1 Peter Study #1

“Glorious, Inexpressible Joy”

1 Peter 1:1-9

Study #1 in 1 Peter Series

INTRODUCTION:

Today we are setting out on a new Bible study series of the Petrine Epistles, that is, the two little N.T. letters written by the Apostle Peter. We do this in the hope of gaining an even deeper understanding of Christianity from the perspective of a man who was an eyewitness to nearly all the events in the Four Gospels and many of them in the Book of Acts.

Peter witnessed every miracle that Jesus performed. He heard nearly every word that Jesus uttered. He walked hundreds of miles with Jesus and the other disciples, traveling all over Israel wherever Jesus led them. He was one of the first among the Twelve to be called as an apostle, a fisher of men. He hosted Jesus in his home and fed Him at his table. He served as the elder brother and recognized leader of the 12 apostles. By the authority and power of Christ he performed many miracles throughout Israel. He preached to multitudes of people and urged them to repent of their sins and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. On the Day of Pentecost after Christ’s resurrection he preached to a huge crowd of Jews in Jerusalem and over 3,000 of them came to faith in Jesus as their promised Savior and Messiah and were baptized as a sign of their repentance and allegiance to Jesus, the Christ. A couple of days later he preached again and 2,000 more were converted and baptized. He lived out the rest of his life as a missionary and minister of the Gospel, focusing especially on leading fellow Jews to trust in Jesus as their Promised Messiah, their Yeshua Ha-Mashiach.     

TRANSITION:

This letter has long been attributed to Peter as the author. There is plenty of internal and external evidence to corroborate this position. However, some have rightly pointed out that from a linguistic perspective it poses some questions that need to be addressed. Peter was a Galilean fisherman, a layman, not particularly well-trained in the Scriptures. When Jesus called him, Peter probably spoke Aramaic in his home, and Hebrew in the synagogue, and he would have known enough Latin to deal with the Roman soldiers and tax collectors. But Greek? Koiné Greek, being the common dialect, was used throughout the Empire and served as the lingua franca of that day. Peter would probably have had a working knowledge of the language but certainly would not have been fluent before he met Jesus. So, how do we explain this?

The Petrine Epistles are written in very good, very polished Greek. In them the author shows a rich vocabulary and an excellent understanding of Greek grammar and syntax. So, sceptics have asked, “Could Peter really have written these letters?” My answer is yes, given two factors: (1) This letter was written toward the end of Peter’s life and ministry, after he had been working in the language for many years, preaching, teaching, writing, and conversing with Greek-speaking people all over the Middle East. If I could become fluent in Brazilian Portuguese in two years, and I did, I am certain that Peter could have become fluent in Greek in the same amount of time. And (2) Peter gives us a hint that he might have had some help in polishing the grammar and vocabulary of this letter. In 5:12 he says, “Through Silvanus [aka Silas, a Hellenistic Jew and native Greek speaker], our faithful brother (for so I regard him), I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it!” In the same way that Paul often used an amanuensis to aid him in his writing, it seems that Peter too might have had some assistance from his more experienced Greek-speaking friend, Silas.

NOTES on the Text:

Verses 1-2: Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen ² according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.  

• “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ” – Peter started out his life as Shimon bar Yonah (i.e., Simon, the son of Jonah or Jonas). His name, Peter (Petros in Greek, Cephas in Aramaic), was a nickname that Jesus gave to him. It meant pebble, or stone. He was a fisherman by training and by trade. He came from Bethsaida but later moved to Capernaum where he, along with his father, and brother, Andrew, had a fishing business. He was a Jew but was merely a layman. He was roughcut, outspoken, impetuous, and yet was a natural leader. His name appears in the Gospels more than anyone else except for Jesus. He was the disciple most often rebuked by Jesus, but he was also the disciple most praised by Jesus. He was proof positive of what God can do with an old earthen vessel when it is cleansed and filled with the love, and power, and glory of God (cf. 2 Cor. 4:7). We criticize him and sometimes make fun of him, but we also love and admire him because he so often reminds us of how weak we are too. He loved Jesus with all his being, and he died a martyr for the Gospel, faithful to the end.
• “…to those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia”

§  “…to those who reside as aliens” – Here Peter identifies the addressees of this letter. In Greek this phrase is just one word, παρεπίδημος (parepídēmos) and is related to the word meaning to be “a pilgrim, a sojourner, a foreign resident.” An alien lives in constant awareness of his true home and the fact that he is not where he belongs. The old Gospel song says it well: “This world is not my home, I’m just a passin’ through. My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue. The angels beckon me from Heaven’s open door, and I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.”

§  “…scattered” – The word is diaspora (διασπορά). This word, Diaspora, took on a more formal meaning after the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. when the Jews were chased out of Israel and scattered (dispersed) all over the Empire and beyond. But this letter was written before that event occurred. Here Peter is not referring exclusively to the Jews but rather to Christians in general, both Jew and Gentile believers. The persecution of Christians had already started and so the followers of Jesus were looking for any safe refuge.

§  “…throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia” – These were all Roman provinces in what later became Turkey. They were also areas where Christianity had extended in the first several decades after the beginning of the church. Peter’s two letters, along with James, 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd John, and Jude are what are known as the 7 General Epistles. They were not written to specific churches or to individuals but were intended for the whole church, for Christians everywhere. So, this letter was not written to any one congregation, but intentionally written to all Christians, Jewish believers who had come to faith in Christ out of Judaism, as well as Gentiles who had become Christian believers out of paganism. By this point in the story the Church was a mixed bag.

• “…who are chosen ² according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood”

§  “…chosen” – Some versions say “elect.” The point is none of us are volunteers. None of us came running to God under our own steam. If God had not chosen us unto salvation none of us would ever get saved because the Bible says that we were all angry, sinful rebels, running away from God as fast as our legs could carry us. Paul explains this in Romans 3:10-12 quoting several O.T. passages, “As it is written, ‘THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE; THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD; ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS; THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE.’”

§  “…[chosen] according to the foreknowledge of God” – This phrase describes the nature of election. God’s choosing is an aspect of both His omniscience and His sovereignty. While this foreknowledge includes His prior knowledge of our response to the Gospel, it is not dependent on it. His choosing is not based on His knowledge of what we will one day choose to do. In other words, we choose Him because He has first chosen us, not the other way around. The word here translated as “foreknowledge” is the Greek word πρόγνωσις, (pro + gnosis) which gives us the English word, prognosis. The word gnosis is an intimate kind of knowledge. It is the word used to describe how a husband and wife “know” each other deeply, intimately, and sexually. It is a proactive kind of knowledge. We could accurately translate this Greek word as “foreloved,” meaning that those whom God foreloved He chose unto salvation. For many believers this doctrine seems unfair and runs counter to what they have been taught about man’s so-called “free will.” But before you run off in an angry huff accusing me of being a heretic, wait until we look at verse 5.

§  “…by the sanctifying work of the Spirit” – There is no salvation apart from the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit who regenerates us, who lights the spark in us that allows us to respond to God. If not for His regenerating work, we would never be able to respond to God’s gracious offer of salvation but would remain dead in our trespasses and sins.

§  “…to obey Jesus Christ” – We are saved unto good works, not saved by them (cf. Eph. 2:8-10). Our salvation by the Spirit is what enables us to walk in obedience to Jesus Christ. Moreover, obedience to God is one of the clearest evidences of being truly saved.  

§  “…and to be sprinkled with His blood” – The blood of Jesus was shed for us on the cross of Calvary. It is applied to all the redeemed. His blood is the symbol of the New Covenant that God has made with us. It is the promise and the proof that we have truly been made to be the children of God. His blood cleanses from every sin and sets us apart for His service.

• “May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.” – Here we have from Peter a wish, a prayer, and a blessing.

 

Verses 3-5: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, ⁵ who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

• “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,”

§  “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” – Peter begins by giving praise to the Father who is the Architect of the plan of salvation. He is the one who, in the fulness of time, sent His Son to be the Savior. It was His mercy that started that ball rolling.

§  “…who according to His great mercy” – All men stand condemned before God. If not for His mercy all men would be lost. There would be no hope for anyone.

§  “…has caused us to be born again” – This is the verse I spoke of a moment ago. It is one of the great arguments for Calvinism and is a thorn in the arguments of Arminianism. Peter says that God caused us to be born again. He did not just wait to see what we would choose to do. No, He sovereignly set in motion the factors that would ultimately bring us to Him.

§  “…[born again] to a living hope” – Praise God! We have a living hope because we have a Living Savior! We have a living faith because we know, love, and serve the Living God!

§  “…through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” – That’s it! The resurrection of Jesus is the proof that we too will one day be raised to eternal life. Paul explains this in great detail in 1 Cor. 15:12-23.

 

• “…to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,”

§  “…to obtain an inheritance” – An eternal home in Heaven with the Lord is part of our inheritance. As sons and daughters of the King we will inherit all the blessings that accompany our title and position, not because we deserve any of that but because the Father has chosen us for Himself. Certainly, this leaves no place for boasting on our part, because it is all of His grace and mercy.

§  “…which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away” – Any inheritance we might receive in this life will eventually rot, or become filthy, or disappear. A stock market crash can wipe out all our money in one day. If we inherit a mansion, it will eventually need more repairs than it is worth and will be torn down to put up a new strip mall or parking lot. However, our heavenly inheritance is not subject to any of those kinds of things. The four words Peter uses say it all: “imperishable, undefiled, unfading and reserved.”

§  “…reserved in Heaven for you” – Our inheritance awaits us. It is reserved with our name on it. No one will steal it. No one can cheat us out of it. Jesus told us that He was going on ahead to prepare a place for us, and that some day He will return to escort us home.

 

• “…[for you]…who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

§  “…for you who are protected by the power of God” – I am so glad that my salvation does not depend on me to keep it safe. If it depended on my strength and ability to keep clutching His hand, I would be in big trouble. No, He holds onto me. My salvation is secure because He is strong and will never lose His grip on me. Praise God! One of my favorite quotes from Jesus is in John 10:28-29. Here He is speaking about all who come to trust in Him as Lord and Savior, “And I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. ²⁹ My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”

§  “…through faith” – The Bible makes it clear that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

§  “…for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” – I was saved (past) when by faith I placed my trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and the Father declared that I was justified and free from all the guilt of my sin. I am being saved day by day (present) through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit who is conforming me to the image of Christ. And I will one day be saved (future) from the presence of sin and will have this sinful nature taken from me so that I will no longer be plagued by my carnal flesh but will be free to worship and serve God unfettered. On that day my salvation will be complete. I do not know exactly when it will happen but by faith, we keep our eyes on the Eastern sky for our redemption will be coming soon.  

 

Verses 6-7: In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, ⁷ so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

·       “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,”

§  “In [all] this you greatly rejoice” – I believe that Peter here is not referring to only one thing, but to the many things he has listed in verses 3-5. I count at least seven (7) great motives for rejoicing. Namely, we rejoice:

1.    In God’s great mercy

2.    In our new birth

3.    In our living hope

4.    In Jesus’ resurrection

5.    In our promised inheritance and guaranteed home in Heaven

6.    For God’s power that protects us

7.    For our eternal salvation soon to be revealed

 

§  “…even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,” – One of the themes of this letter is how believers should react when facing trials. Peter touches on this subject several times, undoubtedly because the Christians in the provinces listed in verse 1 were experiencing persecution to some degree and were distressed about it. Notice “now for a little while.” Paul speaks of this in Romans 8:18 where he says, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Our trials and tribulations will soon be over. That should be the Christian’s perspective, rather than focusing on the here and now.

 

·       “…so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold, which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;”

§  “…so that the proof of your faith…” – Faith unproved and untested is only potential faith, and it is of little value. But Peter says that when faith has truly been tested in the crucible of real-life trials and tribulations, when it has been put through the fire, it becomes more precious than 24k gold. Gold will one day pass away. It will become worthless. In Heaven, they will use it as road tar to pave the streets! But faith, hope, and love will last forever. They will never shrink. They will never tarnish. They will always shine brightly. They will never lose their value.

§  “…may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” – There is a day coming when the children of God will be rewarded for their faithful service to Him. Not even one good deed will be forgotten. The Lord will say, “Well done, good and faithful servants; enter into the joy of your Master.’

 

Verses 8-9: and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, ⁹ obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.

·       “…and though you have not seen Him, you love Him” – Most of the believers to whom Peter was writing had never seen Jesus with their own eyes, but still they loved Him. That’s just like us. We have not seen Him either, but we love and serve Him because we believe the witness of the Word and the witness of the biblical writers, and the testimony of millions of people whose lives have been transformed since they put their faith and trust in Christ alone.

·       “…and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him,” – Jesus walked this earth for 33+ years. Then He ascended back to the right hand of the Father, so He is not here on earth with us anymore. I never personally laid eyes on Him in the past and I cannot see Him now, and yet I believe in Him, because eyes of faith can see with 20/20 vision.  

·       “…you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,” – I love this phrase. Our joy comes from knowing Christ, knowing that He died for us, knowing that He loves us, and knowing that He is preparing a place for us and will come back soon to take us to be with him forever. What we feel is not merely happiness. Happiness depends on pleasant circumstances. However, joy is not connected to our circumstances, whether good or bad. We can have joy even amid life’s most awful trials. Joy is that settled certainty that everything will turn out well in the end because God is in control and He loves us deeply and only wants the best for us because we are His beloved children. Sometimes our joy runs so deep that we cannot even find words to explain it or express it. But every genuine Christian knows what I’m talking about.  

·       “…obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.” – The outcome of our faith is eternal salvation. Paul told the Philippian jailer in Acts 16:31, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Paul told the Ephesians in Eph. 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; ⁹ not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

CONCLUSION:

This passage is precious to every true believer. It reminds us that no matter what we might be going through at this moment our future is secure in Christ. Our salvation depends not upon our ability to hold onto God but upon His faithful promises and His power to bring us through to the end and finally usher home to Heaven where He has been preparing a place for us to be with Him forever. Praise God! Words fail us to adequately express our love for Him and our joy in knowing that He loves us.