admin – Page 27 – Ministry of Grace Church

Author: admin

1 Peter 1:17 – Impartial Judgment

Posted on October 21, 2008 by admin

1 Peter 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;

Truth to Learn

The way we live reflects how we really feel about God.

Behind the Words

“Without partiality” comes from aprosōpolēptos, which is a compound of three words meaning “not,” “appearance,” and “accept”. Hence, this word means that He does not take a person’s appearance into account, and it has come to mean “impartially.”

The word translated “judges” is from the Greek word krinō, which means “to distinguish or decide based on the facts.”

“Conduct” is translated from the verb form of the word anastrophē, meaning “our manner of living.” It is expressed here in the imperative mood indicating a call to action.

Meaning Explained

Today’s verse seems to talk about a works based salvation since it says that God judges according to every man’s work. Taken in isolation from the numerous Biblical verses that talk about salvation being of grace by faith alone, some people have even said that this verse proves that our salvation is based on works. But what does the verse really mean?

God judges us based on what we do, not to earn righteousness (salvation), but as a result of the righteousness (salvation) that has already been given to us. Our righteousness is imputed (given) to us when we believe (see Romans 4:22-24).

Now, regarding the works of the unsaved, the description of the Great White Throne Judgment in Revelation 20:11-15 makes it very clear that the unsaved will be judged according to their works and then will all be condemned to the lake of fire.

But of the saved, the Apostle Paul said:

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10)

This judgment seat of Christ is the bematos, or Bema seat of Christ. In the first century, the Bema seat was the platform upon which the judge of athletic games sat. It was at this seat that the winners were each given a wreath “crown” as a reward for their victory. Our Bema seat judgment is for believers (winners) only and occurs after the rapture when we have already become like Christ, hence we are blameless. This is where we will receive rewards for the work we have done for Him. And in 1 Corinthians 3:8-15 we learn that our works will be judged as having been done either for the glory of God or for ourselves. Therefore, Peter admonishes us in today’s verse to pass the time of our wandering here on this earth in fear. Not fear of losing our salvation, but fear that we won’t do everything we can to show God how grateful we are.

Application

I have often wondered how a person who is saved by God’s grace can then live the remainder of his or her life focusing on self. When we realize the value of God’s sacrifice to pay the price of our sins, we begin to understand how precious salvation really is. Now, what are we doing to show how much we appreciate His sacrifice? Christ died for us; therefore, we should live for Him!

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

If this message or this link was forwarded to you by a friend and you wish to receive future verses directly to your inbox, you can call the church phone (618) 614-3070 and leave a message telling us your name and e-mail address or you can send an e-mail to:

All of our daily verse studies are available on the Ministry of Grace Church blog at http://www.ministryofgrace.org/blog

1 Peter 1:16 – Total Submission

Posted on October 21, 2008 by admin

1 Peter 1:16

because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

Truth to Learn

God wants us to be completely set-apart to Him.

Behind the Words

“Because” is from the Greek word dioti, which is made up of dia, meaning “through” or “for” and hoti, meaning “that.” So literally it means “for that reason.”

The word translated “written” is a form of graphō, which means “to engrave” or “to write.” The word is used here in the perfect tense indicating past completed action with an ongoing effect where the emphasis is on the effect. That is, it was written and therefore is now written down for all to see.

Meaning Explained

In the previous two verses we were admonished to not be conformed to our former lusts which we followed in our ignorance, but instead to be holy (set-apart and pure) in our behavior because He who called us is holy. Now, in order to explain why we need to be set-apart, Peter quotes from the Old Testament, where God said:

For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy (Leviticus 11:44)

The word translated “sanctify” is the verb form of the same word that is translated “holy” in this Old Testament passage. As we mentioned in the previous verse, one of the key elements of sanctification, or holiness, is the notion of being “set-apart.” A sanctified vessel is one that is set-apart for service in worshipping God. To sanctify oneself, therefore, also carries with it the notion of setting oneself apart. But how do we do that?

In Romans 12:1,2 the Apostle Paul put it this way:

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

According to this passage, the way we are to become a holy, living sacrifice is to present our bodies to God. Our body becomes a sacrifice because we give up control over the use of it and commit to letting God choose how we use it. Then, Paul says we are to set ourselves apart from the world system. In other words, instead of allowing ourselves to be controlled by the world system; instead of learning to think and act like we are constantly being pressured to think and act, we need to allow our minds to be renewed by God. And the only way that can happen is by reading and studying the Bible.

Let me repeat that: the only way we can renew our mind and become set-apart to God is by reading and studying the Bible.

Application

On a scale of one to ten, where one is not at all set-apart and ten is completely devoted and committed to God, where are you right now? (Hint: God wants you to be a ten. Anything less means you have more submitting to do.)

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

All of our daily verse studies are available on the Ministry of Grace Church blog at http://www.ministryofgrace.org/blog

1 Peter 1:15 – Shedding Grave Clothes

Posted on October 20, 2008 by admin

1 Peter 1:15

but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,

Truth to Learn

We are commanded to become set-apart from sin and the world system.

Behind the Words

The word “holy” is translated from hagios. The root of this word refers to that which is pure and without blemish. This word also carries the notion of being set-apart. God is set-apart in that He is without sin, and He is the creator while all others are created beings. People and things which are set-apart for God’s use or in worshipping Him are also considered holy.

“conduct” is translated from anastrophē, which literally means “to turn up.” By implication, however, it means “to move around.” It’s a reference to the way we behave as we move back and forth through this life on earth.

Meaning Explained

In the last verse Peter told us to be obedient children of our Heavenly Father and not to be conformed to our former manner of life which we lived in ignorance. Now that we are no longer ignorant of spiritual things, we need to have a change of life. When I was a very new Christian, my pastor said to me that I needed to shed the grave clothes of my old way of life. I didn’t have a clue what he was talking about, so he explained it.

When Jesus raised up Lazarus from the dead, he was bound with grave clothes, and as Lazarus came out of the tomb, Jesus commanded that he be unbound and set free (see John 11:43,44). In the same way we, as we are born again spiritually, come forth wearing the same habits and lifestyles that we had before we were saved. And just like Lazarus, we are bound by them and cannot know the fullness of the freedom that is ours until we rid ourselves of our past behavior.

God realizes that as we take off one type of covering we need to put on another. When commanding us to change something about our lives, He frequently tells us to stop doing something. And, if you look carefully, you will find that either specifically, or contextually, we will also be given a command of what we are to do instead.

In today’s verse, we are told what to do instead of being conformed to our former lusts; we are to be holy in our behavior. So what does it mean to be holy? We just learned that it means to be pure and set-apart from our former way of life. But we can’t do this ourselves while we still have our sin nature controlling us. But as we let our powerful, Holy God control us, He is able to produce purity and moral blamelessness in us, and legally we are already set-apart.

It takes a lot of effort on our part (effort to submit and commit), but as we do so, He performs in us what He desires. As the Apostle Paul said in Philippians 2:13:

For it is God who works in you both to will and to do his good pleasure.

Application

Instead of patterning our lives after our former lustful ways, obeying our own desires, we need to become progressively more like God, separated from the world and its sinfulness. Take your eyes off yourself and others and focus them exclusively on God.

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

All of our daily verse studies are available on the Ministry of Grace Church blog at http://www.ministryofgrace.org/blog

1 Peter 1:14 – Obedient Non-conformists

Posted on October 19, 2008 by admin

1 Peter 1:14

as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance;

Truth to Learn

Leave your past in the past and humbly follow God’s leading.

Behind the Words

The word translated “obedient” is the Greek word hupakoē, which is made up of hupo (or hypo), meaning “under” and a form of anēr, meaning “husband.” Hence, it literally means “under a husband.” By interpretation, it means “to be attentive and submissive.”

“Conforming” is translated from suschēmatidzō, a compound word made up of sun, meaning “together with” and schemētidzō, meaning “to make a pattern.” Hence, this word refers to “someone making something to match with a pattern.” It is expressed here in the middle voice, indicating the action is being done by the subject (yourselves), to the subject.

The word translated “lusts” is epithumia, which is made up of epi, meaning “upon” or “over” and a form of thumos, meaning “a strong emotion or desire.” Hence, this word refers to an overly strong desire or emotion.

Meaning Explained

Peter is continuing the thought from the previous verse about being prepared for action and focusing on the reward that is to come. Now he is saying be attentive and submissive, and don’t pattern your life around the former lusts that used to entrap you. First off, he says we need to be obedient. Regarding obedience, the Apostle John said:

And by this we know that we have known Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, I have known Him, and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His Word, truly in this one the love of God is perfected. By this we know that we are in Him. (1 John 2:3-6)

Then, Peter tells us not to conform to our former lusts. Here’s another caution the Apostle Paul gave about conforming:

And do not be conformed to this world [system], but be transformed by the renewing of your mind … (Romans 12:2)

About these lusts, the Apostle James said:

But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. (James 1:14, 15)

So you see, Peter is telling us that we are in the midst of spiritual warfare, and we need to follow the commands given by our Father. And, our actions need to demonstrate that we have changed since we got saved and that we truly are children of God. Peter will finish the rest of this thought in the next verse.

Application

Are you daily preparing yourself for spiritual warfare? Are you in the midst of the battle? Or have you settled back into satisfying your own desires instead of submitting to God?

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

All of our daily verse studies are available on the Ministry of Grace Church blog at http://www.ministryofgrace.org/blog

1 Peter 1:13 – Battle Preparations

Posted on October 16, 2008 by admin

1 Peter 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;

Truth to Learn

Prepare yourself, keep your mind clear, and trust in God.

Behind the Words

The opening phrase of this verse: “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind …” is awkward to today’s reader. In the day that this was written, however, is was common for men and women alike to wear long robes. In order to run, a person had to prepare by reaching down between his or her legs, grasping the hem of the back part of the robe, pulling it up through their legs, and tucking it into the belt or sash. This process was known as “girding up the loins” and became a vernacular expression for getting prepared. Hence, Peter’s expression can be accurately paraphrased as, “Therefore, prepare your minds for action …”

The words “be sober” are translated from the Greek verb nēphō, which literally means “to not be drunk.” It is a specific reference to avoiding intoxication from alcohol, but it is used metaphorically to mean “keep your mind clear.” In the English translation it appears to be a command, but in the Greek it is expressed as a participle. Hence, a better translation would be, “being sober minded, rest your hope …”

“Rest your hope” is from the word elpidzō, meaning “to hope for something with the full expectation of receiving that which is hoped for.” It is expressed here as a command, so it could be translated as, “place your hope …”

Meaning Explained

Because of the marvelous value of this great salvation that is promised to us, which prophets and angels alike desire to look into, we need to treat it in a manner worthy of the great prize that it is. Peter tells us to be prepared for action. Just because it is a great prize given us by the great King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and He has promised that He will preserve it until that day when he comes back to fulfill the promise, there is no reason to take it for granted. Neither should we simply view it as a free pass into heaven. In fact, because of this great gift that has been given to us and because we are now His, we will see hostile action. Christ himself told us:

I have spoken these things to you so that you might have peace in Me. In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

So Peter warns us to get ready, prepare our minds for action, stay sober minded and vigilant, don’t get distracted by all the flashing lights and enticements of this world. Above all, focus all our hope (that is, confirmed expectation) on the end of the battle, when Christ will complete His work in us.

Application

Hang in there, especially when the going gets tough. God promised us that He will never leave us nor forsake us! Keep in mind what Paul told Timothy:

For this cause I also suffer these things; but I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto him until that day. (2 Timothy 1:12)

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

All of our daily verse studies are available on the Ministry of Grace Church blog at http://www.ministryofgrace.org/blog

1 Peter 1:12 – Heavenly Observation

Posted on October 15, 2008 by admin

1 Peter 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.

Truth to Learn

Angels are watching us to learn about salvation.

Behind the Words

The words “they were ministering” are translated from the Greek verb diakoneō, which means “to serve” or “to wait on” just as a waiter does at a restaurant. It is the word from which we get our English word deacon; a position of servanthood within the church. The verb is expressed here in the imperfect tense indicating past, ongoing action.

At the end of this verse, the word “desire” is from the Greek verb epithumeō, meaning “extremely strong desire.” It is the word used of the prodigal son’s desire to satisfy his hunger with the husks in Luke 15:16 and of the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes in 1 John 2:16.

The word translated “to look” is the Greek verb parakuptō, meaning “to bend down” or “to stoop down” or “to peer into.” The implication here, as with the prophets, is that the angels are intently looking into these things. James uses this same word in James 1:25, “but whoever looks intently into the perfect law of liberty …” and it also is used of Peter himself in Luke 24:12 when he had arrived at the empty tomb and stooped down looking in to see the grave clothes.

Meaning Explained

The purpose of Peter’s message in these verses is to impress upon those to whom he was writing in the 1^st century (and to us who read these words today) not only the value of the message contained in the scriptures, but also our very privileged position in being able to understand what was written in a way that saints of old were not permitted. The prophets of the Old Testament searched with effort for the true meaning of the message, which was inspired by the Holy Spirit, in order to understand the things of the Messiah and this salvation that we have. Now Peter tells us that the angelic beings have an intense desire to know more about these things as well.

An angel cannot experience salvation as we can. Each angelic being is a separate creation and is responsible to God for his own actions. It is because of the procreation of mankind from a single created being that Christ was able to atone for the sins of Adam’s entire race. Since angels can’t experience salvation themselves, they have to understand it by studying those of us who are experiencing it.

So, the next time you feel like someone is watching you (other than the omnipresent God we serve) it may well be that it is an angel, trying to better understand more about the salvation so freely offered to us, even though we don’t deserve it.

Application

Let’s give praise to God for our salvation, and let’s be a witness of His grace to those around us who we can see, as well as to those who we can’t see. Be a witness to an angel today!

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

All of our daily verse studies are available on the Ministry of Grace Church blog at http://www.ministryofgrace.org/blog

1 Peter 1:11 – Investigative Effort

Posted on October 14, 2008 by admin

1 Peter 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.

Truth to Learn

We need to search and study to know God’s truths.

Behind the Words

The word translated “searching” is ereunaō, a less intensive form of the word translated “searched” in the previous verse. It means “to investigate or explore.”

The initial “what” comes from the Greek expression eis tina, which literally translates to, “unto what,” and may mean either “what time,” or “what person.” The latter seems to be the correct interpretation.

“What manner of time” comes from the Greek poion kairon, which refers not to what exact time these things would occur, but to the character or condition of the age when these things would take place.

“Testified beforehand” is translated from promarturomai, which is a compound word made up of pro, meaning “before, in place or time” and marturomai, meaning “to witness, testify, or declare.” Hence, this word means “to declare something before it occurs or before it appears.”

The word translated “sufferings” is the Greek word pathēma, which is derived from pathos, meaning “to experience strong emotion, or suffering.” The ending –ma indicates that it refers to that which is suffered.

Meaning Explained

We have already talked about how the prophets looked into their own and each others’ prophecies to better understand this thing called salvation. The current verse gives us particular insight into another thing they looked closely at, namely the Savior Himself. These prophets were inquiring about the person, who He would be, what would be His character, and what would be the nature of the work that He would perform. They were also trying to understand when He would come. That is, they wanted to know what would characterize the time of His coming, in the same way that we want to understand the nature of the time when Christ will return again.

The thing that they were most curious about, however, seems to have been the fact that the Messiah would suffer. That the prophesies taught that the Messiah would suffer was clear, but it was difficult to reconcile the sufferings with the descriptions of His glory and triumphs which would follow.

The most significant thing about these verses is not so much that the prophets believed their messages, but that they constantly studied the scriptures to learn more about the God they served!

Application

Do you realize how much information God has made available to us in His Word? There is information about who our God really is, what kind of a relationship He has provided for us, what kind of a future He has prepared for us, and how we can know without a doubt that we are His.

Knowing how much God has made available to us in the Holy Bible, how much time and effort do you put into learning it?

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

All of our daily verse studies are available on the Ministry of Grace Church blog at http://www.ministryofgrace.org/blog

1 Peter 1:10 – Prospecting Prophets

Posted on October 12, 2008 by admin

1 Peter 1:10

Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you,

Truth to Learn

Even the prophets of the Old Testament searched the Scriptures to understand the truth of this salvation that we have received.

Behind the Words

The word “inquired” is from the Greek exezēteō, which is in an intensive form of dzēteō, meaning “to seek out or to look diligently.”

The word translated “searched carefully” is the Greek word exereunaō. This is also expressed in an intensive form and it means “to explore earnestly,” like a prospector digging with effort and persistence for precious nuggets of gold.

Meaning Explained

Now, concerning this salvation which Peter has just described, he goes on to impress upon his readers its rarity and preciousness. It is of such rare value that the prophets themselves have earnestly sought out its meaning.

The Greek construction does not say that they sought “after it” but “concerning it.” They were not looking for salvation, they were trying to understand salvation in the very messages they were delivering through the Spirit of God. According to Albert Barnes in his Notes on the Bible:

they perceived that in their communications there were some great and glorious truths which they did not fully comprehend, and that they diligently employed their natural faculties to understand that which they were appointed to impart to succeeding generations.

The prophets, who were the channel of God’s revelation to the Israelites and to us, were themselves constantly seeking the meaning of their messages, even digging through other scripture to get deeper meaning. An excellent example of this is portrayed in Daniel 9:2:

in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, observed in the books the number of the years which was revealed as the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet for the completion of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years.

Daniel obviously spent a lot of time searching the scriptures of his day, especially the prophesies of those who came before him. It was through this study of God’s Word and gold mining for information in “the books” (actually scrolls) that the Spirit of God revealed to him the time when the Israelites would be allowed to return to Jerusalem.

In today’s verse the use of “inquired” and “searched carefully,” both in their intensive form, emphasizes the effort and care that was put into understanding the details of this salvation that we have. Isn’t it a shame that we, with the entire revelation of God in our hands, take the reading of His Word and this salvation so lightly?

Application

Let me urge each of you to renew your commitment to God and to the understanding of His message for us. Let us search the scriptures daily and let us lock His Word in our hearts to be meditated on and shared with others.

To God be the glory!

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

All of our daily verse studies are available on the Ministry of Grace Church blog at http://www.ministryofgrace.org/blog

1 Peter 1:9 – True Saving Faith

Posted on October 9, 2008 by admin

1 Peter 1:9

receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.

Truth to Learn

Faith in the blood of Jesus Christ as payment for your sins guarantees the salvation of your soul.

Behind the Words

The word “receiving” is translated from a form of komidzō, which means “to bring” or “to receive.” It is expressed here in the middle voice, which in Greek means an action that is done by the subject of the verb to itself. Hence, here it means “receiving to yourself …”

The Greek word translated “end” is telos, which properly means “the point aimed at” and by implication means the “conclusion” or “ultimate result.”

Meaning Explained

This verse ties back to the last part of verse 7, “the appearing of Jesus Christ.” If you look at the key verbs that follow this phrase you find, “having not seen,” “believing,” and “receiving.” If we consider these together we can see what Peter is saying regarding the coming of Jesus Christ. Even though we have not seen Him, we believe in Him, and will, as the final result of that faith, obtain salvation. Here Peter tells us that the ultimate result of our faith is the salvation of our souls.

In a positional sense, we have already received salvation, that is, in God’s record book we are already marked as righteous (saved). But, that salvation isn’t fully consummated until He comes back to take us home. At the rapture of the church, the salvation of our souls will be completed when we receive our immortal bodies:

Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed – in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (1Corinthians 15:51-54a)

This concludes Peter’s first lesson for us: we rejoice in the trials which refine and purify our faith because it is that faith which guarantees our salvation which will be received at the coming of Jesus.

What Peter is not saying in this passage is that we have to “keep our faith and not lose it” because he already made it abundantly clear that we were chosen to salvation by God Himself and the preponderance of scriptural evidence makes it very clear that He will not lose us. For example, Jesus said:

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.” (John 10:27)

Application

If your church has taught you that you can lose your salvation through willful sin, a cardinal sin, or the unpardonable sin, let me ease your mind. The writings of the New Testament, including the testimony of Christ Himself, make it clear that no one can take that salvation from you (not even you)!

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

All of our daily verse studies are available on the Ministry of Grace Church blog at http://www.ministryofgrace.org/blog

1 Peter 1:8 – Inexpressible Joy

Posted on October 8, 2008 by admin

1 Peter 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,

Truth to Learn

Faith without visual evidence produces joyful rejoicing.

Behind the Words

“Having not seen” is translated from the Greek words ouk eidontes. The fist word, ouk is the absolute negative and eidontes is from eidō, meaning “to see with perception.” It is expressed as an aorist participle, meaning “in the past you did not see.”

The expression “now you do not see” is translated from the words mē orōntes. The word mē is a relative negative and orōntes of a form of the verb horaō, which also means “to see with perception.” Even though this is a different root word from eidō, it is generally used in the present tense where eidō is used for the aorist tense (past, point-in-time action). It is used here as a participle so this could be translated as “you are not seeing.”

The word translated “inexpressible” is aneklalētos, a double compound word made up of the privative a, meaning “not” or “without,” ek, meaning “out” or “out of,” and a form of laleō, meaning “to speak” or “to utter a sound.” Hence, aneklalētos refers to something which is “not utterable,” or inexpressible.

“Full of glory” is the translation of doxadzō. The root of this word is dokeō, meaning “to recognize in a favorable manner.” We see then, that doxadzō refers to that favorable recognition, or glory. It is expressed here in the perfect tense, meaning past completed action with an ongoing effect, the emphasis being on the effect. Hence we could translate this word as “glorious,” that is, something which now has ongoing glory.

Meaning Explained

Since this epistle is believed to have been written sometime between 58 and 65 AD, some of those reading it would have been alive when Christ was alive. It is unlikely, however, that very many of them, if any, actually saw Jesus. This letter was written to the chosen ones scattered throughout Asia Minor and, therefore, Peter can confidently say that they had not seen him.

The point that Peter is making is that in spite of the fact that they had not seen Jesus, they loved Him. This same message is clearly given to us today. Though none of us has seen him we still love him. A common expression in the world today is “seeing is believing,” but Peter is saying, in effect, “believing is seeing.” The result of this belief, as he has said in several of the previous verses, is that we rejoice with a joy that is both glorious and indescribable. Have you ever tried to explain the joy of salvation to an unbeliever? It’s impossible isn’t it? The joy we have, even in the midst of trials, is difficult for us to explain and impossible for an unbeliever to understand.

Application

We may not be able to see our Savior today, but that doesn’t stop us from believing in Him and in the gift of eternal life through His blood. That salvation should give joy to us all.

Let us express that joy in our worship and our praise of Him!

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

All of our daily verse studies are available on the Ministry of Grace Church blog at http://www.ministryofgrace.org/blog