notes

Main point summary

Praise God! He has given us a resurrection-based hope that you rejoice in despite faith-testing suffering as you wait in faith to see Jesus and be saved.

Arc

editing

NT

1 Peter 1:3-9

esv

mine

g Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Praise God, the Father of our master Jesus Christ!

h According to his great mercy,

For, because of his abundant mercy,

i he has caused us to be born again to a living hope

he has brought about our new birth into a life filled with a hope that is living,

j through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

a hope that is grounded in Christ’s resurrection.

ideaexplanation

to k an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and l unfading,

That is, we are born into an inheritance that lasts forever, is perfectly pure, and never wears out,

m kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded n through faith for a salvation o ready to be revealed in the last time.

a heritage that is secured in the next life for you, who by God’s might are protected, by means of your faith, from anything you might think would take it away so that you will receive the deliverance that is ready for its unveiling in the last days.

series

inference

ground

In this you rejoice,

You delight in this hope,

though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by p various trials,

even though currently, for a short time, if needed, you have been saddened by different types of sufferings,

so that q the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes r though it is tested by s fire—may be found to result in t praise and glory and honor

sufferings that have the purpose of producing a tested and authentic faith — which goes through a similar testing process as gold, but more valuable than gold — that Jesus will commend you for

at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

when he unveils himself.

temporal

actionpurpose

concessive

u Though you have not seen him,

Even though you haven’t seen Jesus,

you love him.

you have a deep affection for him.

v Though you do not now see him,

That is, even though you don’t currently see him (although you will one day)

you believe in him

you put your trust in him

and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,

and, as a result, delight in him with exuberance that can’t be put into words and is infused with the majesty of heaven.

actionresult

obtaining w the outcome of your faith,

And your trust and delight leads to you now receiving the result of your faith,

the salvation of your souls.

which is your rescue from God’s wrath.

progression

Praise be to God because 1) he gave us a new life with resurrection-based hope, 2) this hope is secure, and 3) God is ensuring that we will obtain this hope at Christ’s return.

You rejoice in what God is doing despite enduring faith-confirming persecutions that are preparing you for Christ’s return.

Regarding Christ, you love him and joyfully believe in him even though you have never met him.

discourse

Phrase

1 Peter 1:3-9

Praise God for Giving Us a New Hope-filled Life

Praise God for our hope

Blessed be the God

and Father

of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Relationship

According to his great mercy,

Standard

he has caused us

Ground

to be born again

Content

to a living hope

Destination

through the resurrection

Means

of Jesus Christ

Objective

from the dead,

Separation

Our hope is secure

to an inheritance

Explanation

that is imperishable,

undefiled,

and unfading,

kept

in heaven

Locative

for you,

Advantage

We wait for Jesus in security

who ... are being guarded

by God’s power

through faith

for a salvation

Purpose

ready to be revealed

in the last time.

Temporal

You Rejoice in This Hope

You Rejoice

In this

Context

you rejoice,

You Rejoice Despite Persecution

though ... you have been grieved

Concessive

by various trials,

now

for a little while,

if necessary,

Conditional

of your faith—

Attributed

more precious

than gold

Comparison

that perishes

though it is tested

by fire—

Persecution is getting you ready for Jesus

so that the tested genuineness ... may be found

to result in praise

Result

and glory

and honor

at the revelation

of Jesus Christ.

We Wait for Jesus with Joyful Faith

Now we don’t see him

Though you have not seen him,

you love him.

Though you do not now see him,

Even so we joyfully trust

you believe

in him

and rejoice

with joy

Manner

that is inexpressible

and filled

with glory,

The outcome of our joyful faith

obtaining the outcome

of your faith,

Producer

the salvation

of your souls.

Three ideas are present in all three parts of this passage: 1. the revealing of Jesus vs. not yet seeing him (red letters) 2. The faith and belief that we have in his revealing (orange letters) 3. Jesus Christ, the one we wait for (purple letters)

MPS: Praise God! He has given us a hope and ensures, through our faith, that we will see this hope revealed. Until then we rejoice in this hope despite faith-testing suffering as we wait in joyful faith to see Jesus and be saved.

tblheader-esv

phrasing

Head, heart, hands

1. Head How should I think differently about God/myself/others? I should think of God has someone who has “great mercy”. I should think of myself as someone who is in need of great mercy; ordinary mercy won’t suffice. I need great forgiveness so that I don’t perish for my sins. God’s mercy is great because he brought me out of a very low place. And God’s mercy is also great because he brings me to a very high and exalted place, a new hope-filled life. Because of the resurrection of Christ, all things will be made new. It isn’t just that my life is going to get better; no, it is that all things will be made new! I should also realize that I am a new person. My old life, which was on the road to hell rather than “a living hope”, is dead. I should think of myself as immensely privileged, having an inheritance that is better than all of the money in the world, and is also more secure. And I should also realize that God is in control of even my sufferings and persecutions. He has a purpose in these things. So, when I suffer or am persecuted, I should be faithful that my faith is becoming more and more “tested”. What doctrines are taught? What specific contributions to those doctrines does this passage make? This passage contributes to the doctrine of the Trinity, mentioning God the Father as well as Jesus Christ. Specifically, this passage tells us that God the Father is the “God” of Jesus. So, we see that there is a relationship of authority between the father and the son. This passage also contributes to the doctrine of regeneration, or the new birth (3). Its specific contribution is that we are not just reborn, but we are reborn into something — into a living hope. Regarding the new birth, this passage teaches the sovereignty of God over our regeneration. Peter is very clear that God causes us to be born again. This passage also teaches about the resurrection, which is the basis of the hope we wait for (verse 3). And this passage teaches us about Christ’s return and the new heavens, specifically that when Jesus returns we will have rewards in heaven (verse 4) and be saved (verse 5) and will receive praise (verse 6). This passage describes the Christian life as a joyful faith-filled waiting for Christ’s return. Also, this passage teaches the doctrine of perseverance of the saints, specifically that God guards those who are his (verse 5). And this passage also teaches that God’s work and our work go hand-in-hand, specifically that God’s guarding through the means of our faith (my paraphrase). This passage also teaches the sovereignty of God, even over suffering and persecution. Suffering is not random but is a tool that God uses to make our faith to be of excellent quality; that is, using the metaphor of manufacturing, our faith is tested and meets the utmost quality standards. What other scripture texts add to the truths taught here? Are there texts that seem to contradict the truth taught in this passage? What is the deeper truth that both of these seemingly contradictory texts are founded upon? Like verse 3, in other letters such as 2 Corinthians and Ephesians, Paul uses the phrase “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ”. So, the Father and the Son are two distinct persons. However, Jesus also says that “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30). Put together, all of these verses teach that God is three persons in one God. Regarding the new birth in verse 3, Jesus tells Nicodemus in John 3 that a Christian is someone who must be born again. I cannot think of any verses that seem to contradict this. Regarding our inheritance in verse 4, Romans 8:17 teaches about our inheritance, saying that we are “heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ”. I cannot think of any verses that contradict this truth. Regarding God’s guarding of us in verse 5, Philippians 1:6 also teaches how God keeps his people, with Paul saying “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” On the other hand, Paul tells Timothy to “keep yourself pure” (1 Tim 5:22) and “keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching” (1 Tim 4:16). And he tells the Galatians to “keep watch on yourself” (Gal 6:1). So, God keeps us but we also have the responsibility to be diligent, even to keep ourself. But it is not that we share the responsibility with God. Rather, I think that one of the means that God uses to keep us is our diligence. Regarding how the trials in verses 6-7 produce a tested faith, James 1:3 says that trials produce steadfastness and several passages in the Old Testament compare God’s testing of us to the refining of silver and gold (Psalm 66:10, Job 23:10, Proverbs 17:3, Isaiah 48:10). In Matthew 10, Jesus teaches his disciples that they will be persecuted. So, Christians should expect persecution, but remember that God has a good purpose in it. And, like verse 7, other passages also teach that we will be commended and receive glory for our faith on the last day (Romans 2:10, 1 Cor 4:5, 2 Thess 1:12). At the same time, we will glorify Jesus when he returns (Philippians 2:9-11). In fact, even those who now scoff at Christians will glorify Jesus at his return (1 Peter 2:12). Regarding the nature of faith in verse 8, Hebrews 11:1 teaches that faith means trusting in “things not seen”. And Jesus commends those who “have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). 2. Heart How should I feel differently about God/myself/etc? I should be excited that I have been born again and have a new start in life. I should feel privileged that I have an inheritance waiting for me. I should feel safe because I know that God is guarding me. What emotions are expressed in this passage? Peter has the emotion of praise , which is a desire to declare the greatness of something. Peter is also thankful for what God has done. Peter is confident that our inheritance is safe. Peter is looking forward with great excitement for the day that we will be praised by Jesus, as evidenced by the three-noun combination that he uses in verse 7 (praise, glory, and honor). The recipients of the letter rejoice in the hope that they have and rejoice in Christ. Peter clearly shares in the rejoicing of his recipients. What emotions does this passage lead/exhort me to feel? I should praise God for all that he has done. I should be thankful for God’s mercy to us. Like the recipients of Peter’s letter, I should be happy and rejoice at all that God has done for us. And I should rejoice even when I am grieved by trials. I should be looking forward to the day that Christ returns and praises me for my faith. 3 . Hands What does this passage command me to do? What sins do I need to put off and repent of? What good works do I need to put on? This passage implicitly commands me to be like the recipients of the letter in the following ways. First, I should persevere through trials, not losing my joy in Christ. Second, I should love Jesus and believe in him and rejoice in anticipation of seeing him even though I have never seen him. How am I to obey? In what manner? I should persevere through trials with joy and with faith and confidence that things will be much better in the end. And I should believe in Jesus and trust in him with exuberant joy. What motivations does this passage give for acting differently (negative or positive)? This passage motivates me to persevere through trials because the trials have the purpose of making my faith tested , i.e., pass all quality tests. And this tested faith will be praised and honored when Jesus returns. And this passage motivates me to joyfully believe in Jesus because doing so results in salvation. What anchors does this passage offer that give me confidence in obeying these commands (truths about God, truths about man, gospel truths)? God is powerful so he is able to guard me. So I can confidently strive to guard myself. And because powerful I can trust that my inheritance will not perish or become defined or wear out. The resurrection of Jesus is the grounding of my “living hope”. So, I should rejoice in this “living hope” because I know that I will share in Jesus’s resurrection.

Questions and Observations

QUESTIONS What does “blessed be God” mean? Does it mean that he is great? As in, “he is so blessed”? Is Peter saying that God is really really blessed? Or is Peter saying that he blesses God? What does it mean to bless God? Marshall (IVPNTC) comments: “A variant on the pattern is direct thanksgiving to God or a statement of why he is to be praised using the form “Blessed be God …” Paul uses this pattern in 2 Corinthians 1:3–4 and Ephesians 1:3–4 .” What is the logic of verse 3? Option A: our new birth caused by Jesus’s resurrection and our union with him. Option B: Peter is saying that the living hope is a hope in our future resurrection. In the study notes for the ESVSB (written by Schreiner) both options are presented, but Schreiner seems to lean toward Option B. The Message and NLT translation support Option A. Most other translations render it like the ESV “… a living hope through the resurrection…”, which doesn’t distinguish between options A and B. Marshall (IVPNTC) supports option B as does Charles (Expositor’s Bible Commentary). In verse 7, are we praising and honoring Jesus (Option A) or is he praising/honoring us (Option B)? Or both? Peter says that “your faith may be found to result in”. So, the goal is for our faith to be found causing something. Our faith is supposed to cause something. It is supposed to cause praise and honor. So, it seems that our faith is supposed to cause praise in Jesus. Because we have faith and Jesus and long to see him, that long-awaiting faith will cause us to praise and honor Jesus when we finally see him. Schreiner (ESVSB) says that both Jesus and Christians will have praise and honor (Options A and B). Marshall and Grudem say that Option B is probably the case. Charles and Mounce also choose Option B. (McKnight doesn’t discuss this point.) What is the logic of verse 8? Option A: They rejoice because they believe? Option B: rejoicing and believing are two separate things. Option C: rejoicing and believing are two things that go together. The NET Bible as well as some commentaries such as Mounce, and Grudem (Tyndale NT Commentary) seem to support Option A. What does it mean to love Jesus (verse 8)? This seems like a simple question, but it is not obvious how to paraphrase “you love him”. Some synonyms for the verb love are: have a deep affection, hold very dear, and delight in. All of the translations I looked at translate this verb as “love”. Mounce says that in this context “love” means “ have a deep affection for.” (The other commentaries don’t address this point.) What does it mean that our joy is “inexpressible” and “filled with glory” (verse 8)? I think “can’t be put into words” is an adequate paraphrase for “inexpressible”. Does “filled with glory” mean that the content of our joy is glory? NET, NIV84, NIRV, and NLT translate it as “glorious joy”, but what does it mean for our joy to be glorious? Is glorious joy better than regular joy? Is it a greater joy. Does a glorious joy mean a great joy? Marshall says “…infused with heavenly glory. This joy already shares in the quality of heavenly joy. I don’t quite understand this explanation. Charles doesn’t address this point. Mounce says “It is “glorious” because it stems from the One to whom all glory belongs (see John 1:14; Rev. 5:12).” However, I also find this explanation lacking. Grudem gives the paraphrase, “joy that has been infused with heavenly glory and that still possesses the radiance of that glory.” He explains, “It is thus joy that results from being in the presence of God himself, and joy that even now partakes of the character of heaven. It is the joy of heaven before heaven, experienced now in fellowship with the unseen Christ.” What is the logic of verse 9? Option A: the “outcome of their faith” is the result of their belief and joy. Option B: they have joy because they have the outcome of their faith. NIRV and NLT and ESVSB and Charles (Expositor’s Bible Commentary) support option A. NET and NIV and Mounce and McKnight (NIVAC) support option B. Is the “salvation” described in verse 9 something that we experience now? Marshall and Mounce say that this salvation is something we experience now. Grudem says that the sense of “obtaining” means that they are continually experiencing more and more of their salvation. OBSERVATIONS Observation 1 Bibliography Charles, Expositor’s Bible Commentary Grudem, Tyndale NT Commentary Marshall, IVPNTC Mounce, A Living Hope: A Commentary on 1 and 2 Peter Schreiner, ESVSB

Look-up

1 Peter 1:3-9

Born Again to a Living Hope 3 g Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ ! h According to his great mercy , i he has caused us to be born again to a living hope j through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to k an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and l unfading , m kept in heaven for you , 5 who by God’s power are being guarded n through faith for a salvation o ready to be revealed in the last time . 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by p various trials , 7 so that q the tested genuineness of your faith —more precious than gold that perishes r though it is tested by s fire —may be found to result in t praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 u Though you have not seen him , you love him. v Though you do not now see him , you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining w the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls .

2 Corinthians 1:3

God of All Comfort 3 f Blessed be the g God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ , the Father of mercies and h God of all comfort,

Ephesians 1:3

Spiritual Blessings in Christ 3 e Blessed be f the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ , who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing g in the heavenly places,

Titus 3:5

5 he saved us, e not because of works done by us in righteousness, but f according to his own mercy , by g the washing of regeneration and h renewal of the Holy Spirit,

1 Peter 1:23

23 d since you have been born again , e not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through f the living and abiding word of God;

1 Peter 3:21-22

21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, u now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but v as an appeal to God for a good conscience, w through the resurrection of Jesus Christ , 22 who has gone into heaven and x is at the right hand of God, y with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

1 Corinthians 15:20

20 But in fact f Christ has been raised from the dead, g the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep .

1 Peter 5:4

4 And when t the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the u unfading v crown of glory .

Colossians 1:5

5 because of h the hope i laid up for you in heaven . Of this you have heard before in j the word of the truth, the gospel,

Romans 8:17

17 and if children, then l heirs —heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ , m provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him .

2 Timothy 4:8

8 Henceforth there is y laid up for me z the crown of righteousness , which the Lord, a the righteous judge, will award to me on b that Day, and not only to me but also to all c who have loved his appearing.

Ephesians 2:8

8 For z by grace you have been saved a through faith . And this is b not your own doing; c it is the gift of God,

Romans 8:18

Future Glory 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time n are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us .

2 Corinthians 4:17

17 For i this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison ,

Hebrews 12:11

11 n For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields o the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it .

1 Peter 4:12

Suffering as a Christian 12 Beloved, do not be surprised at z the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

James 1:2-3

Testing of Your Faith 2 e Count it all joy, my brothers, 1 when you meet trials f of various kinds , 3 for you know that g the testing of your faith h produces steadfastness.

OT

Psalms 66:10

10 For you, O God, have l tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried .

Job 23:10

10 But he y knows z the way that I a take; when he has b tried me, I shall come out as gold .

Proverbs 17:3

3 p The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, q and the Lord tests hearts .

Isaiah 48:10

10 Behold, I have refined you, n but not as silver; o I have tried 1 you in the furnace of affliction .

1 Corinthians 3:13

13 x each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed y by fire , and z the fire will test what sort of work each one has done .

Romans 2:7-10

7 to those who o by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; 8 but for those who are self-seeking 1 and p do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. 9 There will be tribulation and distress q for every human being who does evil, the Jew r first and also the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and s peace for everyone who does good, t the Jew first and also the Greek.

1 Corinthians 4:5

5 Therefore q do not pronounce judgment before the time, r before the Lord comes, s who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. t Then each one will receive his commendation from God .

2 Thessalonians 1:7-12

7 and to grant j relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when k the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven l with his mighty angels 8 m in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those n who do not know God and on those who o do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will suffer the punishment of p eternal destruction, q away from 1 the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, 10 r when he comes on s that day t to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our u testimony to you v was believed. 11 To this end we w always pray for you, that our God may x make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every y work of faith by his power, 12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus z may be glorified in you, and you in him , according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ .

1 John 4:20

20 f If anyone says, “I love God,” and g hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot 1 love God h whom he has not seen .

Hebrews 11:23-27

23 By faith q Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of r the king’s edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, s refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 t choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy u the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 v He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to w the reward. 27 By faith he x left Egypt, y not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured z as seeing him who is invisible .

John 20:29

29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? t Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Romans 6:22

22 But now that you z have been set free from sin and a have become slaves of God, b the fruit you get leads to sanctification and c its end, eternal life .

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