1 Peter

Friday, 27 September 2019

…receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:9

Peter now completes the greater thought which began in verse 6 of this chapter, but of which a lesser thought is connected to the previous verse. Taken together the two verses say, “Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, ⁹ receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.”

The word translated as “receiving” simply means to carry or bear something. However, based on the context, it carries one of a couple different ideas. The first is that of receiving something back which belonged to a person. That is seen, for example, in Matthew 25:27. However, it is also receiving something that has been earned or recovered. This is what is Peter is speaking of here.

He says to his audience (meaning the saints) that you will be “receiving the end of your faith.” It is faith which brings the result. One does not receive what is promised based on works, living a particular type of life, or being better than another (grading on a bell curve), or any other such notion. It is faith alone by which one receives “the end” which Peter speaks of, which is “the salvation of your souls.”

The “end” or object of faith is what the faith is expectant of. One can have faith that putting money in the bank will result in a return on the principle through whatever interest rate is promised. One can have faith that starting a journey on a sailboat will bring him to his anticipated island getaway. The “end,” or object, of the Christian’s faith in Jesus Christ is salvation.

In short, sin is the problem. The law is how sin is made manifest, Jesus’ lived perfectly under the law and was found without sin, Jesus died in fulfillment of the law, and for the sins of those bound under the law (a principle known as substitutionary atonement which is authorized in the law), and therefore Jesus removes our sin debt. Jesus rose from the grave, having triumphed over death. In His resurrection, the proof of His sinless nature, and the proof of His acceptable substitutionary death for our sin is seen. In this, the person who believes in Christ’s work (demonstrating faith) is deemed justified and freed from sin’s penalty. And in this, the person is granted eternal life. In this declaration of justification by God, one is saved, which is the “end” of his faith.

Concerning this word, translated as “receiving,” Vincent’s Word Studies says, “Paul uses it of receiving the awards of judgment (2 Corinthians 5:10; Ephesians 6:8; Colossians 3:25). In Hebrews, it is used of receiving the promise (Hebrews 10:36; Hebrews 11:39), and of Abraham receiving back Isaac (Hebrews 11:19). Peter uses it thrice, and in each case of receiving the rewards of righteousness or of iniquity. See 1 Peter 5:4; 2 Peter 2:13.”

It should be noted that in this verse, this word komizó, or “receiving,” is a present participle in the Greek. Peter says in “believing,” (of verse 8), one is “receiving” (of verse 9). In other words, the deal is done. By an act of faith in what Christ has done, the salvation is received. How terrible it is that people add to the simple gospel, or that people attempt to divide the simple gospel into various categories (one gospel for the Jew & one gospel for the Gentile) instead of seeing that what God has done in Christ is a one-time act, based on faith, and it is a single gospel message for all people. Those who add to, or attempt to divide, this gospel will receive their just punishment for proclaiming “a different gospel, which is not another” (Galatians 1:6, 7). Be wise! Don’t listen to these false workers who teach their message of demons.

Life application: Positionally, those who have called on Jesus are already saved. We know this from a multitude of verses, for example –

“For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?” Romans 8:24

The action is completed in the sense that we need to do nothing else except wait to receive our final redemption. Until that day, let us act as if we really believe it. We should attend church – not to be blessed, but to worship out of gratitude. We should endure trials joyfully, knowing that even these serve a good purpose. We should sing in our hearts (and even with our lips!) as we walk along life’s path.

If you are forgetting to thank the Lord for the glory to come, take time today – even right now – to reflect on what is ahead, and then thank Him for the marvel of that Day! As Paul said in the Romans verse, “hope that is seen is not hope.” And as Peter shows, a day is coming when we will receive the end of our faith. This will be when our hope is changed to sight – that glorious day when Jesus Christ Himself calls us to the paradise He has prepared.

Get ready, Jesus is coming, and our eyes will behold the One who brought us to the end of our faith. Praise God! Jesus is coming and we shall be saved. Hallelujah and amen!

What a day! O, what a glorious and joyful day – O, happy day! Lord Jesus, what You have promised is worth all the waiting in the world. One day we will look upon Your majesty and bask in Your beauty for all eternity – saved from the stain of sin found in this temporary world. Praise to You, O Lord! Amen.

Thursday, 26 September 2019

…whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 1 Peter 1:8

Peter had just spoken of the faith of his audience. Someday that faith would be turned to sight. As he said, “at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Now he confirms that they are living by faith and not by sight with the words, “whom having not seen you love.” It is to be remembered that Peter had lived with Christ, experienced many marvelous things with Him, and yet that did not lessen the honor of those who had not seen Him. In fact, Peter certainly remembered the words of Jesus to Thomas –

“Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29

It very well may be that this is what was on Peter’s mind as he penned his words to the saints. He next says, “Though now you do not see Him.” This is a set of words which, although rather innocuous in nature, are to be taken literally for all whom he is writing to. As this includes any who read Scripture, and as Scripture is given to all for the establishment and building up of faith (Romans 10:17), it is to be taken that Peter’s words here apply to all – “Though you do not see Him.” It is a note that we live by faith and not by sight. It thus dispels claims by those who say they have had visions of Christ. Taken together with Jesus’ words to Thomas, this is a certainty.

Peter then expresses what should be considered an honor with the words, “yet believing.” These people had believed simply by having been told. There was no sight, and yet they accepted the message. The honor Jesus spoke of to Thomas is firmly established in those who have come to God through the word conveyed to them. And in this act of faith, Peter then says, “you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.”

The joy inexpressible is that joy which can only be felt inside. It is the absolute surety that the faith in the heart will lead to the sight of the eyes. It is a joy which understands that the pains and trials of this world are nothing when compared to the state of existence which lies ahead. And it is a joy which says, “Though death may come, it does not have the final say over my existence.” Words cannot fully express the joy which is anticipated in the faith of the believer.

The idea of the believer’s joy being “full of glory” is that of anticipation in the state which lies ahead. We can look at our bodies and see true wisdom in their construction. We can marvel how they heal themselves from cuts, bruises, diseases, and so on. But we also know that our bodies are corruptible and will wear out.

We will die and our bodies will return to the dust. However, what God promises in Christ is a glory which is beyond our ability to imagine. We shall be like Christ, rising from the dead with eternal bodies. Such is just a small sampling of what the words “full of glory” look forward to. Peter understood this because it has been the hope of man since the fall. And it is a hope which is now realized in Christ Jesus, of whom his audience was now also partakers.

Life application: After the resurrection, Thomas doubted that it had occurred at all. This was even after the other apostles and those with them had emphatically claimed that Jesus was alive. Eight days later Jesus appeared while Thomas was present. Finally convinced of what he saw and felt, he cried out, “My Lord and my God!”

Are you struggling with the validity of the biblical account? Or do you have that inexpressible joy which is full of glory? The difference may simply be that you have failed to apply your faith to a study of the Bible.

When your faith is faltering, nothing can build it up like opening its pages and reminding yourself about the reliability of what is recorded there, including the book of 1 Peter.

If you find some portions difficult, go to reliable study aids which were written by people who have spent their lives verifying the accuracy of what the Bible records. Don’t be a doubting Thomas (or Jane, or Mike, or Calvin, or…)! Instead, believe the surety of God’s word and you will be filled with inexpressible joy!

Heavenly Father, I know Your word is sure and Your testimony is true. When my faith falters, help me to rebuild it through reexamining the pages of the Bible and being filled with Your glorious Holy Spirit. Yes, Lord! Fill me to overflowing with knowledge of You by the illumination of Your Word for my understanding and the joy that accompanies it. Amen.

Wednesday, 25 September 2019

…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, 1 Peter 1:7

Peter just spoke of being grieved by various trials. He says that there is a reason for these things. It is dealing with “the genuineness of your faith.” The word translated as genuineness is found only here and James 1:3. It signifies a test or a proving of something to determine its nature, whether it is genuine or not. Because of the use of this word, it is surmised that Peter was aware of James’ epistle and was using this particular word to supplement the thoughts that James spoke of. There he said –

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” James 1:2, 3

James spoke of the producing of patience when tested. Peter speaks of the genuineness of it. In other words, there is a proving process which is occurring in the believer that comes from these various trials. He then says that this proven faith is “much more precious than gold that perishes.” Peter makes the comparison of faith directly to gold, and he says that it is “more precious.” The thing that many find of such high value is nothing compared to proven faith.

And to bolster this, he says that gold “perishes.” The idea here is that faith does not. When it is proven, it is that which has eternal benefit. In this, there is a thought which Paul made in his writings that is confirmed here. Gold is tangible; it can be seen and held. And yet, it is temporary. However, faith in God’s work which is accomplished in Christ is unseen. But despite this, it will never perish. Paul spoke of this in 1 Corinthians 13:13 with the words, “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three.”

Peter then says of this faith, “though it is tested by fire.” This is referring to the “various trials” of verse 6. They are the means of testing the faith, and though they may be grieving, they serve a purpose. Gold is purified when it is put through the fire. Peter is making a comparison between that process and the fire of affliction. The same result is realized. Just as gold is purified by fire, so is the faith purified by the trials. He is making a direct analogy between the two – meaning the proven faith and the purified gold. In doing so, he then says that the faith “may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

The three-fold thought expresses that which is to be bestowed upon those of faith at the time of Christ’s revelation. There will be commendation for having demonstrated faith. That will be increased for those who maintained their faith through the various trials they face. There will be reward for those who have increased their faith from simple belief in the gospel to that which is so grounded that it will hold up even through the greatest of trials. And, there will be a conferral of the magnificence of God bestowed upon those who have so proven their faith. Each person will receive what is due to him according to the evaluation which is made concerning the faith which is demonstrated.

In the end, the judgment of the believer is one of reward and loss, and every single reward will be based on faith which is connected to whatever deed is accomplished. A deed not done in faith can receive no reward. The judgment of God in Christ upon the believer is described by Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 and 2 Corinthians 5:9-11.

Life application: The faith we possess, and which is tested in the crucible of trial, difficulty, and suffering will ultimately lead to “praise, honor, and glory.” Too often when something disastrous occurs, we cry out, “Why God?”

Imagine a father and his friends who go out on the ocean for a day of fishing. Three days later, after extensive searches, they are all found dead. The usual questions arise, and God’s goodness is part of that questioning process. But is this right? Would these people have perished in a boating accident if they hadn’t gone boating? Would it have been better to stay indoors in a locked room?

God’s goodness is displayed in the fact that these people had the freedom to choose a day of fishing; they had the ability to relax instead of continuing work just to feed their family; they had families that loved them; etc. We don’t live in isolated cells with feeding tubes attached to us. We must expect soldiers will die in war, people who cross the street may not make it to the other side, and people who eat may accidentally choke on their food.

The test then is not for the dead, but for the living. When we face trials – be they large or small; personal, within a family, or within a community; financial, life-threatening, or spiritual – we demonstrate our faith when we acknowledge God’s sovereignty and His right to work out His plan in a way that we may not always understand.

When trials come, the testing may be intense and the heat may be severe, but this refining process is something that will ultimately lead to praise, honor, and glory. And this will come when Jesus Christ is revealed to us in His glorious splendor. Pain and sadness are to be expected, but when you can honestly accept all things with the attitude that “the Lord’s will be done,” you are in the high place of strong faith – a place of reward from the Creator.

O great and sovereign God, give us the ability to accept all things that occur in our lives as gifts from You – whether blessing or trial. We ask this because we see that even the trials are blessings when they test our faith and refine it. Help us to consider that Your word clearly teaches this. And so, when trials come, may there be praise, honor, and glory for us when we faithfully endure through them, and when our faith is proven as a result of them. Amen.

Tuesday, 24 September 2019

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 1 Peter 1:6

Peter begins this verse with, “In this.” It is referring to the “living hope” mentioned in verse 3 and the excitingly wonderful description given from verses 3-6. This living hope allows us to “greatly rejoice” no matter what our current situation is. And who could not do so when he fully grasps what Peter has described!

In his words is the assurance of salvation, not merely a dubious hope. It is a hope which is grounded in the promises of God which cannot fail. And, it is because of this living hope, that is possessed by believers, that they can look beyond the temporary light afflictions that they may face. As Peter says, “though now for a little while.”

Peter is speaking not of a temporary issue during this life, but the temporary issue which is this life. The KJV gives a false sense of the idea by saying, “for a season.” Again, Peter’s words do not speak of a temporary part of this life at all, but the whole. This whole is being compared to a short period of time. In comparison to the eternal state in which we will be, this life truly is “a little while.” Understanding this, he then says, “if need be.”

There is a purpose for all things that come to man, and those things come according to God’s sovereign decisions. In the book of Job, Satan afflicted Job terribly, but he did so only as allowed by the Lord. There was, in fact, a need for this trial in his life, and there is always a reason for that which occurs in our lives as well.

For some, they are truly for a season, meaning temporary. Job was afflicted and then restored. However, others may face a particular affliction (or afflictions) for their entire lifespan. Peter would still call this “a little while.”

He then finishes his thought concerning this with, “you have been grieved by various trials.” The words, “you have been grieved,” have the sense of, “you have been put to grief.” It is passive in the grief. We are the recipients of the grief, just as Job was. The next word translated as “by” here is the Greek word en. It means “in.” Vincent’s Word Studies says, “the preposition not being instrumental, but indicating the sphere or environment in which the grief operates.”

In other words, we are living in a world of grief, and we have been put to grief in this world where grief operates. What Peter is doing is making a contrast between what is now so that we can compare it to what lies ahead in our “living hope” which is “incorruptible and undefiled.” What we experience here cannot compare to the glory which lies ahead.

The word translated as “various” is one which speaks of the spots of a leopard, lines in marble, or the embroidering of a robe. It is something variegated. The trials come out in various ways, and at various times and degrees depending on the individual. Despite these, Peter says that the believer rejoices. The only reason why one would rejoice through such things is because there is a hope that they have an end. If they were to be one’s full and final lot in life, what would there be to rejoice in? But when we truly grasp that this life is a blip on the road which leads to eternal glory, then why should we let it consume our joy and disturb our souls?

Life application: Are you reading this commentary today and seeing that Peter’s words apply to you? Mature Christians will look beyond the “various trials” which have grieved us, and which may continue to grieve us, and we will possess a joy as we face them. It is certain that we are not immune from trials, and we should even expect them, but they are really only grains of sand on a road otherwise paved with gold, and which leads us to our coming glorified state.

In the book of Colossians, Paul shows us his ability to rejoice even while writing from a Roman prison –

“I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church.” Colossians 1:24

Paul was often beaten, imprisoned, abandoned, or he faced some other terrible time. And yet, he could look beyond the moment to the glory to come. If you think carefully about everything that goes on around you, it is all exactly as it should be, and we are moving toward the consummation of the ages.

God is in complete control even if we aren’t. He is working faithfully through our many errors, trials, and heartaches. In the end, we can look back on our lives and say, “So this is why that happened.” For now, you should trust that He hasn’t abandoned you, and He hasn’t carelessly forgotten about your every need. While we may mourn now, we can still rejoice in the future. Our hope is that sure; our destiny is secure.

Lord God, help us to realize that you haven’t abandoned us, nor have you forgotten even our slightest sorrows. How much more then do You know and care for our times of overwhelming grief. Thank You for being so tender and caring towards us. You are a great and awesome Creator and to You we give our praise. Hallelujah and Amen!

Monday, 23 September 2019

…who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:5

Peter continues his marvelous words which highlight the doctrine of eternal security. All three verses of this thought should be cited to see this –

“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, ⁴ to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, ⁵ who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

Finishing this magnificent thought here, Peter says (based on the inheritance which is reserved in heaven for us) that we “are kept by the power of God.” The word “kept” speaks of a military guard. This is its last of four uses in the New Testament. We are being kept and guarded as if by a military sentinel. In other words, God is personally watching over us concerning our inheritance.

Neither our salvation, nor our continued salvation (which is the basis for our inheritance), is not contingent on what we do, but rather on what Christ has done (Ephesians 2:8, 9 e.g.), and what God continues to do. He has granted us salvation, He has sealed us with a guarantee, and He is keeping us by His power and for His glory. As the scholar Bengel says, “As the inheritance hath been preserved, so are the heirs guarded; neither shall it fail them, nor they it.” Peter’s words speak of surety.

Peter continues with “through faith.” It is debated if this means “faith in Christ for salvation” or “continued faith in Christ for salvation.” The answer is found in the citation of Ephesians 2:8, 9 above. We are saved by grace through faith. It is an act of faith which occurred, and that one-time act has brought us to salvation. At that moment, we were sealed for the inheritance (Ephesians 1:13, 14). It is a one-time, and for all time, act of faith.

This is confirmed in the tense of the Greek word translated as “kept.” It is a present participle which signifies a continuous process of guarding our salvation for the inheritance. It is not by us, but by God. If it were up to us to keep our salvation, it would mean that it was never of grace through faith, and it is a certain fact that our salvation would be lost. Peter’s words speak of surety.

Peter next says that this being kept by God through faith is “for salvation.” Peter will speak of the salvation again in verses 9 and 10 of this chapter, and also of our redemption in verse 18. Those will come with a note of assurance, not as a dubious or tenuous possession. It is no different here. The grant is through (dia) faith for (eis) salvation. It is not “in hopes of salvation,” but “for salvation.” Peter’s words speak of surety.

He then finishes with, “ready to be revealed in the last time.” The word speaks of being prepared. It is not ready as in anticipation, such as, “I am so excited about Jesus’ coming.” Rather it is ready in accomplishment, “I have been prepared (by God) for Jesus’ coming because God has sealed me with His Holy Spirit.” The words speak of everything accomplished and set for the act because all of the preparations which were necessary for it to come about have been done. Peter’s words speak of surety.

Reviewing these past three verses in individual thoughts, each one shouts out the doctrine of eternal security –

1) We have obtained mercy.
2) We have been begotten.
3) We have a living hope.
4) Our hope is through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
5) We have an inheritance which:

1. a) is incorruptible and undefiled.
2. b) will not fade away.
3. c) is reserved in heaven for us.

6) We are kept by the power of God through faith.
7) God is keeping us “for salvation.”
8) Everything for our salvation is prepared (accomplished) and will be revealed at the time appointed by God.

Life application: It is by grace, through the faith we professed in Jesus Christ in the power of His resurrection that saved us, and it is that same act of faith that keeps us for the coming salvation – the redemption of our bodies. Those who teach that a person can lose his salvation are not very good scholars. Their theology is lacking, and their doctrine is one of bondage, not of freedom in Christ. Keep away from such truly terrible teachers and plainly poor preachers.

Thank You, O God, for the wonderful, beautiful promise of eternal life – free from pain and trial and trouble and sin. Instead, we will have a body which is fitting to be in Your glorious presence and a desire to please You forever. What a great and glorious hope we have! Thank You! Thank You! In Jesus’ name… Thank You! Amen.