Friday, October 2, 2009

1 Peter 1

1-2 Salutation


map - Asia Minor

  • Who have been chosen, destined and sanctified. Other versions do not use the word destined, but rather foreknowledge, e.g. The American Standard Version:

according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

3-12 A Living Hope

  • Blessed be God, who has given us
    • a new birth
    • a living hope, through Jesus’ resurrection
    • an imperishable, undefiled, unfading inheritance waiting in heaven
    • protection by the power of God
    • salvation ready to be revealed. This is an interesting phrase: Had not the salvation in Christ already been revealed at this point? John Gill’s explanation:

…salvation is already obtained for them, by the obedience and sufferings of Christ, and is applied to them in conversion, by the Spirit of Christ; but the full enjoyment of it, which is here intended, is reserved for them in heaven; and to this they are kept, being heirs of it, and shall certainly possess it:

  • You rejoice in this salvation, even if it means that for a little while you must suffer persecution.
  • The result will be praise, glory and honor when Christ is revealed. (See verse 5 - “salvation…revealed…”)
  • Though you have not seen him, you love him, believe him and rejoice in the outcome of our faith: the salvation of your souls.
  • Both prophets and angels longed to know of this salvation, brought to you through those sent by the Holy Spirit.
  • 13-25 Call to Holy Living

    • Instructions:
      • Prepare your minds for action
      • Discipline yourselves
      • Set your hope on Christ’s grace
      • Be not conformed to your former ignorant desires
      • Be holy as he is holy (separate from the world as he was separate)
    • Live in reverent fear during your exile
      • You were ransomed, not with money, but with Christ’s own blood.
      • He was destined ("foreknown” in the ASV) before creation, revealed now for you; through him you know God.
    • Now that your souls are pure from obedience to the truth, love one another, for you have been born as spiritual, not physical, beings.
    • Our flesh is temporary, but God’s word will endure forever.

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