amarantos – Ministry of Grace Church

and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

Truth to Learn

There is an unfading reward awaiting those who faithfully lead.

Behind the Words

The expression “Chief Shepherd” is translated from the Greek word archipoimēn, which is made up of archi, indicating high rank and poimēn, meaning “a shepherd.” Hence, this word refers to “the high ranking shepherd.”

“Crown” is translated from stephanos, from the verb stephō, meaning “to put around” or “to encircle.” This is the word used of the victory crown given to the winner of athletic games. It was typically woven of leaves and, as a result, would eventually fade away.

The expression “unfading” is from amarantos, which is made up of the privative a, meaning “not” and a form of marainō, meaning “to extinguish, to pass away, or to fade away.”

Meaning Explained

With today’s verse Peter finishes up his exhortation to pastors. God recognizes that being a leader in a church is a very difficult position. The pastor has responsibility for the spiritual care of those whom God has appointed to him, but he has no lordship over them. He is not the boss and only has the oversight of those in his care while they remain in his flock. He is to lead by example and teach with authority. It is easy to see why many pastors fall into one of two traps, either becoming autocratic and bossy, or succumbing to the pressures of the vocal minority and submitting to their will instead of the will of the Chief Shepherd.

It is a fine line that a pastor has to walk, one that requires dedication, perseverance, and constant communion with and submission to the Author and Finisher of our faith.

God recognizes the difficulty of this position and offers this verse of encouragement to all of those who shepherd a flock, whether it is large or small. When the Chief Shepherd appears, those who have labored in the pastoral position will receive a reward in the form of a crown, an unfading crown of glory.

Crowns are spoken of throughout the New Testament as rewards for faithful believers, not just pastors. A few of these crowns are spoken of in: 2 Timothy 4:8; James 1:12; and Revelation 2:10.

And what will we do with these crowns? We will cast them at the feet of the Lord of Lords and King of Kings because only He is worthy of the honor.

the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who is sitting on the throne. And they worship Him who lives for ever and ever, and throw their crowns before the throne, saying, Lord, You are worthy to receive the glory and the honor and the power, because You created all things, and through Your will they are and were created. (Revelation 4:10,11)

Application

We should all look forward with anticipation to the day when we will join together in the presence of our Holy God and cast our crowns before Him. Truly, He is worthy!

In God's service, for His glory,

to an inheritance which is incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

Truth to Learn

Our inheritance, as born again children of God, is guaranteed for us, and it will never be taken away from us.

Behind the Words

The word translated “inheritance” is klēronomia, which is made up of klēros, referring to “a lot” or “a share” and a form of nemō, meaning “to hold” or “to have in one’s power.” It is a reference to being in possession of a share of someone’s estate (in this case, God’s estate).

“Incorruptible” is from the Greek word aphthartos, which is a compound word of the privative a, meaning “not” and a form of phtheirō, meaning “to corrupt” or “to destroy” or “to cause to waste away.” Hence, aphthartos refers to “something that does not waste away and cannot be destroyed.”

The word translated “undefiled” is amiantos, made up of the privative a, meaning “not” or “without” and a form of miainō, which means “to stain, to pollute, or to defile.” Hence, amiantos refers to “that which is pure, clean, and unpolluted.”

The expression “that does not fade away” is translated from amarantos, which is made up of the privative a, meaning “not” and a form of marainō, meaning “to extinguish, to go out, to dry up, or to fade away.” Hence it refers to “something that is perpetual and does not diminish at all with time.”

Tēreō is the Greek word translated “reserved.” It is the word used of a guard keeping a prisoner in jail or of someone who keeps the commandments of the Law. So we could translate it as “keep.” It is expressed here in the perfect tense indicating past completed action with an ongoing effect, where the emphasis is on the effect. Thus, we use the word “reserved” indicating the current, ongoing effect of being kept securely.

Meaning Explained

According to Ephesians 1:5 our predestination results in our adoption by Jesus Christ himself:

having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,

And, in Ephesians 1:11 Paul says that we’ve received an inheritance from that predestination:

In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,

Now Peter says that the inheritance which results from our being born again cannot be destroyed, is unpolluted, and does not diminish with time. Like Paul told us in Ephesians 1:14:

who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

We have the Holy Spirit as the guarantee of our inheritance, so Peter now tells us that the inheritance that we already have rights to cannot fade away or diminish. It is being securely guarded and cannot be taken away. If that’s not a description of eternal security, then I don’t know what is.

Application

Here in the first 4 verses of 1 Peter we are instructed that not only were we chosen by God to obtain this salvation, but that it is irrevocable and will never disappear (in other words, we can never lose our salvation!)

No wonder Peter is so full of praise to God. We should be as well!

In God's service, for His glory,

Ministry of Grace Church

Tag: amarantos

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