1 Peter 1:1-12

1 Peter

written 66-67 AD

recipients: to the persecuted Jews and Gentiles Christians

purpose: to proof that the grace is genuine and they can stand 5:12

Hanling

v.1-2 written to those who is foreknown by God

v.3-5 the resurrection of J gives us new birth, second coming we will have salvation, rescue from sins, through faith, you will be with Christ in the future

v.6-9  suffering now, the future glory, 

v.10-12 Isa 53 J's birth, suffering, death, the same HS preach the gospel to you. 

My notes

 v.1-2

v.1 to those temporarily residing abroad

(NET)  Or “to those living as resident aliens,” “to the exiles.” This term is used metaphorically of Christians who live in this world as foreigners, since their homeland is heaven...Grk “in the Diaspora.” The Greek term διασπορά (diaspora, “dispersion”) refers to Jews not living in Palestine but “dispersed” or scattered among the Gentiles. But here it is probably metaphorical, used of Gentile Christians spread out as God’s people in the midst of a godless world.

v.1 who are chosen

(NET) Or “to the chosen sojourners …” On this reading the phrases in v. 2 describe their entire existence as sojourners, etc., not just their election.

v.2 Three propositions:

κατὰ

 

πρόγνωσιν

 

θεοῦ

 

πατρὸς

 

ἐν

 

ἁγιασμῷ

 

πνεύματος

 

εἰς

 

ὑπακοὴν

 

καὶ

 

κατά 

πρόγνωσις 

θεός 

πατήρ 

ἐν 

ἁγιασμός 

πνεῦμα 

εἰς 

ὑπακοή 

καί 

by

foreknowledge

of God

father

in

holiness

of spirit

for

obedience

and

PA 

NFSA 

NMSG 

NMSG 

PD 

NMSD 

NNSG 

PA 

NFSA 

CCK 

 

ῥαντισμὸν

 

αἵματος

 

Ἰησοῦ

 

Χριστοῦ

ῥαντισμός 

αἷμα 

Ἰησοῦς 

Χριστός 

sprinkling

of blood

of Jesus

Christ

NMSA 

NNSG 

NMSG 

NMSG 

 

(1)  (NAC) when Peter said that believers are elect “according to the foreknowledge of God the Father,” he emphasized God’s sovereignty and initiative in salvation. Believers are elect because God the Father has set his covenantal affection upon them. The words “according to” (kata) may designate “result” or “cause.”

(2) (NAC) In this context, however, the focus is on conversion. Peter explained how believers came to be part of God’s elect people. When believers are converted, they become God’s holy and set-apart people (e.g., 1 Cor 1:2). Michaels probably is correct, then, in suggesting that this work of God accompanies the preaching of the gospel (1:12). As the gospel is proclaimed, the Spirit sanctifies some by bringing them to faith, by bringing them into the realm of the holy.

(3) (NET) For obedience and for sprinkling indicates the purpose of their choice or election by God.

 (NAC) Two different sides of conversion are contemplated—the believers’ obedience to the gospel and Christ’s cleansing and forgiveness. What Peter said here is important. Conversion is not merely an intellectual acceptance of the gospel, nor is it faith with a blank slate. Conversion involves obedience and submission to the gospel, what Paul called the “obedience of faith” (Rom 1:5; 16:26)...The blood of the covenant signifies the forgiveness and cleansing the people needed to stand in right relation with God

(BKC) In these words (1 Peter 1:2) Peter laid the theological foundations for this letter of encouragement. “God” the Father in His grace had chosen them and God the “Spirit” had sanctified them through the atoning blood of God the Son, Jesus Christ. (All three Persons of the Trinity are mentioned in this verse.)

v.3-9

Themes: How did the believers deal with the present sufferings with joy: 

8 You have not seen him, but you love him. You do not see him now but you believe in him, and so you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, 9 because you are attaining the goal of your faith—the salvation of your souls. 

 

(1) New birth v.3

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he gave us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

 This brings you great joy, although you may have to suffer for a short time in various trials

Verse 6 begins with the words “in this” (en hō). Identifying a particular antecedent is difficult. The words “God” or “Christ” (v. 3) are too far removed to be likely candidates. “The last time” (kairō eschatō) fits better, and it would require that the word “rejoice” (agalliasthe) be understood as a present tense with a future meaning

Everything starts with this new birth, and this new birth was not given to us because we deserved, but because of His great mercy. 

 

faith v.5, 7

The future salvation is through faith v.5, and the trials show the proven character of faith v.7 

(NET) The author is not asserting that the quality of the readers’ faith is in doubt and will be proven by future trials. He declares their faith to be a present reality in v. 5 and 9, so in context v. 8 affirms that their faith is indeed genuine.

 (2) A living (BDB: life-productive, offer life) hope v.3,  inheritance (BDB: as the inheritance of God’s children) v.4, the salvation ready to be revealed in the last time v.5, the revelation of JC v.7, 8,  the goal-the salvation of your souls v.9

The proof of faith bring praise and honor to JC v.7. 

Can I love J without seeing Him? Can I believe in Him without seeing Him? If yes, then I can go through the present trial and still rejoice v.8

 

v.10-12

(BKC) The prophets did not fully understand all that the Holy Spirit had authored through them. It was the Spirit who predicted the sufferings of Christ (Isa. 53) and the glories that would follow (Isa. 11). Peter’s readers would be encouraged by this reminder that Christ’s suffering was followed by glory. They too would experience glory after their suffering (cf. 1 Peter 5:10).

 


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