1 Peter 1:3-9

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Peter 1:3-5

We come now to the body of the epistle, which begins with, I. A congratulation of the dignity and happiness of the state of these believers, brought in under the form of a thanksgiving to God. Other epistles begin in like manner, 2 Cor. 1:3; Eph. 1:3. Here we have, 1. The duty performed, which is blessing God. A man blesses God by a just acknowledgment of his excellency and blessedness. 2. The object of this blessing described by his relation to Jesus Christ: The God and Father of our Lord... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Peter 1:6-9

The first word, wherein, refers to the apostle's foregoing discourse about the excellency of their present state, and their grand expectations for the future. ?In this condition you greatly rejoice, though now for a season, or a little while, if need be, you are made sorrowful through manifold temptations,? 1 Pet. 1:6. I. The apostle grants they were in great affliction, and propounds several things in mitigation of their sorrows. 1. Every sound Christian has always something wherein he may... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Peter 1:3-5

1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, according to his great mercy, has brought about in us that rebirth which leads to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, an inheritance imperishable, undefilable, and unfading, kept safe in heaven for us, who are protected by the power of God through faith, until there comes that deliverance which is ready to be revealed at the last time. It will take us a long time to appropriate the riches... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Peter 1:3-5

Further, the Christian has entered into a great inheritance (kleronomia, Greek #2817 ). Here is a word with a great history; for it is the word which is regularly used in the Greek Old Testament for the inheritance of Canaan, the Promised Land. Again and again the Old Testament speaks of the land which God had given his people for an inheritance to possess ( Deuteronomy 15:4 ; Deuteronomy 19:10 ). To us inheritance tends to mean something which in the future we shall possess; as the... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Peter 1:3-5

The inheritance of the Christian, the full joy of God, is waiting for him in heaven; and of that Peter has two great things to say. (i) On our journey through this world to eternity we are protected by the power of God through faith. The word which Peter uses for protect (phrourein, Greek #5432 ) is a military word. It means that our life is garrisoned by God and that he stands sentinel over us all our days. The man who has faith never doubts, even when he cannot see him, that God is... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Peter 1:6-7

1:6-7 Herein you rejoice, even if it is at present necessary that for a brief time you should be grieved by all kinds of trials, for the object of these trials is that your tried and tested faith, more precious than gold which perishes though it is tested by the fire, may win praise and glory and honour when Jesus Christ shall appear. Peter comes to the actual situation in life in which his readers found themselves. Their Christianity had always made them unpopular, but now they were... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Peter 1:8-9

1:8-9 Although you never knew him, you love him; although you do not see him, you believe in him. And you rejoice with unspeakable and glorious joy because you are receiving that which faith must end in--the salvation of your souls. Peter is drawing an implicit contrast between himself and his readers. It was his great privilege to have known Jesus in the days of his flesh. His readers had not had that joy; but, although they never knew Jesus in the flesh, they love him; and although they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 1:3

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ ,.... The epistle begins here with thanksgiving to God, or an ascription of blessing, praise, and glory to him; for this does not mean an invoking or conferring a blessing on him; neither of which can be, for there is not a greater than he to be invoked, nor can anything be added to his blessedness: but God may be blessed by his creatures when they speak well of him, and his wonderful works of creation, providence, and grace; when they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 1:4

To an inheritance incorruptible ,.... This is a further explanation of the "lively hope", or hope laid up in heaven, which regenerate ones are begotten to: it is an "inheritance"; a large estate, and rich possession, they are born heirs apparent to; what is not to be got by industry, or obtained by the works of the law; for they that are of the law are not heirs; but what is the pure bequest and free gift of God, as a Father to his children; for an inheritance is proper and peculiar to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Peter 1:5

Who are kept by the power of God ,.... This is a description of the persons for whom the inheritance is reserved in heaven; they are not only chosen to salvation, and begotten again to an inheritance, but they are preserved unto it; their happiness is very great; their inheritance is safe in heaven for them, and they are kept below, amidst a thousand snares and difficulties, till they safely arrive to the possession of that: they are kept, not in and by themselves, the way of man is not in... read more

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