Imperishable Inheritance

What follows is an exposition of 1 Peter 1. It was more work than I thought to put together an exposition on only 1 chapter (almost 3 hours). I am going through 1 Peter in my Bible study, and I planned on writing an exposition throughout the study; but we'll have to see how that develops.

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen 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.
1 Peter 1:1-2

In the introductory passage of 1 Peter, we see the apostle (first named Simon, Matthew 4:18) declaring both himself as the author and an apostle of Jesus Christ. He states his intent in writing to the "aliens" or people not of this world (John 17:6). Matthew Henry and John Gill's commentary both use the KJV and the term "strangers" utilized in that text. Gill says of that term, "these Jews here intended are called strangers; not in a metaphorical sense, either because they were, as the wicked are, estranged from the womb, and alienated from the life of God, as all unconverted men are, and as they were before conversion; for now they were no more strangers in this sense: or because of their unsettled state and condition in this life..." This interpretation is verified by the connection of "aliens" to "chosen according..."

The areas mentioned are:

1. Pontus: "a province of Asia Minor, stretching along the southern coast of the Euxine Sea."
2. Galatia: "an intermixture of Gauls and Greeks, and hence were called Gallo-Graeci, and the country Gallo-Graecia."
3. Cappadocia: the largest and easternmost province of Asia Minor.
4. Asia: "used to denote Proconsular Asia, a Roman province which embraced the western parts of Asia Minor, and of which Ephesus was the capital."
5. Bithynia: "a province in Asia Minor, to the south of the Euxine and Propontis." (Paul was prevented from entering Bithynia by the Holy Spirit in Acts 16:7).

who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father

In this phrase we find much debate in evangelical circles, but I shall not deal with presumptions or eisegesis but solely with the text. When the Bible says this phrase we can be assured that God The Father chooses a people before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4), and Peter uses the phrase "before the foundation of the world in verse 20. God The Father has perfect, unwavering, divine foreknowledge of all that will come to pass; and not only does he have this perfect knowledge (omniscience), but he also foreordains all that will come to pass. Matthew Henry declares of this aspect of God's foreknowledge, "Foreknowledge sometimes signifies counsel, appointment, and approbation."

by the sanctifying work of the Spirit

In this passage we see the divine nature of the Holy Spirit and also how it plays into the God's decree salvation. The Spirit "sanctifies" which means hold us and continues to mold us to become more like Christ until our time of glorification (2 Thessalonians 2:13). We can reflect on the majesty of this passage and how it reflects that those that The Father elects will not be lost (John 6:37).

to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.

Being sanctified (as the previous verse stated) holds us into a relationship of complete submission to the Lordship of Christ. To be "sprinkled" is to parallel the idea of cleansing accomplished during the sacrifices of the Old Covenant such as in Exodus 24:8. The close to this verse echoes the desire of the apostle for all the elect to enjoy God to "the fullest measure." The KJV says, "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied." The Textus Receptus gives us that the grace and peace are to "multiplied" or continual growing which fits in perfectly with the idea of sanctification.

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, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1 Peter 1:3-5

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,

We can plainly see the reverence and humility the apostle shows toward God The Father and His Son ("Blessed be"). The communicable attribute that Peter ascribes to God The Father is none other than "mercy." Only "according to His great mercy" and this emphasizes the underlying foundation of His mercy is through grace (Ephesians 2:1-10). And only according to that mercy has He caused (note the active sense) to be born again (cf. 1 John 3:14). In John 3:3-7, Jesus declares the importance of this to Nicodemus: "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." It is noteworthy that we not only have hope, but that we have a "living" hope through the resurrection of Christ (Proverbs 10:28). To contrast, a "dead" hope in Christ would be none at all, but we see the apostle attaching a positive, direct connotation to the hope we have in Christ.

to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away

The theme of an symbolizing our hope/resurrection with Christ as an inheritance is echoed by the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 1:11 (also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,). What makes this analogy that much stronger is how the apostle attaches very poignant pronouns such as "imperishable" (everlasting), undefiled (completely perfect and without blemish), and that this inheritance "will not fade away." We can be assured that Christ, is not only the author of our faith, but also the perfecter (Hebrews 12:1-2).

reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

The apostle continues to assure us that those "who are chosen" are protected and our place in heaven is "reserved" to be revealed at the second coming of Christ. Note that we are protected by the power of God "through faith" adding to the magnitude of our justification by solely faith (Romans 5:1).

In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, 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;
1 Peter 1:6-7

In this you greatly rejoice

We see that the apostle's humility and gratitude toward the mercy of God and the assurance of his salvation. He says, "In this" as well as he uses the phrase "through faith" in that there is an intermediary to which we work that of our Lord Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5-6).

even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith,

This phrase emphasizes the endurance of our faith through trials. Even though "for a little while" or time on earth so that our faith may be made to be a true testament. What a great example we find in the story of Abraham in his obedience to sacrifice his son for submission to God, but what does God say as Abraham raises his dagger to kill his son Isaac, "for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me" (Genesis 22:12). Continue to rejoice, even through trial, of the living hope you have obtained (as an inheritance) from God.

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;

Our faith, being more precious that perishable items such as gold (which contrasts the usage of an "imperishable inheritance" in vs. 4) is to be tested by fire. We know that fire can, and does, melt the perishable object of gold, but fire shall not melt the faith given and promised to us from God. And through the test and endurance it is to result (future tense) in "praise and glory and honor." I find it interesting the apostle emphasis the effects of our faith to be separated with an "and" which makes the text come alive in its significance.

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, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:8-9

We see the assurance from the trial of not seeing Jesus in a physical sense, that the chosen do indeed love Him all the more (Hebrews 11:1).

you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.

Here again he uses "rejoice" to denote our joy in God despite trial (vs. 6). The use of the word "inexpressible" denotes such a powerful connotation to the joy and resulting glory that is to be accomplished (vs. 7). Peter uses linear logic to literate that faith + testing = endurance = "salvation of our souls." And we are "obtaining" as in a present and progressive sense (although it should be made clear that we are not progressively justified).

As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.
1 Peter 1:10-11

The prophets of the Old Testament diligently recorded prophecies of the coming messiah (by assistance of the Holy Spirit), and this text mentions the prophesies "of grace." We can see the inspiration embedded within the prophets because the "the Spirit of Christ" was within them. And they continually sought and longed to know when it will occur. The prophets did prophesy over the sufferings (Psalms 22) and the glory to follow (Psalms 110:1).

It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven--things into which angels long to look.
1 Peter 1:12

In this verse we see the prophets ("to them") were, in essence, serving us in delivering the prophecies of the coming Messiah.

those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven

The emphasis is made by the apostle on the necessity of the Holy Spirit to effectively deliver the gospel, and henceforth the Holy Spirit becomes the only agent that can overcome our inability to hear and respond to the gospel call.

things into which angels long to look.

The angels long to take part in the growth of God's kingdom through the sharing of the gospel to the unregenerate. God has left the responsibility of conversion in the Holy Spirit, and the angels serve a different purpose.

Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY."
1 Peter 1:13-16

The apostle calls in the active sense to "prepare our minds for action." We exercise this through our "living hope" on Christ. What does it mean to focus "your hope completely on the grace...?" We are to anxiously await His return and the that living hope is to engulfed in our entire being. To "be sober" not only refers to our denial of intoxicants and illicit substances but also to purify our minds completely and remove all that is un-Godly.

"As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance"

This is an eloquent phrase for "repent." Be made a new (as God made you a new), and turn from your "former lusts" from the state of our spiritual death/inability ("in your ignorance").

but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY."

Imagine that command to be holy as God is. To set a goal that high will constantly keep us in a mode of preparedness and humility before God. But we know that we still do continue to sin (1 John 1:10), but we are to continue to work toward perfection in spite of. Does this not intensify the majestic grace of God?

If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth;
1 Peter 1:17

Notice, that even though the apostle uses the term "if" it is not a question of whether we should or not. We are commanded to acknowledges Him as Father the One... Peter drives home Paul's declaration in Romans 2 about the impartially of God, and that each will be judged according to his own works (deeds in Romans) (Romans 2:5-6, 11).

yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth;

The humility of working out our salvation in fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12) will bring us to the remembrance and fixate our hope on the grace of the revelation of Christ (vs. 13).

knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.
1 Peter 1:18-19

How foolish of us to thing that "perishable things" might be our source of redemption. Even though this sounds ludicrous (and it is), many Christians continually put an idol before God. Peter says that living like that is "futile." And, from vs. 7, we see the apostle illustrate the futility of the perishable things.

with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.

What wonderful pronouns Peter gives us for the blood of Christ: "perfect, unblemish, and spotless."

For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
1 Peter 1:20-21

Christ not only was foreknown but everything was created through Him (Ephesians 2:10).

but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you who through Him are believers in God

I believe that Peter is speaking of the "last times" as the current time (as we are in the last times). His appearance refers to His earthly ministry and death. Notice Peter has the phrase "sake of you who through Him" as to show the necessity of Christ to have a relationship with God (John 14:6, 1 Timothy 2:5).

who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

God The Father demonstrates His power to raise His Son from the dead and give Him glory (to glorify Himself). Through this our faith is in Him.

Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.
1 Peter 1:22-23

The apostle makes a great statement of our responsibility by saying "you have obedience." Notice this fitting in with the tone of humility and fear (vs. 6, 17).

purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart

To "purify" is to clean and used in the necessity of illustrating this condition to love the bretheren (cf. 1 John 3:14). It is quite obvious that Peter was indeed around Jesus and learned much from Him (John 13:34).

for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.

Again, we see the apostle speak of the attribute of being imperishable. We are born of the seed, that being faith (Matthew 17:20), but that happens "through the living and enduring word of God." Why is this phrase necessary? The gospel is necessary to move someone to a faith on Christ. Through the gospel, that we are changed in order respond (Acts 16:34), many are saved.

For, "ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS, AND ALL ITS GLORY LIKE THE FLOWER OF GRASS. THE GRASS WITHERS, AND THE FLOWER FALLS OFF, BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER." And this is the word which was preached to you.
1 Peter 1:24-25

The phrase in all capital letters signifies a quote from the Old Testament, and the apostle pulls from Isaiah 40:6. Grass is perishable; in fact, "ALL FLESH IS LIKE GRASS." And the apostle compares the glory of flesh to the glory of grass (that being insignificant). So, the grass dies and the flower falls off; but we may have confidence that the word of God will last forever (Matthew 24:35).

And this is the word which was preached to you.

And this thereby connects the gospel to the word of God (Mark 4:13-20).