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1 Peter 1:3<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Blessed<\/span><\/strong> be<\/span><\/em><\/strong> the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,<\/span><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n Truth to Learn<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Because of the resurrection of Jesus, we have spiritual life.<\/p>\n Behind the Words<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cBlessed\u201d is translated from eulog\u0113tos<\/span><\/em>, which is an adjective form of the verb euloge\u014d<\/span><\/em>, meaning \u201cto say good words.\u201d It is the word from which we get our English word eulogy<\/em>, which is a message of good words, or praise about someone. Hence, eulog\u0113tos<\/span><\/em> means \u201cwell spoken of\u201d or \u201chonored.\u201d In the New Testament this word is only used of God.<\/p>\n The expression \u201chas begotten us again<\/span>\u201d is translated from the Greek word anagenna\u014d<\/span><\/em>. This a compound word made up of ana<\/span><\/em>, meaning \u201cagain\u201d and genna\u014d<\/span><\/em>, meaning \u201cto give birth.\u201d Hence it means \u201cto give birth again.\u201d The verb is expressed here in the aorist tense, implying action that was performed at a point in time in the past.<\/p>\n \u201cLiving\u201d is translated from dza\u014d<\/span><\/em>, meaning \u201cto live\u201d or \u201cto have life.\u201d It is expressed here as a participle describing \u201chope.\u201d Hence it refers to \u201ca living hope\u201d or \u201ca hope that is alive.\u201d<\/p>\n Meaning Explained<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Peter starts this verse with an expression of praise to God, declaring His blessedness. The reason for his praise of the Father is that He \u201cgave birth to us again.\u201d This is essentially the same as the expression that Christ used when He said to Nicodemus in John 3:3<\/span><\/strong>:<\/p>\n “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”<\/span><\/p>\n Peter is clearly giving praise to God the Father for His mercy through which He has born us again. As Jesus described to Nicodemus, this is not a physical rebirth, but a spiritual rebirth. Peter is clearly connecting our election by God the Father with our spiritual birth. His point is clearly that our spiritual birth is not something we did any more than our physical birth was. God chose us and God gave us spiritual life.<\/p>\n The result of our being born again is a hope that is alive. It is not mere speculation or hopeful anticipation that we have, but a living assurance. The Pharisees believed in the hope of a resurrection, but their hope was a dead hope. They lived under the condemnation of the law and were held under the law without mercy. But, because of God\u2019s mercy, we are freed from the condemnation of the law.<\/p>\n Just as Christ was raised from the dead and is living today, God\u2019s promise is that we shall also be raised from the dead physically and we have already been given life spiritually. So, not only do we have the hope of eternal life, but we have spiritual life and fellowship with the Father right now!<\/p>\n Application<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Peter is proclaiming in this one verse what should be the proclamation of every Christian today: though I am deserving of hell fire, God in his mercy has chosen me and has given me spiritual life, and assurance of life for all eternity.<\/p>\n Praise God!<\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\n Copyright \u00a9 2008 Will Krause. All rights reserved.<\/span><\/p>\n – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –<\/p>\n <\/span>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:![\"signature\"](\"..\/..\/signature.gif\")
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