Coachlight Bible Study – First Peter Chapter One

The Chosen Have A Lively Hope

We were taught, in the book of Galatians, that Paul derived his gospel, not from men or organizations, (Not even the disciples of Christ, pillars of the early church), but through the Word of God. Those who get their gospel from the traditions of man are said to be metestrepho, translated “perverters” or “twisters” of the Word.  Peter continues the same thought in I Peter, by teaching that the gospel that was preached unto the groups at Asia was derived from the Word of God that “liveth and abideth for ever”.

Peter obeyed the Lord’s commandment to “feed the flock” (John 21:15-17), by his writing this book under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost.  Peter may not have fully understood this commandment, until the Holy Ghost came upon him in Acts chapter two.  This was like a different Peter, than the one who was grieved when the Lord said unto him, “Lovest thou me?”  The book of I Peter truly demonstrates how the Christian needs to be a martus, or witness for Christ.  This term being a witness or martyr for Christ is not, many times what we would think it is, but it always means “being an example”.  We are taught to be ready to give an answer to those who may ask us about the hope they can see in us (I Peter 3:5), and for the presbetuteros, or elders to “feed the flock” of God with His Word.

Chapter one demonstrates that our salvation is not only a one time experience with God, but a process of sanctification.  The outcome of the “trial of your faith” is the very salvation of your souls. (I Peter 1:9)

Focus	Salvation		Lifestyle	Being An Example
Scripture	1:1-----2:1------------2:13----------------3:13------3:18-------4:7-----------5:1
Plan	Lively Hope	Lively Stones	Lifestyle of Submission	Being An Example	Christ As Example	Example of Charity	Feed The Flock
Intention	Peter wrote to encourage the Christian groups in Asia Minor to stand or endure in holiness during the “trial of their faith”, therefore fulfilling God’s will by being examples to those without hope.
Topic	Holiness		Harmony	Humility
Author	Peter
Location	“Babylon”
Time	Circa AD 63

I. Salutation

1 Peter 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers<3927> scattered<1290> throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

1 Peter 1:2 Elect<1588> according to the foreknowledge<4268> of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

A. Peter wrote the letter – He is an apostle – “One sent from God with a message”

B. It was written to the “strangers”

1. Literally means “one who came from a foreign country”

2. Remember, when Paul was writing about the “mindset” of the church

Philippians 3:20 For our conversation <citizenship> is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

3. Peter extends this idea in II Peter:

II Peter 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

C. These “strangers” were also called “elect” meaning “chosen”

D. These were chosen by the foreknowledge of God the Father

1. This foreknowledge means more than just ‘knowing the future’

2. This foreknowledge literally means foreordination – Look at Acts 2:23 about Christ; Romans 8:29 & Romans 11:2.

D. These “strangers” are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God through:

1. Sanctification – hagiasmos means separation

2. Obedience

3. Sprinkling of the blood of  Christ  - A metaphor John also used – John 1:29-42

3927 parepidhmov parepidemos par-ep-id’-ay-mos - from 3844 and 1927;adj

pilgrim 2, stranger 1; 3

1) one who comes from a foreign country into a city or land to reside there by the side of the natives

2) a stranger

3) sojourning in a strange place, a foreigner

4) in the NT metaph. in reference to heaven as the native country, one who sojourns on earth

1290 diaspora diaspora dee-as-por-ah’ - from 1289;n f

dispersed 1, scatter abroad 1, scattered 1; 3

1) a scattering, dispersion

1a) of Israelites dispersed among foreign nations

1b) of the Christians scattered abroad among the Gentiles

1588 eklektov eklektos ek-lek-tos’ - from 1586; adj

elect 16, chosen 7; 23

1) picked out, chosen

1a) chosen by God,

1a1) Christians are called "chosen or elect" of God

1a2) the Messiah in called "elect", as appointed by God to the most exalted office conceivable

4268 prognwsiv prognosis prog’-no-sis - from 4267; n f

foreknowledge 2; 2

1) foreknowledge

2) forethought, pre-arrangement

II. Salvation

1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten <313> us again unto a lively<2198> hope<1680> by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, {abundant: Gr. much}

1 Peter 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, {for you: or, for us}

A. Out of God’s mercy He has anagennaao, translated “Begotten us again”

1. Peter uses this word again in verse 23, translated “born again”

2. This is a botanical metaphor comparing being born again to plants and trees coming to life in the spring.

B. We are begotten again unto a zao elpis, translated  “lively hope”

1. Means a hope that is alive

2. Hope in the New Testament is different than it means today

a. Hpe today means “to wish that something would occur”

b. In the New Testament it means – “Assurance of what is to come”

C. We are born again to an inheritance

1. Our hope is through the resurrection of Christ

2. Our inheritance is not of this world which will melt with fervent heat

a. Our inheritance is incorruptible

b. Our inheritance is undefiled

c. Our inheritance fadeth not away

d. Our inheritance is reserved in heaven for us

313 anagennaw anagennao an-ag-en-nah’-o - from 303 and 1080; TDNT-1:673,114; v

begat again 1, be born again 1; 2

1) to produce again, be born again, born anew

2) metaph. to have one’s mind changed so that he lives a new life and one conformed to the will of God

2198 zaw zao dzah’-o - a primary verb; TDNT-2:832,290; v

live 117, be alive 9, alive 6, quick 4, lively 3, not tr 1, misc 2, vr live 1; 143

1) to live, breathe, be among the living (not lifeless, not dead)

1680 elpiv elpis el-pece’ - from a primary elpo (to anticipate, usually with pleasure); n f

hope 53, faith 1; 54

1) expectation of evil, fear

2) expectation of good, hope

2a) in the Christian sense

2a1) joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation

3) on hope, in hope, having hope

3a) the author of hope, or he who is its foundation

3b) the thing hoped for

1 Peter 1:5 Who are kept<5432> by the power<1411> of God through faith unto salvation<4991> ready to be revealed in the last<2078> time<2540>.

D. The elect are “kept” by the power of God through faith

1. phroreo is a military term, meaning to guard from invasion

2. We know God keeps us by faith – Knowing God can do what He said He would

E. The elect are kept by the dunamis – (our word dynamite) power of God

F. The elect are kept unto Salvation – deliverance

G. Our Salvation is ready to be revealed at God’s appointed time

5432 frourew phroureo froo-reh’-o - from a compound of 4253 and 3708; ; v

keep 3, keep with a garrison 1; 4

1) to guard, protect by a military guard, either to prevent hostile invasion, or to keep the inhabitants of a besieged city from flight

2) metaph.

2a) under the control of the Mosaic law, that he might not escape from its power

2b) to protect by guarding, to keep

2c) by  watching and guarding to preserve one for the attainment of something

1411 dunamiv dunamis doo’-nam-is - from 1410; TDNT-2:284,186; n f

power 77, mighty work 11, strength 7, miracle 7, might 4, virtue 3, mighty 2, misc 9; 120

1) strength power, ability

1a) inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth

1b) power for performing miracles

1c) moral power and excellence of soul

1d) the power and influence which belong to riches and wealth

1e) power and resources arising from numbers

1f) power consisting in or resting upon armies, forces, hosts

4991 swthria soteria so-tay-ree’-ah - feminine of a derivative of 4990 ;n f

salvation 40, the (one) be saved 1, deliver + 1325 1, health 1, saving 1, that (one) be saved + 1519 1; 45

1) deliverance, preservation, safety, salvation

2) salvation as the present possession of all true Christians

3) future salvation, the sum of benefits and blessings which the Christians, redeemed from all earthly ills, will enjoy after the visible return of Christ from heaven in the consummated and eternal kingdom of God.

2078 escatwv eschatos es’-khat-os - from 2192 (in the sense of contiguity); adj

last 46, lowest 2, uttermost 2, last state 2, ends 1, latter end 1; 54

1) extreme

1a) last in time or in place – series of places – temporal succession

2) the last

2a) last, referring to time – or of space

2540 kairov kairos kahee-ros’ - of uncertain affinity; TDNT-3:455,389; n m

time 64, season 13, opportunity 2, due time 2, always + 1722 + 3956 2, not tr 1, misc 3; 87

1 Peter 1:6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

1 Peter 1:7  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:

1 Peter 1:8  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:

1 Peter 1:9 Receiving the end<5056> of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

H. Christians rejoice because of lively hope of inheritance

1. Notice it is the fiery trial of your faith that is more precious than gold

a. While gold is “tried with fire”

b. It will eventually perish

2.  The trials of your faith brings eternal life

3. Christians rejoice because they know Christ will do what He said He would do

I. At God’s appointed time Christians will receive their inheritance

5056 telov telos tel’-os - from a primary tello (to set out for a definite point or goal); TDNT-8:49,1161; n n

end 35, custom 3, uttermost 1, finally 1, ending 1, by (one’s) continual + 1519 1; 42

1) end

1a) termination, the limit at which a thing ceases to be ( always of the end of some act or state, but not of the end of a period of time)

1b) the end

1b1) the last in any succession or series

1 Peter 1:10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:

1 Peter 1:11  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.

1 Peter 1:12  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.

J. The Prophets prophesied of this Inheritance (Salvation)– Desired to see it

Genesis 49:10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

Daniel 2:44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

Haggai 2:7 And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.

Zechariah 6:12  And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD: {grow…: or, branch up from under him}

Matthew 13:17  For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

III. Holiness

1 Peter 1:13 Wherefore gird up<328> the loins of your mind<1271>, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 1 Peter 1:14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves<4964>  according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

A. How to be holy – Peter uses an oriental metaphor

1. As those with long, flowing robes used a lether belt so they were not held back on their journey

2. So, the Christian needs to control his own thoughts

a. A Christian needs to be sober (diligent)

b. A Christian needs to be assured (NT Hope) till salvation is revealed

c. Notice that this is what obedience is!

d. Holiness is setting our affections on things above – Colossians 3:2

B. What Holiness is not– suskaymatidzo conforming to the former lifestyle – (pouring oneself into the mold of something else)

Notice that this word is used again in the New Testament

Romans 12:2  And be not conformed <4964> to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

328 anaxwnnumi anazonnumi an-ad-zone’-noo-mee - from 303 and 2224; ; v

gird up 1; 1

1) to gird up

2) metaph. be prepared

2a) a metaphor derived from the practice of the Orientals, who in order to be unimpeded in their movements were accustomed, when starting a journey or engaging in any work, to bind their long flowing garments closely around their bodies and fastened them with a leather belt.

1271 dianoia dianoia dee-an’-oy-ah - from 1223 and 3563; TDNT-4:963,636; n f

mind 9, understanding 3, imagination 1; 13

1) the mind as a faculty of understanding, feeling, desiring

2) understanding

3) mind, i.e. spirit, way of thinking and feeling

4) thoughts, either good or bad

4964 suschmatizw soos-khay-mat-id’-zo - from 4862 and a derivative of 4976; ; v

conform to 1, fashion (one’s) self according to 1; 2

1) to conform one’s self (i.e. one’s mind and character) to another’s pattern, (fashion one’s self according to)

C. We are in control of our mind – Different from the teachings of psychology

1 Peter 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

1 Peter 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

D. The Scripture reference to be holy is in the Old Testament – Leviticus 11:44

1 Peter 1:17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

1 Peter 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

1 Peter 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

1 Peter 1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

1 Peter 1:21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

1 Peter 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

1 Peter 1:23 Being born again <313>, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

1 Peter 1:24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: {For: or, For that}

1 Peter 1:25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

E. The price was paid – By Christ’s work, foreordained by the Father

F. The result of true holiness

1. The born again experience – regeneration

2. Love of the bretheren

G. Of What Holiness Consists

1. Hope (I Peter 1:13)

2. A Separated lifestyle (I Peter 1:15)

3. A walk of fear of the Lord (I Peter 1:17)

4. A love of the bretheren (I Peter 1:22

5. The Eternal Word of God (I Peter 1:23-25

The True Gospel is the whole Word of God, From this Word we learn how to be obedient by being holy, and we derive our Hope and Inheritance from The Word of God