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1 Peter 2:5 – Our Priestly Sacrifices

Posted on November 18, 2008 by admin

1 Peter 2:5

you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Truth to Learn

All true Christians are priests and we are to offer sacrifices.

Behind the Words

The expression “are being built up” is translated from oikodomeō, meaning “to build a house.” It is expressed here as a present passive participle, indicating current continuous action that is being done to the subject. Hence, it could be paraphrased as “you are currently and continuously being built.”

“Priesthood” is translated from hierateuma, which refers to a group of priests.

The word “holy,” which describes “priesthood,” is from the Greek word hagios, meaning “set apart for God’s use.”

“Acceptable” is translated from the Greek word euprosdektos, which is a compound of eu, meaning “good” or “well” and a form of prosdekomai, meaning “to receive” or “to accept.” Hence, it refers to something that is “well received.”

Meaning Explained

Peter is about to embark on a treatise regarding the temple and the priesthood and he is doing so for a good reason. Up until the time of the writing of this epistle (somewhere between AD 55 and AD 65), the focus of worship and sacrifice unto Jehovah God had been in Jerusalem. Unbeknownst to Peter, however, is the fact that the Roman army under the Emperor Titus (son of Vespasian) was about to destroy the temple (in AD 70). In the church age the only temple of God is the body of believers themselves. There is no need for a separate priesthood to offer sacrifices because our high priest, Jesus, has already offered the ultimate sacrifice to the saving of our souls.

Peter started this treatise in the previous verse when he referred to Christ as a living stone. He now tells us that we, also, are living stones by which a spiritual house is built. He also tells us that we are a holy priesthood, we have been set-apart for God’s use, and our purpose is to offer up spiritual sacrifices. These sacrifices are not to atone for sins (as was done by Old Testament priests), and they are not to pay for our salvation, for that has already been done. We, as priests, are not to offer up physical sacrifices, rather sacrifices of a spiritual nature, which are to be acceptable, or approved, or well-pleasing to God. The reason they are well pleasing is because they are offered up from us by our High Priest, Jesus Christ himself.

A sacrifice is defined as the surrender or destruction of something prized or desirable for the sake of something or someone else. We, as part of God’s holy priesthood, are to offer spiritual sacrifices to God. The first sacrifice we need to offer is ourselves:

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. (Romans 12:1)

Application

Are you fulfilling your priestly duty to God? Are you offering up spiritual sacrifices? Have you placed yourself on the altar? Have you relinquished control of your life and your future to God? … Is it time for prayer?

In God’s service, for His glory,

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

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

1 Peter 2:4 – A Precious Stone

Posted on November 17, 2008 by admin

1 Peter 2:4

Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious,

Truth to Learn

We have the great privilege of directly approaching our Lord.

Behind the Words

“Coming” is translated from the Greek word proserchomai, made up of pros, meaning “to” or “toward,” and erchomai, meaning “to come” or “to go.” Adding pros to the verb, which already means “to come,” intensifies the intent. Hence, the meaning is “coming very near to Him.” This is further intensified by the words pros on (meaning “to Him”) which appear before proserchomai. Finally, this word is expressed as a present tense participle indicating continuous, repeated action. Hence, the first part of this verse could be paraphrased as, “Continually coming directly to Him …”

The word translated “disallowed” is the Greek word, apodokimadzo, which means “to disapprove” or “to reject.”

“Chosen” is translated from eklektos, which means “the selected one,” or “the chosen one.”

The word “precious” is the Greek word entimos, made up of en, meaning “in” and a form of time, meaning “honor, esteem, or value.” It is used here to describe the chosen one; He is “the honored chosen one” or “the precious chosen one.”

Meaning Explained

The “Him” in this verse refers to “the Lord” in the previous verse. This is an obvious reference to Jesus our risen Lord. Those of us who have experienced salvation and God’s provision, repeatedly come to Him. He is referred to here as “a living stone,” which is a reference to Isaiah 28:16 which says:

Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste

or possibly to Psalms 118:22 which says:

The stone which the builders rejected has become the headstone of the corner.”

Not only was Christ rejected and crucified by the Jews, but He continues to be rejected by unbelievers on a daily basis. This same stone who was rejected by men has been chosen by God, according to Peter. Furthermore, he tells us that He was selected as the Honored One.

This Christ, or Lord, unto whom we came at salvation and unto whom we come daily for forgiveness and spiritual sustenance, was chosen by the trinity before time began to be to one who would become a man, live a perfect life, and willingly give that life for us. He is the One who has become the foundation for the church universal, to be built upon by those who would accept His sacrifice and willingly serve Him. Peter’s next verse will complete this thought.

Application

Think about how often you come to Christ for comfort or direction, either in prayer or through the reading of His Word. You do so because you have a privileged relationship. Because you have accepted the gift of salvation, you are the children of God; therefore, you can come to the living stone. And because of this you can offer yourself as an additional building block of the church universal when you submit to Him and serve 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

1 Peter 2:3 – Tasting God’s Provision

Posted on November 16, 2008 by admin

1 Peter 2:3

if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

Truth to Learn

Our Heavenly Father treats us very well.

Behind the Words

“If indeed” is translated from eiper, which is a compound word made up of ei, meaning “if” and per, meaning “perhaps” or “indeed.”

In the New Testament there are three types of conditional phrases (in secular Greek literature there is a fourth). The first class conditional phrase implies reality and can be interpreted as, “if, and it is assumed so…” Hence, it is often interpreted as “since,” rather than ‘if’. The second class condition is the condition of irrealis, or unreality and can be interpreted as, “if, and it is assumed not so…” The third class condition carries with it no assumption as to the reality of the condition. The differences between the various conditional clauses in Greek are distinguished by the grammatical construction of the text.

The conditional clause in the current verse is a first class condition and, therefore, could be translated as:

If indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious, and I assume you have.

The word translated “tasted” is the word geuomai, which means “to taste,” but figuratively it means “to experience something.” It is expressed here in the aorist tense, showing action that was completed at a point in time in the past.

The word “gracious” is translated from the Greek word chrēstos, which is from the verb chraomai, meaning “to make use of,” “to make the most of,” or “to treat well.” This noun form means, “one who provides what is needed.”

Meaning Explained

First, let’s see what Peter is NOT saying here. He is not saying that there is a question about the readers’ salvation. He made that very clear in the previous chapter:

[you who are] elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father … who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead …who are kept by the power of God through faith (selections from 1 Peter 1:2-5)

Neither is Peter questioning whether his readers have already experienced the Lord’s provision for their needs in the past. In fact, we see from the grammatical construction of this sentence that Peter is assuming that his readers indeed have experienced that gracious provision.

Because we have experienced God’s watch care over us, we should be willing, yea eager, to lay aside our bad habits and we should have a craving for the sincere milk of the Word of God. We should be so delighted and amazed that the God of all creation cares for each one of us individually, that we should desire to act and be as He wants us to. And, we should have an uncontrollable desire to read His Word so that we can know Him better and so we can be more like Him.

Application

Have you experienced the wonder of salvation? If so, do you have a burning desire to be obedient to your Heavenly Father and to learn more about Him through His Word?

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 2:2 – Spiritual Craving

Posted on November 13, 2008 by admin

1 Peter 2:2

as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,

Truth to Learn

The moment we became a Christian we started craving spiritual food.

Behind the Words

“Newborn” is translated from the Greek word artigennētos, which is made up of arti, meaning “just now” or “just recently” and gennētos, meaning “to be born.” Hence it means “just born” or “new born.”

The word “babes” is from brephos, meaning “an infant.”

The word translated “desire” is epipotheo, which doesn’t simply mean to desire but “to earnestly desire” or “to crave” something.

The word translated “pure” is the Greek word adolon, which literally means “not deceitful.” Notice the play on words since the things we are commanded to lay aside are all deceitful types of things but the nourishment of the Word is just the opposite.

Meaning Explained

As with most cases in the Bible, when we are commanded to remove or lay aside something we are also told to put on, or start doing, something else. In the previous verse Peter told us to lay aside a number of unholy actions, each of which is associated with self-will. In exchange for laying aside such things we are to crave the sincere milk of the word like newborn babies.

One of the characteristics of a little baby is that he or she is always hungry. Likewise young Christians should always be desiring the nourishment of the Word of God. Personally, I question the salvation of any Christian who isn’t hungry for the Word.

Now, let me carry this one step further. Unfortunately, today there are many Christians who, though they have been saved for many years, are still drinking from a bottle when it comes to feeding on the Word of God. The writer of Hebrews put it this way:

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. (Hebrews 5:12-14)

The only way we will continue to grow as Christians is to have consistent time in the Word and to expose ourselves to preaching and teaching that will provide us spiritual meat.

Application

Is it your constant desire to become more Christ-like? Do you have a craving to learn more about the truths of God’s Word? Are you getting that spiritual meat?

If you did not answer a resounding “Yes!” to all of these questions, perhaps a time of prayerful discussion with your heavenly Father is in order!

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 2:1 – Vacating the Throne

Posted on November 12, 2008 by admin

1 Peter 2:1

Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking,

Truth to Learn

Since we have been born again through the word of God, our behavior should demonstrate that we are a new creation.

Behind the Words

The word translated “laying aside” is apothithēmi, which is a compound word made up of apo, meaning “from” or “away from” and tithēmi, meaning “to lay something down.” The verb is expressed here as an aorist participle. The aorist tense implies past action that was completed at a point in time. Hence, this could be translated as, “Therefore having already laid aside …”

“Malice” comes from the Greek word, kakia, which literally means “badness.” Notice that Peter says “all badness.”

“Deceit” is translated from the Greek word, dolos, which is derived from the noun delō, meaning “bait.” Hence, it means “to bait a trap” or “to trick someone.” Note again that Peter says “all deceit.”

The word translated “hypocrisies” is the Greek word hupokrisis, which is derived from hupokrinomai. This is a word used to describe a stage actor who is pretending to be someone else. Hence, it has come to mean “acting under a pretense” or “being deceitful.”

“Envies” is translated from the Greek word phthonos, which means “ill will” or “spite” or “envy.”

The words “evil speaking” are translated from the Greek katalalia, which literally means “to talk down” or “to talk against.” In other words, it refers to “speaking evil of someone, defamation, or back biting.” And, again note that Peter says “all evil speaking.”

Meaning Explained

You will recall that in the last chapter we were commanded: 1) to be holy because our heavenly Father is holy, 2) to recognize that our redemption is precious due to the precious price that was paid for it, and 3) to see that our spiritual birth came not from corruptible things but from the incorruptible, eternal word of God and the spiritual life we now have is also eternal.

Therefore, because of all of this, we should lay aside certain unholy actions, namely all badness or evil, all deception, hypocrisy, ill will and all evil speaking. This is a lot to lay down! In fact, Peter says that if we are truly saved, we have already laid these things aside.

You will notice that all of these sinful practices have self at the heart of them. If you observe carefully, you will also see that there is a progression here: deceit springs out of evil actions, hypocrisy springs out of deceit, ill will springs out of hypocrisy, and speaking evil of others springs out of ill will.

As we get into the next verse we will see that since we have laid aside these things we are to put on something else, but that’s tomorrow’s verse …

Application

Behaving like a child of God is one of the most difficult things to do with consistency. In fact, because we still have our sin nature, it is impossible to do apart from God’s Holy Spirit living in us and working through us. The secret is to get self off the throne of our life and let God have His rightful place there! Now, that’s something to think about!

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 1:25 – Sowing the Eternal Gospel

Posted on November 11, 2008 by admin

1 Peter 1:25

But the word of the Lord endures forever.” Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.

Truth to Learn

Those who share the gospel message are sowing incorruptible seed, which produces eternal life.

Behind the Words

“Endures” is translated from the Greek word meno, which is the same word that was translated “abides” in verse 23. When we looked at that verse we learned that this word means, “to remain, to stay, to live, or to endure.”

The word “forever” is translated from the Greek phrase eis ton aiōna. We learned previously that eis means “into” or “unto,” ton is the definite article (the), and aiōna, literally means “age, i.e. an indefinitely long period of time.” Hence, this expression literally means “unto the age.” It is an idiomatic expression that means “forever.”

The expression, “by the gospel was preached” is translated from the single Greek word, euangelisthen, which literally means, “was being good messaged”, or if it were transliterated it would say, “was evangelized.” In other words, This is the word which was evangelized to you. From this, we can see that someone who evangelizes is someone who preaches or declares the good news (the gospel) about Jesus Christ.

Meaning Explained

Again, Peter is providing some additional explanation to what he said in verse 23. We were born again not of corruptible seed but by the word of the Lord. He told us in yesterday’s verse that our flesh is temporary and will pass away like flowers in the garden, but the word of the Lord (the source of our spiritual life) lasts forever. Since his word lasts forever and we were born through this word, our new birth will also last forever.

Now, lest his readers try to spiritualize the expression “the word of the Lord,” Peter tells us that this word is the very message that is contained in the gospel which was preached to us when we were saved.

So what exactly is the gospel? Paul tells us precisely what it is in 1 Corinthians 15:1, 3-5:

Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand … For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve.

This is the good news of the word of God. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, lived a perfect, sinless life then freely offered his life as payment for your sins and mine. He died in our place! And, He was buried as proof of His death. But He didn’t stay dead, He rose again from the dead and was seen as proof of His resurrection.

Application

Anyone who believes the gospel message has been born again through the word of God. He or she has eternal life. When we share the gospel message with others we are literally sowing the spiritual seed of our heavenly father. We carry the power of eternal life in what we say. Think about 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 1:24 – Withered Blossom

Posted on November 10, 2008 by admin

1 Peter 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,

Truth to Learn

Like flowers, our physical body will wither and die some day.

Behind the Words

The word “flesh” is translated from sarx, which specifically refers to “the flesh of a living animal.” This word is often used as an expression for our earthly body, as opposed to the spiritual body which we will receive at the resurrection.

The Greek word translated “grass” is chortos, which literally means “a courtyard” or “a garden,” but the common usage is in reference to any vegetation, particularly a meadow or field.

“Flower” is translated from anthos, which refers to “the blossom of a flowering plant.”

The verb “withers” is from zērainō, which means “to dry up.”

The word translated “falls away” is ekpiptō, which is made up of ek, meaning “out” or “out of” and piptō, meaning “to fall.”

Meaning Explained

In the previous verse Peter taught us that our new birth, that is our spiritual birth, is not by conception from corruptible seed but through the word of God. He now goes on to explain a little more about the corruptible seed. His simile equates the corruptible seed (humanity) with a field full of vegetation. This is the same simile that James used in teaching that riches and rich people are fleeting and temporary.

because he will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. (Jas 1:10b, 11a)

The reference in both of these verses is to Isaiah 40:6-8:

The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: The grass withers, the flower fades: because the spirit of the LORD blows upon it: surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades: but the word of our God shall stand forever.

This fleshly life that we live is temporary and passing. It is often referred to as our time of wandering or “sojourning,” and it will come to an end. The spiritual life that we get from the new birth, however, is eternal. If we have truly been born again, we have everlasting life with our heavenly father, and it does not begin when we get to heaven; it has already begun!

Using this same analogy regarding physical birth and spiritual birth, let me ask you, “Can we become unborn in our physical life, and did we have any part in making it happen?” Then how can we think that we have some part in our spiritual birth, and how can we believe that we could become spiritually unborn?

Application

Like a flower, we all must die physically some day, but we don’t have to die the second death (spiritually). God has given us eternal spiritual life through His Word. Let’s take a fresh, new look at this new birth which we have and recognize how truly priceless it is! Thank you, Heavenly Father!

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 1:23 – Born Again Forever

Posted on November 9, 2008 by admin

1 Peter 1:23

having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,

Truth to Learn

The source of our spiritual life, the word of God, is eternal.

Behind the Words

The expression, “having been born again” is translated from the Greek word anagennaō. This is a compound word made up of ana, meaning “again” and gennaō, which refers to the generation of offspring, that is, to give birth. The word is expressed here as a present, passive participle, so it could be expressed as “being a born again one.”

The word “of” is translated from the Greek word ek, which literally means “out of.”

“Corruptible” is from phthartos, which refers to something that is perishable or subject to corruption and decay.

“Seed” is translated from the Greek word sporas, which refers to the “sowing of seed.”

“Abides” is the translation of the Greek word menō, which means “to remain, to stay, to live, or to endure.”

Meaning Explained

The term ‘born again’ is used in only two places in the Bible, in John 3 where Jesus is talking to Nicodemus and here.

Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (John 3:3-6)

In the John 3 passage “born again” is translated from the Greek genao anothen, which literally means “born from above,” which Nicodemus clearly understood to mean “born again,” else he wouldn’t have asked the question he did.

Clearly, Peter is writing his letter to Christians, and he is telling us something about the spiritual life (salvation) that we have. He tells us that the process of being born again is not from a perishable sowing of seed. Our first birth, our physical birth, is from the sowing of perishable seed. The seed of our fathers that produced us would have eventually died and perished if it had not fertilized our mothers’ ovum. But our spiritual birth is the result of an imperishable seed.

This physical life, which was produced out of a perishable seed, is a perishable life. However, the spiritual life, the life we have as a result of the new birth, is produced by imperishable seed. As a result, this new life that we have is not perishable. It will abide … remain … endure forever!

Application

Can you imagine losing your life and trying to be physically born again? You simply can’t do it. Once this corruptible physical life is gone, it’s gone. But our spiritual life is different. We can’t lose our spiritual life because it is eternal. Do you see that? You can’t lose your salvation … ever … period!

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 1:22 – Purified Evidence

Posted on November 7, 2008 by admin

1 Peter 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,

Truth to Learn

There should be evidence of our salvation if it is real.

Behind the Words

“Purified” is the translation of a form of hagnidzō, which means “to make clean” or “to purify.” Figuratively, it means “to set apart” or “to sanctify.” In this context it is a reference to our having cleansed our souls from sin. It is expressed here in the perfect tense indicating past completed action with an ongoing effect; we have been cleansed, therefore we are forever pure.

The word translated “obeying” is hupakoē, which is made up of hupo, meaning “under” and a form of akouō, meaning “to hear.” It refers to someone who not only hears instruction, but also submits to it and obeys it.

The phrase “love of the bretheren” is from the Greek philadalphia, which is made up of a form of philos, meaning “a friend” and adelphos, meaning “a brother.” Hence, this word literally refers to brotherly friendship or brotherly love.

“Love” in the latter half of this verse is translated from the Greek, agapaō, which refers to Godly, self-sacrificing love. It is expressed here in the imperative mood, indicating that it is a command, not a suggestion.

The word translated “sincere” is the Greek anupokritos, which literally means “without acting” or “without hypocrisy.”

Meaning Explained

A more literal translation of this verse might be, “Having purified your souls in obedience to the truth through the Spirit, resulting in sincere brotherly love, fervently love one another out of a pure heart.”

What Peter is saying is that one of the evidences of obedience to God’s truth is a purification of our souls. That is, when we submit to the knowledge that we are sinners, that God demands purity, and we accept the blood of Christ as payment for our sins, we are saved and we are spiritually purified. The evidence of that salvation is displayed by our brotherly love for others. Now that we have attained that level of purity, Peter commands us to take the next step by fervently loving other Christians self-sacrificingly, and to do so sincerely, out of a pure heart.

When asked what the greatest commandment is, Jesus responded to the questioning lawyer,

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:37-39)

This is the same message Peter is trying to get across to us in today’s verse.

Application

Is your salvation evident by the way you treat others? Do your unsaved friends now see you as different? Kinder? Do you place the welfare of your brothers and sisters in Christ above your own?

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 1:21 – Eternal Hope

Posted on November 6, 2008 by admin

1 Peter 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.

Truth to Learn

It is through Christ that we believe unto salvation, and our hope for eternity rests with God and God alone.

Behind the Words

The Greek word translated “through” is dia which can refer to motion “through” something or it can refer to instrumentality. In this case it is the latter.

The word “believe” is from the Greek pisteuō, which means “to have faith in” or “to believe in.”

“Raised” is translated from egeirō, which means “to rouse from sleep.” It also implies the idea of rising up from the posture of sleep. Hence, it is also used of raising someone from death.

The word translated “glory” is doxa. The root of this word is the word dokeō, which means “to think or suppose.” Hence, the word doxa principally refers to thought or opinion, especially favorable opinion. By extension it also means praise, honor, or splendor.

Meaning Explained

This verse must be connected with the previous verse to make complete sense. Together these two verses read:

²⁰He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you ²¹who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

Now we can clearly see that the “who” that begins the current verse refers to “you” which ended the last verse. In other words, those of us to whom Christ was manifest (made known) in these last days are saved through believing in Him. Throughout time, faith has been the key to being declared righteous by God. In Noah’s case it was belief that God was going to bring a flood. In Abraham’s case it was believing God’s promise that his descendents would be as innumerable as the stars in the sky. In the case of the Old Testament Jews, it was the belief that the Messiah was coming. In our case it is the belief that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that his sacrificial death on the cross paid the ransom for our sins.

It is through Christ that we believe in God because Jesus Christ in his incarnation showed God the Father to us. And, it is God the father who raised Christ from the dead to prove Christ’s deity. Also, it is God the Father who placed Christ at his own right hand and returned to Him the glory He had in eternity past. Therefore, it is through Christ, and in God the Father, that our saving faith and hope for eternity rests.

Peter makes it very clear in this verse that our hope for eternity is in God. This is clearly contrary to the belief of some that our hope for eternity is in the good works that we perform while we are here in this life.

Application

If you believe that it is your actions or good deeds that ensure your place in heaven, then Peter says you are wrong. He declares to us here that our faith is in Him (through Christ) and that our hope is in Him as well. Our hope is in God the Father, not in our own deeds. Think about that!

In God’s service, for His glory,

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