Bible Study Commentary
1 PETER
Lesson 2: Thanksgiving for Salvation
1 Peter 1:3-5
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
What part of an ancient letter does this passage (1:3-12) belong to?
answer: The passage before the main body of the letter is called the "prayer/thanksgiving" section. See 1 Corinthian 1:4-9 and Philippians 1:3-11 for some examples of "prayer/thanksgiving" in other New Testament Epistles.
In the form of a Jewish prayer, this passage was originally written in one long continuous sentence. The author starts by praising God and then continues with the theme of the salutation, which is salvation. This passage will be divided into two: (1) The first part will be the "doxology", verses 3-5. The focus of the doxology is God's gift of salvation. (2) The second part will be from verse 6-12 where Peter expounds on the aspects of the believer's salvation
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!"
What is the implication of this phrase with the believer's relationship with God?
answer: The keywords here are "Father" and "our". First, by using the personal pronoun "our", Peter implies a personal relationship between them, the believer, and the Father and the Son. Second, Peter makes us understand that our personal relationship with God is through our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our Father not only because He has given us new birth, but because He is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We should not see this statement as an indication of the inferiority of the Son. At this early stage of Christianity, the doctrine of the Trinity is not well articulated or developed. Also, the title Lord is used in the Old Testament as the title for God.
"In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,"
What is 'new birth'?
answer: New birth is what we as Christians, call being "born again" (see v.23). The theological term for this experience is "regeneration." Although there are no changes that could be seen in the physical body, real changes happens within. Chapter 4 speaks of the noticeable effects of such changes that can be seen in a Christian's current lifestyles.
How did the believers receive such new birth?
answer: It is given to them because of God's mercy and through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Though we are sinful and deserving death, the mercy of God is the one that qualifies us to receive such great salvation (new birth). Without further explanation, Peter makes it clear that our salvation and everything that God has given us is only possible because Jesus Christ rose from the dead.
What is 'living hope'?
answer: Living hope is the product of a Christian’s new birth. This hope is not the same hope when a person says 'I hope to have a big house in the future.' It does not have a sense of uncertainty or doubt. This hope is looking forward towards the future for something that is already guaranteed to be theirs, like an inheritance. The word "living" suggests that a Christian’s hope is always active; never fading in them until they receive the completion or fullness of their salvation (verse 9).
Living hope stimulates endurance and patience for a Christian to reach their goal in the end. We can also imply from the passage that the guarantee of their living hope comes from the fact that Jesus Christ rose from the dead.
Can you rephrase the message of verse 3?
answer: Thank God for his mercy that gives us a new birth which produces living hope. All of these have been accomplished because of Jesus Christ's resurrection from the dead..
"and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you...."
What is the objective of the believer’s living hope?
answer: The objective is to obtain the inheritance that is kept in heaven for the believers. This promise of inheritance keeps their hope alive through every situation.
What is the believer’s inheritance?
answer: Although Peter did not specifically explain the inheritance, its characteristics show that it is not of this world (unlike the ‘promised land’ that Abraham inherited from God. Hebrew 11:8.) and is being kept in heaven for the believers. Their inheritance will last forever.
"who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time."
What is the believer’s assurance that they will obtain their inheritance at the end?
answer: First, their inheritance is being kept in heaven for them where it will not perish, spoil, or fade. Second, God's power is shielding or guarding them so that they can make it through the end. God is protecting both the inheritance and the heirs.
What is the believer’s part in making sure that they will receive the inheritance?
answer:
Just to keep their faith in God, or trust God’s words and promises. Going back to verse 2, to trust God is to always obey Him.If there is a "coming salvation to be revealed," what kind of salvation does the believer have at the present?
answer: The phrase seems to suggest that believers are not saved until they have fully received salvation at the end of time. But for the believers that are going through earthly trials and hardship, Peter is trying to make them understand two important things about the salvation that they have received from God. First, they already have salvation because they have experienced new birth and have a personal relationship with God. Second, their trials and suffering in this life is a reminder that everything that salvation has to offer is not yet fully realized. They have obtained that personal salvation, but their inheritance with the full consummation of salvation, including that of all creation, is still to come at the end of time. The day will come when God will take away all the pain, sorrow, and suffering of this present life. God will make everything new (Revelation 21:3-5).
Present Application
What is the significance of knowing God as our Father?
answer: This truth raises Christianity above all other religions. Unlike other beliefs or religions where god is viewed as an inanimate force or influence, or is seen as a higher being(s) who is powerful but detached from human experiences and feelings. Peter's message reminds us that our God is a supreme being who has an intimate relationship with his followers. This relationship is even closer than with other people. Peter's use of a "parent-child relationship" to express our relationship with God reveals the degree of intimacy that is possible between us and our God.
What have we learned about the assurance of our salvation?
answer: We live with daily struggles to do the will of God, and often times we fail to live in complete obedience with Him. God did not only save us from sin by giving us new birth, but the Holy Spirit continuously works in us to make us holy (sanctify-v.2). God is protecting both us and our inheritance according to verses 4-5. What God requires of us is to simply live by faith in Him daily. It is encouraging to know that we are not trying to do God's will on our own but with God's perfect provision.
Is there anything else that you can learn from Lesson 2? How would you apply it to your life today?
answer: [Write in your answer]
Summary Lesson 2: Peter continues with the theme of salvation in the prayer/thanksgiving portion of the Epistle. Peter makes Christians realize how great the salvation that God has given them. But Peter continues a little further by telling them that their salvation has much more to offer. They are the rightful heir of a precious inheritance. The inheritance is guaranteed to be theirs only if they will hold on to the end. To avoid anxiety or fear of not making it, Peter tells the believers that God is making sure that their inheritance is safe in heaven. The inheritance is waiting for them, and God's power is guarding them, as believers, to make it through this life until the end. These teachings are meant to encourage distraught Christians, the early believers and believers today, to hold on and not give up. This is exactly what Peter will continue to do as he discusses the theme of salvation. Let's go to Lesson 3.
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