1 Peter | From: Babylon, To: Scattered Strangers

Session 2 | 1 Peter 1:5-12

1 Peter 1:3-12 | Eventual Kingdom Salvation

• Verses 3-4 – see session 1

• Verse 5 –

  • Does it not appear that Peter speaks of two salvations?

    • One, in verse 4, is reserved in heaven and the other, in verse 5, is to be revealed in the last time.

    • It seems impossible that the last time would be anything other than the Second Coming.

    • My conclusion is that Peter speaks of Pauline salvation in verse 4 and Kingdom salvation in verse 5, and that his recipients, therefore, are in the unique position of being able to participate in both.

      • This position comes from being a believing obedient Jew and living prior to the destruction of Jerusalem when Kingdom salvation was no longer an offer (being reserved now for the last days).

        
        

  • It is the power of God that would keep the Jewish remnant all the way to the end. Though they are kept through faith, the manner of entrance into this last day’s salvation is not discussed in this passage.

    
    

• Verse 6 –

  • The scattered recipients greatly rejoice in something! The question for interpretation is, to what does wherein refer?

    • Our first response is likely the salvation of verse 5, but the Greek does not allow it (salvation is in the masculine, while wherein is in the masculine).

    • There are several choices beyond salvation, but the best seems to be that the reference is to the entire “package” of verses 3-5.

      
      

  • Rejoicing, however, does not overcome the fact that they were in a season of heaviness through manifold temptations.

    • They were likely scattered (v. 1) due to their religious views, and things would only get worse in the decade in which they were living (approx. 60AD).

    • Their manifold temptations are in the form of many trials.

      
      

• Verse 7 –

  • It is not the trial itself, but its result that is more precious than of gold.

  • A proven faith is part of the Kingdom life, and is brought into the light of judgement at the appearing of Jesus Christ (that is, the Second Coming).

  • Peter is careful to do the things that will make his Kingdom followers have a faith that is found unto praise and honour and glory at the Second Coming.

    
    

• Verse 8 –

  • Since the verb having seen (with the negative) is an aorist active participle, it could also be translated as not seeing, thus we should not assume that the recipients had never seen Jesus Christ.

    • Peter goes on to say now ye see him not, which would be an odd thing to say had none of them never seen Him.

    • They are not seeing Him now, nor are they looking at Him now, but they are loving and believing, along with rejoicing with joy unspeakable and full of glory.

      
      

  • Peter is showering praise upon the scattered saints.

    
    

• Verse 9 –

  • This tried and proven faith has a result: the salvation of your souls. The word soul in the New Testament is always ψυχή [psuche] and has a broader meaning than “the spiritual aspect of man.” It is used here to simply emphasize the personal nature of salvation. See Appendix 110 in The Companion Bible for a more in-depth discussion of the word.

  • It should be noted that the word translated receiving is inherently a works-based word.

    • It is not simply to receive but to receive back.

    • Compare the word as used in Mark 25:27, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Ephesians 6:8, Colossians 3:25, Hebrews 10:36.

    • The use of this word makes it virtually impossible that Peter is speaking of Pauline salvation. The word only fits with Kingdom salvation.

      
      

• Verse 10 –

  • This verse verifies our position that the salvation in view in verses 5-9 is a Kingdom salvation.

    • The prophets did not inquire nor search diligently for the dispensation of the grace of God (Eph. 3:2), which was still a hidden mystery during the times of the prophets.

    • The prophets did give prophecy of the grace that should come unto you providing that such grace concerned Kingdom salvation.

      
      

  • Many reject Paul’s argument that the Pauline salvation was hidden, and thus find instances where they believe they see it foreshadowed in the Old Testament. In all cases, these foreshadows are actually of Kingdom salvation, and things that are similar are not the same.

    
    

• Verse 11 –

  • The prophets longed to know prophesied matters, such as the sufferings of Christ on the cross, and the glory that should follow, a glory that, though prophesied, has still not taken place.

  • Having only a “mountaintop” view, they were unaware of the “valley” between the sufferings and the glory.

    
    

• Verse 12 –

  • The prophets were able to know (by revelation) that the things of which they spoke were distant future rather than close future.

  • The gospel of which Peter speaks is the one committed unto him in Galatians 2:7, which is the one that was preached...with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven.

  • The angels desire to look into this Gospel because of the timing of its fulfillment, as stated in Mark 13:32.