Chapter summary:
Peter writes to Christians scattered through the Roman Empire (1:1-2) who are under severe stress. Yet Peter speaks first of hope: a living hope that comes through the resurrection of Jesus and which promises us a grand inheritance in heaven (vv. 3-5). In view of this we rejoice despite present trials. As a refiner's fire purifies gold, so trials purify our faith and will result in praise and honor when Jesus returns (vv. 6-7). Even here and now our love for Christ stimulates an inexpressible joy, an evidence and an outgrowth of salvation (vv. 8-9.
We are beneficiaries of a salvation the prophets spoke of without understanding it (vv. 10-12). Thus we are to consciously focus our expectations on Jesus' coming and dedicate ourselves to holiness (vv. 13-16). Christ paid for our redemption with His own precious blood. Thus we are to live as strangers to the desires and values of this world (vv. 17-21). Purified through faith's choice of Jesus, we who have received a new, imperishable life from God are to love one another.
The believer’s personal application: Aliens are always aware they do not really fit in the society where they live.
TEXTUAL INSIGHT
"Strangers in the world" (1:1):
This theme is important to Peter. A Christian's home is heaven. Our hopes are not centered in what will happen to us in this world, but the inheritance we will receive when Jesus returns (v. 4). Our values are heaven's values and in conflict with the values of human society (v. 14). When we truly orient our lives to heaven we see our trials in an entirely different way, not as unmixed evils but as purifying fires intended to strengthen us and win even greater glory (v. 6). Only if we see ourselves as strangers here will we be sustained by hope and joy.
“Shielded by God's power” (1:4):
God is on double guard. He keeps our inheritance secure in heaven and He shields us here on earth. God will bring us to heaven and heaven to us.
“Refiner's fire” (1:6-7):
Miners refine gold not to harm it but to purify it and make it more valuable. When you experience troubles, don't think, "God is punishing me." Like the refiner, God's intent is to purify your faith, to make you even more valuable to others and to Him.
“Joy in the unseen” (1:8-9):
How many look hopefully for joy in the Lotto numbers printed each week in the newspaper! As for us, we've already won! We have Jesus, and though He is unseen He brings us inexpressible joy.
“Time and circumstances” (1:10-12):
Old Testament prophets spoke of Jesus, but could not put together the dues in their own writings to understand how the suffering and glory of the Messiah could possibly fit together. Looking back on the Cross and the Resurrection we know. We learn in this life that suffering and glory are not at all incompatible. We suffer now; glory follows.
"Conform" (1:14):
Strangers refuse to let an alien society squeeze them into its mold.
“Holiness” (1:15):
Old Testament holiness called for Israel to separate from everything ritually or morally impure. New Testament holiness calls for living morally pure lives despite the fact that we must live in sinful human society. We are to be holy in all we do, "abstain from sinful desires," and live "godly lives" among the pagans around us (2:11).
“Alien” (1:17):
In the Roman Empire aliens were subject to the state and paid heavy taxes, but were viewed as subject to their own national laws. We cannot expect concern for our "rights" from pagan society. But we can live as citizens of heaven, subject to its laws and protected by God.
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