1 Peter 1:7-9 NIV

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 1:8

Verse 8 8Whom having not seen, or, Whom though ye have not seen. He lays down two things, that they loved Christ whom they had not seen, and that they believed on him whom they did not then behold. But the first arises from the second; for the cause of love is faith, not only because the knowledge of those blessings which Christ bestows on us, moves us to love him, but because he offers us perfect felicity, and thus draws us up to himself. He then commends the Jews, because they believed in... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 1:9

Verse 9 9Receiving the end of your faith He reminds the faithful where they ought to direct all their thoughts, even to eternal salvation. For this world holds all our affections ensnared by is allurements; this life and all things belonging to the body are great impediments, which prevent us from applying our minds to the contemplation of the future and spiritual life. Hence the Apostle sets before us this future life as a subject of deep meditation, and he indirectly intimates that the loss... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 1:7

That the trial of your faith. The words of 1 Peter 1:6 , "if need be," point to the purpose and end of the temptations. St. Peter proceeds to develop his meaning. The word rendered "trial" ( δοκίμιον or δυκιμεῖον ) means rather "test or proof;" it is explained by Dionysius of Halicarnassus ('Rhet.,' I1) as that at which, when one looks, he is able to form a judgment. Cremer says it is "not only the means of proof itself, e.g. the touchstone, but also the trace of the metal left... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 1:8

Whom having not seen, ye love . Some ancient manuscripts read οὐκ εἰδότες , "although ye know him not:" but the reading ἰδόντες is best supported, and gives the better sense. The Christians of Asia Minor had not seen the gracious face of the Lord, as St. Peter had. But though they had never known him after the flesh, they knew him by the inner knowledge of spiritual communion, and, having learned to love him, had attained the blessing promised to those who had not seen, but yet... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 1:8

Peter had seen Jesus constantly during the course of his ministry, had known him intimately, and had loved him well. But most of these to whom he wrote this Epistle had not been brought into such association with the Son of man. The apostle's aim in communicating with such professed Christians as those to whom he addressed his letter was to encourage and stimulate their spiritual life. It was his privilege to bear the testimony which it was their privilege to receive and to act upon. They were... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 1:9

Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. The present participle "receiving" ( κομιζόμενοι ) implies that the believer realizes the deep blessing of salvation gradually while he is being saved as one of οἱ σωζόμενοι ( Acts 2:47 ). Salvation is present as well as future. "By grace ye are saved through faith" ( Ephesians 2:8 ); "According to his mercy he saved us" ( Titus 3:5 ). God's elect receive it in various measures now; in its blessed fullness it will... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 1:7

That the trial of your faith - The putting of your religion to the test, and showing what is its real nature. Compare James 1:3, James 1:12.Being much more precious than of gold - This does not mean that their faith was much more precious than gold, but that the testing of it, (δοκίμιον dokimion,) the process of showing whether it was or was not genuine, was a much more important and valuable process than that of testing gold in the fire. More important results were to be arrived at by it, and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 1:8

Whom having not seen, ye love - This Epistle was addressed to those who were “strangers scattered abroad,” (See the notes at 1 Peter 1:1) and it is evident that they had not personally seen the Lord Jesus. Yet they had heard of his character, his preaching, his sacrifice for sin, and his resurrection and ascension, and they had learned to love him:(1) It is possible to love one whom we have not seen. Thus, we may love God, whom no “eye hath seen,” (compare 1 John 4:20) and thus we may love a... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 1:9

Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls - The result or object of your faith; that is, what your faith is designed and adapted to secure. Compare the notes at Romans 10:4. The word rendered receiving is used here as indicating that they would surely obtain that. They even now had such peace and joy in believing, that it furnished undoubted evidence that they would be saved; and such that it might be said that even now they were saved. The condition of one who is a true... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Peter 1:8-9

1 Peter 1:8-9. Whom having not seen Ειδοτες , known, that is, personally in the flesh; ye love Namely, on account of his amiable character, and for the great things he hath done and suffered for you, and the great benefits he hath bestowed on you. It is very possible, as Doddridge observes, that among these dispersed Christians, there might be some who had visited Jerusalem while Christ was there, and might have seen, or even conversed with him; but as the greater part had not, St.... read more

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 1:8

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Peter 1:9

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 1:7

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 1:8

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 1:8

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Peter 1:9

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 1:7

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 1:8

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Peter 1:9

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Peter 1:8-9

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