains two aspects of meaning: 1) in the condition of various above-mentioned
spiritual attainments from verse three to five; 2) at the revelation of the
perfect salvation mentioned in verse five; “greatly rejoice”: be with exceeding
joy. And the time of joy varies according to different interpretations of “in
this…” ---- one is the present joy and the other is the coming joy.
“Though
now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials”, “various trials”: trials of all forms;
“though now for a little while if need be”, here it indicates three
characteristics of trial: 1) with its purpose; 2) uncertain; 3) transient; “be
grieved”, it shows that the trials are so heavy that men are made sorrowful.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Afflictions that men in the world are
suffering are merely a herald of the eternal torment they will suffer in hell.
However, believers’ afflictions are not without any reason or in vain.
2) “For a little while”, it indicates the
transient nature of “trials”. All trials are merely a way instead of purpose
and a process instead of end.
3) The devil often deprives our eternal
blessing (see Philem. 15) by some temporary joy. However, if we look upon the
eternal things, we will see lightly the present temporary sufferings or joy.
Pet. 1:7 “that the genuineness of
your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is
tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of
Jesus Christ,”
YLT:
“that the proof of your faith -- much more precious than of gold that is
perishing, and through fire being approved -- may be found to praise, and
honour, and glory, in the revelation of Jesus Christ,”
Meaning
of Words: “tested”: tried;
“perish”: destroy, die, lose; “more precious”: more honorable, more esteemed,
more valuable;
Literal
Meaning: “that the genuineness of your faith”, “your faith”, it means that our faith is
the object of various trials (see v.6); “it is tested”, it means that the
purpose of trials is not destroying our faith, but proving our faith, or
purifying the nature of our faith.
“Being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested
by fire”, “it is tested by fire”, here it describes the afflictions of various
trials (see v.6) by the fire that tries gold; “gold that perishes”, gold is of
no eternal value even though it has been tried. It is a contrast to the
permanence of faith. “Being much more precious”, there are two explanations: 1)
it relates to faith itself ---- faith that has been tried is much more precious
than gold that is tried; 2) it refers to the way ---- the trial of faith is
much more precious than the trail of gold. The author prefers to the first one.
It is the pure faith that is precious and endures forever.
“May be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus
Christ”, “at the revelation of Jesus Christ”: in the Lord’s second coming;
“praise”: the Lord’s approval (see Matt; 25:21); “honor”: partake of the Lord’s
glory (see Rom. 8:17); “glory”: be worthy of glory in the sight of the Lord
(see Rev. 3:21).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The trial of gold is for the purpose of
removing dross and making it purer and more precious. Likewise, our faith will
also be much more precious after trials.
2) Since faith is much more precious after the
trials of fire, the trials of fire are also precious, for they can purify our
faith.
3) True faith is not shaken though it passes
through tribulations as sorrowful as fire. Any doubt about God in adverse
situations shows that faith is not genuine.
4) True faith will be found to praise, honor
and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Every trial of faith of believers
will be rewarded by God in the future.
Pet. 1:8 “whom having not seen you
love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy
inexpressible and full of glory,”
YLT:
“whom, not having seen, ye love, in whom, now not seeing and believing, ye are
glad with joy unspeakable and glorified,”
Meaning
of Words: “seen”: be aware,
behold; “inexpressible”: unspeakable, unutterable; “full of glory”: obtain
glory;
Literal
Meaning: “whom having not seen you love”, “you”:
believers besides the early disciples; “having not seen”: have not seen the
Lord Jesus in the flesh; “love” refers to the love working out of faith (see
Gal. 5:6).
“Though now you do not see Him, yet believing”, “do not see”: enable to
see by the physical eyes; “yet believing”: by the eyes of faith (see 2Cor. 5:7;
Heb. 12:2);
“You rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory”, “inexpressible”:
the joy is too great to describe; “full of glory”: the joy is not common, but
full of glory;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Faith is our spiritual eyes (see 2Cor. 5:7)
that enables us to see the Lord whom cannot be seen by physical eyes so that we
can have intimate fellowship with Him and love Him.
2) “Faith working through love has force” (Gal.
5:6). Love because of faith instead of sight must be accepted by God.
3) Faith is the reason why we have great joy
(see v.6) in various trials. This is just the joy of believers.
4) Christians’ joy does not rest with the
earthly situations, but Christ who has been raised and highly exalted and
seated himself at the right hand of God. No one can deprive the joy of saints,
just like no one can pull Christ down the glorious throne.
Pet. 1:9 “receiving the end of your
faith--the salvation of your souls.”
YLT:
“receiving the end of your faith -- salvation of souls;”
Meaning
of Words: “receive”: obtain;
“end”: result;
Literal
Meaning: “receiving the end of your faith”,
“receiving”: the present tense shows that it does not refer to something that
you have received in the past, but something that you are receiving or have
received. “The end of your faith”, when our faith is tried (see v.7), there
will be en end that we have never received.
“The salvation of your souls”, when we had believed the Lord Jesus, we
had obtained the salvation of spirit, namely, regeneration (see v.3, 23).
However, the salvation of our souls is going on. Therefore, the Lord teaches us
that if we desire to follow Him, we have to deny ourselves and lose our life
for the Lord’s sake and then we will obtain our life (Matt. 16:24-25). It is in
keeping with the teaching of this chapter ---- “faith shall be tried by fire
(see v.6-7) and then believers shall “obtain the perfect salvation” (see v.5).
Note: since many theologists in Christianity do not confess the
distinction between spirit and soul, they explain “the salvation of soul” as
“the salvation of the whole person” to show the difference from “regeneration”
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Believers have obtained the new spiritual
life when they were born again. However, their natural soul life should
experience the salvation and be more delivered from “selves”.
2) The salvation of soul is closely related
with our faith. One can only obtain the salvation of soul by strong and firm
faith ---- he that has endured to the end, he shall be saved (Matt. 24:13).
Pet. 1:10 “Of this salvation the
prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that
would come to you,”
YLT:
“concerning which salvation seek out and search out did prophets who concerning
the grace toward you did prophecy,”
Meaning
of Words: “prophesied”: speak under inspiration; “inquired and searched
carefully”; search out, seek
after, enquire;
Literal
Meaning: “of this salvation the prophets …who
prophesied of the grace that would come to you”, “of this salvation”: the perfect salvation
including the salvation of soul; “the prophets who prophesied”: the prophets in
the Old Testament, whose prophecies are recorded in the Scriptures; “you”: believers
in the New Testament; “of the grace”: obtain the perfect salvation;
“Have
inquired and searched carefully”, “inquired …carefully”: seek the answer
carefully and earnestly; “searched”: explore and investigate to seek the right
answer;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The prophets did not prophesy without
foundation, but prophesied after careful seeking and searching. Preachers who
speak for God today should put in time and effort to search the Scriptures.
2) The revelation of God tends to here and
there. If we desire to understand the will of God, we have to seek and search
carefully so as to obtain the perfect and right answer.
Pet. 1:11 “searching what, or what
manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He
testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would
follow.”
YLT:
“searching in regard to what or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ that
was in them was manifesting, testifying beforehand the sufferings of Christ and
the glory after these,”
Meaning
of Words: “sufferings”:
afflictions, tribulations; “testified
beforehand”: testified
previously;
Literal
Meaning:
“searching the Spirit of Christ who was in them”, “the Spirit of Christ” suggests Christ had
relation with men in the times of Old Testament (see John 8:58) and that the
works of the Spirit are for the purpose of glorifying Christ and testifying
Christ (see John 15:26; 16:14); “searching the Spirit … in them”, it indicates
that seeking and searching the Spirit inspiring them in them until when they
had truly understood the Spirit.
“What,
or what manner of time”, “what…time”, the
preordained time, e.g. when the Lord Jesus came to the world (see Gal. 4:4) and
when he died (see 1Cor. 15:3); “what manner of time”: the condition and process
that can be distinguished by men, e.g. how the Lord rose up three days later
(see Matt. 27:63) and how he was taken up to the heaven and glorified (see Acts
1:9) and how he revealed in glory in His second coming (see 4:13; Acts 1:11;
1Thess. 4:16).
“Was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings
of Christ and the glories that would follow”, “sufferings” and “glories” are in the plural, referring to all the
sufferings He had suffered (including His suffering in humanity and the
suffering of crucifixion etc.) and all gloried He would obtain (including His
glory of resurrection (see v.21) and ascension and second coming (see 4:13)).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) When the evil spirits work rampantly now,
Christians should not speak flippantly according to inspirations, but shall
make judgment (see 1Cor. 14:29) lest we should be taken in by the evil spirits.
2) Christians should spend their time in both
reading the Scriptures and searching the indwelling spirits so as to understand
the will of God.
3) Christ Himself suffered first and then was
glorified. We followers of Him shall still suffer with Him first and then be
glorified with Him (Rom. 8:17).
4) Revelation and guidance of the Spirit are so
detailed that even “time” and “manner” are not ignored. Therefore, when we seek
the will of God, we shall not be satisfied with the preliminary attainment
only.
Pet. 1:12 “To them it was revealed
that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now
have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by
the Holy Spirit sent from heaven--things which angels desire to look into.”
YLT:
“to whom it was revealed, that not to themselves, but to us they were
ministering these, which now were told to you (through those who did proclaim
good news to you,) in the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, to which things
messengers do desire to bend looking.”
Meaning
of Words: “reveal”: disclose,
manifest; “minister”: search; “by”: through; “preach”: declare, announce; “look
into”: lean over, stoop down, bend beside;
Literal
Meaning: “to them it was revealed that”,
reveal by God the hidden secret to men;
“Not to themselves, but to us”, “but to us”, prophecies of the prophets in the
Old Testament concerning Christ were for the purpose of men in the Old
Testament.
“Those who have preached the
gospel to you by the Holy Spirit
sent from
heaven—”, “by the Holy
Spirit”, not only were prophets in the Old Testament revealed by the Spirit
(see v.11) but also believers in the New Testament preached the gospel by the
Spirit. “Gospel” here especially refers to Jesus Christ and the good news of
salvation by Him;
“Things which angels desire to look into”, “look into”: bend down to search carefully
the thing that one does nor understand (see John 20:5, 11); “things” refer to
the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow;
Things recorded in the Scriptures that
“angels” will look into: 1) the experience of God’s servants (1Cor. 4:9); 2)
believers’ attitude (1Cor. 11:10); 3) Incarnation (1Tim. 3:16); 4) sufferings
of Christ and the glories that would follow (1Pet. 11-12);
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Preacher shall serve in the mind of “serving
for men not for oneself”.
2) No Spirit, no revelation (see v.11). And no
Spirit, no efficacious preachment of the gospel.
3) The angels look into things concerning
Christ as well as the saints. Therefore, we shall walk as become saints for the
sake of the angels (see Eph. 5:3).
Pet. 1:13 “Therefore gird up the
loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is
to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;”
YLT:
“Wherefore having girded up the loins of your mind, being sober, hope perfectly
upon the grace that is being brought to you in the revelation of Jesus Christ,”
Meaning
of Words: “gird up”: bind, tie
up; “sober”: discreet; “fully”: without wavering; “hope”: expectation;
Literal
Meaning: “therefore gird up the loins of your mind”,
“the loins of your mind”, “gird up the loins”, be ready to do something with
mighty strength (see 1King 18:46; 2King 4:29; Ex. 12:11; Lev. 1:17). The whole
verse means we shall wait for the master as the servants “who gird up the
loins” (Luke 12:35) and prepare our mind like the soldiers “who gird up their
loins with truth” (Eph. 6:14).
“Be sober”, keep watching and discreet in mind and not be distracted by
earthly affairs nor be deceived by heresies (see 2Pet. 2:1; Gal. 3:1). Let us
be sober and watch in everything (see 2Tim. 4:5; 1Thess. 5:6).
“And rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at
the revelation of Jesus Christ”, “hope fully”: hope without wavering; “at the
revelation of Jesus Christ”: in the second coming of the Lord; “the grace that
is to be brought to you”: the perfect salvation (see v.5);
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Temperance instead of overindulgence should
be given to our mind.
2) All works of men are out of their mind.
Therefore, we have to prepare our mind and gird up it so as to be guidance of
others.
3) The loins of our mind should be girded up
with truth. That is to say, our mind shall be limited and controlled by the
truth. Thus, we are counted as men who really hope for and wait for the Lord.
4) Once the loins of mind are girded up, our
mind will not wander and we will certainly rest our hope fully upon the Lord.
5) It is the way of defense in spiritual
warfare of keeping sober in mind and not being confused by any deceit.
6) The greatest hope of believers is the
revelation of Jesus Christ and the grace that is to be brought to us at His
revelation.
Pet. 1:14 “as obedient children, not
conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance;”
YLT:
“as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves to the former desires in your
ignorance,”
Meaning
of Words: “obedient”: submissive; “conform”: transform, fashion self according to…, conform
to the same pattern; “lusts”: concupiscence, desires;
Literal
Meaning: “as obedient children”, “obedient children”:
it means that we have become the children of God (see John 1:12) by the union
with God in life because of obedience to Jesus Christ (see v.2).
“Not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance”,
“former”: when we did not believe the Lord; “ignorance”: the spiritual darkness
and ignorance of those who have not known God in the power of darkness (see
Acts 26:18); “lusts”: walk according to the flesh, not conscience (see Eph.
2:3; 4:19);
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) On one hand, we have firstly got the holy
life and then obey God (see v.2). And on the other hand, we have firstly obeyed
the truth of Christ and then obtain holy conversation.
2) “As obedient children”, it does not mean
blind obedience to anyone, but obedience to the will of God the Father and the
truth. When man’s views and acts are against the will of God and the truth, God
must be obeyed rather than men (Acts 5:29; see 4:19).
3) Christians are no longer those who “are in
ignorance”, for the unction of the Lord teaches us of all things (1John 2:27).
Therefore, we shall walk according to the teaching of the unction.
Pet. 1:15 “but as He who called you
is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,”
YLT:
“but according as He who did call you holy, ye also, become holy in all
behaviour,”
Meaning
of Words: “holy”: separated,
hallowed; “conduct”: walking, conversation;
Literal
Meaning: “but as He who called you is holy”,
“called”, it means that he who is called shall seek the goal set by the one who
calls him; “holy”, holiness is that goal;
“Holy” means separation unto God from all things outside of God, namely,
not be defiled by the world nor have friendship with the world (2Cor. 6:17;
James 4:4).
“You also be holy in all your conduct”, “all your conduct”: all your
daily conversation; “be holy”, here “holy” is different from “sanctification”
in verse two. The former (holy) refers to the holiness in subjective
experience, and the latter (sanctification) refers to the holiness in objective
position. In other words, the former (holy) relates to the holy conversation,
and the latter (sanctification) relates to the holy life.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) God has not called us to uncleanness, but in
sanctification (1Thess. 4:7),
2) The special point of Christianity is
provision first and then demand. God has firstly given us the holy life and
then demands us to be holy in our daily conversation.
3) The life given by God has the holy nature.
If we live according to the holy life, the holy conversation will be naturally
manifested.
Pet. 1:16 “because it is written,
"Be holy, for I am holy."”
YLT:
“because it hath been written, `Become ye holy, because I am holy;'”
Meaning
of Words: “written”: recorded;
Literal
Meaning: “because it is written”, the following word
is quoted from the Book of Leviticus (11:44; 19:2; 20:7 etc.)
“Be holy”, this is the requirement of God for those who are of Him; we
believers have been sanctified in position (see v.2), but we still have to seek
holiness in life experience (Heb. 12:14).
“For I am holy”, “I am holy”, holy is the disposition of God, and He
pleases all those who are of Him are holy (see 1Thess. 4:3).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Holiness plays an important role in the
relationship between believers and God. Without holiness, no one shall see the
Lord (Heb. 12:14).
2) There are two secrets of Christians’
holiness in daily conversation: the Holy Spirit and the Holy Bible. The Spirit
in us provides us the power of holiness (see 2Thess. 2:13), and the Holy Bible
leads us to be holy (see v.22; John 17:17).
Pet. 1:17 “And if you call on the
Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct
yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear;”
YLT:
“and if on the Father ye do call, who without acceptance of persons is judging
according to the work of each, in fear the time of your sojourn pass ye,”
Meaning
of Words: “conduct”: walk, act;
“throughout the time of”: during;
Literal
Meaning: “and if you call on the Father, who without
partiality judges according to each one’s work”, “without partiality”: without
respect of persons (see James 2:1, 4), namely, impartiality --- without acceptance
of persons (see
“Conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear”, “in
fear”: it refers to being in fear of God the Father and being afraid of sinning
against Him to hurt His heart more than fearing the punishment after judgment;
“throughout the time of your stay”, Christians live in the world with the
attitude that the world is not my home (see v.1; Heb. 11:13, 16);
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) If we do not walk according to the life
given by the “Father”, we will be under the severe judgment of the “Lord”
according to His righteousness.
2) Many believers fall in grace for they have
only godly appearance but no power of godliness. However, salvation does not
lie in appearance but in heart.
3) If the children of God have normal and sound
fear in God’s administration, they will surely have normal and sound life.
4) Christians are sojourners in the world, so
they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world
passes away (1Cor. 7:31). Let us seek things that can be brought to eternal
world.
Pet. 1:18 “knowing that you were not
redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless
conduct received by tradition from your fathers,”
YLT:
“having known that, not with corruptible things -- silver or gold -- were ye
redeemed from your foolish behaviour delivered by fathers,”
Meaning
of Words: “redeem”: delivered,
set free; “by tradition from your fathers”: successional; “aimless”: vain,
empty, fruitless;
Literal
Meaning: “knowing that you were …redeemed”, “were
redeemed”: be delivered to freedom at a price; here according to the context,
the price refers to the precious blood of Christ (see v.19); we are redeemed
from the aimless conduct received by tradition from our fathers.
“From your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers”,
“aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers”: the evil conduct of
idolatry by tradition from fathers; note that the aimless conduct is opposite
to holy conduct in verse 15.
“Not with corruptible things like silver or gold”, “silver or gold”
represents priceless wealth in the world; no matter it is tangible or
intangible, it will be depreciated, so it is “corruptible”.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The redemption of the Lord Jesus has
delivered us from not only the bondage of sins but also the slavery to rules
and traditions and customs.
2) The old conduct of us had been yielded to
the lusts (see v.14), so it is meaningless and aimless. Let us turn to the holy
life thereafter.
Pet. 1:19 “but with the precious
blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”
YLT:
“but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and unspotted -- Christ's
--”
Meaning
of Words: “without
blemish”: faultless,
without fault; “without
spot”: unspotted;
Literal
Meaning: “but with the precious blood of Christ”,
“the precious blood of Christ” refers to the blood shedding from the cross: 1)
sinless; 2) priceless; 3) precious;
“As of a lamb without blemish and without spot”, “without blemish”: the
perfection by nature; “without spot”: the perfect in appearance; “lamb”, it
shows that Christ is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (John
1:29). The blood of Christ is unblemished and unspotted, so it is able to purify
the conscience of men (Heb.9:14) and redeem men.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The crucified Christ is the lamb of the
Passover for us (1Cor. 5:7). We are enabled to enter into the holies by the
blood of Jesus with boldness (Heb. 10:19).
2) The priceless nature of the blood of Christ
decides the peerless effect of it. The more believers cherish and appreciate
the value of the precious blood, the more believers shall be in fear, daring
not to despise the redemption by the precious blood.
Pet. 1:20 “He indeed was
foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last
times for you”
YLT:
“foreknown, indeed, before the foundation of the world, and manifested in the
last times because of you,”
Meaning
of Words: “foreordained”: foreknown; “manifest”: reveal;
Literal
Meaning: “He indeed was foreordained before the
foundation of the world”, “the foundation of the world”: in the past eternity
and long before the history of human beings; “foreordained”: Christ not only
existed in the past eternity but also was foreordained to fulfill the
ministries appointed by God.
“But was manifest in these last times for you”, “in the last times”, it
is different from “the last time” in verse five. Here, the last times refer to
the last days (see Acts 2:17) ---- the Lord’s first coming had already brought
the last days (see 2Tim. 3:1); “manifest”: Christ was incarnated and came to
the world (see 1Tim. 3:16; John 1:31; 1John 3:5, 8; Heb. 9:26).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The incarnation and sufferings of Jesus
Christ are not a sudden though of God, but are according to the determinate
counsel and foreknowledge ---- everything of Jesus Christ had been early
ordained in eternity in the counsel of God (Eph. 1:9-10; 3:9-11; 2Tim. 1:9;
Mark 8:31; Luke 22:22; 24:26, 44; Acts 26:23).
2) In the eternal sight of God, Jesus Christ
had been slain for the sin of men from the foundation of the world (see Rev.
13:8) and is as slain till now (Rev. 5:6).
3) Christ was manifested “for us”. All His
activities and words are for the sake of us and are related to us, so let us
not neglect His words and deeds recorded in the four Gospels.
4) Since the works Christ had fulfilled on the
earth were preordained before the foundation of the world, they have eternal
value.
Pet. 1:21 “who through Him believe
in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and
hope are in God.”
YLT:
“who through him do believe in God, who did raise out of the dead, and glory to
him did give, so that your faith and hope may be in God.”
Literal
Meaning: “who through Him believe in God, who raised
Him from the dead and gave Him glory”, “through Him believe in God”, “Him”
refers to Christ who was manifested (see v.20). We are enabled to know and
believe in God through Christ; “who raised Him from the dead”, it meant that
the mighty power of God was working in Christ so that He was raised from the
dead (see Eph. 1:20); “gave Him glory”, it means that God shares glory with
Christ (see John 17:1, 22, 24).
“So that your faith and hope are in God”, “faith” enables us to receive
everything God has prepared for us (see John 1:12) and will substantiate them
(see Heb. 11:1). “Hope” enables us to suffer everything that God has appointed
to us and turns them to our profit (see 1Thess. 1:3; Rom. 8:25, 28). “Are in
God”, it means that all things are of Him and through Him and to Him (
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Christ is the way and the truth and the life.
No one can come to God unless by Christ (John 14:6). Christ is the leader and
finisher of our faith. No one can believe in God unless by Christ (see
Heb.2:2).
2) Christ is everything of us (see
3) Faith and hope granted by God to Christians
are vital source of joy for them to be sojourners in the world (see v.8, 3) as
well as the source of power for them to live our salvation (see Heb. 10:22-23).
Besides, faith and hope are the guarantee for Christians to seek the salvation
that will reveal (see v.5, 13).
Pet. 1:22 “Since you have purified
your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the
brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,”
YLT:
“Your souls having purified in the obedience of the truth through the Spirit to
brotherly love unfeigned, out of a pure heart one another love ye earnestly,”
Meaning
of Words: “purify: cleanse;
“soul”: life; “sincere”: true; “fervently”: earnestly; “love one another”: love
one another with the divine love;
Literal
Meaning: “since you have purified your souls in
obeying the truth through the Spirit”, “obeying the truth”: believe in and obey
the truth that sanctifies men, namely, trust and obey the word of God’s truth
(see John 17:17); “have purified your souls”: it is different from cleansing
sins (see Heb. 1:3; John 1:7) ---- purifying one’s soul is purifying our inner
disposition, and cleansing sins is cleaning our outer deeds.
“In sincere love of the brethren”, “love of
the brethren (
“Love one another fervently with a pure heart”, “love (agapao) one another”, it is
unconditional love that one is willing to love others in spite of sacrificing
of himself. Therefore, the second “love” is a contrast to the previous “love of
the brethren”.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) If we know the truth but do not do the
truth, the truth profits us nothing. Many people receive the truth with brain,
not by heart. It is no wonder that the truth has little influence on them.
2) Obedience to the truth is obedience to
Christ (2Cor. 10:5). Obedience to Christ is magnifying the Lord (Luke 1:46) and
letting Him rule and dominate our life and activities.
3) The purification of our inner life and daily
life should be started from the purification of “heart”, for all filthy words
are uttered from heart (Matt. 15:18-20).
4) Our obedience to God should be manifested in
love of men. The first is the conditional “friendly love” and then is the
unconditional “divine love”; and the first is sincere love and then is the
fervent love; and the first is the love profiting both oneself and others, and
then is the love profiting others only.
5) Let us not love with word, nor with tongue,
but in deed and in truth (1John 3:18).
Pet. 1:23 “having been born again,
not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives
and abides forever,”
YLT:
“being begotten again, not out of seed corruptible, but incorruptible, through
a word of God -- living and remaining -- to the age;”
Meaning
of Words: “corruptible”: perishable; “incorruptible”: inperishable; “lives”: living, alive; “abide”:
dwell;
Literal
Meaning: “having been born again”, “having been
born”, it is passive in the original, which shows that rebirth is not in man’s
works but in the divine power; there are two aspects of such power: 1)
resurrection through Jesus Christ from the dead (see v.3); 2) through the word
of God which lives and abides forever;
“Not of corruptible seed but incorruptible”, “corruptible seed” refers
to all the seeds of life on the earth, all of which will decay; “incorruptible
seed” refers to the word of God which lives and abides, namely, the living word
of God (Luke 8:11; James 1:18). The word of God has the life of God (see John
6:63), and the life of God enters into men through the word of God.
“Through the word of God which lives and abides forever”, “word”: the
abiding word (logos): the objective word; the word of God is living and
abiding.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The word of God not only makes us reborn but
also keeps our life. Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that
proceeds out of the mouth of God (Matt. 4:4).
2) The word of God is living and operative and
sharper than any two-edged sword and is able to manifest and discern all (see
Heb. 4:12).
3) The word of God is abiding (see Is. 40:8).
And His word shall in no wise pass away (Matt. 24:35).
Pet. 1:24 “because "All flesh
is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass
withers, And its flower falls away,”
YLT:
“because all flesh as grass, and all glory of man as flower of grass; wither
did the grass, and the flower of it fell away,”
Meaning
of Words: “glory”: honor; “wither”: dry up, pine away; “falls away”: drop away, fail;
Literal
Meaning: “because "All flesh is as grass”, “because” here the
quotation of the word of the Book of Isaiah (40:6-8) is a contrast with “the
living and abiding word of God” as well as “the incorruptible sees”; “all
flesh” refers to the life of men in the flesh; “as grass”: man’s life is like
the grass, fragile and transient (see Ps. 90:5-6; Is. 51:12).
“And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass”, “glory”: things worthy of boast in this
age, e.g. beauty, fame, treasure and achievements etc. “As the flower of the
grass”, the appearance is beautiful but cannot endure forever.
“The grass withers, And its flower falls away”, “grass withers”, it indicates that life is
impermanent; “its flower falls away”, it shows that things of this age can not
endure.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Wealth and rank that men have obtained in
life and all the honor that men boast of are only as the flowers of the grass,
turning out to be transitory and vain (Eccl. 2:11).
2) Everything out of the flesh done for the
fleshly life cannot be brought into eternity. However, everything out of the
word of God or done for the new life shall endure forever.
3) Things that are apparently good may not be
good in fact. Concerning spiritual things, inner reality is more important than
outer appearance (see Matt. 23:23-28).
Pet. 1:25 “But the word of the LORD
endures forever." Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to
you.”
YLT:
“and the saying of the Lord doth remain -- to the age; and this is the saying
that was proclaimed good news to you.”
Meaning
of Words: “word”: “rhema” in
the original;
Literal
Meaning: “but the word of the LORD endures forever”,
it is the quotation of the verse of the Book of Isaiah (40:8) again (see v.24);
“the word of the LORD” refers to the word of God. Here, it is the ongoing word
of God, which is different from the general and abiding word of God; “endure
forever”: the word of God abides forever (Is. 40:8).
“Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you”, “the
word”, the word which by the gospel was preached by the apostles had become the
word of God, for what they preached was “the word of Christ” (see
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Our salvation and life principles must be
built upon the word of God. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of
God.
2) Preachers who speak for God should firstly
be inspired by the Spirit and receive the word of God and then preach it out so
that the hearers will hear the word of God.
3) The Bible is the word of God abiding and
general word. If we read the Bible with a right attitude, it will become the
ongoing word of God and manifest its effect on us, and thus we will receive and
experience God’s word personally
III.
Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons
Identities of Christians in the World
A. Who are in dispersion ---- “of the
Dispersion” (v.1);
B. Who are pilgrims ---- “pilgrims” (v.1),
“throughout the time of your stay” (v.17);
C. Who are elect of God ---- “elect” (v.2);
D. Who are obedient people ---- “obedience to Jesus Christ”(v.2),
“as obedient children” (v.14), “obeying the truth” (v.22);
E. Who are saints ---- “sanctification” (v.2),
“be holy” (v.15-16);
F. Who are new people ---- “has begotten us again” (v.3),
“having been born again” (v.23);
G. Who are blessed people ---- “who are kept by the power of God
through faith” (v.5);
The Relationship of the Holy Trinity with us
A. God the Father:
1. Elect according to God the Father (v.2);
2. Ha has begotten us again according to His
abundant mercy (v.3-4);
3. He kept us by the power of God (v.5);
4. Our faith and hope are in God (v.21);
B. Jesus Christ:
1. Christ has completed the salvation by
sufferings (v.11);
2. He has redeemed us by His blood (v.2,
18-19);
3. He has begotten us again by His resurrection
(v.3, 23);
4. He will reveal again and bring grace to us
(v.7, 13);
C. The Holy Spirit:
1. The gospel is preached to us by the Spirit
(v.12);
2. Sanctification of the Spirit (v.2);
3. The Spirit dwells in believers (v.11);
Reasons Why Christians Have to Suffer
Tribulations
A. Because it is the will of God, who has
chosen us (v.2-5);
B. Because our faith shall be tried to be much
more precious (v.6-9);
C. Because the Lord Jesus had set us an example
of sufferings first and the glories that would follow (v.10-12);
Three Stages of the Salvation
A. Fulfillment in the past ---- regeneration
(v.3);
B. Provision at present ---- living hope (v.3);
C. Inheritance in the future ---- obtain the
inheritance reserved in heaven (v.4);
Four Real Incorruptible Spiritual Things
A. Incorruptible inheritance reserved for us in
heaven (v.3-4);
B. The genuineness of faith is much more
precious than gold that perishes (v.7);
C. The precious blood rather than corruptible
things like silver or gold redeemed us (v.18-19);
D. Incorruptible seed is the living and abiding
word of God (v.23);
The Nature of Christians’ “Hope”
A. Which is “a living hope” (v.3);
B. Which is a hope “of obtaining the
inheritance in heaven”(v.4);
C. Which is a hope of salvation ready to be
revealed in the last time (v.5, 13);
D. Which is a hope of God (v.21);
Reasons for Believers’ Regeneration
A. According to the great mercy of God the
Father (v.3);
B. Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ
(v.3);
C. Because of the incorruptible seed ---- the
living and abiding word of God (v.23);
D. The gospel preached to us is the word
(v.25);
Four Kinds of Obtainment of Believers
A. Obtain grace: obtain the salvation ready to
be revealed in the last time (v.5);
B. Obtain power: be kept by the power of God
(v.5);
C. Obtain joy: rejoice with joy inexpressible
by faith in Him (v.8);
D. Obtain glory: be found to praise, honor and
glory (v.7);
Four Reasons for Christians’ Joy
A. Rejoice because of hope (v.5-6);
B. Rejoice because of trials (v.6; see Zech.
1:2);
C. Rejoice because of love (v.8);
D. Rejoice because of faith (v.8);
Three Aspects of Faith
A. Preservation of faith ---- “who are kept by
the power of God through faith” (v.5);
B. Trials of faith ---- “the genuineness of
faith …being much more precious” (v.7);
C. Effect of faith ---- “receiving the end of
your faith – the salvation of your souls” (v.9);
The Amazing Salvation
A. Which is prophesied by the prophets:
1. They had obtained revelation (v.12);
2. They had inquired and searched carefully …
the Spirit of Christ (v.10-11);
3. They testified beforehand and preached
(v.11-12);
B. Which is preached by the apostles:
1. By the Holy Spirit sent from heaven;
2. Have preached the gospel to you ---- things
which now have been reported to you (v.12);
C. Which is the thing that the angels desire to
look into (v.12);
Steps of Preaching the Word of God
A. Inquired and searched carefully things of
one is inspired (v.10);
B. Search “the Spirit of Christ” who was in the
preacher (v.11);
C. Be revealed and testify beforehand the
revelation (v.11-12);
D. Know the objects of preachments (v.12b);
E. By the Holy Spirit sent from heaven (v.12b)
---- by the pouring out and anointing of the Holy Spirit;
F. “Preach” these things to proper target
audience (v
Gird up the Loins of Mind
A. Be sober and rest one’s hope fully upon the
revelation of Jesus Christ (v.13);
B. Purify one’s soul and be holy in all his
conduct (v.15-16, 22);
C. Conduct oneself throughout the time of his
stay here in fear (v.17);
D. Love one another fervently with a pure heart
(v.22);
Works that the Obedient Children Are
Supposed to Have
A. Not conforming yourselves to the former
lusts as in your ignorance (v.14);
B. You also be holy in all your conduct (v.15);
C. Be redeemed from our aimless conduct
received by tradition from the fathers (v.18);
D. In sincere love of the brethren and love one
another fervently with a pure heart (v.22);
Why Shall We Be in Fear?
A. For it is the holy God that called us
(v.15-16);
B. For God is without partiality (v.17);
C. For God judges according to each one’s work
(v.17);
D. For the price of our redemption is precious
---- the precious blood of Christ (v.18-19);
Three Aspects of Holy Life
A. Toward God: obey the truth in fear (v.17,
22);
B. Toward oneself: purify one’s soul (v.22);
C. Toward men: love one another fervently
(v.22);
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Mary Zhou