17 And if you call on the Father, who without
partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves
throughout the time of your stay here in fear; 18 knowing
that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or
gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your
fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a
lamb without blemish and without spot. 20 He indeed was
foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in
these last times for you 21 who through Him believe in
God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your
faith and hope are in God.
—1 Peter 1:17–211
God is to be your Father. He wants a
close relationship with you.
The
promise of eternal salvation does not relax the requirements of
personal morality, as made clear in the exhortations that dominate
the rest of 1 Peter. The call to Godlike holiness means abandoning
“former desires” (sexual, material, social) characteristic of a
lifestyle pursued out of ignorance of the gospel (cf. 2:16, 24; Rom.
6:15–23). “Fear of,” or reverence for, God (v. 17) and a keen
comprehension of the significance of Christ’s substitutionary, or
redemptive, death—like the atoning sacrifice of an unblemished lamb
in Israelite sacrifices—should motivate the Christian for holy
living and issue in genuine, active love for fellow Christians born
into God’s family through the living, imperishable Word of God,
Jesus Christ.2
I have conducted funerals for both the rich and the
poor, and they are basically the same. Whether a casket is made of
wood or gold makes little difference to the one who is dead. All we
have gained in life is lost except for eternal salvation for those
who have trusted in the living Christ. We have been redeemed from the
futile conduct which focuses merely on this life.
Second, Peter points out that we have not been redeemed
with corruptible things, like silver or gold (v. 18). Peter uses an
example of what is corruptible and what is imperishable, in an
exaggerated sense. We think of gold and silver as being examples of
the more permanent things of our world. For example, gold and silver
coins can be passed down for generations.
In comparison to eternity, Peter correctly states that
they are corruptible; they are temporary at best. Our salvation has
not been bought with the corruptible or the temporary which
ultimately perishes. Our salvation has been bought with the eternal
and with that which is so precious that all of the gold and silver in
the world could not purchase it—the death and Resurrection of Jesus
Christ.
But we have been redeemed with the precious blood of
Christ (v. 19)! This blood was given by the Lamb of God, who was
without blemish and without spot. He is the fulfillment of the
Passover lamb which was to be without spot or blemish, the very best
of the flock. The Passover lamb was sacrificed and its blood was
placed over the doorposts of the people of Israel to protect the life
of the firstborn son and all who dwelled within the house (Ex. 12).
John the Baptist came introducing Jesus in the following
manner, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the
world” (John 1:29). Indeed, we have been redeemed by the very blood
of the Lamb of God—Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.
Peter continues by stating that Jesus was foreordained
to be our Redeemer before the foundation of the world (v. 20). In
other words, Jesus did not shed His blood on the Cross by accident
nor by a terrible mistake wrought by hateful, sinful persons. His
death and the shedding of His blood was the plan of God from the
beginning of the world.
“God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten
Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have
everlasting life” (John 3:16). Paul confirms this marvelous truth
concerning our Redemption by declaring that “He chose us in Him
before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and
without blame before Him in love” (Eph. 1:4).
Although Jesus was chosen before the foundations of the
world to be our Redeemer, He has been revealed, or manifested, as the
Savior only in these last times (v. 20). The prophets searched for
this Redeemer, but within God’s perfect plan, He was revealed
centuries later in Jesus Christ (see commentary on 1 Pet. 1:10–12,
p. 123).
He was not manifested or revealed within a vacuum. Peter
contends that He was manifested for us who would believe in God
through Him. This Redeemer is the source of our salvation.3
With
the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and
without spot.” Simon Peter, who lived with Jesus Christ for three
years, said that He was without blemish and without spot. He was
absolutely sinless. I will take Peter’s word for it—certainly he
is in a better position to judge than modern authors who depict Jesus
as just another sinful man. The modern authors write for money, but
Simon Peter wasn’t in the moneymaking business. All he got for his
witness of Christ was suffering and finally crucifixion. He said that
we were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold,
“but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without
blemish and without spot.” This is an objective statement of our
redemption. This is what God did for you and me.4
1:17 if
you call on the Father. This is another way of saying, “if you
are a Christian.” The believer who knows God and that He judges the
works of all His children fairly, will respect God and His evaluation
of his life, and long to honor his heavenly Father.
1:18 redeemed. See note on 1 Tim. 2:6.
That is, to buy back someone from bondage by the payment of a price;
to set free by paying a ransom. “Redemption” was a technical term
for money paid to buy back a prisoner of war. Here it is used of the
price paid to buy the freedom of one in the bondage of sin and under
the curse of the law (i.e., eternal death, cf. Gal. 3:13). The price
paid to a holy God was the shed blood of His own Son (cf. Ex.
12:1–13; 15:13; Ps. 78:35; Acts 20:28; Rom. 3:24; Gal. 4:4, 5; Eph.
1:7; Col. 1:14; Titus 2:14; Heb. 9:11–17).5
Redemption
1:18, 19. The
word redeem
means “to purchase.” When Christ died for our sins, He paid the
price that satisfied the demands of God’s holiness. The price of
redemption was the blood of Christ (1 Pet. 1:18, 19).
Illustration: In explaining
redemption to the Galatians, Paul used three different words that
were applied to purchasing servants at the ancient slave markets. The
first,agorazō,
meaning “to purchase in the market,” is used to explain how
Christ paid the redemption price of His blood, which was sufficient
to purchase every one “sold under sin” (Gal. 3:10; 2 Pet. 2:1).
Ekagorazō,
meaning “to purchase and take home,” emphasizes that Christians
have been purchased out of the marketplace and are no longer for sale
(Gal. 3:13). The third word,lutroō,
meaning “to purchase and give freedom,” emphasizes the liberty
that belongs to a soul redeemed by God (Gal. 4:5).
Application: The Christian is
encouraged to “stand fast” in that liberty (Gal. 5:1). (First
Reference, Gen. 3:21; Primary Reference, 1 Pet. 1:18; cf. Rom. 5:8.)6
1:17
Father who judges impartially.
Though Christians will not be condemned for their sins (2:24; Is.
53:4, 5), they will be judged for their deeds as Christians and
rewarded accordingly (Rom. 14:10–12; 1 Cor. 3:12–15). The reward
promised, however, is not based strictly on merit; though it is
bestowed according to works, the reward is still gracious. Augustine
called it God’s crowning His own gifts.7
Note the reward is a gift.
1
Cedar, P. A., & Ogilvie, L. J. (1984). James / 1 & 2
Peter / Jude (Vol. 34, p. 125). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson
Inc.
2
Fee, G. D., & Hubbard, R. L., Jr. (Eds.). (2011). The
Eerdmans Companion to the Bible (p. 707). Grand Rapids, MI;
Cambridge, U.K.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
3
Cedar, P. A., & Ogilvie, L. J. (1984). James / 1 & 2
Peter / Jude (Vol. 34, pp. 126–127). Nashville, TN: Thomas
Nelson Inc.
4
McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: The Epistles (1
Peter) (electronic ed., Vol. 54, p. 39). Nashville: Thomas
Nelson.
5
MacArthur, J., Jr. (Ed.). (1997). The MacArthur Study Bible
(electronic ed., pp. 1940–1941). Nashville, TN: Word Pub.
6
King James Version study Bible . (1997). (electronic ed., 1
Pe 1:23). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
7
Sproul, R. C. (Ed.). (2005). The Reformation Study Bible: English
Standard Version (p. 1811). Orlando, FL; Lake Mary, FL: Ligonier
Ministries.
17 And if you call on the Father, who without
partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves
throughout the time of your stay here in fear; 18 knowing
that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or
gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your
fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a
lamb without blemish and without spot. 20 He indeed was
foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in
these last times for you 21 who through Him believe in
God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your
faith and hope are in God.
—1 Peter 1:17–211
God is to be your Father. He wants a
close relationship with you.
The
promise of eternal salvation does not relax the requirements of
personal morality, as made clear in the exhortations that dominate
the rest of 1 Peter. The call to Godlike holiness means abandoning
“former desires” (sexual, material, social) characteristic of a
lifestyle pursued out of ignorance of the gospel (cf. 2:16, 24; Rom.
6:15–23). “Fear of,” or reverence for, God (v. 17) and a keen
comprehension of the significance of Christ’s substitutionary, or
redemptive, death—like the atoning sacrifice of an unblemished lamb
in Israelite sacrifices—should motivate the Christian for holy
living and issue in genuine, active love for fellow Christians born
into God’s family through the living, imperishable Word of God,
Jesus Christ.2
I have conducted funerals for both the rich and the
poor, and they are basically the same. Whether a casket is made of
wood or gold makes little difference to the one who is dead. All we
have gained in life is lost except for eternal salvation for those
who have trusted in the living Christ. We have been redeemed from the
futile conduct which focuses merely on this life.
Second, Peter points out that we have not been redeemed
with corruptible things, like silver or gold (v. 18). Peter uses an
example of what is corruptible and what is imperishable, in an
exaggerated sense. We think of gold and silver as being examples of
the more permanent things of our world. For example, gold and silver
coins can be passed down for generations.
In comparison to eternity, Peter correctly states that
they are corruptible; they are temporary at best. Our salvation has
not been bought with the corruptible or the temporary which
ultimately perishes. Our salvation has been bought with the eternal
and with that which is so precious that all of the gold and silver in
the world could not purchase it—the death and Resurrection of Jesus
Christ.
But we have been redeemed with the precious blood of
Christ (v. 19)! This blood was given by the Lamb of God, who was
without blemish and without spot. He is the fulfillment of the
Passover lamb which was to be without spot or blemish, the very best
of the flock. The Passover lamb was sacrificed and its blood was
placed over the doorposts of the people of Israel to protect the life
of the firstborn son and all who dwelled within the house (Ex. 12).
John the Baptist came introducing Jesus in the following
manner, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the
world” (John 1:29). Indeed, we have been redeemed by the very blood
of the Lamb of God—Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.
Peter continues by stating that Jesus was foreordained
to be our Redeemer before the foundation of the world (v. 20). In
other words, Jesus did not shed His blood on the Cross by accident
nor by a terrible mistake wrought by hateful, sinful persons. His
death and the shedding of His blood was the plan of God from the
beginning of the world.
“God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten
Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have
everlasting life” (John 3:16). Paul confirms this marvelous truth
concerning our Redemption by declaring that “He chose us in Him
before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and
without blame before Him in love” (Eph. 1:4).
Although Jesus was chosen before the foundations of the
world to be our Redeemer, He has been revealed, or manifested, as the
Savior only in these last times (v. 20). The prophets searched for
this Redeemer, but within God’s perfect plan, He was revealed
centuries later in Jesus Christ (see commentary on 1 Pet. 1:10–12,
p. 123).
He was not manifested or revealed within a vacuum. Peter
contends that He was manifested for us who would believe in God
through Him. This Redeemer is the source of our salvation.3
With
the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and
without spot.” Simon Peter, who lived with Jesus Christ for three
years, said that He was without blemish and without spot. He was
absolutely sinless. I will take Peter’s word for it—certainly he
is in a better position to judge than modern authors who depict Jesus
as just another sinful man. The modern authors write for money, but
Simon Peter wasn’t in the moneymaking business. All he got for his
witness of Christ was suffering and finally crucifixion. He said that
we were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold,
“but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without
blemish and without spot.” This is an objective statement of our
redemption. This is what God did for you and me.4
1:17 if
you call on the Father. This is another way of saying, “if you
are a Christian.” The believer who knows God and that He judges the
works of all His children fairly, will respect God and His evaluation
of his life, and long to honor his heavenly Father.
1:18 redeemed. See note on 1 Tim. 2:6.
That is, to buy back someone from bondage by the payment of a price;
to set free by paying a ransom. “Redemption” was a technical term
for money paid to buy back a prisoner of war. Here it is used of the
price paid to buy the freedom of one in the bondage of sin and under
the curse of the law (i.e., eternal death, cf. Gal. 3:13). The price
paid to a holy God was the shed blood of His own Son (cf. Ex.
12:1–13; 15:13; Ps. 78:35; Acts 20:28; Rom. 3:24; Gal. 4:4, 5; Eph.
1:7; Col. 1:14; Titus 2:14; Heb. 9:11–17).5
Redemption
1:18, 19. The
word redeem
means “to purchase.” When Christ died for our sins, He paid the
price that satisfied the demands of God’s holiness. The price of
redemption was the blood of Christ (1 Pet. 1:18, 19).
Illustration: In explaining
redemption to the Galatians, Paul used three different words that
were applied to purchasing servants at the ancient slave markets. The
first,agorazō,
meaning “to purchase in the market,” is used to explain how
Christ paid the redemption price of His blood, which was sufficient
to purchase every one “sold under sin” (Gal. 3:10; 2 Pet. 2:1).
Ekagorazō,
meaning “to purchase and take home,” emphasizes that Christians
have been purchased out of the marketplace and are no longer for sale
(Gal. 3:13). The third word,lutroō,
meaning “to purchase and give freedom,” emphasizes the liberty
that belongs to a soul redeemed by God (Gal. 4:5).
Application: The Christian is
encouraged to “stand fast” in that liberty (Gal. 5:1). (First
Reference, Gen. 3:21; Primary Reference, 1 Pet. 1:18; cf. Rom. 5:8.)6
1:17
Father who judges impartially.
Though Christians will not be condemned for their sins (2:24; Is.
53:4, 5), they will be judged for their deeds as Christians and
rewarded accordingly (Rom. 14:10–12; 1 Cor. 3:12–15). The reward
promised, however, is not based strictly on merit; though it is
bestowed according to works, the reward is still gracious. Augustine
called it God’s crowning His own gifts.7
Note the reward is a gift.
1
Cedar, P. A., & Ogilvie, L. J. (1984). James / 1 & 2
Peter / Jude (Vol. 34, p. 125). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson
Inc.
2
Fee, G. D., & Hubbard, R. L., Jr. (Eds.). (2011). The
Eerdmans Companion to the Bible (p. 707). Grand Rapids, MI;
Cambridge, U.K.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
3
Cedar, P. A., & Ogilvie, L. J. (1984). James / 1 & 2
Peter / Jude (Vol. 34, pp. 126–127). Nashville, TN: Thomas
Nelson Inc.
4
McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: The Epistles (1
Peter) (electronic ed., Vol. 54, p. 39). Nashville: Thomas
Nelson.
5
MacArthur, J., Jr. (Ed.). (1997). The MacArthur Study Bible
(electronic ed., pp. 1940–1941). Nashville, TN: Word Pub.
6
King James Version study Bible . (1997). (electronic ed., 1
Pe 1:23). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
7
Sproul, R. C. (Ed.). (2005). The Reformation Study Bible: English
Standard Version (p. 1811). Orlando, FL; Lake Mary, FL: Ligonier
Ministries.
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