1 Peter 1:5 - Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

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The Great Privilege and Blessing That Is Theirs As God's Elect Which Even Angels Desire To Look Into (1 Peter 1:3-12).

The result of God's foreknowing of us, and of the sanctifying work of the Spirit is now made clear as Peter expands on the activity of God. He is emphasising that God Himself works on us and within us through ‘sanctification in the Spirit', and gives praise to God for it. This will then be followed in 1 Peter 1:13-16 with the expansion of ‘unto obedience, and in 17-20 with the expansion of ‘unto sprinkling of the blood of Jesus'. The wonder of it so thrills him that he bursts out in thanksgiving. ‘Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ --'.

For this opening in praise compare the selfsame phrase in 2 Corinthians 1:3; Ephesians 1:3, and note the constant use of the verb ‘blessed' for the same purpose in the Septuagint (LXX - Greek Old Testament). See for example Genesis 9:26; Gen 24:27; 1 Kings 1:48; 1Ki 5:7; 1 Kings 8:15; 1 Kings 8:56; Psalms 68:19; Psalms 72:18; Psalms 144:1 and compare Psalms 34:1; Psalms 103:1-2; Psalms 104:1. See also Luke 1:68. This is thus phrased like a typical Jewish prayer, although in this case ‘Christianised', for each day every Jew would ‘bless' God as his Creator concerning His provision for man. But now Peter blesses Him as ‘the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ', for His spiritual provision for redeemed man through the resurrection. For Peter all centres on Christ and His resurrection, following His death on ‘the tree' (1 Peter 2:24). This description as ‘the tree' is a typically Petrine way of putting it. Compare for the same emphases Peter's speeches in Acts 2:22-36; Acts 5:30-32. But as with John, and unlike Paul whose emphasis is different (although note Titus 3:5), Peter emphasises it in terms of the ‘new birth' (or more strictly ‘the new begetting').

It is perhaps worthy of note that we find here the usual spiritual foundations. They are begotten again to a living HOPE (1 Peter 1:3) --- they are guarded by the power of God through FAITH unto salvation (1 Peter 1:5) --- and it has resulted in joyous LOVE (1 Peter 1:8). These are the three essential attitudes of the Christian life. Compare 1Th 1:3; 1 Corinthians 13:13.

Related Commentaries of 1 Peter 1:3

1 Peter 1:3-12

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundanta mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,b

5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:

11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.

12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.