Bible Study Commentary
1 PETER
Lesson 3: The Joy of Salvation
1 Peter 1:6-12
6
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have
had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith—of greater worth
than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine
and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see
him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious
joy, 9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the
salvation of your souls.
10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.
This is the second part of the prayer/thanksgiving section of the letter. This passage reminded me of the exhortation by Jesus Christ recorded in Luke 10:20 where he says "do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." In this section, Peter encourages his readers who are experiencing trials by reminding them of their glorious salvation from God.
"6In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials."
"In this you greatly rejoice" What is the cause of rejoicing to Christians who are going through trials?
answer: 'This' refers to the entire message found in verses 3-5. The passage emphasizes the Christians' great salvation and its full consummation at the end of time (inheritance kept in heaven for them). The reader’s knowledge and experience of salvation both of the present and what is to come should stimulate great rejoicing in their hearts at all times even when they are going through trials
What is the connection between their salvation and their suffering?
answer: Christian’s salvation is both the cause and the solution of their suffering. Although suffering is a normal part of life, salvation will result in more suffering and persecution because it is an opposing lifestyle from the world. But at the same time, knowledge of their salvation is the one that will enable them to hold on and it will stimulate joy and hope in the midst of their sufferings.
In verse 6, what aspect of suffering did Peter mention that would give them more encouragement to endure?
answer: The phrase "for a little while" is a clear reminder that all the Christian’s varying trials and sufferings have one thing in common: they are all temporary. Their suffering is a short term event; it will not last forever. Christian should always remember that at the end, their salvation will result in an everlasting life, free from any kind of hardship or suffering.
" 7These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."
In verse 7, what other aspects of suffering did Peter mention in order to encourage these early Christians who were going through trials?
answer: The phrase "these have come so that" implies that all these different kinds of trials are not happening to them as a result of God's inability to protect them, or that God is punishing them, neither that they are just victims of circumstances. Rather, all their experiences of trials have come for a purpose, and those trials are a part of God's plan for them in their life here in this world.
Does suffering and trials make the believers' faith genuine?
answer: Verse 7 does not say that trials will make our faith genuine, but rather it proves or confirms whether our faith is genuine in the first place. A person who does not have genuine faith will not suddenly produce faith when put on to trials, but will rather fail the trial. But a person with genuine faith will manifest and develop it when undergoing trials. In other words, trials will develop your faith, but it will not create faith if it is not there in the first place.
How long should they expect to go through these trials of their faith?
answer: The phrase "when Jesus Christ is revealed" implies the end of time. The end of time is the time of Christ return here on earth. This proved the fact that the early church are expecting the imminent return of Jesus Christ . This also implies that the praise, glory, and honor, as a result of their genuine faith mentioned in verse 7, happens at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Genuine faith requires perseverance.
Who is the recipients of praise, glory and honor mentioned in verse 7?
answer: All the praises, glory and honor ultimately belongs to God, but here in the context, Peter is implying that the recipient of praise, glory and honor are the Christians. We must distinguish the differences between praise, glory and honor that humans will receive from God and the praise, glory and honor that ultimately belongs only to God (see Romans 2:10,29; 8:30; 1 Cor. 4:5).
"8Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,"
What makes Peter so convinced that these early believers have genuine faith to make it through all the trials?
answer: Remember in verse 6, Peter mentions how the Christian’s genuine knowledge and experience of salvation causes great joy. Here in verse 8 we see that the genuine experience of salvation entails continually loving and trusting the Lord whom they have not seen physically. The unceasing love for Jesus, trust in the Lord, and great joy are so obvious in the believers’ lives that Peter is convinced that their faith is genuine.
" 9for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls."
Does verse 9 teach that the early believers are already receiving the full benefit of their faith?
answer: Obviously by reading verse 6 we can say that the believer's present trials and persecution proves that they are still awaiting the complete benefit of their faith (complete salvation even from physical sufferings). But Peter is telling them that their tremendous response of love and joy not only proves that their faith is genuine but that they can already feel a foretaste of the future experiences they will have when Jesus is finally revealed.
10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.
What was Peter's intention in mentioning the relationship of their salvation with the Old Testament period?
answer: Following Peter's flow of thought, he mentions the relationship between the Old Testament and the early believers’ present salvation. This adds more emphasis to the greatness of their salvation in Jesus Christ.
The prophets searched intently for "the grace that was to come," which is the salvation the New Testament Christians are enjoying. The prophets wanted to know the circumstances and time of Christ's suffering and the glories that would follow. The Old Testaments saints realized that the fulfillment of the prophecies were not in their time but in the time of the New Testament saints. Now, the fulfillment of those prophecies is the same gospel that was preached to them by those who were sent by the Holy Spirit, such as Peter and the other apostles.
"...the glories that would follow." What are these glories referring to?
answer: Peter is referring to the glory of Jesus' resurrection, ascension, and of his coming back again.
Why are the angels looking into these things?
answer: Here is an example of when we should be careful with treating subjects or elements of the passage without losing focus on the main point of the author. Peter is not teaching about angels, his mention of them is merely to add more importance or excitement to his statement concerning the greatness of the believers’ salvation. That is the whole purpose of this passage in verses 10-12. The event is so great that even angels are interested in seeing it happen.
We can also see the common practice of the New Testament authors’ to present Christianity as the continuation of the Old Testament rather than a new religion apart from the Old Testament.
Modern Application
Suffering: As mentioned
earlier, suffering is part of our daily lives in this present world, but there
is also suffering that comes from living a Christian lifestyle that is opposite
from the worldly lifestyle. Peter is talking mainly about this type of
suffering, and not because of our personal mistakes or sins, wrong judgments, or
because of our unpleasant personalities.
Can we biblically say that all Christians in different worldly societies will suffer some form of persecution for their faith? Explain your answer.
answer: YES.
It may vary in intensity, but worldly principles will always clash with
godly principles. (note ‘worldly society’)
It is obvious that in our modern American society, there is a lack of personal suffering for the name of Christ? Is this normal? What do you think is the reason for this?
answer: Sadly it is because we don’t really live out our faith as we should. There is more compromise rather than a humble but firm expression of our faith in our daily lives. Maybe people are not being challenged or even convicted by the way we Christians live and so there is less opposition against us.
Is there anything else that you can learn from Lesson 3? How would you apply it to your life today?
answer: [Write in your answer]
Summary Lesson 3: The genuine experience of salvation is the reason the early Christians are rejoicing and continuously loving the Lord Jesus Christ. This is evident even though they are suffering trials that often proves their faith. They are also reminded that the earlier prophets (and angels) long to experience and see the salvation that they are enjoying right now. Let's go to Lesson 4.
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