The Book of 1st Peter
Chapter 1:3-9

"Our Great Salvation is the Joy of the Past, the Present, and the Future"

J. Deering, AncientPath.net

Check out: The Actions of the Greek Preposition Addenda

Looking to the Past

[God and Father – According to Mercy – Born Again – Resurrection]

1 Peter 1:3-5 - Our Great Salvation

The Hope of the Future &

Our Thanksgiving for It

The Visualized Text

3 Blessed be the God and Father

of our Lord Jesus Christ,

who

according to His great mercy has caused us

to be born again to a living hope

through the resurrection of Jesus Christ

from the dead, 4

to obtain an inheritance

which is imperishable and

[which is] undefiled and

[which] will not fade away,

[which is] reserved in heaven for you,

5 [you] who are protected

by the power of God

through faith

for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

1:3 - Blessed be the God and Father

of our Lord Jesus Christ,

What is it to be blessed?

In the Bible, being "blessed" means experiencing a deep, unshakable spiritual flourishing, joy, and divine favor, brought about through His divine grace. Rather than merely describing temporary happiness or material wealth, it defines an inner state of divine approval and peace that persists regardless of external circumstances. When you are Born Again, you have been chosen to freely receive - by grace - all the blessings of being His Family member.

But here, it is The Lord God, Father of the Lord Jesus Christ who is to be “Blessed” by we who have believed upon His Son Jesus. We are to be honestly and deeply thankful for the Father’s grace - and that which comes with it, “The Hope of the Future.” That Hope deserves our honest and open thanksgiving.

Explaining the Trinity – God, and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ

The Scriptures reveal to us that our God, the only living God, has what is called three “personages.” This is something that is extremely rare in our experience in our world. My favorite example is the temperature of about 31 degrees Fahrenheit. At this specific temperature that water exists as a solid (ice), vapor (atomic moisture) and liquid (water) - all three at the same time. The difference in this example is that they are not personal or personages. With God, He reveals Himself as “Good the Father,” “God the Son of the Father,” and “God the Spirit of the Father.” All three titles are a personal revelation of our one God. Each is revealed in the Bible Text as having a personal existence [He, His, Him] at every reference - never it or it’s.

1:3b
who

according to His great mercy has caused us

to be born again to a living hope

Who is the “who” of verse 3

“The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ”

What is the mercy of God?

The God of the universe has gracefully chosen to adopt specific human beings to become physical members of His own family and to love them and care for them for eternity.

Why “according to?”

God the Father’s intrinsic attributes demand this graceful nature.

Explain: has caused us to be born again

This is the process of salvation in Christ. While we may continue in this world in many sinful ways, according to God’s word we are also forever changed in such a way that it is expressed to us in His word as being “Born again,” “reborn,” with our hearts and minds realigned through the indwelling of The Holy Spirit.

For a living hope

Five things…

1 – What is “Hope”?
The definition tells that it is the state of desiring a specific outcome and believing it is possible to achieve it. Hope implies an optimistic expectation grounded in the confidence that a positive future event or circumstance will happen.

2 – Why do we need hope?

We as human beings need to see a future for our lives.

3 – What happens when there is no hope?

Often the outcome of having no hope is self-destruction or the destruction of those around us.

4 – What is a living hope?

A living hope refers to a confident, unwavering expectation of eternal life and salvation. It is not a wishful desire, but an active, enduring assurance rooted entirely in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

5 – Why “to a living hope?

This “Living” hope is “All this through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” His resurrection from the dead is a single God produced miraculous event that should give full confidence in the plan and program of God, making it ALIVE to we who believe.

1:3c - [all this] through the resurrection of Jesus Christ

from the dead,

Keep your eyes and ears open in verses 3-12 – for Peter’s words can be seen as a great song of praise to God – with the theme of “Grace, for the believer, Means Security and Joy.”

Here, dear friends, is the message of the whole Bible. We’ve mentioned it before – An Almighty God who wanted human beings who loved Him according to His revelations, at different times and segments of His Word, to be part of His heavenly eternal family. All of humanity would be weighed according to the life, suffering, and death of His Only Begotten Son, to pay for the penalties of all sin in each individual. The Son’s perfect performance of His Father’s will would bring Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, providing the believer’s justification before the “court” of the Lord God.

In a similar way, as to His Son, we are to see that the pattern of Jesus’ life and death resulted in The Father God granting upon Him the highest honors possible – a gift to us. Therefore, we are to live like Jesus, even the persecutions, even the pain and suffering, and even if it requires our life – The pending honor is so great! – to be a physical royal child of God, Brothers and sisters of Jesus, holding the office of High Priests, performing the works of mediation – in a perfect eternal world to come. Yes, a new hope, a new identity, a new family… when Jesus Returns as King.

1:4 - Looking to the Future

[An Inheritance – kept in Heaven]

to obtain an inheritance

which is imperishable and

[which is] undefiled and

[which] will not fade away,

[which is] reserved in heaven for you,

Obtain - to acquire or secure something through planned effort, request, or a formal procedure. While similar to "get," "obtain" is more formal and implies intentional action rather than chance or informality

An Inheritance:

Inheritance primarily refers to the passing on of private property, assets, debts, or titles upon the death of an individual. It broadly spans across different domains, including family estates, biological genetics, and even software design.

1. Legal and Financial (Estates)

In law and finance, an inheritance is the wealth—such as money, real estate, or personal belongings—that an individual receives from someone who has died. This transfer is usually directed by a will or trust. If a person dies without a valid will (known as intestate), the inheritance is distributed to surviving spouses and relatives according to state or regional laws of descent and distribution

2. Biological (Genetics)

In biology and genetics, inheritance (also called heredity) is the process by which genetic qualities, traits, and physical characteristics (like eye color or risk for certain diseases) are transmitted from parents to offspring through genes.

3. Figurative and Cultural

The term is also used in a broader sense to describe qualities, traditions, or conditions passed down through generations. This can include a shared cultural heritage or even abstract concepts like "family pride"

4. Computer Science (Object-Oriented Programming)

In software development, inheritance is a core mechanism where one class (the "child" or "subclass") acquires the properties and behaviors (methods and fields) of another class (the "parent" or "superclass"). This promotes code reusability and hierarchical organization.

An Inheritance - Summary:

1 – the transfer of “wealth”

2 – the transmission of “characteristics”

3 – the passing down of qualities, traditions, and conditions

4 – the acquisition of properties and behaviors, hierarchical organization

Imperishable: incapable of being destroyed, decaying, or dying

Undefiled: free from contamination, stain, or corruption

Unfading: something retaining its original intensity over time – it is:

tangible – you can see that it retains…
intangible – memories in the mind

relevant – it continues in its experience.

Reserved – kept and set apart for a specific person or use

And

held for the future.

“In heaven for you.”

The First Heaven – The Skies above.

The Second Heaven – The Space beyond that.

The Third Heaven – Where God the Father lives beyond that.

Here Peter speaks further of the Inheritance due to every believer – In Heaven, it is there that all wait upon the outpouring of the will of God on earth, as each believer is acquired, and tested for their own joy and maturity and life eternal. Children of the Family of God. I repeat: “to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you!”

John 14:1-2 - “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.” 3 If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And you know the way where I am going.” 5 Thomas *said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” 6 Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

1:5 - Looking to the Present - Protected

[ Salvation - Ready to be revealed]

⁵who (you)

are protected

by the power of God

through faith

for a salvation

ready to be revealed

in the last time.

Consider the sentence structure. Coming out of verse 4 it is speaking of “you.” So, “You who are protected… for a salvation which is ready to be, and I will add the qualifying word that is missing, “Fully” revealed in the last time.” That salvation is under the protection of the power of God. That Salvation is enabled through your Faith. You believe upon Jesus as the Messiah, your Savior, The Christ and God grants salvation to you, that is under His full protection as God.

Consider what you know about your salvation in your life today. Now, if you’ve been through the book of Revelation… consider your salvation as part of post rapture, and then the Kingdom age and the positions and responsibilities you are given there - as His children. Then… consider what it will be like in the millennium - all of this under His protection!!

Of course, you can’t know the full extent of the benefits of that salvation until God reveals it to you… when you get to be in His revealed presence – in the future. The benefits, again fully revealed totally.

His protection includes you being occupied by God’s Holy Spirit. He can provide for you all that you need if you will let Him. Early on in our lives we may overlook His indwelling help. Hopefully, along life’s way, after receiving Jesus as your Savior and Lord, you wake up some morning and begin to understand all that God can do for you… through His indwelling Spirit.

Many believers don’t become familiar with much of God’s Word (The Bible) through daily reading and study. It is there that God’s Spirit can lead you in successful everyday life. It doesn’t always begin right away, but a concentrated effort to read and study His Word can make all the difference.

Where to begin? Let Him guide you. Genesis, the Gospel of John are often thought the best starting places - but in reality, pray about it, seek God’s guidance, ask for His help, keep on asking and praying… and He will guide you as to what and where to begin. Then, keep it up. It takes time to mature - both physically, emotionally, and especially Spiritually. But keep it up!

Our text tells us that you are protected by the power of God, through FAITH. As a simple sentence, but what a concept. That which you think and do, that which you study and put to use in your daily life must be done through active FAITH. Faith in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (all one God, yet 3 individual revealed “persons”). He is your guide, your companion, your Spiritual Father, your Brother, and God’s Holy Spirit. Let Him be those things in your walk through life - and your FAITH will prove you worthy and enable you with great joy - as He has promised.

1:6-9 - Our Great Salvation is the JOY of the PRESENT [Rejoicing in it]

The Visualized Text

6 In this you greatly rejoice,

even though now for a little while,

if necessary,

you have been distressed by various trials,

7 so that the proof of your faith,

being more precious than gold

which is perishable (Lit. perishes),

even though tested by fire,

may be found to result in

praise and glory and honor

at the revelation of Jesus

Christ; 8 and though

you have not seen Him,

you love Him, and though

you do not see Him now, but believe in Him,

you greatly rejoice

with joy

inexpressible and

full of glory (Lit. glorified),

9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith

the salvation of your souls.

1:6 - Greatly rejoice – even in trials for the Joy

6 In this you greatly rejoice,

even though now for a little while,

if necessary,

you have been distressed by various trials,

Verse 6 is definitely a KEY VERSE in Peter’s letter. Testing produces Joy – it is the end result “All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” Hebrews 12:11.

The word suffering occurs sixteen times in this epistle of Peter.

Of special interest is a verse found in the book of Hebrews 12:1-3.

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

“Who for the joy set before Him,” here is that special moment when we learn the central theme of Jesus’ going to the Cross. His Father asked Him to do this. Making His Father pleased for doing what He, The Father had asked Him – Gave Him, the Son, great JOY and Honor. That is to be our focus in our lives, in our world, today. Doing what Jesus, His Father and His Spirit asks us – and doing it in such a way that it brings us JOY to please them – regardless of the cost to us. God the Father’s request to Jesus, His Son, was to live a human life, do what His Heavenly Father asks of Him, grow up, suffer false persecution and judgment, and be killed for it upon the Cross - for the Joy set before Him!

If you are up to date in your biblical faith knowledge, Peter says that “In this you greatly rejoice.”

He goes on to explain that in this life: “being distressed by various trials,” is part of the earthly process for all human beings and is not limited to the un-saved. Peter stresses that when a believer understands the human earth-bound process of trials and tribulations (for their benefit and growth) you should count it as “Joy.” Often those who are “older” can look back and see that most often real joy is the final outcome of even the worst of trials. This makes you the person you need to be - in order to serve Him as you enter into eternity with Him.

A small, often missed phrase, “If Necessary.” Peter is telling us that not all of us may be often tested - because we don’t need that particular testing. But some of us will need some particular type of testing to make us ready for our future. Some will be required to give their lives and perhaps their family’s lives, and do it for the Joy of pleasing God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit in these acts of service. In our world of today, we hear and see it across the world as many Christians are locked in their churches and burned to death together. Their reward will be great!

1:7 - the Precious Proof

7 so that the proof of your faith,

being more precious than gold

which is perishable (Lit. perishes),

even though tested by fire,

may be found to result in

praise and glory and honor

at the revelation of Jesus Christ

We can shorten all the words to find the central meaning of this passage.

“So that

The PROOF of Your FAITH May be found

to RESULT in Praise, Glory and Honor

When Jesus is revealed.”

The proof of that faith is here revealed to be most precious.

The verse goes on as Peter continues to stress the importance of knowing that the Christian’s life is not immune to being affected by difficult, painful, pressures and incidents (even though tested by fire) with the end result (sometimes the very end) should be the continued revelation that continuing on in your faith will reveal the preciousness of that faith when standing before Jesus Himself. That is the HOPE that is presented in the Scriptures as to the believer’s final destination. It shall result in Praise, Glory and Honor!

Your faith is to be seen and judged at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Your faith is your salvation. We are to do what He requires of us and thus understand our calling. It may be easier, perhaps, for international missionaries to identify with the requirement for them to follow the desires of God’s Spirit into such work. Being asked to leave your country, and sometimes your family, is indeed a strong request… But many are both called and go. Some of our closest friends have been called, gone, and some have completed their calling and returned to us - with much mature knowledge and teaching - part of the Joy, praise, and honor - yet still laboring.

THE PRESENT

1:8 - Love – belief – faith

and though

you have not seen Him,

you love Him, and though

you do not see Him now, but believe in Him,

you greatly rejoice

with joy

inexpressible and

full of glory (Lit. glorified),

Peter switches now to your present time.

“Though you have not seen Him,”

The apostles, other members of the groups who followed around with Jesus in Jerusalem, Galilee, and all the surrounding areas had the great blessing of seeing Him, perhaps knowing Him in some way, traveling with Him, and some being the focus of some of His miracles. But Jesus is not physically here with you as you go through life’s various fires.

Peter shows you what you should be doing and experiencing in your salvation experience - with Jesus through your “Acts of Faith.” You are to continuously Love Him; you are to continuously Believe in Him. You are to continuously listen to the Spirit of God, reading your Bible, believing upon what you learn there, and that will produce Great Rejoicing with such a great Joy that it is inexpressible, and that lifts you up before God the Father and brings Glory to Him and to you.

THE FUTURE

1:9 - The Outcome – Salvation

obtaining as the outcome of your faith

the salvation of your souls.

Verses 8 & 9 should give you both of the elements that make up faith and if followed, the result, and the end result. I say that because we are told in the scriptures that there are three stages of Salvation. There is the Past, where in your life you professed your belief in Jesus and what He has done, and you were saved. Some of you may be in the position whereby you attempted to believe fully - but you failed and along the way you abandoned true Faith in Jesus. Then, later in life, an event, a person, a church, brought about a new lasting relationship with Christ - and finally, you know you are saved. However, some of you know others who never really did find and love Jesus or submit to Him by Faith.

There is then the present (vs. 8), where you are living your life and praising Jesus for your salvation, and allowing God’s will for your life to be worked out every day. That “Present” for me came when I was 24 - and has lasted these 56 years. For some of you even longer. That Faith, expressed so long ago, is now absolutely my source of Joy in the knowledge of my salvation in Jesus.

Then there is salvation future (vs. 9), when you are physically presented before Jesus and His Heavenly Father – and your salvation is complete in them, and you are awarded your rewards for your salvation “well done!”

Love Him – Believe in Him, Rejoice in Him, Glory in Him

And thus… Obtaining His Salvation

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2026-09-05