This Epistle was evidently addressed to those who were passing through severe trials, and probably to those who were, at that time, enduring persecution, 1 Peter 1:6; 1Pe 3:14; 1 Peter 4:1, 1 Peter 4:12. The main object of this chapter is to comfort them in their trials; to suggest such consideratio... [ Continue Reading ]
PETER, AN APOSTLE OF JESUS CHRIST - On the word apostle, see the Romans 1:1 note; 1 Corinthians 9:1 ff notes. TO THE STRANGERS - In the Greek, the word “elect” (see 1 Peter 1:2) occurs here: ἐκλεκτοῖς παρεπιδήμοις eklektois parepidēmois, “to the elect strangers.” He here addresses them as elect;... [ Continue Reading ]
ELECT - That is, “chosen.” The meaning here is, that they were in fact chosen. The word does not refer to the purpose to choose, but to the fact that they were chosen or selected by God as His people. It is a word commonly applied to the people of God as being chosen out of the world, and called to... [ Continue Reading ]
BLESSED BE THE GOD AND FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST - See the notes at 2 Corinthians 1:3. WHICH ACCORDING TO HIS ABUNDANT MERCY - Margin, as in the Greek, “much.” The idea is, that there was great mercy shown them in the fact that they were renewed. They had no claim to the favor, and the favor... [ Continue Reading ]
TO AN INHERITANCE - Through the resurrection of the Lord Jesus we now cherish the hope of that future inheritance in heaven. On the word inheritance, see the Acts 20:32 note; Ephesians 1:11, Ephesians 1:14, Ephesians 1:18 notes; Colossians 1:12 note. Christians are regarded as the adopted children o... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO ARE KEPT BY THE POWER OF GOD - That is, “kept” or preserved in the faith and hope of the gospel; who are preserved from apostacy, or so kept that you will finally obtain salvation. The word which is used here, and rendered “kept,” (φρουρέω phroureō,) is rendered in 2 Corinthians 11:32, kept wi... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREIN YE GREATLY REJOICE - In which hope of salvation. The idea is, that the prospect which they had of the future inheritance was to them a source of the highest joy, even in the midst of their many sufferings and trials. On the general grounds for rejoicing, see the Romans 5:1 notes; Philippians... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT THE TRIAL OF YOUR FAITH - The putting of your religion to the test, and showing what is its real nature. Compare James 1:3, James 1:12. BEING MUCH MORE PRECIOUS THAN OF GOLD - This does not mean that their faith was much more precious than gold, but that the testing of it, (δοκίμιον dokimion,... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOM HAVING NOT SEEN, YE LOVE - This Epistle was addressed to those who were “strangers scattered abroad,” (See the notes at 1 Peter 1:1) and it is evident that they had not personally seen the Lord Jesus. Yet they had heard of his character, his preaching, his sacrifice for sin, and his resurrectio... [ Continue Reading ]
RECEIVING THE END OF YOUR FAITH, EVEN THE SALVATION OF YOUR SOULS - The result or object of your faith; that is, what your faith is designed and adapted to secure. Compare the notes at Romans 10:4. The word rendered receiving is used here as indicating that they would surely obtain that. They even n... [ Continue Reading ]
OF WHICH SALVATION - Of the certainty that this system of religion, securing the salvation of the soul, would be revealed. The object of this reference to the prophets seems to be to lead them to value the religion which they professed more highly, and to encourage them to bear their trials with pat... [ Continue Reading ]
SEARCHING WHAT - That is, examining their own predictions with care, to ascertain what they meant. They studied them as we do the predictions which others have made; and though the prophets were the medium through which the truth was made known, yet their own predictions became a subject of careful... [ Continue Reading ]
UNTO WHOM IT WAS REVEALED - They were not permitted to know fully the import of the predictions which they were made the instruments of communicating to mankind, but they understood that they were intended for the benefit of future ages. THAT NOT UNTO THEMSELVES - We are not to suppose that they de... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE GIRD UP THE LOINS OF YOUR MIND - The allusion here is to the manner in which the Orientals were accustomed to dress. They wear loose, flowing robes, so that, when they wish to run, or to fight, or to apply themselves to any business, they are obliged to bind their garments close around the... [ Continue Reading ]
AS OBEDIENT CHILDREN - That is, conduct yourselves as becomes the children of God, by obeying his commands; by submitting to His will; and by manifesting unwavering confidence in him as your Father at all times. NOT FASHIONING YOURSELVES - Not forming or modeling your life. Compare the notes at Rom... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT AS HE WHICH HATH CALLED YOU IS HOLY - On the word called, see the notes at Ephesians 4:1. The meaning here is, that the model or example in accordance with which they were to frame their lives, should be the character of that God who had called them into his kingdom. They were to be like him. Co... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE IT IS WRITTEN, BE YE HOLY; FOR I AM HOLY - Leviticus 11:44. This command was addressed at first to the Israelites, but it is with equal propriety addressed to Christians, as the professed people of God. The foundation of the command is, that they professed to be his people, and that as his p... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IF YE CALL ON THE FATHER - That is, if you are true Christians, or truly pious - piety being represented in the Scriptures as calling on God, or as the worship of God. Compare Acts 9:11; Genesis 4:26; 1 Kings 18:24; Psalms 116:17; 2 Kings 5:11; 1 Chronicles 16:8; Joel 2:32;... [ Continue Reading ]
FORASMUCH AS YE KNOW - This is an argument for a holy life, derived from the fact that they were redeemed, and from the manner in which their redemption had been effected. There is no more effectual way to induce true Christians to consecrate themselves entirely to God, than to refer them to the fac... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT WITH THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST - On the use of the word blood, and the reason why the efficacy of the atonement is said to be in the blood, see the notes at Romans 3:25. The word “precious” (τίμιος timios) is a word which would be applied to that which is worth much; which is costly. Compare... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO VERILY WAS FOREORDAINED BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD - That is, it was foreordained, or predetermined, that he should be the great stoning Sacrifice for sin. On the meaning of the word “foreordained,” (προγινώσκω proginōskō,) see Romans 8:29. The word is rendered which knew, Acts 26:5;... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO BY HIM DO BELIEVE IN GOD - Faith is sometimes represented particularly as exercised in God, and sometimes in Christ. It is always a characteristic of true religion that a man has faith in God. Compare the notes at Mark 11:22. THAT RAISED HIM UP FROM THE DEAD - See the Acts 2:24; Acts 3:15, Acts... [ Continue Reading ]
SEEING YE HAVE PURIFIED YOUR SOULS - Greek, “Having purified your souls.” The apostles were never afraid of referring to human agency as having an important part in saving the soul Compare 1 Corinthians 4:15. No one is made pure without personal intention or effort - any more than one becomes accomp... [ Continue Reading ]
BEING BORN AGAIN - See the notes at John 3:3. NOT OF CORRUPTIBLE SEED - “Not by virtue of any descent from human parents” - Doddridge. The result of such a birth, or of being begotten in this way - for so the word rendered “born again” more properly signifies - is only corruption and decay. We are... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR ALL FLESH IS AS GRASS - That is, all human beings, all men. The connection here is this: The apostle, in the previous verse, had been contrasting that which is begotten by man with that which is begotten by God, in reference to its permanency. The forher was corruptible and decaying; the latter... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD - In Isaiah Isaiah 40:8 “the word of our God.” The sense is not materially varied. ENDURETH FOREVER - Is unmoved, fixed, permanent. Amidst all the revolutions on earth, the fading glories of natural objects, and the wasting strength of man, his truth remains unaffected. Its... [ Continue Reading ]