1 Peter 1

After the superscription of the Epistle, 3. The Apostle thanketh God that he hath regenerated us unto an incorruptible inheritance: 5. And withal that he keepeth us by faith unto salvation, 6. And makes us joyful in the midst of all trials: 8. Wherefore we also love him with joy, although we see him not. 10. Testifieth further that the doctrine of this grace is not new, nor mean, but that the spirit of Christ in the old Prophets foretold the same: 12. And the Angels are desirous to look into it. 13. Cometh afterwards to divers exhortations, and before all to firm hope in this grace, 14. To holiness, 17. To further laying aside of all vain conversation, from whence we are redeemed by the blood of Christ. 20. Teacheth that God indeed chose Christ to this office of Mediator from Eternity, but that he is now revealed for our sake. 22. Again draws from thence exhortation to mutual brotherly love, 23. Seeing we are born again thereunto by the unperishing seed of the Gospel.

1. Peter [This Apostle proper name was Simon, or Simeon, John 21:2. 2 Peter 1:1. But the name Peter, or in Syriack, Cephas, John 1:43. 1 Cor. 1. 12. He received from Christ, when he called him to the Apostleship, as may be seen, Mark 3:16. Luke 6:14. See the reason hereof in the annot. On Matth. 16. 18.] an Apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered [Gr. To the stingers of the dispersion. Some hereby understand those, who because they professed faith in Christ, were driven out of the land of Judea by the unbelieving Jews, as may be seen, Acts 8:4. And chapter 12. 1, 2. But it seemeth not that these banished Christians in so short time departed into Countries lying round about Judea. Therefore their opinion is more probable, who hereby understand the Jews who had long before been scattered into those Countries of Asia, by the carrying away of the Assyrians, and by the persecution the formerly happened under Antiochus, as the Greek word Parepidemois imports: which were strangers indeed, but dwelt among those nations; as the Greek word Diaspora, i.e. scattering, is also taken, John 7:35. Of whom also many being come to Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, were converted by the preaching of Peter and other Apostles, Acts 2:10. Who afterward returned home, and spread abroad the faith, although not without great trouble from the stiff necked Jews. And this opinion is confirmed also by the title which James gives the same Jews in his Epistle, when he calls them, the scattered of the twelve Tribes, to whom he writes his Epistle. See James 1:1. For their confirmation therefore, Peter, as also James wrote his Epistle] in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, [all these were Provinces lying in Asia, in which many Jews had formerly taken their habitation, as may be partly be seen also, Acts 2 vers. 9. 10. And by the travels of Paul] Asia [this was a part of Asia, called Asia the less, whereof Ephesus was the chief City. See Acts 2:9.] and Bithynia.

2. To the elect [Hereby is not properly signified eternal election (which is understood by the following title) but election in time out of the Common heap of men, and especially of the Jews: which election in Scripture is otherwise also termed calling, or calling according to God’s purpose. See John 15:19. Romans 8:28. 1 Cor. 1. 26.] according to the foreknowledge [that is, according to the eternal decree, or purpose. See Romans 8:26. and hereafter vers. 20.] of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, [or by: for this election or calling consists in sanctification of the Spirit, and is made by the holy Ghost, forasmuch as the operation of the holy Ghost only, seperateth us from the common heap of corrupt men] unto obedience [namely, of faith; for by faith we obey the Gospel of Christ. See hereafter vers. 22. and Romans 1:5.] and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: [that is, reconciliation with God through the blood of Christ, which we receive by faith, and whereof the sprinkling of the blood of the sacrifices in the Old Testament was a type. See Hebrews 9:18. Etc. so then here are briefly rehearsed all the principal causes of our salvation] Grace and peace be multiplied unto you. [This the Apostle saith, because they had already received the beginnings of this grace and peace.]

3. Praised [Gr. Blessed, as Ephe. 1. 3.] be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, [See hereof, 1 Cor. 15. 24.] who according to his great mercy hath regenerated us [that is, renewed us by his Spirit, or delivered us from the domino of indwelling sin. See John 3:5, 6. Romans 6:11. & c.] unto a living hope, [that is, an hope of eternal life, or an enlivening hope, a hope which is wakeful and firm in us, and overcomes all difficulties, under which faith also, from whence this hope ariseth, is contained] by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. [The Apostle here ascribes our regeneration to the resurrection of Christ, not to exclude his death, for thereby we are reconciled unto God, and by the power of the same death our old man is also mortified: but because this reconciliation is applied unto us by Christ’s resurrection, and the new man is raised up in us, even as Paul more largely declares, Romans 6:4. and the following verses. See also the annot. on Romans 4:25.]

4. Unto an incorruptible, and unspotted, and unfading inheritance, which is kept in the heavens for you. [This the Apostle saith, because many Jews looked for an earthly Kingdom under the Messiah.]

5. You who are kept [The Greek word imports a keeping by set watches. The power of God therefore is like unto a watch and fortress, whereby we are guarded round about against our Spiritual enemies. See Psalms 34:7, 8. And 91. 1, 2. John 10:28, 29.] in (or by) the power of God, by faith, unto salvation, which is prepared to be revealed [that is openly given and imparted unto you. See 1 John 3:2.] in the last time. [That is, in the last day, when he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.]

6. In whom [Namely, God. Or in which, namely, thing] ye rejoice now a little (while) if it be needful [namely, if it be God’s will, to which we must willingly submit ourselves, as he speaketh hereafter chapter 3. 17. And if this be useful for our salvation, 1 Cor. 11. 32.] being in heaviness, by many fold temptations. [That is, tribulations, or persecutions, as James 1:2.]

7. That the trial of your faith, which is much more precious [That is, of greater virtue and worth than the trial of gold by fire. See Job 23:10. James 1:3.] than of gold that perisheth, and is tried by fire, may be found [namely, when ye are tried thereby, and have remained steadfast in the faith, not withstanding all trials. See Matthew 24:13.] to be unto praise, and honour, and glory, [namely, in heaven before God, as Romans 2:7. And this is opposed to the reproach and dishonor, which worldly men think they bring upon the faithful by persecution] in the revelation of Jesus Christ, [See before verse 5.]

8. Whom ye have not seen [Others read, have not known: Namely, after the flesh, which is also made a sign of the fruit of true faith, John 20:29. And 1 John 4:20.] and (yet) love, in whom ye now although not seeing (him) but believing rejoice [the faithful grieve also in afflictions as is said vers. 6. because they are not insensible in chastisements; but rejoice in the comfort of the Spirit, which they feel thereby, Romans 5:3, 4. And in consideration of the joyful issue of the same. See Hebrews 12:11.] with an unspeakable [that is, which is better felt by believers by the operation of the holy Spirit, even in the midst of afflictions, then can by the mouth be uttered before others. See John 14:17. Phil. 44] and glorious joy. [Gr. Glorified joy. i.e. which springs from good and glorious causes in this life, and shall be joined with eternal glory in that to come. And this property is here opposed to worldly joy, which is oftentimes mingled with dishonor, and commonly ends in shame, Philippians 3:19.]

9. Obtaining the end of your faith, [Or, the reward of your faith, so called because it shall be given us of grace at the end of our labour. See hereof in the similitude, mat. 20. 1. Etc.] (namely) the salvation of (your) souls. [Although this salvation which we obtain by Christ, belongs to the whole man, yet nevertheless it is called of the souls, because in this life and after this life, this salvation beginneth in the soul, which afterwards, after the resurrection of the dead shall be communicated to the body also, Philippians 3:20, 21.]

10. Of which salvation [Namely, procured us by Christ, to enjoy both here and hereafter. See Acts 3:24. and 10. 43. Etc] the Prophets have enquired and searched, [for the Prophets being informed thereof by the Spirit of God, have always endeavored to know more and more thereof. See examples hereof Isa. 63. Vers. 1 etc. Daniel 9:24. Etc, Luke 10:24.] who have prophesied of the grace (given) unto you. [So the Apostle calls the fulfilling of the promises, which came to pass in the Gospel, opposed to the bare types and predictions of this grace. See John 1:17.]

11. Searching in what or what manner of the time [That is, not only the grace itself was searched after by them, but also the time when it should come upon the house of Israel. See Genesis 49:10. Isaiah 11:1. Daniel 9:24.] the Spirit of Christ [that is, the holy Ghost, by whom the holy men of God were acted and spoke, 2 Pet. 1. 21. Which is therefore called the Spirit of Christ, because he proceeds from Christ, and he sent him from the Father, not only to the Apostles, but also to the Prophets. See John 12:25, 26. Etc. wherefore he is also called the Spirit of the Son, Galatians 4:6.] which was in them signified, and fore-testified the sufferings (that should come) upon Christ, and the glory (following) after it. [Gr. The glories, compared with, Acts 28:25.]

12. To whom it was revealed that they administered these things, not unto themselves but unto us, [The Apostle speaketh here of the thing it self; namely, Christ’s coming in the flesh, his suffering and his glory, as is expressed in the former verse: not of the fruits and operations of the same in us, which the faithful of the old Testament received as well as we, as was showed divers times before] which are now declared unto you, by those who have preached the Gospel unto you, by the holy Ghost which is sent from heaven, [namely, on the day of Pentecost, according to the Prophecy of Joel, Joel 2:28. Acts 2. Vers. 4, 16, 17.] into which things [namely, whereof he spoke in this verse and in the foregoing] the Angels are desirous to look. [namely, by reason of the admiration and the delight that they have in acknowledging of God’s manifold wisdom which he useth in the work of our Redemption, and in the distribution of his grace unto the Church, as Paul declares, Ephe. 3. 10. and the Apostle seemeth here to have respect to the type of the Arch of the Covenant, over which two continually looked towards the Mercy-seat, or the propitiatory. See Exodus 25:20. And Hebrews 9:5.]

13. Therefore girding up the Loins of your understanding, [Seeing the Apostle ver. 4. Had said, that this hope is kept in heaven, he cometh in this second part of the Epistle, to exhort them that therefore they should endeavour to attain thereunto by the way proposed, and to gird up, and put away from them all hindrances, or understanding, as the people of that time girded up their long garments with girdles to their loins, to go their way the more readily] (and) being sober [this the Apostle adds, as Christ doth also, Luke 21:34. Because a man that is over charged with meat and drink, is as unfit to seek after spiritual things, as to go forward speedily on his way. See also, I Thes. 5. 6.] hope perfectly [that is, firmly and uprightly] in the grace which is brought unto you [Gr. Brought, i.e. brought unto, or is offered] in the revelation of Jesus Christ. [namely, at the last day, as before, ver. 7. Others understand it of the grace which is now revealed and offered unto us by the Gospel.]

14. As obedient children [Namely, of God. Gr. As children of obedience] be not conformed to the lusts, [that is, walk not as ye did before when you made yourselves conformable to the lusts which were in your ignorance. See the like, Romans 12:2. Ephesians 2:3.] which were before in your ignorance. [that is, Jewish and worldly blindness before your conversion to Christ.]

15. But as he who hath called you is holy, (so) be ye yourselves also holy, in all your walking,

16. Because it is written, be ye holy, for I am holy.

17. And if ye call Father [Namely, as genuine children, James 2:7.] him, [that is, God the supreme Judge] who without accepting of persons [Gr. Accepting of the face, whereof see the annotate. On Acts 10:34.] judgeth according to every one’s work, walk in fear the time of your inhabitation: [the Greek word Paroikia signifies an inhabiting for a time in a place which is not our country: as may be seen, Luke 24:28. Hebrews 11:9. Our inhabiting therefore is here in the body upon earth, without heaven, which is properly our Country. See 2 Cor. 5. 1, 6.]

18. Knowing that ye are not redeemed by perishing things, silver or gold, from your vain conversation, which (was) delivered over (to you) from the fathers: [He speaketh partly of the evil examples of many of their forefathers, as Ezekiel 20:18. Acts 7:51. Partly many vain and Pharisaical traditions, according to which they conformed themselves more than according to God’s commandments, as may be seen every where in the Gospel.]

19. But by the precious blood of Christ, as of unblameable and unspotted lamb: a Sacramental phrase, whereby that which was spoken of the Paschal Lamb is interpreted of Christ, 1 Cor. 5. 7. As also the other Lambs, which were chosen without spot for daily propitiatory sacrifices. See Numbers 28:3. John 1:29.]

20. Who indeed was fore-known [That is, fore-ordained, namely, for a Mediator and propitiation for our sins. See also of this word, Romans 8:29. and 11. 2. and above, see ver. 2.] before the foundation of the world , but is revealed [namely in the flesh, 1 Tim. 3. 16.] in these last times, for your sake. [that is, for your salvation sake. See hereof, Hebrews 11:40. And the annotate there.]

21. Who by him believe in God [Namely, Christ. For we can have no confidence in God, but by faith in Christ, who only is our Mediator and the way to the Father, John 14:6.] who raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory, that your faith and hope might be in God.

22. Having (then) purified your souls in the obedience of the truth [That is, by faith, which was wrought in you by the hearing of the Gospel, and by the holy Ghost. See Acts 15:9.] by the Spirit, unto unfeigned brotherly love, love one another fervently, [Gr. extensively, i.e. with an extended or enlarged love] out of a pure heart. [that is, upright, unfeigned]

23. Being born again, not of corruptible [Namely, as your first birth was. For whatsoever is born of the flesh, Job 3:6.] but (of) incorruptible seed, [so the word of the Gospel is called, because it is joined with the operation of the holy Ghost which is without repentance, and that regeneration which is thereby effected in us, is incorruptible. See Romans 11:29. Philippians 1:6. 1 Joh. 5. 4, 18, & c.] by the living, and eternally abiding word of God. [or by the word of God, who liveth and abideth for ever.]

24. For all flesh [That is, all men born of flesh: or all natural men] is as grass, [that is, fadeth or perisheth as grass] and all the glory of men [In Isaiah, chapter 40. 6. Out of whom this place is rehearsed, it is, all the grace of man, i.e. all the glory wherewith God of his grace still adorns the natural man, namely, in things concerning worldly wisdom and honour] is as a flower of grass. [namely, which indeed shows fair for a short while, but soon vanisheth, as is presently declared] The grass is withered, and the flower of it is fallen off.

25. But the word of the Lord [Namely, of the Gospel, whereof Isaiah prophesies in that place] abideth for ever; [namely, in respect of its renewing, regenerating, and saving virtue, as is above noted, ver. 23. See also John 3:6. James 1:21.] and this is the word, [namely, of the Gospel. See 2 Cor. 3. 6, & c.] which is published among you.