To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
To an inheritance - the object of "hope" (1 Peter 1:3); therefore not a dead, but a 'living' hope. The inheritance is the believer's already by title, being actually assigned; the entrance on its possession is future, a hoped-for certainty. Being "begotten again" as a "son," he is an "heir," as earthly fathers beget children to inherit their goods. The inheritance is "salvation" (1 Peter 1:5; 1 Peter 1:9); "the grace to be brought at the revelation of Christ" (1 Peter 1:13; 1 Peter 5:4).
Incorruptible - not having the germs of death. Negations of the imperfections here are the chief means of conveying to us a conception of the things which "have not entered into the heart of man," our faculties now being inadequate to comprehend them. Peter, impulsive and susceptible of outward impressions, was more likely to feel painfully the deep-seated corruption lurking under the loveliest of earthly things, and dooming them to speedy decay.
Undefiled - not stained as earthly goods by sin, either in acquiring or using them; unsusceptible of stain. 'The rich man is either dishonest himself, or the heir of a dishonest man' (Jerome). Even Israel's inheritance was defiled by sin. Defilement intrudes on our holy things now; whereas God's service ought to be undefiled.
That fadeth not away. Contrast 1 Peter 1:24. Even the delicate bloom of the heavenly inheritance continues unfading. 'In substance incorruptible; in purity undefiled; in beauty unfading' (Alford).
Reserved - kept up (Colossians 1:5; 2 Timothy 4:8); perfect х teteereemeneen (G5083)], an abiding state; 'which has been and is reserved.' The inheritance is beyond risk, out of Satan's reach, though we for whom it is reserved are still amidst dangers. If we are believers, we too (1 Peter 1:5), as well as the inheritance, are "kept" (John 17:12).
In heaven - Greek, 'in the heavens,' where it can neither be destroyed nor plundered. Peter remembers Jesus' sermon on the mount (Matthew 6:20). Though now laid up in heaven, it shall hereafter be on earth also.
For you. It is secure not only in itself from misfortune but also from alienation; no other can receive it in For you. It is secure not only in itself from misfortune, but also from alienation; no other can receive it in your stead. He had said US (1 Peter 1:3), he now turns to the elect, to encourage them. 'Aleph (') A C, Vulgate, "you;" B, 'us.'