v1-2
Introduction; a letter addressed to Jewish Christians (as in Jam 1.1),
described as God’s elect. The places listed were not visited by Paul, see Acts
16.6-7, but they were not neglected by God.
They were saved and secured by the whole Godhead;
-
chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the
Father;
-
through the sanctifying work of God the Spirit;
-
for obedience to Jesus Christ, and the
sprinkling of His blood.
We are chosen for
obedience, see Eph 2.10.
We see the full unity of the Godhead in securing the salvation of each
Christian. Within that unity are different roles. We need never doubt nor fear
regarding our security; this is especially true during those times of suffering.
V3
Blessed be God! Our salvation and preservation are His work. Here is our
response to our multi-faceted salvation;
-
His great, or abundant, mercy, Ps 86.5,15; Eph
2.4;
-
given us new birth, born by the will of God,
John 1.13;
-
a living hope; God is not the God of the dead,
but of the living;
-
the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead;
a clear historic fact. Peter was in a unique position to testify to this truth,
and here is assurance on which our faith is based.
V4
Our inheritance in Christ is:
-
can never perish, incorruptible, cannot be
changed;
-
can never spoil, undefiled, has not been
changed;
-
can never fade, will not be changed.
The word “kept”
(Gk; TEREO) is elsewhere translated ‘preserved’ (Jude 1); we are preserved
for Heaven, and our inheritance in preserved in Heaven for us; we have a secure
future home.
V5
We are shielded, or kept, by God’s power; kept to enjoy God’s
inheritance for us.
One illustration is of a man and woman who keep themselves for each
other, looking forward to marriage and consummation of their relationship and
love, which is “ready to be revealed.” The enjoyment and anticipation now is
exceeded by the fulfilment later. This truly is a living hope.
V6-7
God’s power and promises puts our problems into perspective. A
“little while” contrasted with our eternal salvation. Further, testing
proves the genuineness of our faith, and trials encourage us to trust more in
God. We find that God is trustworthy, while men are unreliable.
Peter follows James, and the writer to the Hebrews in writing about
trials and suffering; see 2.19-23; 3.13-17; 4.1-2; 12-19. Peter was writing to
real people in real situations.
V8-9
Difficult times, proving our faith, and building our faith. We are
receiving salvation, the on-going spiritual work in our lives, as we trust in
God through difficult times.
V10-12
Prophets and angels; messengers of the grace that has now come to us;
referring back to O.T. revelation. We are immensely privileged that we share in
this salvation, and that it has been revealed to us. The prophets and angels
predicted the things that Peter saw, and that we enjoy.
V13
A new section – our response to the revelation of salvation; if hope is
our response to trials, then holiness is our response to salvation.
Personal holiness; 1.13-21;
Holiness together; 1.22-2.3;
A holy nation; 2.4-10;
Holiness in the world; 2.11-17;
Holiness in the household; 2.18-3.7;
“Finally,” a summary; 3.8-12.
Our response starts with;
-
prepare your minds, making a decision;
-
be self-controlled;
-
set your hope on the grace yet to be revealed,
not losing that hope.
This type of direct
command is part of Peter’s style; short, clear commands, see also in 2.17-18;
3.14-15; 4.7-8; 4.12-19; 5.5-9.
V14
As obedient children; our lives, which we one characterised by ‘former
lusts,’ are now to be characterised by obedience.
V15-16
We are called to be holy, for God is holy.
V17
Our sojourn here, a temporary time, a time for holy living.
V18-19
Our hope remains Christ’s work in us; our obedience does not contribute
to our salvation. Our redemption was fully Christ’s work for us.
Our redemption was not with physical things, however valuable the world
may consider them, but something that is truly precious, the blood of Christ.
V20
God’s plan of salvation in Christ was a plan from eternity past, but
was made known at a particular point in time, see Eph 1.4; 3.5.
V21
It is through Christ that we believe in God. Peter wrote to Jewish
Christians who no longer just believed in God, but through Christ, who was
raised from the dead.
V22
Our responsibility to love the brothers, 1 Thess 4.10; and this is a
further response to our salvation. Peter had learned this lesson well, Acts
15.7-11, compare Gal 2.11-14.
V23
We are born again by the will of God, see 1.3; Jam 1.18.
V24-25
Again contrasting physical with spiritual; the word of God will last, but
“all men” will perish like grass.