1 Peter 1 – Page 2 – Ministry of Grace Church

Category: 1 Peter 1

1 Peter 1:15 – Shedding Grave Clothes

Posted on October 17, 2016 by Will

but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also 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” or “to turn again.” 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, along with a change of heart 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 these things 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 is at work in you both to determine and to work for 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,

1 Peter 1:14 – Obedient Non-conformists

Posted on October 14, 2016 by Will

as obedient children, not conforming 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 akouo, meaning “to hear.” Hence, it literally means “to hear under,” that is “to listen to the instruction of someone over you, like a parent or a teacher.” But it means more than just passive listening, it implies obedience to what was taught to you.

“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,

1 Peter 1:13 – Battle Preparations

Posted on October 13, 2016 by Will

Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, being sober, and rest your hope completely 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 “being 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 some English translations it appears to be a command (be sober), 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,

1 Peter 1:12 – Heavenly Observation

Posted on October 12, 2016 by Will

It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in 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 long to look into.

Truth to Learn

Angels are watching us to learn about salvation.

Behind the Words

The words “they were … serving” 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 “long” 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,

1 Peter 1:11 – Investigative Effort

Posted on October 11, 2016 by Will

searching what person, or what time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories to 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 carefully” 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 time” comes from the Greek poion kairon, which refers not to what exact time these things would occur, but to the time frame, that is 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 messages 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 (and wants with 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? No matter how much time we currently spend in God’s word, let’s all commit to spending more time searching the Scriptures.

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Peter 1:10 – Prospecting Prophets

Posted on October 10, 2016 by Will

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

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 words “sought diligently” are from the Greek word 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 “sought diligently” 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,

1 Peter 1:9 – True Saving Faith

Posted on October 7, 2016 by Will

receiving the culmination 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 “culmination” is telos, which properly means “the point aimed at” and by implication means the “conclusion,” “culmination,” 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 will culminate in 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 will not all sleep, but we will 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 imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, 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 eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will 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 the 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,

1 Peter 1:8 – Inexpressible Joy

Posted on October 6, 2016 by Will

whom having not seen you love. Though now not seeing Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and glorious,

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 words “not seeing” are 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 it is 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 utter able,” or inexpressible.

“Glorious” 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 have 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 AD 64 and 65, 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,

1 Peter 1:7 – Genuine Refined Faith

Posted on October 5, 2016 by Will

that the worthiness of your faith, being much more valuable than gold that is perishing, though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

Truth to Learn

Difficult times in our lives strengthen our faith which results in praise, glory, and honor to God.

Behind the Words

The Greek word translated “that” is hina which could be translated as “with the intent that …” It is referring to “various trials.” In other words, the intent of these trials is that our faith may result in praise, glory, and honor to God.

The word translated “worthiness” is dokimion, which is an expression of worth and is thus translated “genuineness” or “worthiness.” It is related to the verb translated here as “tested.” This verb is dokimadzō, which means “to assay” or “to test for the purpose of finding value.” This testing is not intended to find fault but to determine something’s value.

“More precious” is the translation of the Greek word timiōteron, the comparative form of timeos, which means “valuable, costly, or honored.” Hence, the comparative means “more valuable” or “more honored.”

Meaning Explained

Today’s verse can be confusing if not analyzed carefully. Let’s look at it phrase by phrase:

“That the worthiness of your faith” – The intent of the various trials that we undergo is to assay, or evaluate our faith. It is an evaluation whose purpose is to determine the goodness, or value of our faith, not the badness or weakness of our faith.

“being much more valuable than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire” – Peter is not saying that your faith is much more precious than gold (though that may well be true), rather he is saying that the value of your faith is more precious. Peter is saying that God values a stronger, more genuine faith over a weak, ineffective faith.

But, why does Peter refer to Gold as perishing? Isn’t gold a metal that doesn’t corrode? Isn’t it enduring? We have all heard the explanation of the golden ring in a wedding ceremony as a symbol of the eternal love that exists between Christ and His bride, the church. It is a “symbol” of this eternal love, it is not eternal itself. In fact, gold is a soft metal that wears away easily and which will disappear with the rest of creation at the end of time. The trial of our faith will produce eternal results and the genuineness of our faith can only be ascertained through trial.

“be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” – The reason for our rejoicing and the reason for the proving of our faith is that it might result in praise and glory and honor, not to us, but to the author and finisher of our faith when he comes back to claim us as His own.

Application

Compare this with what James said about this very subject in James 1:2, “My brothers, count it all joy when you encounter various trials.” We can count it all joy because we know that through these trials our faith is being purified, made stronger and more valuable. And, these trials will ultimately result in praise to God! After all, isn’t that what we all want?

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Peter 1:6 – Rejoice in Adversity

Posted on September 30, 2016 by Will

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

Truth to Learn

Even in the midst of difficult times we should be rejoicing that God has secured our salvation, forever!

Behind the Words

The word “rejoice” is translated from the Greek word agalliaō, which is a compound of agan, meaning “much” and a form of hallomai, meaning “to leap.” Hence, it literally means “much leaping.” By application, it refers to abundant joyful celebration. In the Greek text, this word is immediately followed by oligos, which means “much” or “greatly.”

The phrase “you have been grieved” is from the Greek word, lupeo which means “to be in distress” or “to be sad.”

“Various” is translated from poikilos, which means “variegated.” This is the word used to describe the skin of a leopard or the different colored shadings in marble. Hence, though the word “various” is an accurate translation, it refers to “various different kinds,” not just “a number of.”

The word “trials” is from the Greek word peirasmos which can mean “to entice” or “to tempt.” By implication it means temptations or adversities in general. This is different from the word translated “tested” in the following verse (dokimadzō), which means “to test or evaluate in order to ascertain value.”

Meaning Explained

Peter is saying, “In this new birth, which can’t be lost, and this guaranteed salvation which you have, you are greatly rejoicing …” He is not so much making a doctrinal statement as he is making a statement of fact. Apparently the people to whom he is writing had already demonstrated their rejoicing in their salvation and inheritance. And this is made even more noteworthy considering the trials that they were currently undergoing.

So what Peter is saying is that these people were rejoicing in the assurances they have from God in spite of the fact that they were currently undergoing distress or sadness from the temptations and adversities that they were suffering. It is clear from the next verse that they were not sad as a result of being tempted to do evil. They were saddened by the pain of the adversity they were undergoing, even though this adversity was causing their faith to be strengthened.

As Paul said:

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; (2 Corinthians 4:17)

Application

We all undergo adversities and trials in our Christian walk. One of the keys to peace and happiness is the realization that these are only temporary and they may result in even greater glory as we allow them to refine our faith and give the glory to God alone.

Are you undergoing adversities which are producing sadness in your life? Peter says, “Rejoice!”

In God's service, for His glory,